Over 40 ideas for keeping kids entertained indoors in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, UAE, is amongst the hottest cities in the world so it should be no surprise that there are plenty of indoor kids activities in Abu Dhabi to help you keep your cool with the kids in the summer months.
We have been searching out all the most kid-friendly ideas to keep you busy indoors in Abu Dhabi. We’ve broken them down into a few categories so you can easily find what you’re looking for:
Please note ongoing COVID measures in Abu Dhabi. All individuals over 16 years old need an Al Hosn Green pass to enter public places. Face masks are now only required for medical facilities, transportation, and houses of worship.
Click on the map to find Abu Dhabi indoor activities for kids, or keep reading to find out more!
Don’t forget to check out what’s happening indoors down the road – another bumper list here of 60+ Dubai indoor activities for kids
Keeping Active – Indoor Sporting Activities in Abu Dhabi
Bounce Marina Mall
Found in Marina Mall, this immensely popular indoor entertainment centre allows kids to practice their trampolining skills, join a dodge ball game or try the giant slide. You can also add ziplining or the quick drop, or join in with the X-Park obstacle course activities.
Starting from 3+ years old, discounted rates and restricted areas apply to junior bouncers under 110cm. Multipass tickets are available and discounted during subsequent hours. For X-Park entry you must be over 125cm.
Air Maniax
Air Maniax is Abu Dhabi’s largest indoor inflatable play park. Two branches can be found in the capital at Marina Mall and Yas Mall. Kids can enjoy an inflatable arena, warrior assault course, ninja warrior course, Meltdown and Zip Zag ride.
Added to this is a multi-sports area, donut ride and a toddlers-only area for the little ones.
The minimum height for the main Inflatable Arena and Zip Zag is 94cm, while the minimum height for Meltdown, Extreme Slide and Warrior Assault is 107cm. Family passes are available as well as all-day passes for truly wearing the kids out indoors!
Adventure Zone by Adventure HQ, Dalma Mall
If you’re looking for something to do with super active kids who are starting to bounce off the walls, look no further than Adventure Zone by Adventure HQ at Dalma Mall. There is a great ropes course, a trampoline zone, skate park and pump track.
You can pay by 30 minutes, 60 minutes and 90-minute blocks with each activity lasting half an hour, fully supervised by their staff. Deals are available on Groupon and The Entertainer. Suitable from 4+
Learn more at adventurezone.ae
Zayed Sports City
This multi-use recreation facility, near the Grand Mosque end of Abu Dhabi Island, has plenty of action going on throughout the year making it one of the best locations for kids’ activities in Abu Dhabi. Summer favourites are the giant Bowling Centre – which also includes an amusement arcade and the ice skating rink.
Al Forsan
Plenty more indoor sporting action can be found at Al Forsan International Sports Resort in Khalifa City. There are indoor horse riding lessons at the Equestrian Center, catering to all ages and abilities.
For your older kids with an eye for detail, the shooting range offers beginner lessons in 22″ Rifle and clay Shotgun kids, or try the VirTra300 Simulator, all starting from age 12.
Action Zone Jump Up!
Bouncing good fun at three venues in Shams Boutik Mall – Reem Island, WTC Mall on the Corniche and Capital Mall in MBZ. You will also find the usual array of arcade-style games at the Action Zone venues and VR games. Suitable from 3+ years old.
Learn more at actionzoneuae.com
Xtreme Zone
Packed full of jumping and climbing fun, you will find Xtreme Zone in three locations; Deerfields Mall (indoor and outdoor), Abu Dubai Mall and The Galleria, Al Maryah.
Each branch is a little different with bowling, billiards and bouncing found at Galleria; Deerfields includes an adventure course, zipline and wipeout outdoors, whilst Abu Dhabi includes climbing walls, trampolines and a Phaser Zone.
Learn more at xtremezoneme.com
Rolling Wheels
One for your good old fashion roller skaters! As well as operating from Dalma Mall, they have another branch in the basement of Al Wadha Mall extension. There are training sessions on offer as well as a drop-in rate, pay for the half-hour or hour. Gear can be hired.
