Dubai is one of the Arabian world’s absolute entertainment hubs with something for everyone. In fact, there are so much of things to with kids in Dubai that it is not an easy task to boil them down to a compact list.

We, however, have made this hard task easier for you. 

Check out these attractions and experiences as you set out for an unforgettable family holiday to this wonderful emirate in the UAE; you won’t be disappointed!

Live the Future at the Museum of the Future 

Yes, it is one of the few museums in the world that voyages you into the future instead of the historical past. With a vast array of immersive exhibits and experiences on offer here, it will take yourself and your little ones somewhat 50 years forward.

You can expect to see flying objects, ride in a capsule-like elevator, and even sip coffee prepared by a robot, among others.

And, did we say about its architecture that is both fantastic and intricate? It glosses the city skyline with its captivating steely structure, featuring a hollow part in its middle.

Ride on Ain Dubai 

This is a surefire attraction in Dubai that appeals to adults and kids alike. Built at a height of over 250 meters, Ain Dubai is the largest and highest observation wheel in the world.

A revolution on one of its 48 capsules gives you the most breathtaking views over the cityscape that encompasses Bluewaters Island, Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai Marina, among others.

It rotates on a walking pace means it is perfect for every age and ability.

One of the attractions you must not miss in the vicinity is Madame Tussauds Museums. With the immaculately sculpted life-size wax figures of the renowned celebrities, it gives you once-in-the-lifetime chance to strike a pose with your most adored personalities from politics, fashion, music, sports, and more.

Watch a Movie in a Snowy Ambience

Dubai has an ill-repute for its scorching desert heat that takes over the city during the most part of the year. That said, it has a spectrum of attractions that turns the city into a winter wonderland.

Snow Cinema is one of the latest experiences to join this vast list. It is brought to you by the renowned Ski Dubai in collaboration with VOX Cinemas, and is the first of its kind in the country.

Located in Mall of the Emirates, it allows you for an immersive movie watching adventure that comes with warm outfit, fleece gloves, headphones (wireless), locker facility, and a cup of hot chocolate.

So, what better way to engross your little one?

Head to Dubai Hills Mall  

Adventure and amusement get a new definition at the brand-new Dubai Hills Mall. Whether you or your little versions look for relaxed fun or the ultimate thrill or anything in between, this mall at Dubai Hills Estate is for everyone.

First of all, it is home to the Storm Coaster. Fully set indoors, it takes you on an epic 2.5 minutes long ride accompanied by the exciting ever special effects. It is perfect for anyone whose height is 130 centimeters or above.

Another unmissable segment in the mall is Adventure Park by Emaar, which boasts of over 10 diverse play areas that cater to every skill level.  

Desert Safari 

This is one of the classic Dubai tours that you shouldn’t leave out on your Arabian retreat. Feel like a real Bedouin as you embark on a fully guided desert safari, enhanced by a plethora of cultural experiences.

Go on a heart-racing dune bash aboard a mighty 4X4 vehicle and balance it out with milder yet intriguing activities like camel ride, henna tattooing, Shisha smoking, and falconry.

Choose evening or overnight desert safari to add a lavish buffet BBQ dinner, camping and traditional shows in your desert retreat.

Visit the Newest Jungle Bay Waterpark 

There is something special about Dubai’s water parks and the latest Jungle Bay Waterpark is not an exception.

The best thing is that it is designed to appeal every age group including the tiniest member in your family. Placed adjacent to the Meridian Mina Seyahi Beach Resort on the bay of Mina Seyahi, it guarantees you a splashtastic day out in a lush setting packed with the most striking rides, slides and other attractions; AquaPlay, Family Waves, Body Slide, and the Whizzard are just a few of them.

Enjoy the View at the Palm 

Dubai is iconic for its varied viewpoints and each of them is distinct in its own right. Curious to know what makes this observation deck a must-see on your visit to Dubai with kids.

It is the only standpoint in Dubai that is exclusively built to give you the full view over Palm Jumeirah - the legendary man-made island with a huge palm-tree-like design.

It is found on the 52^nd level of the Palm Tower where you will make an entry via Nakheel Mall.

Dhow Cruise

No matter how many times you travel to Dubai, some of its experiences are perennial and dhow cruise is one of the most significant among them.

It includes an approximately two hours’ sail aboard an old-fashioned wooden dhow, complete with buffet dinner, unlimited refreshments, live music and traditional entertainment (such as Tanura performance). It is equally noteworthy for the captivating city skyline that you get to see from water.

