A city break to Abu Dhabi with kids is fun! Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and is often overlooked when it comes to traveling with kids. Most tourists choose the better-known city of Dubai. But Abu Dhabi is also an excellent destination for families with kids. For example, there are plenty of fun activities for kids in this city. The city has now been named one of the safest cities in the entire world for the fourth time in a row. Partly because of the fine temperatures in the winter months, the city is an ideal destination for a family sun vacation. We already visited this city twice with our family and in this blog we list the best children’s activities in Abu Dhabi.
Best travel time Abu Dhabi with kids
The months of November through March are considered the best travel time to go to Abu Dhabi with kids. The United Arab Emirates has a desert climate, resulting in mild winters and extremely hot summers. For families with kids, temperatures of 20 to 30 degrees during November through March are ideal.
A trip during the months of May through September is also certainly possible, but then you would mainly only be able to enjoy yourself inside, as outside it is unbearably hot with temperatures above 40 degrees. Fortunately, Abu Dhabi is fully equipped for this and there are numerous, fun activities inside. If you are more of an outdoorsman make sure you stay in the city during the months of November through March.
Also, always check when exactly Ramadan is, as that is when certain restaurants may be closed during the day in Abu Dhabi.
Transportation in Abu Dhabi
There are several ways to get around the city in Abu Dhabi with kids. We list some of the modes of transportation below.
Cab: Perhaps the most chosen way to get from A to B in Abu Dhabi is by cab. Uber cabs are widely used here and this is a safe and easy way to get around the city. The cab is relatively cheap. Per kilometer, you pay an average of 1.60 dirhams, or 40 cents. Therefore, a short ride within the city will usually cost you an average of 20 dirhams (=5 euros).
So if you travel with the family, that’s just 1 euro per person (for a 4-person trip) to get around town. A bargain we think! Be sure to buy a local SIM card at the Abu Dhabi airport so you can have coverage anywhere in the city and use Uber’s app.
Bus: Abu Dhabi has an extensive network of buses that can take you virtually anywhere in the city. All buses are air-conditioned and you pay an average of about 2 dirhams (about €0.50), which you can pay directly to the driver. A special area is reserved for women with kids. Men traveling with their families may stand in this section, but men traveling alone must take their seats in another section.
Rental car: we have now been to Abu Dhabi twice with our family and have not missed a rental car ourselves. If you would like to take some more excursions in the area, then a rental car may come in handy. Keep in mind, however, that parking in Abu Dhabi can be expensive. Parking is free on Fridays and holidays.
Parking in Abu Dhabi is divided into two zones: Premium (blue and white curbs) and Standard (black and white curbs). Depending on the zone, you pay AED 3 per hour (Premium) or AED 2 per hour (Standard). Payment can be made through the parking app Mawaqif SMS service, Mawaqif Mobile App or a traditional parking meter. You can very easily rent a car at Abu Dhabi airport online.
Children’s activities Abu Dhabi
#1 Louvre Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has many impressive buildings, but the Louvre is perhaps one of the most iconic and is an absolute must-visit in Abu Dhabi with kids. Louvre Abu Dhabi is the largest art museum in the Arab world and houses more than 1,000 ancient and contemporary works of art. The museum has beautiful and spectacular architecture, a turtle sanctuary, restaurants and a wonderful children’s museum.
The most important advice we would give to other parents: take your time. Louvre Abu Dhabi is very large and you should schedule at least a morning or afternoon to see the building properly. With all the fun facilities, you can also easily entertain yourself for a whole day. Book entrance tickets online at the Louvre’s official website to be assured of a spot.
Arrive earlier than official opening hours (if you booked the first time slot at 10 a.m.), so you won’t have to stand outside in the heat too long. In fact, long lines are forming. Walk straight to the dome so you can explore it in peace and without many people. With kids, be sure to also take a look at the turtle sanctuary. We liked that a lot!
The turtles are fed regularly and maybe your kid can help out too? The Louvre’s children’s museum is absolutely fantastic, but really only suitable for kids 4 and older. Kids under 18 are free and adults pay 16 euros admission.
#2 Sheikh Zayed Mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is perhaps Abu Dhabi’s most iconic building, and rightly so. What beautiful architecture and details. The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is the third largest mosque in the world and can seat more than 40,000 worshippers at a time. The main prayer hall features the largest hand-knotted carpet in the world. It took two years to complete. Entrance to the mosque is completely free.