Learn more at rollingwheels.ae
Crazy Car for kids
Found in Dalma Mall & Deerfields Mall these mini go-kart courses are great indoor fun for when the outdoor track at Yas is simply too hot to handle
Learn more at facebook.com/crazycar4kids
Edutainment, Pretend Play & Kids Classes in Abu Dhabi
National Geographic Ultimate Explorer
Far more than just a retail store, Nat Geo in Galleria Mall, Al Maryah Island includes an immersive family experience. You can shuttle off to space at Space Jump (12 years+), program a robot drilling on Mars and chat to a panda on Critter Cam. All this is made possible through a unique blend of virtual reality, augmented reality, 3D technology and immersive play-based learning experiences.
Learn more at thegalleria.ae | Read this detailed review of what to expect at National Geographic Ultimate Explorer
Little World Fun Discovery Center
One of Abu Dhabi’s best indoor exploration centres for kids. The staff are highly engaged with the children following fairly structured activities through various “Zones”, though the kids are also free to switch activity zones as they please.
The highlight for many is the enchanted tree and backyard, the touch pool and tech lab get a lot of attention too. Your creatives will love the art zone and theatre stage.
Found in Nation Galleria, in Nation Towers on the Abu Dhabi Corniche. Under 4’s require supervising while your 4 to 10-year-olds can be left supervised.
Learn more at littleworlduae.com
Orange Wheels
Orange Wheels in Al Wadha Mall extension, ground floor is a complete mixed bag of family entertainment. From the entrance, it looks like a giant soft play structure, but delve inside you will find plenty more activities including pretend play activities, a creative arts section, and a gym and beauty salon.
For smaller kids, there’s a dedicated under 5’s Junior Play section, whilst older kids can try out the climbing walls. There is a great little cafe for mums and dads to take a break too.
For tweens plus, Orange Hub (formerly Orange Spin) is the one they will want including arcade-style games, a couple of bowling alleys and laser tag. You will also find it in Al Wadha Mall but at a different location.
The newer branch of Orange Wheels at Al Raha Mall is a fantastic place to take preschoolers and younger children. There is an imaginative play zone with little houses allowing for all sorts of make-believe play as well as a soft play climbing area suitable for under 8s.
There is also a well-appointed cafe next to the baby soft zone in the Al Raha Mall branch where parents and carers can indulge in a variety of drinks and snacks whilst still being able to see their little ones.
Learn more at orangewheels.com
Caboodle
This is a lovely little play centre in the Galleria Mall offering babysitting as well as the opportunity to stay and play with your kids. There is a wonderful make-believe village as well as a big soft play climbing frame and foam pit.
Crafty kids can get arty in the art and craft area and there is also a selection of smaller toys to play with. There’s also a nice little cafe with lots of tempting treats for both children and adults.
Pop in and Play
One for your Lego fans who love independent play time. Children from 4 years of age can be left in a supervised environment absolutely packed full of different Lego-based activities. Younger ones aged 3 years old and under can also enjoy the Duplo soft play area but must be supervised.
There are two branches in World Trade Centre Mall next to Lulu Hypermarket and Yas Mall on the first floor near the old House of Fraser store (the former being a much larger set up).
Learn more at popinandplay.com
Kidz Factory
You may have come across Kidz Factory at Friday Brunches or kids birthday parties, well they also have a store set up inside Dalma Mall. This is definitely one of your more hands-on entertainers for crafty kids and also includes cooking classes, ceramics and construction – check out their full program of what’s on offer.
Learn more at kidzfactory-uae.com
Splatter Rooms
Got a budding artist? This is the perfect indoor escape to try this summer at Al Seef Village Mall. Workshops and freestyle sessions can be booked to make colourful creations you can take home.
Learn more at splatterrooms.com
Kidzania
Opened in 2019, KidZania Abu Dhabi joins its Dubai counterpart in becoming the second Middle East branch of this popular pretend-city themed indoor entertainment for young children. Children enter their own real to life town where they must “work” to earn Kidzoos, the official KidZania currency, which they can then spend on fun attractions or in the gift shop.
Learn more at kidzania.com
Abu Dhabi Children’s Library
If you want to avoid noisy play centres, then you can’t miss a little adventure at Abu Dhabi’s Children’s Library, located at the Cultural Foundation Centre, near Qasr al Hosn.
