Abu Dhabi with kids

Best things to do with kids

Theme park · Yas Island

1.Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi

An indoor theme park opened in 2018 with themed lands based on Gotham City, Metropolis, Cartoon Junction and Bedrock, mixing gentle rides for small children with coasters and live shows. Because it is fully enclosed and air-conditioned, it is one of the best family options in the hottest months.

Families with young children can spend most of the day in Cartoon Junction and Bedrock, where rides have lower height limits.

Time needed

Full day

Cost

Expensive

• Kids
• Rainy day

Aquarium · Yas Island

2.SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

Opened in 2023, this indoor marine-life park on Yas Island is organised into ocean realms, from the Arctic to a tropical reef and Abu Dhabi's own coastal waters, with a large central aquarium, rides and shows. It is the first SeaWorld park without orcas and includes a marine research and rescue centre.

Check the day's show schedule on arrival and plan the realms around the shows you want to see.

Time needed

Full day

Cost

Expensive

• Kids
• Rainy day
• Nature

Theme park · Yas Island

3.Ferrari World

Under a vast red roof, this mostly indoor park is home to Formula Rossa, one of the fastest roller coasters in the world at 240 km/h, plus gentler rides, driving simulators and a gallery of Ferrari cars. Being air-conditioned, it works year-round, including in the summer heat.

Ride Formula Rossa early, before queues build, and bring nothing loose; goggles are provided.

Time needed

Half to a full day

Cost

Expensive

• Kids
• Active
• Rainy day
• Iconic

Theme park · Yas Island

4.Yas Waterworld

This water park next to Ferrari World has slides from toddler splash zones to high-speed drops, a wave pool and a lazy river, all themed around an Emirati pearl-diving legend. It is the most popular way to beat the heat on Yas Island from spring to autumn.

Arrive at opening in summer and claim a shaded cabana or lounger before midday.

Time needed

Full day

Cost

Expensive

• Kids
• Outdoors
• Active

Aquarium · Khor Al Maqta

5.The National Aquarium at Al Qana

On the Al Qana waterfront near the Grand Mosque, the aquarium follows marine life from the UAE's own coasts out to the world's oceans, with sharks, rays and turtles in large walk-through tanks. The surrounding Al Qana promenade has restaurants and a cinema.

Pair it with an evening visit to the Grand Mosque, about five minutes away by taxi.

Time needed

2 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• Kids
• Rainy day
• Nature

Waterfront · Corniche

6.Corniche promenade and beach

An 8-kilometre seafront promenade with separate walking and cycling paths, playgrounds, cafés and lawns runs along the island's north-western shore. Corniche Beach has calm, shallow water with lifeguards; some sections, including family areas, charge a small entry fee. In the evening the promenade fills with families and joggers once the heat drops.

Rent a bike near the western end and ride towards the Breakwater at sunset for skyline views.

Time needed

1–3 hours

Cost

Free

• Free
• Kids
• Outdoors
• Views
• Active

Nature · Jubail Island

7.Jubail Mangrove Park

Raised wooden boardwalks wind through the mangrove forest on Jubail Island, between Saadiyat and Yas, with signs explaining the coastal ecosystem. It is a low-effort way to see mangroves, crabs and wading birds, and suits families with children and pushchairs.

Visit at high tide, when water fills the channels beneath the boardwalk and wildlife is more active.

Time needed

1 hour

Cost

Low cost

• Nature
• Kids
• Outdoors
• Off the beaten path

Experience · Sweihan Road

8.Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital

The emirate's specialist falcon hospital treats thousands of birds a year, and its guided tours take visitors through the examination rooms and free-flight aviary, where you can hold a falcon on a gloved arm. It is an insight into falconry, one of the most respected Emirati traditions.

It is near the airport, so it fits well on an arrival or departure day.

Time needed

2 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

Book ahead

Visits are by guided tour only; book ahead through the hospital.

• Kids
• Off the beaten path
• History
• Nature

Rainy-day ideas

• Ferrari World — Ride Formula Rossa early, before queues build, and bring nothing loose; goggles are provided.
• Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi — Families with young children can spend most of the day in Cartoon Junction and Bedrock, where rides have lower height limits.
• SeaWorld Abu Dhabi — Check the day's show schedule on arrival and plan the realms around the shows you want to see.
• The National Aquarium at Al Qana — Pair it with an evening visit to the Grand Mosque, about five minutes away by taxi.

Where families should stay

Family travel tips

• Stay on Yas Island to walk or take the free Yas Express shuttle to the parks instead of taxiing back and forth.
• Theme parks offer reduced or free entry for young children based on height or age; check before buying tickets.
• Corniche Beach and Saadiyat Public Beach have calm, shallow water and lifeguards, which suits younger swimmers.
• Carry water and sunscreen even in winter; the sun is strong year-round.
• Malls such as Yas Mall and Marina Mall have family facilities, play areas and cinemas for the hottest hours.

Day trips for families

• Al Ain (About 1.5–2 hours by car or intercity bus) — The UAE's garden city has UNESCO-listed oases where falaj channels water thousands of date palms, Al Jahili Fort, the Al Ain Palace Museum in Sheikh Zayed's former home and the winding mountain road up Jebel Hafeet.
• Dubai (About 1.5 hours by car or bus) — The Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and its fountain shows, the old Al Fahidi district and the abra boats across Dubai Creek make a long but easy day trip.
• Desert safari (About 1 hour each way by 4x4) — Afternoon tours drive into the dunes inland from the city for dune bashing, sandboarding and a short camel ride, then finish at a camp with a barbecue dinner and henna.
• Al Wathba Wetland Reserve (About 45 minutes by car) — A protected wetland south-east of the city where greater flamingos gather and breed, along with more than 200 other bird species recorded.
• Sir Bani Yas Island (About 2.5–3 hours by car plus a short boat ride) — A nature-reserve island in the western region, Sir Bani Yas is home to the Arabian Wildlife Park, where Arabian oryx, gazelles, giraffes and cheetahs roam.

When to go with children

The best months overall are November–March. December is the busiest, so book the big sights early. Weather by month.

Questions travellers ask