Top indoor activities to beat the summer heat in Dubai
Summer is upon us and that can mean only one thing…Dubai residents are on the hunt for things to do in the city that don’t involve getting baked in the epic seasonal heat! The good news? There are plenty of fun indoor activities in Dubai during summer where the whole fam can enjoy. With that in mind, let’s take a look at all the exciting options in the emirate that can be enjoyed all year round.
BEST INDOOR ACTIVITIES IN DUBAI DURING SUMMER
From escape rooms to zip-lining in sub-zero temperatures, there are so many great indoor family activities in Dubai.
CHILL OUT AT FAMILY-FRIENDLY ATTRACTIONS IN DUBAI
DUBAI MALL ICE RINK
Experience a winter wonderland this summer at the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink. Designed for all ages, this is the perfect destination for a fun-filled weekend jam in Dubai. Skate and glide your way across the ice listening to the preppy tunes played by the in-house DJ, with no care of the summer heat outside!
- Prices: From AED 110
- Location: Dubai Mall
- Timings: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 am – 12:00 am
- Contact: 800-38-224-6255
SKI DUBAI
The third-largest indoor ski resort in the world, Ski Dubai is the perfect place to cool off from the infamous Dubai summer heat. Adrenaline-seekers can hit the slopes and the zip line, whilst others looking for a more slow-paced visit can head to the snow park or meet real-life penguins.
- Prices: From AED 220
- Location: Mall of the Emirates
- Timings: Monday to Friday, 10:00 am – 11:00 pm | Friday, 10:00 am – 12:00am | Saturday and Sunday, 09:00 am – 12:00 am
- Contact: +971-4-409-4000
iFLY DUBAI
If you dream of flying, iFLY Dubai offers you a chance to experience simulated skydiving in the city. Nestled in City Centre Mirdif, iFLY comprises a 10 metre-high vertical tunnel with strong simulated winds, allowing you to enjoy a gravity-defying soar indoors! It is one of the best indoor activities in Dubai for family.
- Prices: From AED 149 (Beginners)
- Location: City Centre Mirdif – Ghoroob
- Timings: Monday to Thursday, 12:00 pm – 09:00 pm | Friday to Sunday, 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Contact: +971-60-059-9905
DUBAI AQUARIUM AND UNDERWATER ZOO
Get ready to explore one of the most beautiful aquariums in the world – the giant Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo at The Dubai Mall. Home to more than 33,000 aquatic animals, the facility offers a great way to discover the underwater world. While the aquarium gives you a fish-eye view of marine life, the underwater zoo showcases magnificent species such as otters, seahorses….and piranhas!
- Prices: From AED 199
- Location: Dubai Mall
- Timings: Monday to Friday, 10:00 am – 11:00 pm | Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am – 12:00 am
- Contact: 800-38-224-6255
GREEN PLANET
Green Planet at City Walk offers an awesome indoor experience for animal-lovers. This man-made tropical rainforest is home to 3,000 plants and animals, ensuring it’s place among the top attractions with indoor games in Dubai. You can meet and greet fascinating creatures from the animal kingdom such as sloths, toucans and even pythons.
- Prices: From AED 160
- Location: City Walk, Al Wasl
- Timings: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 am – 06:00 pm
- Contact: 800-7699
DUBAI DOLPHINARIUM
Dolphins, gotta love them right? Watch bottlenose dolphins and fur seals accomplishing astounding acrobatic feats at Dubai Dolphinarium this summer. It is one of the top indoor things to do in Dubai, the facility hosts a Dolphin & Seal Show where these much-loved creatures dance, juggle and play.
- Prices: From AED 90
- Location: Creek Park Gate 1, Umm Hurrair 2 Street
- Timings: 10:00 am – 07:30 pm | Sun: closed
- Contact: +971-4-336-9773
MAKE MERRY AT THESE POPULAR INDOOR PARKS IN DUBAI
IMG WORLDS OF ADVENTURE
IMG Worlds of Adventure is the largest indoor theme park in Dubai. It delivers non-stop entertainment, bringing your favourite childhood characters to life. Spend a fantastic day enjoying Marvel and Cartoon Network-themed rides!
- Price: AED 345 for general admission
- Location: E311 – Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road
- Timings: Sunday to Thursday, 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Friday and Saturday, 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Contract: +971-4-403-8888
KIDZANIA
KidZania is a make-believe town in Dubai where kids can pretend to be adults (no pun intended) and indulge in over 80 role-playing activities. Designed to give them a taste of practical life, these activities cover almost all fields, ranging from media to the retail industry. At the completion of each activity, they’re given a wage in the form of Kidzos – the KidZania currency.
- Price: From AED 80 (Adults) | From AED 110 (Kids aged 2 to 3 years old)
- Location: The Dubai Mall
- Timings: 11:00 am – 08:00 pm | Thu-Sat: 12:00 pm – 09:00 pm
- Contract: +971-800-382-246255
BOUNCE
Bounce is the ultimate trampoline playground, the biggest of its kind and a sought-after indoor place to visit in Dubai. It’s so much more than just spring-loaded fun. Enjoy a game of dodgeball or basketball – on the trampolines! It is undoubtedly one of the best indoor activities for kids in Dubai.
