Top 8 Best Things To Do With Kids In Abu Dhabi
A holiday with kids could never be completed without fun and energetic activities. Think waterparks, theme parks, zoos, aquariums, etc. And Abu Dhabi has just ... read more...everything! So if you're going to Abu Dhabi this summer and looking for places and activities to spend some quality time with your kids, check out this list of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi!
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Abu Dhabi is home to some of the most impressive theme parks in the whole world, and the most unique and famous one among them has to be the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. This theme park is located on Yas Island with a total area of 86,000 square meters. This is the Ferrari version of Disney World, with everything that Disney World has, but in Ferrari style, including the famous world's fastest roller coaster "Flying Aces" and the Ferrari driving experience, which gives visitors the chance to cruise Abu Dhabi's streets in a real Ferrari. This massive amusement park opened in 2010 and is dedicated to all things Ferrari. The park is designed with children in mind, but people of all ages could appreciate the rides and the attention to detail. Therefore, this place is packed with people all year round.
There are countless activities for you and your kids to do in this paradise for a car-lover. Besides the "Flying Aces" and the Ferrari driving experience, Formula Rossa is also a must-do for thrill-seekers and bucket-listers. Strap in, soar to 170 feet and hold on as you zoom through the atmosphere at nearly 150 miles per hour—just as if you were in a race car. The Karting Academy, a circuit racetrack with electric go-karts is also a standout feature of the massive park. When you need a break, there's a litany of shows, including acrobatic performances, magic, and stunts for you to enjoy. Moreover, the park features shopping and dining experiences.
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One of the Abu Dhabi must-see places is the Etihad Towers which are home to the Observation Deck at 300. This is one of the best places to go sightseeing in Abu Dhabi as you get to see the entire city from an incredible view. This might seem like a terrible idea for those of you who are scared of heights, but for thrill seekers, it is a dream come true. Especially, for children who are usually curious and love big things, this could be one of those experiences that they could never forget.
The Etihad Towers is very easily accessible, you can come here on the Big Bus tour. After arriving at the towel, go to level P3 where you will find a small reception area. You can buy a ticket to get to the Observation Deck at 300 here. The observation deck is on floor 74 which places it 300 meters above the ground. The deck itself is awesome since it has plenty of couches and tables for you to sit around alone or in groups, and have a coffee or cake. But the best thing here is, of course, the magnificent view of Abu Dhabi. At the Observation Deck at 300, you'll see Abu Dhabi from a totally different point of view while having nice music playing in the background.
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No matter how close you live to the beach, your kids will always get excited about a beach trip! In Abu Dhabi, you can have fun with your kids in the immaculate Corniche Beach - one of the city's most famous beaches, and soak up Abu Dhabi’s famous year-round sunshine while having a splash in the cool and beautiful turquoise blue water. Moreover, this beautiful beach is not just home to turquoise water and soft, white sand, it also has a beautiful seaside boardwalk, with well-kept walkways home to manicured gardens and benches overlooking the picturesque Arabian Gulf. Therefore, it is also an ideal spot for a picnic.
In Corniche Beach, there is a children’s play area designed for kids to have the best time. There are also free sports facilities, including five volleyball courts, two football pitches, and three playing fields for your kids to get energetic. After a long day of burning calories, treat your kids to a good spot on the beach and let them witness the majestic views of Lulu Island and the Abu Dhabi skyline as the sun sets. Get ready with a good camera to capture perfect family shots to remember the wonderful experience.
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A waterpark is also a must-visit place if you're traveling with your kids. Here in Abu Dhabi, you can go to the incredible Yas Waterworld where you can bask under the Abu Dhabi sunshine, rush down epic water slides, and get that sun-kissed, happy glow. Yas Waterworld is located on Yas Island, just 20 minutes from Abu Dhabi city and with an area spanning 15 football pitches. This enormous waterpark has an Emirati theme - it follows the story of a young local girl on a quest to find a legendary pearl. And the pearl does exist! You can spot it at the top of Jebel Dhana, the park’s towering centerpiece. It's massive, so there is no way you can miss it. And the journey of "finding the pearl" will surely be one of the experiences your kids love.
The most famous thing about the waterpark is the daredevil rides and epic slides. With 40 "crazy" rides and slides, you’ll be laughing, squealing, and screaming in joy! Give the world’s first, largest hydromagnetic-powered, 238-meter long, six-person tornado waterslide, Dawwamma a go! After that, try the insane three-meter-high waves on Bubble’s Barrel, which has the world’s largest surfable sheet wave for flow boards and bodyboards. It is essential to know that every ride has height restrictions, simply for the safety of your children. For the folks who prefer laidback rides, there is the Al Raha River or the lazy river, where you can just lay and float without a care in the world.
