They say the best things in life are free. Dubai may be a city of glitz and glamor but it’s also possible to enjoy this city without spending too much. From fishing, a day at the Dubai beach, or painting in the park – Dubai is a child-friendly city with lots of free Dubai activities kids can enjoy for free.
Need ideas for your Dubai weekend itinerary? See the list below for some of the free things to do in Dubai with your kids.
SEE ALSO: Top 25 Things to Do in Dubai
Head straight to souk area and see a standing Diplodocus skeleton. Youngsters will take joy in following the footsteps of the dinosaur. There’s a screen which contains some facts about this dinosaur.
Want to enjoy a movie outdoors? Head to Pyramids Rooftop Gardens at Wafi Mall. Huge, comfy beanbags will welcome you there.
You can pack your lunch and go to the Arabian Ranches polo club – while watching horses pass by.
One of the main attractions of the Dubai mall is the world-famous dancing fountain. The largest in the world, it’s a must for everyone in Dubai. The team behind Bellagio fountain in Vegas had designed this fountain which dances to the tune of local and international music every week nights.
Schedule: Every 30 minutes starting at 6pm to 11pm. Afternoon shows are at 1pm and 1:30 pm every day (except Friday) which runs at 1:30pm and 2pm.
You don’t have to go inside the Dubai Mall Aquarium to see the fishes. You can see the main tank in the ground floor free for everyone to watch. Kids can get up close and personal with fish, sharks, and rays.
Biking inNad Al Sheba is a good way to exercise with your kids. There are courses for kids (850 meters) with street signs and some bumps and roundabouts. Your children can enjoy a view of Downtown Dubai and Burj Khalifa while biking around.
Mina A’Salam hotel is a sanctuary for rescued turtles before they are even released to the wild. There’s a designated public enclosures where your kids can meet these creatures up close. You can go to Al Muna Restaurant are at 11 am (Wednesday) or 1 pm (Friday). Your kids can also experience feeding them.
A visit to the souks gives you an insight to some of the authentic Dubai culture. The souks are a sight to behold and a real delight for all the senses. The Spice souk is really fun and colourful while the gold souks are a sight to behold. Wondering around you will see that children are much more interested in the stalls then they are ever in malls.
You can explore the Dubai Garden centerand wander outdoor space with trees and plants. A variety of animal statues and very realistic looking creatures also await you. You can cross a bridge over a crocodile pond or spot monkeys swinging by. To top it all off, you can enjoy a drink and cake at Rose Lead Café afterward.
Wafi’s spectacular Return of the Pharaohs light show is also another sight in Dubai. The Egyptian-themed show projects special effects onto the Pyramids. Be thrilled with this Indiana Jones- inspired show.
Once you all have the right equipment, you can enjoy a weekend with your loved ones in an overnight camping. Just be prepared because at night, the temperature in the desert drops.
The Jaddaf dhow shipyard will let you see local boats from across the Dubai Festival City. You and your kids can have a glimpse of Dubai’s cultural heritage.
Toy stores in Dubai are perfect for play sessions. Pottery Barn Kids on the ground floor of Dubai Mall is one good destination. From wooden cranes to dinosaurs, shopping carts and kitchen sets – Early Learning Center also has a good play area. Kids can try toys before they buy them. Hamley’s is another site with magicians and activities for your kids to enjoy.
The Mushrif Park in International Village has 13 kiddie-sized traditional houses perfect for toddlers.
Dubai is home to large parks you can explore. Creek Park and Zabeel Park are just two of the largest parks in Dubai. You can start your Friday morning early and just play catch or badminton with your kids.
Do you know any other free activities you can do in Dubai with your kids? Share them below for other parents to see!
This non-profit petting farm lets youngsters give some love to animals donated by previous owners. Posh paws rely on donations but it’s totally free.
The good old tradition of bird watching is revived in Ras Al Khor. These feathery friends flock Ras Al Khor mostly in the morning
Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim area is famous for its beach track with a cycle path. This bike track is perfect for morning scooter rides with your kids.
