From futuristic skylines and enormous waterparks to golden deserts, beautiful mosques and endless beaches, the UAE is one of those destinations that somehow manages to keep both parents and kids happy.
There are holidays where you spend half your time trying to convince the kids to leave the hotel pool.
And then there are holidays where they are the ones waking you up asking, “What are we doing today?”
The United Arab Emirates was definitely the second kind for us.
What I love about travelling through the UAE with children is that it never really feels like you’re doing the same holiday twice. One day you’re surrounded by skyscrapers, the next you’re standing barefoot in the desert. One morning you’re exploring a mosque, and by the afternoon the kids are racing down a waterslide.
And just when you think you’ve seen the most impressive thing yet, something else comes along.
We had already experienced the combination of sunshine, family attractions and larger-than-life experiences on other trips, including our Dubai with Kids and Abu Dhabi with Kids guides. But the more we explored the UAE, the more we realised that the real strength of this destination isn’t one particular attraction.
It’s the combination.
You can make it a city trip.
You can make it a beach holiday.
You can make it an adventure.
Or, like us, you can mix a little bit of everything together.
And that is exactly how I would recommend experiencing the UAE with kids.

So, is the UAE actually good for families?

Before visiting, I think this is one of those questions many parents quietly wonder about.
Will the children enjoy it?
Won’t it be too hot?
Isn’t Dubai all shopping malls and skyscrapers?
And what about Abu Dhabi?
The answer, at least for us, was that the UAE is surprisingly easy with children.
There are beaches and swimming pools everywhere. There are theme parks, waterparks, aquariums and interactive attractions. There are deserts to explore and traditional souks to wander through.
But there are also plenty of moments when you can simply stop.
And with children, those moments are important.
A family holiday doesn’t have to mean squeezing six attractions into one day just because you’ve flown halfway around the world to see them.
Sometimes the best afternoon is a swim in the hotel pool.
Sometimes it is sitting on the beach while the children play.
And sometimes it is watching the sunset over the desert together.
That balance is what makes the UAE work so well.

How long do you need for the UAE with kids?

For a first trip, I would plan around 10 days.
You can technically see Dubai and Abu Dhabi in a week, but I wouldn’t recommend trying to squeeze everything into seven days. There is simply too much, and travelling with children always takes a little longer than you think.
For our ideal family itinerary, I would allow:

6 nights in Dubai

4 nights in Abu Dhabi

If you have two weeks, even better.
Don’t necessarily add more attractions. Add more time.
More beach.
More pool.
A slower breakfast.
An afternoon where nobody has to be anywhere.
Because those are often the days the children remember too.

Our 10-day UAE family itinerary

Day 1 – Arriving in Dubai

There is something slightly surreal about arriving in Dubai.
Even before you’ve properly started your holiday, you begin seeing glimpses of the city through the car windows. Huge buildings rise out of the desert, roads seem impossibly wide and everything looks just a little bit bigger than you expected.
But after a flight, children aren’t particularly impressed by impressive architecture.
They are tired.
So our first rule is simple: don’t plan anything major on arrival day.
Check into your hotel, unpack and find something easy to eat.
If there is a pool, even better.
Let the children swim while you finally sit down.
Dubai isn’t going anywhere.
And tomorrow, you can start exploring.

Where to stay in Dubai with kids

There isn’t one perfect area for every family.
Downtown is fantastic if you want to be close to the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. JBR and Dubai Marina are great if you want restaurants and easy access to the beach. Jumeirah offers a nice combination of city and beach, while Palm Jumeirah is ideal if you want more of a resort holiday.
Personally, when travelling with children, I would prioritise a good pool and a convenient location over simply choosing the most famous hotel.
Find family-friendly hotels in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on Booking.com, https://booking.tpk.lu/fXErmS1n

Day 2 – Discovering the Dubai behind the skyscrapers

The first full day is when I would deliberately do something different.
Because Dubai can easily become a holiday of glass towers, shopping malls and enormous attractions.
But there is another Dubai.
Head towards Old Dubai.
Walk through the souks, explore the historic streets and take an abra across Dubai Creek.
And somehow, that little boat ride can become one of those unexpected family memories.
It isn’t a huge attraction.
There isn’t a ticket gate or a queue of excited children.
It’s simply a little boat crossing the water.
But after the futuristic Dubai you’ve just arrived in, it feels like you’ve stepped into another world.
That’s something I would deliberately build into a UAE trip.
The contrast.
Old and new.
Desert and city.
Quiet mornings and crazy theme parks.
You don’t need to understand every historical detail for the children to enjoy it. Let them look, smell, ask questions and explore.
And leave some room for lunch somewhere along the way.
Don’t rush.
You’ve got another eight days.