- Prices: From AED 85
- Location: Building #32, 4th St – Al Quoz
- Timings: Sun – Thu | 01:00 pm – 09:00 pm | Fri: 10:00 am – 09:00 pm | Sat: 10:00 am – 08:00 pm
- Contact: +971-4-321-1400
MAGIC PLANET
Magic Planet is the largest indoor edutainment venue in Dubai. It caters to people of all preferences. There’s a nice balance between activities that offer heart-pumping fun, as well as those that are a bit more relaxing. From arcade games to amusement rides, you’ll embark on an adventure to remember at this hub of fun.
- Prices: Varies
- Location: Multiple including Mall of the Emirates
- Timings: Sun-Tue: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm | Thu-Fri: 10:00 am – 12:00 am
- Contact: +971-600-599-905
JUMBLE
Put your physical and mental skills to the test at Jumble! Jumble promises an unconventional gaming experience that’s perfect for all ages. Situated in a massive two-floor venue, it is an urban maze featuring a series of connected rooms with challenges for your team to complete.
- Location: Sheikh Zayed Rd – Al Barsha
- Contact: +971-800-586253
INDULGE IN ADRENALINE-PUMPING ACTIVITIES AT THESE ADVENTUROUS PLACES IN DUBAI
DUBAI SPORTS WORLD
For sports enthusiasts, the Dubai summers can often be a rather troublesome obstacle. But with Dubai Sports World, you can enjoy all your favourite sports in a massive 25,000 sqm indoor venue! Dubai Sports World has indoor facilities for basketball, football, Muay Thai, gymnastics, parkour and even Ninja Warrior!
Please note that the sporting activities at Dubai Sports World may vary year on year, depending on the available facilities.
- Location: Dubai World Trade Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road
- Timings: 08:00 am – 12:00 am
- Contact: +971-800-3982
DUBAI KARTDROME
Dubai Kartdrome is all about go-karting in Dubai. With a fleet of tracks and circuits, this popular city-based venue offers you the chance to experience fast-paced, go-kart racing in a safe and secure environment. Dubai Kartdrome also organises karting camps and private sessions.
- Price: Varies
- Location: Indoor Kartdrome – Motor City
- Timings: 09:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Contact: +971-800-527-8464
SMASH ROOM
Smash room is a sure-fire way to release your stress or built up tension in Dubai. Book a session and break everything around you in Smash Room Dubai. You can even bring your own junk to destroy – got things you want to break?
- Price: From AED 99
- Location: 195 Umm Suqeim St – Al Quoz Industrial Area 4
- Timings: Mon-Sun: 02:30 pm – 10:00 pm
- Contact: +971-58-198-2323
ESCAPE ROOMS
Round up your friends, family or colleagues and head to escape rooms in Dubai. Escape rooms present immersive challenges, each designed with a different difficulty level and a unique set of mysteries. Team members need to combine their brain power and physical attributes to enjoy these indoor team building activities in Dubai.
- Locations: Multiple, including Phobia Dubai in JLT, Brainscape Games in Burj Khalifa District
VR PARK
Indulge yourself in a fantasy wonderland at this VR Park in Dubai Mall. This is the world’s largest indoor virtual reality park that features over 30 amazing rides and experiences. It also offers multiplayer games for those who like to play in teams.
- Prices: From AED 79
- Location: The Dubai Mall – Financial Centre Road
- Timings: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Fri-Sat: 10:00 am – 12:00 am
- Contact: +971-800-382-246255
TEP FACTOR DUBAI
For the ultimate adventure, head on over to TEPfactor at JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence). It is an indoor adventure park themed around the popular TV show, ‘The Crystal Maze’. With 21 innovative challenges and puzzles, it puts your strength, agility and cognitive abilities to test.
- Prices: AED 99 (Adults) | AED 79 (Kids)
- Location: Bahar Plaza, Al Gharbi Street- Jumeirah Beach Residence
- Timings 04:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Thu-Sat: 12:00 pm – 12:00 am | Mon: closed
- Contact: +971-56-404-0802
TAKE A GLIMPSE OF THE REGION’S PAST AND FUTURE AT THE MUSEUMS IN DUBAI
MUSEUM OF ILLUSIONS
This family-friendly attraction is packed with optical illusions and experiences that will turn your world upside down! Enjoy spinning vortex tunnels, upside-down and anti-gravity rooms at Museum of Illusions – where nothing is as it seems.
- Price: AED 80 (Adults) | AED 60 (Children up to 15 years old)
- Location: Al Seef – Dubai Creek
- Timings: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm | Fri-Sat: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Contact: +971-4-357-3999
AL SHINDAGHA MUSEUM
Shindagha Museum, which earlier served as the official residence of His Highness Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, former ruler of Dubai, now serves as a historic museum. Set off the historic Dubai Creek, it is a reminiscent of the reverent traditions of the region’s past. The museum features touch displays, historic photographs, artefacts and so much more! It is also known as the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House in Dubai.
