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Dubai with Kids: Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

ByJessica Lee Updated on

Dubai might be known for over-the-top hotels, massive shopping malls, skyscrapers, and luxury everything, but it also works surprisingly well as a family destination.

We spent 4 nights in Dubai with our 15-month-old, splitting our stay between Downtown Dubai and the Jumeirah area. We rode to the top of the Burj Khalifa, wandered through souks, explored old Dubai, spent time along the beach, and took advantage of some of the very modern attractions that make traveling here with a young child relatively easy. We also used Dubai as part of a bigger Middle East trip that included Abu Dhabi and Oman.

One thing I wouldn’t do is spend an entire Dubai trip inside malls and luxury resorts. Those are certainly part of the Dubai experience, but there’s another side of the city worth seeking out too. Make time for the Creek, the souks, Al Fahidi, and opportunities to learn more about Emirati culture alongside the shiny new Dubai.

If you’re planning Dubai with kids, especially a shorter first visit, these are the family-friendly places, activities, restaurants and practical tips I’d consider when putting together your itinerary.

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Our Dubai trip at a glance

Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas for Dubai, UAE

  • Burj Khalifa – world’s tallest building since 2009
  • Explore Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood & Al Fahidi Fort – peek into old Dubai, a restored historical neighborhood
  • Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding – a nonprofit organization aiming to break down cultural barriers and help educate anyone interested in Emirati culture
  • Take a boat across Dubai creek
  • Ignite your senses at the souks – spices (including saffron – world’s most expensive spice), tea, perfume, and gold galore
  • Watch the Dubai Fountain show – the world’s largest fountain, in front of the mall
  • The Dubai Mall – one of the world’s largest shopping malls with a wide array of shops, restaurants, and attractions
  • Burj Al Arab – known as the world’s most luxurious hotel, the famous sail-shaped building is a sight to see. You can’t walk right up to it if you’re not staying there, but you can view it from Jumeirah Public Beach, Madinat Jumeirah, or a boat ride 
  • Mall of the Emirates – shopping, dining, and attractions – including indoor skiing
  • Hang out in the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) area – a modern beachfront residential and tourist district
    • The Walk at JBR – popular place to walk around, trendy shops and restaurants
    • JBR Beach – vibrant lively beach just off The Palm
    • Various amusement attractions: AquaFun – floating inflatables water park, Flying Cup, water sports (jet skis, pedal boats, parasailing, etc.), Skydive Dubai 
    • For kids – splash pad
  • Palm Islands
    • Take the Palm Jumeirah Monorail – get a quick tour of the island and end at Atlantis
    • Atlantis Dubai – picturesquely perched at the top of the palm island, offering guests a variety of fun experiences
    • Boat ride – take in the Palm from the water
  • Head to the desert for dune-bashing, camel rides, and dinner – numerous options, research to find the best fit for you, and some overnight options too

Food Ideas for Dubai, UAE

  • Arabian Tea House Cafe – an authentic glimpse back to old-world Dubai, traditionally decorated and set up to promote relaxing, eating, and chatting
  • Markette – casual market/cafe international food, in The Dubai Mall
  • Aroos Damascus – casual, fresh Syrian/Arabic food popular with locals
  • Al Nafoorah – top-rated Lebanese cuisine
  • Trattoria Toscana – casual Italian restaurant in the Souk Madinat Jumeirah
  • Zaatar w Zeit – quick, casual Middle Eastern chain
  • Operation Falafel – The Beach, JBR – cafe-style street food
  • Al Qasr Brunch – an extravagant and indulgent brunch experience

Top Tips for Dubai, UAE

  • Think about the timing of your Dubai visit, whether the weather will be bearable and if it will be Ramadan. 
  • Weekends are Friday and Saturday and often start with expansive Friday brunches.
  • Dubai is not a pedestrian-friendly city. There are areas, like around the souks and JBR, that you can wander around, but most of the city is not set up this way, and you can’t really walk from one area of interest to another. 
  • Dubai is the most liberal of the emirates, and as a tourist, you are exempt or pardoned from certain rules and expectations (usually within your hotel or popular attractions), but do try to be aware and respectful of local customs (these pardons may not be as excused outside). 
  • Most everywhere is family-friendly and kid-friendly in Dubai, even fancier establishments.
  • It’s easy to only experience the new world glitz, glamour, and money in Dubai, but don’t miss out on discovering some of old-world Dubai.

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Is Dubai Worth Visiting with Kids?

Dubai ended up being surprisingly easy to experience with our 15-month-old. We found kids were welcome just about everywhere we went, from casual restaurants and souks to nicer hotels and attractions.

For our family, the best part was mixing modern Dubai with the older and more traditional side of the city. See the Burj Khalifa, wander through the enormous malls and enjoy the beach resorts, but make time for the Creek, souks and Al Fahidi too.

If you have extra time, Dubai also makes a convenient starting point for exploring more of the region. We took a day trip to Abu Dhabi and then flew to Oman for two nights, including an overnight stay in the desert. That combination gave us a much broader experience than staying only in Dubai.

And if the long flight is what’s making you hesitate about bringing a toddler this far, I understand. Our 15-month-old barely slept on our 17-hour flight home from Dubai. It was a very long day, but we survived it, learned a lot, and kept taking long-haul trips with our kids afterward.

Related Reading

Planning a bigger Middle East trip or traveling this far with a young child? These posts continue directly from our Dubai trip:

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