The memories you make with your loved ones are your most lasting ones. And when you travel together and explore exciting places, those memories are made and will stay with you throughout your lifetime. When it comes to one of the best countries to visit with your family, the UAE is among the top picks for most people. And it isn’t because the local destinations here are ostentatious, but because these locations offer incredible family-friendly attractions. When people tire of the glitz and glam of Dubai, they naturally turn to Abu Dhabi next. Some travelers even rate family-friendly activities in Abu Dhabi much higher than those in Dubai. It’s safe to say that when you look up the best family-friendly activities in Abu Dhabi, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
This capital city of the United Arab Emirates is a great pick for parents who wish to provide a spectacular time for their children. You can easily find dozens of theme parks, zoos, and aquariums in this huge city. Aside from this, your children are bound to have an incredible time at the onsite entertainment outlets, including cinemas, themed restaurants, bowling alleys, bounce houses, arcade centers, and ice-skating rinks in the Abu Dhabi Mall. For a touch of nature, turn to the city’s white beaches or the desert to enjoy the Arabian landscape. Despite this tough competition, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 best family-friendly activities in Abu Dhabi that you can add to your bucket list for when you next visit the city with your loved ones for an unforgettable adventure.
Read More: The Ultimate UAE Travel Guide: 3 Cities You Can’t Miss
10 Exciting Family-Friendly Activities in Abu Dhabi You Must Try
It’s time for parents to take a break and catch their breath. These fantastic family-friendly activities in Abu Dhabi are bound to keep your toddlers, teenagers, and everyone in between extremely excited and content. Here are our top picks for the best family-friendly activities in Abu Dhabi, ranging from exciting theme parks to leisure island activities.
1. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
You might have heard of the famous Yas Island, popular for its leisure island attractions in the UAE. Well, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is one of Yas Island’s standout attractions. This park takes rollercoasters to the next level, offering the level of excitement and thrill your kids might be looking forward to. There are 40 thrilling rides and attractions for families to enjoy. And for some older adventure seekers, they’re welcome to ride the Formula Rossa, the fastest rollercoaster in the world. The rides here follow strict security and safety guidelines, giving you and your kids an adventure-packed yet safe experience.
- Address: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Entry Price: AED 380/$103.46
2. Emirates Park Zoo
If there’s anything that children of any age group can’t refuse a trip to, it’s the zoo. Luckily for all the parents, Abu Dhabi’s got some great ones in it. Visit the Emirates Park Zoo on your next trip to Abu Dhabi, where you and the kids can get to see the finest specimens of the animal kingdom in all their beauty. Enjoy dinner time with the elephants or feed the hungry seals—all under careful supervision.
Emirates Park Zoo is also one of the most affordable family-friendly activities in Abu Dhabi. The zoo has over 1800 animals and 230 species for visitors to interact with and explore, along with a huge adventure play area where children can zip, swing, and slide. This park is both an adventure and an interactive science lesson for kids and adults alike, capturing sweet memories for you to remember your trip to Abu Dhabi.
- Address: 12th St, Al Bahyah, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Entry Price: AED 50/$13. (Children aged 1-2 years can enter for free)
3. Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
Want to put off your teenagers’ boredom while entertaining your little ones at the same time on your trip to Abu Dhabi? Why not visit the Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi? This place is a gold mine for children and teens of all age groups on Yas Island. It offers an excellent range of attractions, from exhilarating rollercoasters to calm, kid-friendly activities ideal for visitors ages three and up. Kids love themes, and this place has got them all. Enjoy thrilling Batman-themed rides in Gotham City, explore the Scooby Do Museum of Mysteries, or hop on the Flintstones Bedrock River Adventure. After trying out all the exciting rides and delicious restaurants, take pictures with the iconic Warner Bros. characters like Superman, Fred Flintstone, and Bugs Bunny to end your trip here on a memorable note.
- Address: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Entry Price: AED 295/$80 for adults and AED 230/$62 for children
Check Out: Dubai City, Sharjah, & Abu Dhabi Package (6 Days)
4. The National Aquarium
Visiting aquariums is one of the most relaxing and fun activities you can try with your family. The National Aquarium in Abu Dhabi has been a popular hit among tourists since it opened its gates in 202. It’s the biggest and only public aquarium in UAE and a visual and intellectual feast for people of all ages. Gear yourself and your kids up with a camera (be sure to turn off the flash) and be ready to capture the stunning marine life with over 46000 animals. Be sure to see the seven-meter-long reticulated python, popularly known as Super Snake, which is the largest living snake in the world.
- Address: Al Qana, Rabdan, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Entry Price: AED 110/$30. (Children under 3 may visit free of charge)
Check Out: Ultimate Dubai Package (3 Days)
5. Yas Waterworld
No travel trip to the UAE is complete without a day at Yas Waterworld, offering a full day of splash-filled family-friendly activities in Abu Dhabi. With over 40 exciting rides, tourists get to explore the hidden underwater caves, glide on wave pools, or touch the sky on aquatic rollercoasters. The rides are divided into intense ones such as Shaheen’s Adrenaline Rush and calm ones like the Sultan’s Young Fun, offering equal opportunity for fun to all people. The Yas Waterworld is also famous for its restaurants and beverage spots, offering delectable bites and sips after a long exhausting day in the water.