- Price: AED 15 per person | Free: (Children below 5 and people of determination)
- Location: Al Shindagha, Bur Dubai
- Timings: 10:00 am – 08:00 pm
- Contact: +971-800-33222
ETIHAD MUSEUM JUMEIRAH
Spanning over 25,000 sq.m, Etihad Museum offers a glimpse into the region’s heritage before the unification of the seven emirates. Discover photos, films and much more at this historic museum in Dubai.
- Price: AED 25 per person | Children below 5 and people of determination: Free
- Location: Next to the Union Flag Building, Jumeirah Street 1- Al Mina
- Timings: 10:00 am – 08:00 pm
- Contact: +971-4-515-5100
GO FOR A SHOPPING SPREE IN DUBAI
DUBAI MALL
Located right next to the iconic Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall is a paradise for shopaholics in Dubai. Featuring more than 1200 stores, food and beverage outlets and multiple attractions, Dubai Malls combines shopping with fun and entertainment in the city.
- Location: Financial Center Street, Along Sheikh Zayed Road, Next to Burj Khalifa
- Timings: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm | Thu-Sat: 10:00 am – 12:00 am
- Contact: +971-800-382-246255
MALL OF THE EMIRATES
With over 560 shops, a ski slope and cinema complex, Mall of the Emirates is another popular shopping centre in Dubai. Shop, dine and stroll at this wonderful destination any day of the week. And if you feel like taking a break from wandering the stores, there are plenty of family-friendly attractions to enjoy at the mall.
- Location: Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Barsha 1 – Al Barsha
- Timings: 10:00 am – 01:00 am
- Contact: +971-800-6636255
DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY MALL
Punctuating Dubai’s glitzy retail scene, Dubai Festival City Mall is another epic shopping precinct in the city. It’s home to over 350 stores, including the local shops as well as the world’s top retail brands. On the way back from the mall, visitors can also experience the mesmerising water, light and laser projection show – IMAGINE at Festival Bay.
- Location: Crescent Rd – Dubai Festival City
- Timings: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm | Thu-Sat: 10:00 am – 12:00 am
- Contact: +971-800332
BONUS LIST: WATERPARKS TO VISIT IN DUBAI DURING SUMMER
Want to cool in the pool in Dubai during summer? Maybe, you can check out the following waterparks in Dubai.
LAGUNA WATERPARK
Want to drench yourself in fun this summer? Check out Laguna Waterpark in La Mer, Dubai. Offering more than 10 rides, this relatively new attraction promises splashing fun. Whether you try a jaw-dropping free fall ride or hop on the WaveOz 180 FloRider, a good time is guaranteed.
- Prices: From AED 120
- Location: La Mer – Jumeirah 1
- Timings: 10:00 am – 06:00 pm | Mon: closed
- Contact: +971-800-7699
WILD WADI WATERPARK
Grab the whole family for a fun day out at Wild Wadi Waterpark. Located next to the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, it is themed around the Arabian folk character, Juha. Wild Wadi offers many fun rides and slides for the young in age, the young at heart and the adrenaline-seekers!
- Prices: From AED 209 (At the gate) | AED 199 (Online)
- Location: Opp. Burj Al Arab – Jumeirah St – Umm Suqeim
- Timings: 10:00 am – 06:00 pm | Mon: closed
- Contact: +971-4-348-4444
LEGOLAND WATERPARK
Offering heart-pounding thrills, Legoland Waterpark is a great addition to your itinerary. It features more than 20 fun-filled rides, slides and activities, with the Duplo Splash Safari being a popular favourite with toddlers. Children can also flex their brains with the edutainment activity, ‘Build-A-Boat’.
- Prices: From AED 195 | Free for kids below 3 years old
- Location: Sheikh Zayed Road
- Timings: 11:00 am – 06:00 pm
- Contact: +971-4-820-0000
FAQs
ARE THERE ANY FREE PLACES IN DUBAI TO VISIT WITH FAMILY?
There are plenty of family places to visit in Dubai for free. Make sure to add the Jameel Arts Centre and Coffee Museum to your itinerary as free indoor activities to experience in Dubai.
WHAT ARE THE BEST SUMMER ACTIVITIES IN DUBAI?
Dubai offers a vast array of leisure and entertainment activities that can be enjoyed all year round. The best things to do in summer in Dubai include watching movies at the cinema, visiting the beach and enjoying a pool day at one of the beach clubs in Dubai.
That brings an end to our guide to Dubai summer activities. While many of these activities require you to visit the some of the city’s iconic landmarks anyways, you can still see which of the top tourist attractions in Dubai you haven’t visited yet!
Aside from Dubai, there are fabulous destinations in the UAE, spread across all seven emirates, that you can explore and enjoy with the family. From beaches to theme parks, the options are never-ending.