Child friendly places to explore in UAE

Raising My Knight
Dec 11, 2020
7 min read

Updated: Mar 18, 2023

This year many of us have cancelled our travelling plans and staying in UAE through the winter break. If you are wondering what to do with your little ones or looking for budget friendly places to visit and explore read on.

I will be sharing a few places that we have explored as well as some that are on our list to explore within Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Sharjah.

Sharjah

Al Mahata Museum:

This museum has to be on the top of our list with airplanes to explore. It was the first airport in the region, built in 1932 and then turned into a museum highlighting the history of flight in the UAE and the region. You can explore two aircraft mockups (passenger and cargo) after which you walk down a hallway filled with unique collectibles that narrate the history of aviation used on ground and air.

Knight D enjoyed seeing the aircrafts and a little curiosity around the equipments showcased. We spent 2 hours over here.

No food is allowed so I suggest you carry some water and pack some snack to munch in the car. Parking is available inside the building just inform the security you are a visitor.

Entry fees: Children (under 2 years): Free Children (2-12years): 5.00AED Adults (13+ years): 10.00AED

Timings: Saturday to Thursday : 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Link: https://www.sharjahmuseums.ae/en-US/Museums/Al-Mahatta-Museum

2 . Sharjah Planetarium:

This is our second favorite cause it has so many interactive exhibits that allow kids to explore, learn and discover. Each exhibit is well labelled and explains information in-depth. We were not able to catch the planetarium show as it has specific timings. With covid-19 precautions in place this is now closed.

Knight D took 2 rounds of the exhibits we spent around 2 hours there. As you enter the entry gates you will notice a green park filled with planets each having its own orbit around the building that has a dome depicting the Sun.

They had a little mart inside the building if you’d like to grab something on your way out. Parking is available inside with ease.

Entry Fees: Children under 4 years: Free Children (4 years – 12 years): 11 AED Adults (13 years and above): 22 AED

https://scass.sharjah.ac.ae/en/ph/Pages/Shows.aspx

3. Sharjah Classic Museum

You can explore a large collection of approximately one hundred classic cars dating back to the beginnings of the 20th century, learn about the manufacturing and stories of the car industry and other interesting information. With a few interactive experiences for kids to play and learn.

Entry fees: Children (under 2 years): Free Children (2-12years): 5.00AED Adults (13+ years): 10.00AED

Timings: Saturday to Thursday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

4. Rain Room

Walk through a downpour of continuous rain without getting wet thanks to the high technology sensors placed around to detect motion. This is on our list to visit.

Entry fees: Children (under 5 years) : Free Children(5-12 yrs.):15 AED

Timings: Saturday – Thursday: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Friday: 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm

5. Sharjah Discovery Center

It’s designed for children aged 3 to 12 years, providing them with the opportunity to learn, discover and understand scientific and technological facts that they encounter in their daily life. It consists of a variety of exhibits that are grouped into thematic areas including Water World, Sports World, Body World, Build Town, Drive Town, Supermarket, Storyteller and TV Studio.

We spent two hours here and it wasn’t enough. Knight D enjoyed each and every exhibit especially the driving of cars with signals installed and the building space with foam blocks.

There’s a space for families to sit and have lunch. Parking is available and free.

Entry Fees:

Children (under 2 years): Free Children (2-12years): 5.00AED Adults (13+ years): 10.00AED

Timings: Saturday to Thursday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

6. Sharjah Science Museum:

Experience scientific exploration as you engage in hands-on experiments, learn about laws of nature, thermal physics, and physiology and aerodynamics. Take part in electricity demonstrations, and explore the hidden secrets and mysteries of space. You may also have a chance to test your reactions and discover your own potentials and capabilities. With more than 50 interactive exhibits, attractive programmes and interesting events for children, Sharjah Science Museum is designed to motivate and urge visitors to embrace innovation and creation.

We spent two and a half hours here and it still wasn’t enough. There’s so much to learn and discover. Knight D loved the Hot air balloon exhibit, mirror tricks, testing reaction speed challenges.

A few exhibits were closed off due to covid-19 precautions.

Parking is available. A food court is situated outside the entrance if you’d like to grab a snack.