However, it is important to order tickets online in advance. We recommend booking tickets before the 10 a.m. hour so that you are the first ones allowed in. Only then do you still have the chance to admire the mosque for a while quietly and without crowds of people. Also, adhere to the dress code of this mosque, as they are strict about this.
Women should be completely covered to the ankles, including headscarf. Kids are not yet required to wear a headscarf, but must be fully covered. Bring your own scarf or cloth as there are no headscarves to borrow.
If you do not meet the dress code, you can borrow an abaya (traditional dress with a headscarf) on site. However, in high season, these are often no longer available, so you may not be allowed in.
#3 Malls Abu Dhabi
Normally, we wouldn’t be so quick to mention a mall as an activity, but a mall in Abu Dhabi is quite an experience. In addition to shopping and delicious food, there are numerous activities for kids. This is also a great activity in Abu Dhabi with kids when the weather is bad or just too hot outside.
Here we list the nicest malls you can visit in Abu Dhabi with kids:
Marina Mall: in addition to 400 different stores, cafes and restaurants, there is also a bowling alley, ice rink and a large Ferris wheel from which you have a great view of the city with kids.
Abu Dhabi Mall: this mall has one of the largest indoor playgrounds in the United Arab Emirates and a variety of indoor activities for kids.
Yas Mall Abu Dhabi: in this mall you have Kidzania located which is very fun to visit with young kids. Kidzania is an award-winning concept located on the first floor of the mall. Kidzania is a mini-city that combines play with learning. Great fun for the whole family!
#4 Emirates Heritage Village
Located on Abu Dhabi’s Corniche, the Emirates Heritage Village is managed by the Emirates Heritage Club. When you enter, it’s like stepping back in time. The village is a recreated oasis village with mud brick houses, a market, a mosque and a fort. Kids can see how people used to live here. There will be demonstrations of old crafts such as pottery, metalwork and weaving.
You can also visit the camel farm here. Here, kids can see these animals up close and sometimes even pet them. There are also daily shows with falcons, an ancient hunting tradition in the Emirates. The beach at Heritage Village is also fun to visit with kids. Although you can’t swim there, kids can play in the sand.
There is also a small museum in the village. Here you can see what daily life in the Emirates used to be like. There are exhibits featuring traditional clothing, tools and weapons. A visit to Emirates Heritage Village is a fun and educational experience for the whole family and a great way to learn more about Abu Dhabi’s rich culture and history.
#5 Corniche Boulevard
Along the coast and in the northwest of the city is one of Abu Dhabi’s main streets, the Corniche Road. Corniche Road is a popular meeting place mainly because of the large amount of beaches, cafes and restaurants, playgrounds, bike paths and parks. Especially when the temperatures drop in the evening, it becomes a very cozy place.
There are several public and private beaches where you can plop down for a small fee. We found Family Beach to be highly recommended. There are very nice large indoor playgrounds for the kids and also you have plenty of facilities such as toilets, showers and lifeguards. It is also possible to rent an umbrella with sun beds on this beach.
The entrance fee for this beach is 2 euros (kids up to 12 years free), You pay 5 euros on the beach for an umbrella with sun bed.
#6 Desert safari
In just 45 minutes from the center of Abu Dhabi, you are in the heart of the desert. Explore the desert in comfort by 4×4 jeep, go sandboarding or enjoy the view. This is also a very fun activity to do with kids. Morning or evening safaris are offered including a delicious snack at an oasis.
You can also visit a camel farm in Abu Dhabi with kids here including a ride on a camel. A unique experience not to be missed when in Abu Dhabi. An excursion to the desert costs about 60 euros per person on average, and kids between the ages of 4 and 9 pay slightly less.
Look online for an organized trip to this desert in Abu Dhabi.
#7 Mangrove National Park
You can also go into nature in Abu Dhabi with kids at Mangrove National Park. One of the most fun things to do with kids in the park is kayaking. This is a fun way to see the mangroves up close. There are several companies that offer kayak tours, and many of these tours are also suitable for kids.
Besides kayaking, you can also hike in the park. There are wooden walkways that lead you through the mangroves. This is a nice way to explore the park and you can walk 3 different routes with kids here. These have lengths of 1 kilometer, 1.6 kilometers and 2 kilometers, so they are also good to walk with kids.
On the trails in Mangrove National Park, you will find several rest areas, vantage points and discovery stations. There is even a floating platform where you can explore the underwater world. There is a fun playground for the kids, and a cafe for parents to relax.
There is also a visitor center in the park where you can learn more about the park. Access to the wooden trails costs between 5 AED and 15 AED (about €1.20 – €3.80 per person).