Abu Dhabi is lucky to have one of the most beautiful and thoughtfully designed children’s libraries in the world. Spanning three floors, the library is divided into age-appropriate spaces with a variety of immersive and interactive features and exhibitions.
As well as mountains of books, there are several cosy little nooks to sit and read in, These range from the back of old Landrovers to swinging seats to upholstered sand dunes allowing for some memorable family reading experiences.
While the library is family-friendly, children are expected to behave appropriately for the space; this might be difficult for some children as the design does shout “come and play”, especially the swings on the first floor! Make sure you familiarise children with the rules of a library before you visit!
Open 10:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday to Thursday and 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm Friday closed weekends.
Abu Dhabi Indoor Theme Parks
Abu Dhabi has one of the greatest selections of indoor theme parks anywhere in the world, all located on the adventure playground of Yas Island. Without a doubt, if your budget can stretch they are one of the best kids’ activities in Abu Dhabi.
Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi
World-class indoor theme park entertainment hit Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island in 2018 with the opening of Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi – at this stage the world’s largest indoor theme park. Cartoon favourites from DC Comics through to classics from the Flintstones to the Jetsons can be found.
There are 29 rides, attractions and entertaining shows to enjoy, guaranteeing a full day outing.
Best suited to your kids 4+, you will find the giant gold shed immediately adjacent to Yas Waterworld on Yas Island, follow the signs though for a separate multi-story car park.
You can read a comprehensive review of what to expect at Warner Bros World here
Discounted tickets are available here | Learn more at wbworldabudhabi.com
Ferrari World
Home to some of the fastest rides in the world, this is where you want to take your junior adrenaline junkies. Over the summer you can enjoy literally endless hours of fun as queues are almost non-existent off-peak. They also run varying some specials over holidays where you get free entry into the park and only pay for the rides, as well as “nanny free” tickets and many other specials.
The Family Zone was extended in March 2020, so there are now many more rides available to those under 1.2m, don’t rule it out with younger kids who love their thrills.
Accessed from inside Yas Mall, you are attached to plenty of indoor dining & shopping options too.
You can read a comprehensive review of what to expect, especially the new Family Zone here
Discounted tickets available here | Learn more at ferrariworldabudhabi.com
CLYMB Abu Dhabi
Indoor skydiving and indoor rock climbing at its best with the world’s largest indoor rock climbing wall (for experienced climbers 14+) and the world’s tallest indoor skydiving chamber. Kids as young as 3 can enjoy the sensation of free-fall!
A superb activity to keep the kids active, even in the hottest months. You will find CLYMB attached to Yas Mall (at Ferrari World end).
You can read a full review of what to expect at CLYMB Abu Dhabi here | Learn more at clymbabudhabi.com
Dubai Parks & Resorts (Legoland, Motiongate and Bollywood Park)
We’ve also included Dubai Parks and Resorts on this Abu Dhabi list. Although technically over the border in Dubai, they are less than an hour’s drive away for most (and it looks like the domestic border crossing point is gone for good!
The theme parks are not entirely indoors. However, over the summer they offer a complimentary daytime buggy and train service that does operate to get you from the car park to the gate at Motiongate, Legoland Dubai & Legoland Water Park and Bollywood Park.
You can read a detailed review here about how to tackle Dubai Parks & Resorts in the Summer
The Dreamworks attractions at Motiongate are entirely inside in the air conditioning including Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and Dragons. Legoland also has many inside rides and theatres. Mid-summer you can expect queue-free non-stop riding almost everywhere in the parks.
Discounted Motiongate Tickets | Discounted Legoland Tickets | Discounted Bollywood Tickets | Learn more at dubaiparksandresorts.com
Games Cafes and Escape Rooms in Abu Dhabi
Its been great to see a few more places enter the family entertainment lineup in Abu Dhabi specifically aimed at older kids. Some suggested summer sanity savers for tweens and teens indoors in Abu Dhabi include:
Dice Board Game Cafe
Found inside the newly opened Sheikha Fatima Park (near A’l Bahar on the Abu Dhabi Corniche). This delightful new stay & play cafe brings over 400 games to choose from! Just 35 AED per person gets you unlimited gameplay/ Stick around for sensational coffees and a decent food and drinks menu too, a sure winner for a relaxing indoor day with kids in Abu Dhabi.