- Address: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Entry Price: AED 250/$68
6. Desert Safari
Where else do you get to ride the dunes with your loved ones than in Abu Dhabi? A desert safari in Abu Dhabi is the adventure of a lifetime wading through the biggest unbroken sand mass in the world, the Empty Quarter. Here, you get to start the day with exhilarating dune buggy rides across the sandy hills, ride a quad bike, or sandboard, and for children, a fun camel ride to help them make unforgettable memories. Booking a desert safari in Abu Dhabi gets you breathtaking desert sunset views along with a typical Bedouin camp dinner of freshly cooked Arabic food. The entertainment for the evening also includes henna for the guests and traditional dance performances.
- Address: Jumeirah Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Entry Price: Standard morning safari with 4 people starts from AED 360/$99
Check Out: Abu Dhabi Package With Desert Safari (3 Days)
7. Heritage Village
If you wish to learn about the culture and history of the UAE and want your children to do the same, why not visit the Heritage Village in Abu Dhabi? This restored site has a souk (a covered Middle-Eastern market), a mosque, dhows, and a fort that was once designed to fend against attacks from the sea. Children are guaranteed to be enthralled by the ox-drawn well, the falaj (an antiquated irrigation system), and the barasti (traditional palm-leaf dwellings). You also get to see traditional artisans display their skills in glassblowing, weaving, and pottery making. Visitors are welcome to participate for an interactive experience.
- Address: Near Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi Theatre Rd, Corniche, Breakwater Rd, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Entry Price: Free
8. Saadiyat Public Beach
There’s no place like the beach to spend wholesome family-friendly time and Abu Dhabi’s brimming with too many beautiful beaches and corniches for you to choose from. When it comes to a relaxing and affordable beach experience, Saadiyat Public Beach takes the win for it. This sandy beach is located on the peaceful natural coastlines of Saadiyat Island, close to the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi.
Here, families get to enjoy the warm, clear, blue seas of Abu Dhabi at the 400-meter expansive beach line. The Beach Café also provides delicious, freshly prepared food and beverages served right to the 300 lounges. Visitors also get to enjoy environmentally friendly watersports like sailing and windsurfing. This beach is equipped with clean showers and changing areas, making the trip home in the car a lot less sand-free. For a more luxurious experience than this, you can also choose the Saadiyat Beach Club, an exclusive luxury beach venue.
- Address: Al Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Entry Price: AED 25/$6 for Adults and AED 15/$4 for Children aged 6 and above.
Read More: Reasons Why You Should Make Dubai Your Next Travel Destination
9. Sir Bani Yas Island
An island adventure is something you never forget. And if it’s an island like Sir Bani Yas Island, which is one of the eight desert islands that make up Al Dhafra, the trip here will have you already planning your next. This island has all the amenities you could want for a fun-filled day. For water activities such as cruising, sailing, snorkeling, and diving, visit the Desert Islands Watersports Centre. Visitors also get to experience the fantastic Arabian Wildlife Park by embarking on a 4×4 safari with guides. There are over 17,000 animals, including giraffes, hyenas, cheetahs, Arabian oryx, and gazelles, that wander freely inside the reserve that you might be able to catch a glimpse of. For some equestrian fun, don’t forget to visit the Sir Bani Yas Stables.
- Address: 170km southwest Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Tour Package Price: Starting from AED 800/$217 per person
Check Out: Dubai Package With Dhow Cruise (4 Days)
10. Jebel Hafit Desert Park
Jebel Hafit Desert Park is a great outdoor spot for a family-friendly camping or glamping experience. It’s situated near Al Ain at the base of the Jebel Hafit mountains. Depending on your interests, it offers a mix of history, adventure, and culture. Visitors get to roast marshmallows over bonfires, hike along the hilly landscape, catch the Arabian sunsets, and spend memorable time together beneath the stars with their loved ones. There are also family and kid-friendly activities like hiking and horseback or camel riding. Visiting Jebel Hafit Desert Park as the last destination in Abu Dhabi on your trip is a great way to end an adventurous and thrilling tale on a nature-filled note complete with family bonding.
- Address: Jebel Hafit, near Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Entry Price: AED10/$2
Embark on an Abu Dhabi Family-Friendly Adventure Getaway
We weren’t kidding when we said you can never run out of attractions to explore with your family in Abu Dhabi. Often overshadowed by the sparkle of Dubai, visiting this destination with your family once will have you keep coming back to it as a staple family holiday spot. Do you want to have an unforgettable time with your family in Abu Dhabi? Booking guided tour packages is the right answer for that.
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