Day 3 – Burj Khalifa and the Dubai that everyone comes to see

Eventually, of course, you have to see it.
The Burj Khalifa.
Standing underneath it with children is actually quite funny because you can see them trying to understand just how high it really is.
Photographs don’t quite prepare you for the scale.
This is the Dubai everyone knows.
The skyline.
Dubai Mall.
The fountains.
The crowds.
And yes, it is touristy.
But sometimes touristy things are popular for a reason.
Take the children up to one of the observation decks if heights aren’t a problem, then explore the area around Dubai Mall.
Just don’t make the mistake of thinking you need to spend an entire day ticking off every attraction.
Unless you have teenagers.
In which case, I make no promises.
Our children have never needed much encouragement when it comes to shopping.
If you want to add another attraction, this is a good day to do it. There are plenty of family experiences around Downtown Dubai, and I would book the popular ones in advance rather than discovering on the day that the time slot you wanted is sold out.
Book family-friendly experiences and attractions in Dubai with GetYourGuide, https://getyourguide.tpk.lu/OrKGbkZY

Day 4 – The day we slow down

This is the day I would deliberately leave almost empty.
A beach day.
A pool day.
A day where nobody needs to know what time the next attraction starts.
Head towards Jumeirah, JBR or Palm Jumeirah and simply enjoy Dubai’s other great attraction: the sunshine.
Swim.
Build sandcastles.
Have lunch.
Swim again.
Read a book.
Do absolutely nothing for an hour.
It is surprisingly difficult to give yourself permission to do nothing on holiday.
Especially in somewhere like Dubai, where you know there is always another attraction around the corner.
But the children don’t need to see all of Dubai.
They need to enjoy being on holiday.
And honestly, after several days of sightseeing, everyone will probably be grateful for it.
If your children are desperate for more action, this is an easy day to add a waterpark or another family attraction.
But only if you want to.

Day 5 – Into the desert

Then comes one of the experiences I would absolutely put on your UAE family bucket list.
The desert.
You leave the city behind and, almost without noticing, the skyscrapers disappear.
The landscape changes.
The roads stretch out.
And suddenly there is sand everywhere.
This is the moment when the UAE starts to feel completely different.
Depending on the safari you choose, you might go dune bashing, try sandboarding, ride a camel, visit a desert camp or sit down for dinner as the sun disappears behind the dunes.
For the children, the dune bashing is usually the exciting part.
For me, it is the sunset.
There is something about watching the desert change colour as the sun goes down that is difficult to explain until you’re actually there.
For a few minutes, everything becomes quiet.
No traffic.
No skyscrapers.
No shopping malls.
Just sand, sky and your family.
That contrast is what I remember most.
When booking a desert safari, make sure you choose one that suits your children’s ages. The most adventurous option isn’t necessarily the best family option.

Day 6 – Let the family decide

By now, you’ve probably discovered what everyone likes.
Maybe the children want another waterpark.
Maybe someone wants to shop.
Maybe you want to see another part of Dubai.
Or perhaps everyone secretly wants to stay beside the pool.
Listen to them.
This is the day where I wouldn’t book anything.
Dubai is enormous and getting from one side of the city to another can take longer than expected. Having a flexible day gives you breathing space.
And if your children have fallen completely in love with theme parks, this is where you can add another big attraction.

Day 7 – Dubai to Abu Dhabi

Today you leave Dubai behind.
And this is one of the reasons I like combining the two cities.
The journey between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is relatively straightforward, particularly if you have a rental car.
For a family, having your own car can make the UAE considerably easier. You aren’t tied to someone else’s timetable and you can stop when you want.
It also makes it much easier if you want to explore beyond the main tourist areas.
Compare rental cars for your UAE trip
Once you arrive in Abu Dhabi, the atmosphere changes.
At least, that’s how it felt to us.
Dubai feels energetic.
Abu Dhabi feels like you can breathe a little more.
There is more space, more greenery and a slightly slower rhythm.
After several days in Dubai, it is a welcome change.
Check into your hotel and, once again, don’t immediately start sightseeing.
Go swimming.
Have dinner.
Take a walk.
Tomorrow you can discover Abu Dhabi properly.