Cyber Cafe
Cyber Cafe, hidden away on the first floor of Sahara Residences in Downtown (corner Delma and 7th) offers a sociable hang out for your older kids. Despite the name, there are plenty of non-screen related games in this cafe-style hangout. Enjoy air hockey and arcade games, board games and PSP stations.
Sharda
Grab yourself some teammates (2 to 5 is ideal) and head to Dalma Mall to try the Sharda escape rooms. Meaning “escape” in Arabic, there are 4 challenging rooms to try; not for the feint hearted they’re reported to be challenging!
Learn more at Sharda.ae
Dark Room
If you dare… enter the Dark Room! A villa-based experience set in Al Bateen, the Dark Room is part haunted house, part escape room. Games include The Basement, Hill House and The Ritual – set your scare level and get your minds working!
Learn more at darkroomae.com
Prison Island
Found in Abu Dhabi Mall, Prison Island – Beat the Bars is getting great acclaim as one of the best new family activities in Abu Dhabi for those with older kids to entertain. Friends of family members, gather around from 8 to 80 years as you solve 26 challenging clues.
Soft Plays and family entertainment centres in Abu Dhabi
Many of the edutainment centres we mentioned above also include a soft play element, but here are a few more ideas spotted in malls over the city – you are never far from a soft play in Abu Dhabi!!!
Most of these work on either a play by the hour basis or for rides and other attractions a pre-paid card is needed – which invariably is not transferable across branches meaning you carry around a wallet full of partially expired credits, a true sign you are a UAE expat!
On another note, most also require socks to be warned by kids and grown-ups – a worthy investment is getting the whole family a pair of grippy socks so you are not forking out more money every time!!
Cheeky Monkeys
Found in Al Forsan (upstairs above Spinneys) it has a huge climbing frame and clubhouse area, as well as a toddler-dedicated area and craft opportunities.
Learn more at cheekymonkeys.com
Fun City
Classic indoor family fun play centres you will find several of these dotted over Abu Dhabi including Dalma Mall, Abu Dhabi Mall, Yas Mall, and upstairs in Al Seef Village Mall (Funville). They cater for all age groups from your very little toddlers in soft play areas through to arcade games and moderately thrilling rides.
Magic Planet
Several mixed entertainment venues dotted over the city’s major malls including Marina Mall and Carrefour Airport Road. Expect loud and colourful arcade games, rides and climbing structures.
Learn more at magicplanetmena.com
Wanasa Land
Indoor entertainment from arcade games to soft play climbing structures. You will find the largest branch in Al Wadha Mall, and also at Madinat Zayed Mall and Bawabat Al Sharq Mall to the couth of the city.
Kiddos
Some of the best indoor climbing frames, including areas designated for the younger tots. In our option, a little less noisy than some of the others with more focus on dress up, crafting and pretend play rather than the flashing arcade games – a great option if these things give you sensory overload! You will find them next to the cinemas in Deerfields Town Square and Dalma Mall.
Fabyland
Bright colourful family entertainment with amusement rides and arcade-style games to be found at the Carrefour end of Deerfields Town Square.
Learn more on facebook.com/fabylandDFM
Sparkys
Sparkys Amusement Center can be found in Al Khalidiya Mall, as well as Al Mushrif Mall, Raha Mall and Capital Mall. The stand out feature in the Khalidiya Mall branch is the small indoor ice skating rink, great for your beginners. You will also find quite a large play structure with big slides and many amusement rides and arcade-style games, dodgem cars.
Look out for Entertainer, Groupon and Cabone specials on ice skating.
Learn more at facebook.com/sparkysUAE/
Busy Bees Entertainment Centre
A combination of bigger kids rides and simulators through to arcade games, smaller kiddie rides and play areas. Located in Makani Mall, Al Shamkha and in Central Mall Khalifa City.
Zeal Entertainment
An exciting addition to Dalma Mall for your older tweens and teens! Spread over 35,000 feet on the second floor this is an all-rounder entertainment venue. It includes plenty of gaming areas, a pool table zone, racing and rollercoaster simulator rides, twilight bowling and a small restaurant on site so you can dine and play in one spot.