Get a taste of the old days at the Heritage Village. Stroll through the reconstructed neighbourhood with its distinctive palm-and-mud houses and learn about Dubai’s pearl diving past and take in the jewellery and pottery making demonstrations across the district.
Head on out to the desert for a day and roll through the sand with your kids. You can bring some disposable barbecue and a few burgers. Just remember to clean up afterwards!
The Old Library organise story time every week. Your kids can sit in and listen to stories and participate in activities.
Let your toddler splash around in the dancing fountains to keep cool.Just bring some waterproof footwear and some extra clothes for your little ones.
There’s no free shopping at Spinneys but during Market Day, you and your kiddos can snack your way around.
Pack up a few sandwiches and drinks; you can enjoy some at the beach. Catch a view of the Arabian Gulf with your family.
Jump in a water taxi and see the city in a different perspective. Though it’s not totally free but it’s cheap. You can explore the other side or stroll along the boardwalk.
The traditional sport of camel racing is exciting, noisy and a thrill for the minis. Schedule is during the winter months at Al Marmoum Camel Racetrack on the Dubai Al Ain Road. Plus, admission is free!
Al Fahidi District is one of the oldest residential areas in the city of Dubai. Dating back to the 1890’s, picture narrow winding lanes, ornate sand coloured dwellings built in traditional style and beautiful towers.
Du Tuesday Deal allows mobile customers to get a free cinema ticket at Vox Cinemas. You can purchase a ticket at a full price and the other one free.
You can make your own desert safari. Drive there in your 4×4 car and just go dune bashing. Treat your kids to a thrilling ride.
You can go higher than VurjKhalifa by climbing up to UAE’s highest peak for free with just 2-3 hours drive from Dubai.
You can wander through the oldest trading districts in Dubai. Houses are made from hand-chiseled corals. Today, there’s still a myriad of spice and craft shops, art galleries and pretty little cafes.
Built around the 1890, the house is passed through owners who have modified and developed it. This is a very good example of a traditional Emirati home. Visit this if you want to explore the old days. It’s open for viewing Sat-Thu, 8am-7.30pm; Fri 2.30pm-7.30pm.
Dubai boasts three prominent forts that protected the city from attack. Why not spend a day finding and exploring our very own castles? BurjNahar, built in 1870 is located in Deira, on Al Rasheed Rd, next to DEWA’s Burj Nahar branch. Naif Fort was a prison and the first headquarters of Dubai Police. It boasts an impressive tower and historic cannon. You can find it in the Naif area of Deira on Sikkat Al Khail Rd. And Al Fahidi Fort, now home to the Dubai Museum, was built around 1787, and once guarded the landward approaches to the town.
It’s not free but costs only 3 AED for adults and Dhs1 for children to enter the museum. It’s open Sat – Thu, 8.30 am – 8pm, Fri 3pm-9pm (04 353 1862).
Dubai’s cheapest and most fun form of transportation is the Abra. They can shuttle people across the creek for just 1 AED. You can see Iranian cargo ships& illuminated restaurant boats.
Dubai’s archaeological sites are very accessible. At Al Qusais and Al Sufouh, you can explore two graveyards which date back more than 2,000 years. At the Jumeirah site, artifacts have been discovered from the 7th to 15th centuries AD. But visiting here needs a special permit from Dubai Museum.
SEE ALSO: 25 Best Summer Camps in Dubai
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Very good information.I am staying in UAE for last 2 years...we never went for outing because of financial issues...this time we will try these places..with thousands of thanks..
By Sameera (Jul, 2019) |
I like it. I am traveling to Dubai next month for pleasure trip with my family. It is informative before the trip.
By Shahab Baig (Jul, 2018) |
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Very nice ? thanks for the information. We will visit most of these places when we visit.
By Ebiye Edwins Ikeotuonye (Dec, 2019) |