Entry fee:

Children (under 2 years): Free Children (2-12years): 5.00AED Adults (13+ years): 10.00AED

Timings:

Saturday to Thursday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

7. Sharjah Wildlife center:

This was truly a lovely place to take kids during summer. All exhibits are indoor. We got to learn so much about Reptiles, animals found in GCC. Each exhibit is well labelled. They had a lovely open exhibit for birds that allowed them to fly around made it even more fun to play “can you spot”?

Here are some more details

There is a petting farm next door allow yourself a good 3 hours to do all of it. Parking is available for free. A cafeteria is available at the end next to the flamingoes.

http://www.epaashj.ae/

Entry Fee : Adults: AED 15 Children (12 to 16 years): AED 5 Children up to 12 years have free entry.

Timings : Closed on Tuesdays Saturday to Wednesday – 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM Thursday – 11:00 PM to 5:30 PM Friday – 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM

8. House of wisdom

Dubai

Dubai Police museum

You have to fill a form using the link below. You will receive a call for a booking. We parked our car in went through a security check. Waited for a bus to take us within the campus. When we arrived there we were assisted by a gentleman that took us through the museum sharing its history. We enjoyed discovering the museum from exploring tankers to walking down a hallway filled with history, uniform, artifacts, collectables and so much more.

Before we left Knight D was given a badge as a souvenir. We were asked to fill in their visitors book filled with thousands of entries. The gentleman informed me that they were building a new museum that will be bigger.

https://www.dubaipolice.gov.ae/wps/portal/home/services/institutionservicescontent/visitmuseumrequestDetails

2. A Boat Trip to Dubai Festival City Mall

We decided to park our car at Al Jadaf Station and head down towards Dubai festival city using a water taxi operated by RTA. We used our NOL card as we got into the boat, enjoyed a lovely boat ride and got off at the station outside Dubai festival Mall. The ride wasn’t too long wasn’t too short. Just enough for us to explore and enjoy the pleasant weather.

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes as its a little walk to get towards the mall. We walked about the mall and headed back towards the station to catch our water taxi back. Be sure to check the timetable I’ve linked it below along with the different routes the RTA water taxi operates. If your up for a longer ride down the marina you can pick the water taxi.

3. Last Exit Al Khawneej

This Last Exit has a farm feel to it with cows, carriages, milk cans, a little bridge with locks, mural walls.

It’s great to walk around enjoy the weather and settle down with some bites from the parked trucks or food outlets.

4. Last Exit Mad Max Themed

We have been here so often and every single time Knight D discovers something new. Its filled with big trucks and cars that are found in the famous Mad Max movie. With an additional bus cutout in the toilet and a painted dumbsters. Has an lutside space with carseats and old televison sets. Its definetly going to keep your oittle one busy exploring and running around.

You can spend your late morning followed my an indulgent lunch with so many trucks to choose from.

5. Dubai Pet Market

This is are to go place when both my knights get restless. On weekend you will find ladies selling hot luquiemat, dog owners playing with their dogs.

As you walk through each shop you will find birds like Toucans, parrots, macau parrots, pigeons, chickens, love birds, turtles, leafturtle, , tortise, dogs, cats, iguanas, snakes, spiders, lizards, fishes and so much more. These are just a few that Ive listed. Every visit we have discovered a whole different set of animals. My knights get a chance to see pets upclose, observe and learn about them.

6. Mirzan Chocolate at Design district

Mirzan is located in Alserkal Avenue. It has a lovely glass kitchen that allows you to see how each chocolate is made. A gentleman was kind enough to explain how cocoa is derived and its step by step process of extracting chocolate from it. Knight D was fascinated to learn so much about chocolate. We even got to taste a little chocolate. Mirzan has such an extensive range of chocolate to suit any and every palette from spicy to sweet to bitter to fruity.

More about their workshops visit https://mirzam.com/events/

7. A visit to the fire station

We took a trip to the firestation on UAE’s Flag day. We joined our fire fighters for flag hoisting and got to witness a march along with an exhibit of all their vehicles. They were kind enough to allow us to explore, discover, try and learn.

Knight D truly had a fabulous time and we visited three other times.

9. House of wisdom

All details can be found detailed blog post