#8 Sir Bani Yas
Sir Bani Yas is a tropical island in the Persian Gulf about 250 km from Abu Dhabi. In addition to beautiful beaches, the island itself has a wildlife sanctuary with more than 17,000 free-roaming animals such as giraffes, leopards, ostriches, gazelles and the endangered Arabian Oryx. There are only 3 hotels on the island, making an overnight stay on the island very expensive (more than 300 euros per night).
It is also possible to book just a safari and enjoy the beaches. Because observing wildlife up close like this is a fun experience. A safari must be booked at least 1 month in advance and costs about AED 250 (about 65 euros) and kids pay AED 100 (25 euros).
Free water cabs run between the island and the mainland 4 to 5 times a day, taking guests to the island within 20 minutes. Transportation to and from the island is included in your (safari) tickets and therefore free of charge.
#9 Yas Waterworld
You can also go to a water park in Abu Dhabi with kids. Yas Waterworld guarantees an unforgettable day. There are more than 40 different attractions, slides and wave pools. For younger kids, there are special play areas with smaller slides and shallow pools. These areas are safe and specially designed for young kids so they can also enjoy the water park. There is also a large wave pool where the whole family can play and swim together.
One of the unique attractions at Yas Waterworld is the Pearl Diving Experience. Here kids and adults can learn how to dive pearls, and you can even take your own surfaced pearl here as a souvenir. The water park also has plenty of restaurants, making it a great place to spend an entire day with the family.
However, the entrance fee here is on the somewhat high side at AED 325 (about 82 euros per person). If you order your tickets through the Yas Waterworld website, you will receive 10% off the entrance fee.
#10 Ferrari World
Abu Dhabi is also known for its various amusement parks that you can visit here with kids, and Ferrari World is one of them. Ferrari World is the first theme park inspired by the Ferrari brand with more than 40 attractions and you also have several shows here. This park is indoors and is a whopping 12 soccer fields in size, making it the largest indoor amusement park in the world.
Even if you don’t like Ferrari this amusement park is definitely worth a visit. If your kids are smaller than 100 cm, it’s better not to visit Ferrari World (yet). Almost all attractions require kids to be at least 100 cm and taller. There are also many attractions suitable only for kids over 140 cm.
Again, the entrance fee is on the high side at 86 euros per person. Kids under three years of age have free admission.
#11 Warner Bros World
Warner Bros. World is an indoor theme park that you can also visit with the family in Abu Dhabi. The park is divided into several zones, each based on famous Warner Bros. films and TV series. You have attractions here from Batman, Superman, and the Looney Tunes, among others. There are attractions and shows for kids of all ages.
For example, older kids can have fun on the roller coasters here, but you also have attractions for young kids. The park is fully covered and air-conditioned, making it a perfect place to escape the city heat.
#12 CLYMB Abu Dhabi
For adventurous families, CLYMB Abu Dhabi is a must visit. This park offers the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall and a huge indoor skydiving tunnel. Special instructors are on hand to supervise the kids.
Family-friendly restaurant Abu Dhabi
It is not difficult to find family-friendly restaurants in Abu Dhabi where you can have a great meal with kids. The best family-friendly restaurants in Abu Dhabi are the following:
Rainforest Café: at this family-friendly restaurant in Abu Dhabi, you eat in the middle of the rainforest. You have this concept in several cities around the world and the principle is the same everywhere. The menu includes simple dishes for kids such as pizza, pasta and burgers, and there is plenty for kids to enjoy in the restaurant itself.
SideKicks: Always wanted to dine with characters like Peter Rabbit or Duffy Duck? Then SideKicks is a fun family-friendly restaurant for your family! SideKicks’ menu is extensive and offers something for every member of the family. There is a special kids’ menu for kids, and you can think of options such as dino burgers, pasta and delicious desserts. SideKicks is not only a restaurant, but you can also see an entire show here featuring the various characters.
Family-friendly hotel Abu Dhabi
You can also stay in Abu Dhabi with kids just fine. You have plenty of family-friendly accommodations in Abu Dhabi that you can book. We list some of the best-reviewed family-friendly accommodations in Abu Dhabi,
Budget accommodation: Premier Inn Abu Dhabi Capital Centre
Mid-range accommodation: Crowne Plaza Yas Island, an IHG Hotel
Luxury Accommodation: Southern Sun Abu Dhabi
Also check out the entire list of family-friendly accommodations in Abu Dhabi.