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Zoo seems like one of the perfect places for a fun trip with children, and Abu Dhabi has just the best zoo you could ask for - the Emirates Park Zoo. In 2008, the Emirates Park Zoo began as a tiny feeding farm. In 2012, it became a full-fledged zoo. Now it is one of the most frequently visited spots in Abu Dhabi. This wonderful zoo is home to over 1700 different species in various zones and sections. Especially, the Emirates Park Zoo can be explored by walking around and experiencing the wildlife!
There are so many things you can do in the Emirates Park Zoo. You can feed the coolest creatures their favorite meal under the watchful eye of the zoo guides. You can also catch live animal shows, zipline, or climb at the aerial play park and even spend time at the games area with 5 big rides and over 100 arcade games. For a closer and more intimate encounter, there are VIP experiences that you can book like, breakfast with parrots or giraffes, brunch with leopards, and even dinner with elephants!
One of the most famous VIP experiences has to be eating with parrots. This experience allows visitors to spend some intimate and interactive moments with the colorful tropical parrots that are beyond exquisite. The package includes a breakfast of your choice that you can share with these parrots, Birds of Prey Encounter, and a chance to feed the resident ducks.
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The National Aquarium in Al Qana, Abu Dhabi is the largest in the Middle East. This wonderful place is spread across 10 nautically-themed zones, from the UAE’s Natural Treasures, sunken sea wrecks, and Atlantic caves, right through to flooded forests, fiery volcanoes, and a frozen ocean. Over 46,000 animals from more than 300 unique species in more than 60 attractions will give you an idea of the aquatic wildlife here in Abu Dhabi.
Some of the National Aquarium’s most exciting inhabitants are also some of the scariest - The Aquarium has over 200 sharks and rays representing 25 different species! Your kids will also have the opportunity to get an up-close view of what is believed to be the largest living snake in the world - the "super snake". The reticulated python is an excellent swimmer, weighs 115 kilograms, is over seven meters long, and prefers a diet of ducks and rabbits. Moreover, the National Aquarium hosts one of the largest coral reef tanks in the region.
In addition to its spectacular biodiversity, The National Aquarium also boasts an array of exciting and engaging experiences. Visitors will be able to fully immerse themselves during their visits, with glass-bottom dhow tours and personal animal encounters. With innovations including video mapping technology and signage guides, the Aquarium has been designed to provide both children and adults with world-class interactive learning opportunities to spotlight the vital role the marine environment plays in the well-being of all. Therefore, visiting this place and learning about the marine life will for sure delight and excite your whole family!
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If your child is more of a bookworm, then this might be the perfect place for your trip! Spread over three floors, the impressive 5,250-square-metre Abu Dhabi Children’s Library is a state-of-the-art space designed to inspire and entertain the young and the young at heart. Divided into immersive, age-appropriate social spaces, with one including a three-dimensional learn-and-play area, this hidden city gem encourages children to physically immerse themselves in a whimsical interior.
Every floor boasts a different design, with local and international visitors enjoying an open, friendly, and inviting space featuring colorful creations inspired by the rich and diverse areas of the UAE. There are many funky features including soft faux sand dunes for kids to read on, an oasis with a falaj (ancient irrigation system) flowing with books, and a Book Mountain at the heart of the library. A large and diverse collection of books including fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, autobiographies, and audiobooks are prepared in the library, making sure there are books for everyone. Besides the collaborative, open spaces where children can talk, perform, play and interact with one another, there are also a number of quiet zones offering peaceful areas for concentration and focused reading.
Every year at the Abu Dhabi Children’s Library, there are many programs featuring literature, art, film, and music, making it a vibrant and inspiring cultural hub for all.
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Talking to kids about the real world is one thing, but showing them how the real world works is not any less important, and there is a place, or rather, an activity in Abu Dhabi that will help you to do just that. Visiting Kidzania and letting your kids experience "real jobs" in a fun way that encourages them to learn about working, jobs, money, and the real world, all while developing true-to-life skills that can’t be learned in the classroom is one of the best things you can do with kids in Abu Dhabi.
KidZania is one of the most unique indoor places for kids in Abu Dhabi and the world. It is an award-winning children's edutainment concept, located on the ground floor of Yas Mall. If you look at it from above, it is basically a vibrant mini-city that has pretty much everything an actual city would have: petrol stations, supermarkets, fast food joints, and even crime scenes. The "city" is 55,000-square-foot in total and is packed with over 40 role-playing activities for children and teenagers aged 4 to 16. Combining playful activities with education, this city uses an innovative approach to make learning fun for kids, and for that reason, it is a must-visit place for you and your kids!