Day 8 – The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

There are places that look impressive in photographs.
And then there are places that are even more impressive when you’re standing there.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of those places.
Even children can appreciate the scale.
Rather than simply telling them that the building is beautiful, give them things to look for.
The enormous chandeliers.
The patterns.
The arches.
The reflections.
The details.
Suddenly, they aren’t just walking around a religious building.
They’re looking for things.
And that makes the experience much more engaging.
This is also a good reminder that travelling with children doesn’t mean you have to avoid cultural experiences.
Quite the opposite.
Some of the moments they remember most are the ones that feel completely different from home.
Afterwards, take things slowly.
Explore a little more of Abu Dhabi, have lunch and return to the hotel for some pool time.
And if you enjoyed the cultural side of the city, make sure you also read our dedicated Abu Dhabi with Kids guide. There is much more to Abu Dhabi than Yas Island.

Day 9 – Yas Island: when Abu Dhabi becomes all about the kids

And then, after a cultural day, you can completely change direction.

Yas Island.

If you are travelling with children who love theme parks, this could easily become one of the highlights of the entire holiday.
Ferrari World.
Warner Bros. World.
Yas Waterworld.
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.
There is enough here to keep a family busy for days.
But please don’t try to conquer all of Yas Island in one day.
Choose one main attraction.
Enjoy it.
Stay until you’re ready to leave.
That sounds obvious, but it is incredibly tempting when you’re looking at a list of famous attractions to think, “We might as well do two.”
You probably don’t need to.
One good theme park is a full day.
And your children will enjoy it much more if they aren’t being dragged out of one park to race to the next.
If your family is particularly enthusiastic about theme parks, staying on or near Yas Island can also make the logistics much easier.
And if you’re planning a separate Abu Dhabi trip, our Abu Dhabi with Kids guide goes into much more detail about Yas Island, beaches and the city’s other family attractions.

Day 10 – One last swim

And then suddenly, it’s your last morning.
This is where I would resist the temptation to squeeze in one final attraction.
Have breakfast.
Go swimming.
Sit by the pool.
If there is time, visit the beach.
Saadiyat Island is a beautiful option, while the Corniche offers a more central city experience.
Let the children have that final swim.
Because eventually the bags have to be packed.
The souvenirs have to fit somewhere.
The sandy clothes somehow have to find their way back into the suitcase.
And then you’re heading to the airport.
You leave with photographs of skyscrapers, desert sunsets, beaches and theme parks.
But hopefully also with a few memories that weren’t on the itinerary at all.

Dubai or Abu Dhabi with kids – do you really need both?

I often see this question when people start planning a UAE holiday.
And my answer is:

Yes, if you have the time.

Dubai is bigger, busier and more extravagant.
It is the place for iconic architecture, shopping, waterparks, huge attractions and that unmistakable wow factor.
Abu Dhabi feels different.
There is more culture, more space and a slightly slower pace. And then there is Yas Island, which can turn the city into a theme-park paradise for children.
For us, that’s what makes combining the two so worthwhile.
You don’t have to choose.
You get both.
And that is also why I wouldn’t make the UAE a holiday where you simply stay in one hotel for ten days and visit attractions from there.
Move between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Experience the difference.

Where should you stay in the UAE with kids?

This is one of those destinations where location matters almost as much as the hotel itself.
In Dubai, Downtown is ideal for the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. JBR and Dubai Marina are good choices if beach access and restaurants are important. Palm Jumeirah is more resort-focused, while Jumeirah offers a nice combination of beach and city.
In Abu Dhabi, Yas Island makes sense if theme parks are the main reason for your visit. Saadiyat Island is better for a slower beach holiday, while central Abu Dhabi is convenient if you want to explore the city.
And don’t underestimate the value of a hotel pool.
When you’re travelling with children, that pool might end up being used more than the famous attraction you paid a fortune to visit.

Getting around the UAE with children

You can get around the cities by taxi, but for a family itinerary like this, I really like the flexibility of having a car.
Especially if you’re combining Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
It means you can throw the bags in the boot and go.
No negotiating with taxis.
No wondering whether everyone has their belongings.
And if you decide halfway through the day that you want to stop somewhere, you can.
If you’re staying entirely within Dubai or Abu Dhabi, you may find taxis perfectly convenient. But if you’re planning to explore further, a rental car becomes much more attractive.