Central Abu Dhabi
Part restaurant, part bowling alley, part gaming arcade, the new Central at Yas Bay is what the city has been crying out for. Families who love to dine, drink and play together are spoilt here with this multi-function venue, part of the new Yas Bay complex, Yas Island.
Play Home Town Tourist – best of Abu Dhabi’s indoor attractions
When the weather is hot and the crowds are low, there’s no better time to enjoy some of Abu Dhabi’s most popular tourist attractions.
Observation Deck at 300
Have you ever taken an aerial view of the city? Observation Deck at 300 (part of the Conrad Hotel) takes you to the 74th floor of Etihad Towers. You will be spoilt with spectacular views over the city, including the new Presidential Palace (more on this, keep reading!).
It’s a great place to spend a few hours and enjoy one of their amazing selections of cakes and beverages or even a delicious afternoon tea looking over the city. There is a fee to enter but you get most of this back in F&B credits. Do try and dress the piece, children are welcomed but must be well behaved.
Qasr al Watan – Presidential Palace
Do you think the Grand Mosque is the country’s most spectacular building? Well, it’s starting to face some stiff competition from Qasr al Watan. Open to the public since March 2019, tours of the Palace run daily, as well as general admission to see one of the world’s most spectacular, and certainly most expensive buildings.
It’s not ultra kid-friendly as you do need to keep quiet and act with refinement, but definitely one worth checking out for your bucket list. You can pre-book private tours or simply buy tickets at the gate. They now have headset tours designed especially for the younger audience to keep them engaged.
You can see our full review of Qasr al Watan here | Learn more at qasralwatan.ae
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Ok, again it’s not THE most kid-friendly place in Abu Dhabi. But if it’s been on your bucket list forever, summer is the time to get down to Saadiyat Island and check it out while there are fewer tourists about – and now all children under 18 go free with an adult!
As well as taking a stunning journey through the history of humanity, the museum itself is a beautiful masterpiece and you don’t want to rush the experience. However, it might be a good incentive for children to know that there is a kids’ museum at the end, small but entertaining, as well as admiring the domed roof. In cooler months kayaking beneath the Louvre roof is now also an option.
You can see our full review of visiting the Louvre here | Learn more at louvreabudhabi.ae
There are plenty more touristy ideas in Abu Dhabi including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Qasr al Hosn this is just our selection of those that work best during the hot summer days.
Other indoor ideas in Abu Dhabi with Kids
- Those with little kids under 5, if you are not already a member join up to Abu Dhabi Mums who have been running playgroups in the city and welcoming new parents into the community for many years. Their clubhouse at The Dome, Al Rawdat tends to keep running even over the summer months but may not have structured activities, it’s just drop in and play at 20AED a session.
- Also, check out the group “With The Kids Abu Dhabi” for parent reviews and suggested activities in Abu Dhabi.
- There are tons of summer camps too. If not already mentioned above, check out the likes of The Club, Zayed Sports City, Al Forsan and many of the nurseries for your under 4’s will continue operating over most of the summer.
- If you’re willing to brave the outdoors, check out this collection of family-friendly beach clubs in Abu Dhabi, these include access to a chilled pool too and often many extra family features that can still work for a summer activity mornings and evenings.
More reading on Abu Dhabi and the UAE
- All the best things to do with kids in Abu Dhabi
- 40+ FREE & really cheap things to do in the UAE
- Abu Dhabi weekenders – the best ways to fill your weekends all within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
- What should I wear in Abu Dhabi
- Abu Dhabi’s best parks and outdoor spaces
- Best things to do with a long Eid break
- Exploring the UAE outdoors in the winter
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This post has been compiled by our editor Keri, a travel writer and mum of three based in Abu Dhabi with a decade of UAE summers with kids under her belt. You can see more of her UAE and overseas adventures on her personal blog Our Globetrotters and on Instagram. Updated for the current year by our contributing writer Lynette Fortey-Burnett.
Disclaimer: This post is in no way sponsored, however, our team has previously been provided with media or complimentary access to some of the venues mentioned in exchange for honest reviews or media coverage. Some attractions we offer links to discounted tickets which may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. Information correct as of May 2021. Our full website terms of use can be found here. If you would like to see your Abu Dhabi indoor establishment listed here without charge, please email familytravelme@gmail.com.
