Readles Toy Antiques Museum in Dubai

The Readles Toy Antiques Museum in Dubai, known at The Dubai Mall simply as Readles, is a fairy-tale museum on the second floor of the mall’s Zabeel extension where heroes, dragons and legends are brought to life through AI-inspired designs and handcrafted sculptures. A visit takes you through six themed halls with a professional guide, plus three lucky coins for interactive character moments along the way.

What is the Readles Toy Antiques Museum in Dubai?

Despite the “toy antiques” name on the ticket listing, Readles is not a room of old toys behind glass. It bills itself as the world’s first museum created with the help of artificial intelligence, a museum of the future where fairy tales come alive, and as Dubai’s first AI-powered museum of myths and legends. Local listings described it as coming soon to The Dubai Mall in January 2026 and newly open by February 2026, so it is one of the newer family attractions in Downtown Dubai.

The concept mixes two kinds of craft: AI-inspired designs and handmade sculptures, set out in halls you walk through rather than look at from behind a barrier. It is visual, playful and very photogenic, so keep your phone ready.

The six halls of fairy tales and legends

Each hall is built around a different story world, so the visit has a natural rhythm as you move through. Listings name the halls as the Hall of Heroes, the Hall of Dragons, the Hall of Cinderella, the Tenth Kingdom, the Underwater Kingdom and the Cave of Aladdin. Each one has its own characters, so children can look out for favourites from the stories they already know.

A forest of fairies is also part of the route. Your guide links the halls together, explaining the stories behind the displays, which helps adults enjoy the visit as much as the children do.

Guided tour and lucky coins

Entry includes access to all six halls, a professional guided tour and three lucky coins. The coins unlock interactive experiences with characters along the route, and children tend to guard them like treasure until they find the right moment to use them. Visits run in entry slots, and late arrivals may have to wait for the next one.

Who it suits and house rules

Readles is aimed at all ages, though it is not suitable for children under two, and children aged 2 to 18 must be accompanied by an adult. It works well for families with primary-age children, mixed-generation groups looking for a calm indoor activity, and fairy-tale fans of any age. The museum is fully wheelchair accessible.

Food, drinks, glassware, smoking and large bags are not allowed in the halls. Photography for personal use is welcome, but tripods, flash and stabilisers need prior approval. Smart casual clothes and comfortable shoes are recommended, as the tour is on foot. A valid photo ID is required for children’s and UAE resident tickets, and tickets are non-refundable and cannot be changed.

Finding Readles in The Dubai Mall

Readles is on the second floor of the Zabeel side of The Dubai Mall. If you drive, the mall lists P6 in Zabeel Parking as the closest car park. By Metro, get off at Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station and follow the air-conditioned link bridge into the mall, then head towards the Zabeel extension. Opening hours differ between listings, with late opening in the evenings, so check the time slot on your ticket when you book.

Because it is indoors and air-conditioned, Readles is an easy plan for hot afternoons, and it fits neatly around shopping, dinner or a walk to the Burj Khalifa area.

For more ideas, browse our guides to art and culture in Dubai, kids’ activities in Dubai and attractions in Dubai, or see what else is on at things to do in Dubai and things to do in November.