Choose your cruise location at Dubai Creek (for a mix of old and new sights) or Dubai Marina (known for its uber contemporary and glittery sights.)

Enjoy an Activity-Packed Day at Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall

Take any Dubai holiday – Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall will be top on the bucketlist. While Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building at an altitude of over 828 meters, the Dubai Mall is a mega mall packed to brim with the most amazing shopping, leisure and entertainment attractions.

For an easy access to Burj Khalifa, you can purchase tickets to its ‘At the Top’ observation deck on 124^th or 148^th level or both. Speaking of the Dubai Mall, entry is free but you can expect to shell out a fortune here.

It is courtesy to its over 1,200 outlets plus a myriad of edutainment and amusement options that come by way of Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, Dubai Ice Rink, KidZania Dubai, Ekart Zabeel and VR Park Dubai.

Last but not the least, enjoy a Kid-Friendly Stay at LEGOLAND Hotel 

LEGOLAND Hotel is one of our favorite suggestions for your accommodation in Dubai, especially when it is a holiday with your family and kids.

It is the first LEGO themed hotel in the Middle East and offers a fantastic base for your further exploration and adventure in Dubai. 

As it is a part of the colossal Dubai Parks and Resorts, you can add a visit to the Hollywood and Bollywood inspired parks in its premise.

That’s not all; the best thing is that you can enjoy a complimentary access to its park like LEGOLAND Dubai or LEGOLAND Water Park.

Conclusion 

The most hectic part of any family holiday is to keep the younger ones busy as they easily get bored. But, once in Dubai, you can be assured that there will never be a go-slow moment. All members in your group will be occupied with their favorite activities.  

So, which of the above attractions would you like to add in your Dubai itinerary? Let us know in the comment section.

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And as the government considers preventing parents from signing their children off school out of term time – a practice that has become relatively widespread in recent years as families attempt to bypass huge summer holiday and half-term prices – planning a break this year might take a bit more sharpness than before.

If you’re looking for ideas, there are some options which can combine a bit of exoticism with something a little closer to home than, say, the US and Caribbean, and that’s the Middle East. Egypt Holidays have become something of a new rising star, with travel companies such as On The Beach offering some fabulous deals.

With some fantastic beaches, spectacular family diving spots and great weather it’s no wonder it has attracted plenty of European holidaymakers in recent decades who can also keep their Egypt travel budget under control.

We’ve found some excellent ideas for Egypt holidays that combine the best of the horrible histories side – pharaohs, pyramids and the desert – with a bit of beach and fun for the family.

The Independent Travel section featured an Easter-holiday tour to Egypt in January, and whilst the option of 10-day travel for £1,000 per adult is more than most of us are looking for, it’s certainly a good indication of how popular the region now is with enterprising traveling families.

For those who are excited by water sports and marine life, we suggest checking out the beach resorts and snorkeling/diving schools of Sharm El Sheikh. Egypt, which straddles Africa geographically and the Arab world culturally, is located just on the edge of the Red Sea.

Holiday providers across the globe are clamouring for a stake in the country’s Red Sea diving facilities. With corals of every colour and a notoriously gentle and calm current – unlike Atlantic or Pacific islands, for instance, Egypt’s coast is very protected from large winds – we would suggest trying Marsa Alam or Sharm. You can introduce the kids of water sports and have a relaxing day by the pool for yourself.

Where in Egypt have you been that you highly recommend? Is it a place you’d like to visit? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!

Please note that this article was provided by a third party, however I agreed to publish it because I have indeed visited Egypt and agree with what it says. [Photo credit @ Flickr wilhelmja]

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While opposition movements are constantly nipped in the bud and revolts quelled in many Arabic states, Oman largely comes across as a seemingly safe haven in this troubled world. Sultan Qaboos has been ruling Oman for some 40 odd years and managed to shape it into one of the most developed and stable countries in the region.

Unlike many of its neighbors, Oman has thus evolved into a largely cosmopolitan country marked by an open-minded and humble mentality that has also trickled down to the population at large.

During my travels I encountered friendly, cordial and laid-back people and a place that seemed more Arabic and authentic to me than other Middle Eastern countries.

In my mind, Oman succeeds in striking a subtle balance between tradition and modernity. Unlike its more prominent neighbours Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Oman stays clear of the glitz and glam of multi-billion dollar projects and rather aims to tweak its existing assets to show them in a different, more authentic light.

If you feel like hitting ski slopes in the desert or swanky shopping malls, Dubai is the place to be, however, if you’re longing for Arabic hospitality, traditional charm and tranquility far away from surreal superlatives and pretension then Oman is the perfect getaway.

