Home / What’s On / Kids and family
Family events and things to do with kids in Dubai and across the UAE: parties, shows, workshops, play centres and seasonal events, with dated events listed first.
Age ranges and whether an adult must attend vary by event, so check the listing before you book.
List your events for free on Thingstodo.ae and get a page that collects all your upcoming dates in one place.
Picked from our live listings and updated automatically. Events drop off this list as soon as they finish.
There are more things to do with kids in Dubai than most families ever get through, yet finding the right plan for this particular weekend, this weather and these ages is still a puzzle. Toddlers, primary schoolers and teenagers all want different things, and an idea that works perfectly in January can be uncomfortable in August. This page brings together children’s shows, workshops, play centres, family festivals and days out across Dubai and the wider UAE, with links to official organisers. Below, we share how we plan family time through the year, what to check before booking, and where to go when everyone needs a change of scene.
The weather shapes family life here more than anything. From roughly October to April, mornings and evenings are warm rather than hot, and this is the time for parks, beaches, outdoor markets and open-air attractions. Several of Dubai’s seasonal favourites, including Global Village, Dubai Miracle Garden and Dubai Safari Park, typically close over summer and reopen in the autumn, so check each one’s season before you set off. From May to September, temperatures regularly pass 40°C, and the best plans move indoors: malls, play centres, aquariums, ice rinks, museums and air-conditioned theatres. Summer camps and holiday workshops fill the long school break, and many attractions run family offers in the quieter months. Our monthly guides help you see what each season brings.
Some of the most reliable plans need no date at all. KidZania at The Dubai Mall lets children role-play grown-up jobs in a child-sized city, and there is a sister site at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. The Dubai Mall also has the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo and an ice rink, while Mall of the Emirates is home to Ski Dubai, where children can meet penguins and play in real snow. Trampoline parks, soft play areas, climbing walls and inflatable parks are spread across the big malls, and indoor theme parks are a lifesaver on the hottest afternoons. Our attractions page covers theme parks, waterparks and sights in more detail.
Live performance is a wonderful way to spend a family afternoon, and the cooler months bring the most choice. Touring children’s musicals, puppet shows, pantomimes around the festive season and character concerts appear regularly at venues such as Dubai Opera, Theatre by QE2 at Mina Rashid, the New Covent Garden Theatre at Mall of the Emirates and Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. In Sharjah, Masrah Al Qasba stages children’s productions in a family-friendly waterfront setting. For older children and teenagers, a family-friendly comedy act or a big musical can be a memorable first night out; browse our shows and theatre listings for current productions.
Children who love making things will always find something new. Cooking classes, pottery, art studios, science sessions, coding clubs and nature workshops run through the year, often on weekend mornings and throughout the school holidays. Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz hosts galleries and creative spaces that sometimes run family programmes, and Expo City Dubai regularly holds hands-on activities for young visitors. Libraries, including the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, run storytelling and reading events. See our workshops page for classes that welcome children, and check the age guidance on each listing.
A short drive opens up even more. Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island has a cluster of theme parks and a waterpark, and Saadiyat Island adds museums with children’s programmes; see things to do in Abu Dhabi. Sharjah is one of the most family-focused emirates, with the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, usually held in spring at Expo Centre Sharjah, the Sharjah International Book Fair in the autumn, and attractions such as Al Noor Island and the Sharjah Aquarium; our things to do in Sharjah page has more. Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah are great for a weekend of mountains, beaches and calmer days. For quick ideas, try things to do this weekend.
Run a kids’ class, club or family show? Submit an event and we will check the details with you before it goes live.
We list 35 kids and family events in Dubai and the UAE in the next few weeks, including Kids Pizza Making Class 2026 in Dubai (2 Nov), Future Hand District 2026 in Sharjah (4 Nov), The Adventures of Dumbo 2026 in Sharjah (6 Nov). Tickets start from AED 49, and 6 are free. Every listing links to the official ticket page.
In the Dubai summer, when temperatures regularly pass 40°C, the best plans with kids are indoors. Popular choices include KidZania and the Dubai Aquarium at The Dubai Mall, Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates, trampoline parks, soft play centres, ice rinks and indoor theme parks. Many attractions run summer offers, and holiday camps fill the long school break. Our attractions page lists indoor options in detail.
It depends on the production. Puppet shows and sensory performances are often aimed at toddlers and children under six, while musicals, magic shows and film concerts usually suit ages four and up. Some theatres do not admit babies, and others require every child to hold a ticket. The organiser’s age guidance is on each event page, so check it before booking.
Yes. In the cooler months, from roughly October to April, community parks, beach venues and hotel lawns screen family films outdoors, and some screenings are free with registration. Others charge a small fee that may include a snack or a beanbag. Use the Price filter on this page to find free events, and arrive early for a good spot.
Global Village and Dubai Miracle Garden are seasonal outdoor attractions that typically reopen in October and close again in spring, before the summer heat. Dubai Safari Park follows a similar pattern. Exact opening dates are announced each year, so check before you visit. For Global Village, arriving in the late afternoon helps families avoid the warmest part of the day and catch the evening lights and stage shows.
KidZania at The Dubai Mall is aimed mainly at children aged about 4 to 16, who role-play grown-up jobs such as pilot, firefighter or doctor in a child-sized city. Toddlers can join selected activities with adult guidance, and younger or shorter children must be accompanied by an adult. Age and supervision rules can change, so check the official website before booking. There is also a KidZania at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi.
Dubai has plenty of free things to do with kids, especially from October to April. Public beaches such as Kite Beach and Jumeirah Public Beach, community parks, the Dubai Fountain show at Burj Lake in Downtown Dubai, and free family events during the Dubai Fitness Challenge cost nothing. Libraries, including the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, run storytelling sessions. Our offers page lists family deals for paid outings.
Every event on this page links to the official organiser or ticketing partner, where you choose a date, a session and the number of tickets. Check whether adults need a ticket too and whether babies on laps are admitted free. Weekend morning sessions, festive shows and school holiday workshops sell out first, so booking a few weeks ahead is wise.
Abu Dhabi hosts big family concerts and shows at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, children’s programmes at the museums on Saadiyat Island, and cultural events at venues such as the Cultural Foundation. Yas Island’s theme parks and waterpark make it easy to turn an event into a full day out. See our Abu Dhabi guide for more.
Sharjah is one of the most family-focused emirates. Highlights include the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, usually held in spring at Expo Centre Sharjah, and the Sharjah International Book Fair in the autumn, both with big children’s programmes. Al Noor Island, the Sharjah Aquarium and the waterfront at Al Qasba are lovely year-round. See our Sharjah guide for more family ideas.
Get the best of the UAE in your inbox
Be first to hear about new events, weekend picks and free things to do. No spam, unsubscribe any time.