When is the best time to visit the UAE with kids?

The biggest thing to think about is the temperature.
The cooler months are much more comfortable if you want to spend lots of time outside, explore the desert and walk around the cities.
During the hotter months, a UAE holiday is still possible, but you need to change your rhythm.
Think:

Morning outside → long lunch → indoor attraction → swimming pool in the evening.

Fortunately, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are exceptionally well equipped for hot weather.
Air-conditioned shopping malls, museums, aquariums, theme parks and indoor attractions mean you don’t have to spend the entire day outside.
And sometimes there is nothing wrong with escaping the heat in a very impressive shopping mall while the children happily explore an attraction inside.

What to pack for a UAE family holiday

Packing for the UAE isn’t particularly complicated.
You’ll want:

• Lightweight clothes
• Swimwear
• Sun hats
• Sunglasses
• High SPF sunscreen
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sandals
• Reusable water bottles
• A small day bag
• Light layers for heavily air-conditioned places

And remember to pack something a little more conservative for visiting religious and cultural sites.
One thing that has become a non-negotiable for us when travelling with children is packing cubes, https://www.travel-icious.com/product/travel-storage-bag-compressible-packaging-cube-copy/
Because somehow, every child needs their swimming costume at exactly the moment you have packed it underneath absolutely everything else.
We use a different colour for each family member, which means everyone knows which cube belongs to them.
It sounds like a small thing.
It makes a surprisingly big difference.

What should you book before travelling?

I wouldn’t book every minute of your holiday.
The beauty of the UAE is that you can leave some days flexible.
But there are a few things I would organise before you leave:
Accommodation – particularly during busy periods.
Burj Khalifa – especially if you want a particular time of day.
Desert safari – choose carefully if you’re travelling with younger children.
Theme parks – especially if Yas Island is a major part of your itinerary.
Rental car – if you want the freedom to explore.
Airport transfers – particularly if you arrive late with tired children and several suitcases.
The key is to book the things that genuinely matter to you and leave the rest open.

The biggest mistake you can make in the UAE with kids

Trying to see everything.
There is simply too much.
You could spend your entire holiday moving from attraction to attraction.
And by day four, nobody will care that you’ve technically seen the Burj Khalifa, a souk, an aquarium, a waterpark and the desert.
They’ll just want to swim.
So our Travelicious rule is simple:

One big experience a day is usually enough.

Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall.
A beach day.
A desert safari.
One theme park.
A cultural day in Abu Dhabi.
Then fill the gaps with swimming, food and time together.
It sounds less ambitious.
It will probably make for a much better holiday.

Would we go back?

Absolutely.
Because the UAE is one of those destinations that gives you an incredible amount of choice without making family travel unnecessarily difficult.
You can have the excitement of Dubai, the culture of Abu Dhabi, the silence of the desert and the relaxation of a beach resort all within one trip.
And that variety is what I love most.
It also fits beautifully into a bigger family travel journey.
If you’ve been following our Dubai with Kids stories, our Abu Dhabi with Kids guide is the perfect next read. And if you’re building a bigger list of family-friendly destinations, you can also jump from here to our stories about Japan with Kids, Hong Kong with Kids, our Disney adventures and the many other destinations we’ve explored as a family.
Because that is ultimately why we travel with our children.
Not just to see another famous building.
Not just to collect another stamp in the passport.
But to give them moments they couldn’t have at home.
Standing in the desert as the sun disappears.
Looking up at the Burj Khalifa.
Discovering a beautiful mosque.
Screaming together on a roller coaster.
Swimming until sunset.
Those are the moments that stay with you.
And the UAE has plenty of them.

Ready to plan your UAE family adventure?

Where to stay: Find family-friendly hotels in Dubai and Abu Dhabi through, https://booking.tpk.lu/fXErmS1n
Things to do: Browse family experiences, tours and attractions through GetYourGuide, https://getyourguide.tpk.lu/OrKGbkZY
Getting around: Compare rental cars for your UAE adventure, https://discovercars.tpk.lu/ciSbEadR
This post contains affiliate links. If you book through one of our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support Travelicious and allows us to keep creating family travel guides and inspiration.