You should know that Oman is no backpacker-friendly place. Hostels or other types of budget accommodation are few and far between and I don’t recall coming across rooms that wouldn’t set you back at least €40 to €45.

For the most part, Oman is focusing on well-off visitors, so if you don’t have enough cash in your bank account don’t even bother planning your trip…

Oman has a lot to offer: stunning deserts, massive canyons, traditional markets, impressive forts, great surfing spots and above all a unique blend of East and West. Muscat, the capital city, certainly is a good starting point for any Omani adventure. Muscat’s buzzing souk, a traditional market in the old town, is definitely worth a visit and conjures up memories of bygone times.

Shrill yelling, lively haggling, scurrying animals, oriental flavors and herbs and the ever-present smell of incense create a very special and exotic ambiance.

One thing that particularly struck me was that the vendors were far less pushy than in many other Arabic countries – they seemed much more laid back and not that keen on haggling you down at the first opportunity.

Once you’re in Muscat you should also swing by the famous Al Bustan Palace, one of the most luxurious hotels in the world. Just like me, you probably won’t be able to splash out hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a night at this swanky place.

But don’t despair, the hotel offers guided tours at affordable prices; it’s well worth the money if you feel like sneaking a peek at sultan-style digs.

So far Oman has been largely spared from mass tourism and public transport is at best rudimentary in most areas.

The best way to explore the country is by car (here’s a 10 day Oman itinerary). If you want to experience Oman in its entirety from North to South, you should envisage a stay of at least three weeks, ideally between October and March to avoid the sizzling temperatures of the summer. Make sure you also bring appropriate clothes for Oman’s weather.

Despite the overall absence of hordes of tourists there are still some hidden gems waiting to be discovered. One such insiders’ tip is the rugged and sparsely populated peninsula of Musandam which has seen many rulers come and go: the Portuguese, the Brits and pirates.  Musandam is the perfect getaway for anyone longing for peace, solitude and pristine surroundings.

Also, I was told there must be some pretty skilled ‘dolphin whisperers’ living in the local fjords that manage to attract shoals of playful dolphins – but that’s something for my next trip…

The post Oman, an Authentic Slice of the Middle East appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

Having never been to the Persian Gulf I didn’t know what to expect. On the plane I looked out the window onto the desert, nothing for miles but a small silver light in the distance. As we neared the recently renovated Dubai International Airport I saw that small light turn into a massive emerald city with the enormous Burj Khalifa building marking the skyline. I caught myself with a jaw fully opened at the beauty that was Dubai.

Knowing that Dubai had a reputation for being quite pricy as soon as I landed I went online to MyDubaiInfo.com to gauge where I could possibly stay in this new city. To my surprise it was possible to find budget lodging with the Qamardeen Hotel costing $85 to $290 a night. With a little more searching and perhaps an earlier booking I could imagine it being much more affordable.

Finding things to do isn’t very hard when you’re located in one of the busiest cities in the world as there are many day trips you can do. Only a short bus from the city center the Shallow Water Dolphin Experience was something that I’d recommend to anyone interested in sea life. With a variety of activities, you can, like me, even get to feed one of the dolphins! (Even though I was fairly certain that this activity was reserved for children)

Feeling hungry, dining in Dubai leaves an individual with many choices and prices. I wanted to see a different angle of the city and still have the comfort of a good meal. The boat-restaurant Bateaux Dubai was recommended to me by one of the tourist centres and I immediately found my way to the docks. The cruise may leave your wallet a bit empty but you can’t put a price on but seeing the city in the gentle reflection of the water. The variety of dishes, from Canadian Salmon to Australian Beef, will leave you with a great deal of choice as you’re gently gliding through the city.

Leaving the best for last, the Burj Khalifa experience is perhaps one of the most surreal adventures I’ve ever been on. Tickets to enjoy the tallest building in the world are around $65 for an adult but with pre-purchased tickets it could cost you a fraction less. Going up one of the quickest lifts in the world, it felt more like a theme park ride than just a mode of transportation. Finally seeing all of Dubai from the very top made me realize why I agreed to go on the trip. Gazing upon the tilt in the globe in the Arabian dawn, the experiences in Dubai will last me a lifetime. An adventure in the desert, Dubai is one of the most magical places in the world.

Michal Kniec, after completing a History degree in Canada, decided that a little change of scenery would do him some good and moved across the world to Manchester. Now studying law, he loves to write, cook, and travel as much as possible on this pale blue dot.

What would you expect to find in Dubai? Have you been there? What tips would you give to the budget traveler? Comment below and share this post if you liked it!

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