Dubai with kids: a day out
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- 2 of 5 free; 3 paid — see “Cost”
- Duration
- 7 h 40 min · 09:30–17:13
- Start and finish
- Burj Khalifa → Dubai Frame
- On foot
- ≈ 14 min in total
- Transport
- 1 ride, ≈ 29 min
- Lunch
- around 12:41
- With kids
- fine: short walks
- Best time
- All year: every stop is indoors. From November to March you can add outdoor parks.
The plan, stop by stop
Times include walking and lunch. Drag a stop by ≡, remove it with the cross or add one nearby — the plan updates.
Dubai09:30–17:13 · 5 places · 7 h 40 min
Burj Khalifa
· 1 h 30 min · From AED 189
- 4 min on foot
The Dubai Fountain
· 30 min · Free
- 7 min on foot
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
· 1 h · Free view; tunnel ≈ AED 199
- Lunch · 1 h
- 3 min on foot
The Dubai Mall
· 2 h · Free
- 29 min · transport or taxi
Dubai Frame
· 1 h · AED 50, children 3–12 AED 20
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
What the route costs
2 of 5 are free; 3 charge entry — prices below, check them on site.
| 1 | Burj Khalifa | 79 | 1 h 30 min | from AED 189 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | The Dubai Fountain | 45 | 30 min | Free |
| 3 | Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo | 38 | 1 h | Free view; tunnel ≈ AED 199 |
| 4 | The Dubai Mall | 56 | 2 h | Free |
| 5 | Dubai Frame | 39 | 1 h | AED 50, children 3–12 AED 20 |
| Total | 6 h | 2 of 5 free |
Tips for each stop
- 1
Burj Khalifa. The world's tallest building, 828 m. At the Top on levels 124–125 starts at 189 AED; you enter by timed slot from the Lower Ground floor of The Dubai Mall. Book a day or two ahead online — it is cheaper and slots sell out.
- 2
The Dubai Fountain. Daytime shows at 13:00 and 13:30 (Fridays 14:00 and 14:30); in the evening every half hour from 18:00 to 23:00. Free from the lakeside promenade.
- 3
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. A 10-million-litre tank of sharks and rays. The window from the mall is free; the tunnel and Underwater Zoo cost about 199 AED.
- 4
The Dubai Mall. Free to enter: the waterfall with divers, a dinosaur skeleton and the aquarium window, which you can see from the mall for free. Shops open until 23:00, until midnight Friday to Sunday.
- 5
Dubai Frame. A 150 m golden frame with a glass-floored bridge on top — old Dubai on one side, the skyline on the other. 50 AED, children 3–12 20 AED, 8:00–21:00.
Who this route is for
- Families with children aged 3+
- Hot days — almost all indoors
- No water parks or long drives
- Water parks and theme parks take a full day
- Toddlers in strollers may find Burj Khalifa dull
All year: every stop is indoors. From November to March you can add outdoor parks.
Things to do in Dubai with kids in one day
We pick places children enjoy and that have child tickets, and order them with the shortest transfers. Burj Khalifa, the fountain and the aquarium are in one block; the Frame is 30 minutes by taxi.
Remove any stop with the cross or drag it with ≡, and add another one nearby — the times recalculate.
Child ticket prices
Dubai Frame: 20 AED for ages 3–12, under 3 free. Aquarium: the window in the mall is free, the tunnel and Underwater Zoo about 199 AED; under 2 free (unofficial). The fountain is free.
Theme parks and water parks
Atlantis has the Lost World aquarium and Aquaventure. Legoland and Motiongate are at Dubai Parks, 40–50 minutes from the centre. IMG Worlds is indoors — good in summer. Dubai Safari Park opens from October to spring.
Where to eat
Lunch in the plan is in The Dubai Mall: food courts and restaurants open 10:00 to midnight, until 1:00 at weekends.
How to do it right
- Book a morning slot at Burj Khalifa — queues grow later in the day.
- The mall means hours of walking: bring a stroller even for older toddlers.
- No food, toys or big bags in the Frame — strollers are left at Gate 4.
- The UAE uses the dirham (AED). Cards work almost everywhere; keep some cash for abras, souks and small museums. Dubai's metro needs a Nol card.
- In summer keep outdoor walks short; water and hats are a must.
Questions
What to do in Dubai with kids?
The aquarium and fountain at The Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Frame; for a full day, Atlantis, Legoland or IMG Worlds.
How much is the Dubai Aquarium?
The window is free; the tunnel and Underwater Zoo are about 199 AED.
From what age do kids pay at the Dubai Frame?
From 3: ages 3–12 pay 20 AED.
Is Burj Khalifa scary for kids?
The decks are enclosed with glass and a terrace; the lift reaches level 124 in about a minute.
Can I bring a stroller?
In the mall and at Burj Khalifa, yes. At the Frame strollers are left at the entrance.
What to do with kids in the evening?
Watch the fountain — every half hour from 18:00 to 23:00, free.
Where to go with kids in summer?
Indoors: the mall, the aquarium, IMG Worlds, Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates.
How much is this day for a family?
Paid: Burj Khalifa (from 189 AED), the aquarium tunnel (≈ 199 AED) and the Frame (50 and 20 AED).
How to get around with kids?
Metro to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, a taxi to the Frame. Children under 5 ride the metro free.
What currency is used in Dubai?
The UAE uses the dirham (AED). Cards work almost everywhere; keep some cash for abras, souks and small museums. Dubai's metro needs a Nol card.
Sources and fact-check
- Prices, opening hours and time on site come from each place's page, with its own sources and check date
- Dubai Frame and Dubai Aquarium official websites
- RTA: Dubai Metro
