Dubai, UAE, 24 July 2023: Neon-drenched mini-golf courses, moving pixelated floors, pizza-making classes, gaming entertainment parks and thrilling escape rooms – here’s a round-up of Dubai’s most exciting indoor activities to beat the heat and summer lull.
Adventure Island
JBR newcomer Adventure Island is an exhilarating entertainment hub for thrill-seekers six years and older. Alongside high-tech laser tag arenas, this destination’s coolest draw is its PIXEL rooms, where the floors come alive with mesmerising LED lights. Teams of two to six must step on the changing colours to score points—and watch out for the risky reds! —with the speed and difficulty increasing as you go. It’s also perfect for birthdays, with the laser tag arenas built for up to 24 players. You can choose one to three games, each lasting 15 minutes, and battle it out in a fun, high-tech environment.
Where: Bahar Plaza – Al Gharbi, JBR The Walk
Cost: Starting from AED59
Ribambelle
Ribambelle is where high-end dining and family fun meet—an unusual combination for Dubai. Parents can enjoy premium food by Chef Gabrielle Martinez and delectable desserts by pastry chef Luis Federico Oliveira. While parents feast, children can keep busy at a fun-filled play area or participate in workshops, from arts and crafts to cooking classes and more. July is packed with various experiences, including chocolate chip cookie baking, bath bomb making, pencil case decorating and t-shirt painting.
See the full schedule here.
Where: Bluewaters
Cost: Workshops range from AED100 onwards
TEP Factor
Put your skills, logic, and fitness to the test at TEP Factor, where teams can compete across 21 challenges and four categories. Perfect for kids ages eight and up, this thrilling indoor adventure park will have you climbing, crawling, balancing, and solving a series of obstacles. It’s a great activity for birthdays or playdates; you only need two to six players, and you can create up to 18 teams simultaneously. TEP Factor is located next to a wide range of family-friendly eateries at JBR, making for a perfect post-challenge pit stop to refuel.
Where: Bahar Plaza, JBR The Walk
Cost: AED79 (Kids 8-11); AED99 (12+)
Illusion City
Discover original, logic-defying experiences at Illusion City. Walk on walls like Spiderman, crawl out of a TV like Samara, and discover mind-boggling artworks at this interactive, Insta-worthy venue. Located at The Wharf, it’s the perfect post-lunch pitstop to impress and inspire little ones. Children under seven can visit for free (one free child per adult).
Where: Bluewaters
Cost: AED60 (Kids 7-18) AED75 (Adults),
Theatre of Digital Art
Jaws will drop at the Theatre of Digital Art. This immersive, 360-degree digital experience in Souk Madinat Jumeirah combines art, education and inspiration into one. There’s always an exciting show on their programme that explores different art movements, renowned artists, inspiring stories and wellness events memorable for all ages. Running until the end of July is a mesmerising ode to Frida Kahlo, the 20th century’s most inspiring female artist and ensuring cultural icon. See TODA’s complete programme here.
Where: Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Cost: AED65 (3-16 years); From AED116.28 (Adults)
Escape The Room
This Boxpark-based escape room offers five immersive storylines, from horror to thriller. Groups of four to seven players can band together and solve clever clues and mind-bending riddles to get out of the locked space with 60 minutes on the clock. Though suitable for ages 12 and up, players 11 years and under can dive into the adventures with an adult. Escape The Room offers five unique experiences:
- Lost in Time: You’re on a mission to discover what happened to your brilliant professor, Edward Fletcher, who mysteriously disappeared from his home.
- Nightmare: Fight your way out of a terrifying storyline that will keep you up at night.
- The Prison: You and your friends have been framed for espionage. Your mission is to find clues that prove your innocence and convict the real spy.
- Mafia Kingdom: Your brother is in trouble with the wrong crowd. To save him, you must complete a deal with the mafia boss. But, first, you must pass a test to earn his trust.
- Z-Virus: Infected by a deadly virus, your friends have been quarantined in a laboratory. You must find a cure to save them before the lab explodes.
Where: Boxpark
Cost: From AED372 for two
Pizza-making classes
Little ones can roll up their sleeves this summer and unleash their inner chef at Pastamamma’s hands-on pizza-making classes. Taking place every other Saturday, children can master classic techniques to toss, top and bake their own delicious pizzas. Once the pies are in the oven, little ones will put their twist on tiramisu, learning how to make and decorate the delicious dessert from scratch.
Where: Pastamamma, Bluewaters
Cost: AED99 per child
3D Blacklight Mini Golf
Step into a neon-lit world at 3D Blacklight Mini Gold, Dubai’s ultimate glow-in-the-dark mini-golf experience. Navigate 18 uniquely themed holes and immerse yourself in a kaleidoscope of colour. World-renowned 3D artists have transformed ordinary putting greens into mesmerising landscapes, from Bedouins sipping qahwa to an underwater world filled with marine wildlife.
Where: Plaza Level, Bahar, JBR
Cost: From AED90 (5-12 years); AED110 (adults)
True Gamers
Dominate the leaderboards on PC or PS5 with the latest titles or stream like a pro with top-of-the-line gaming equipment at True Gamers. The Bluewaters and Villanova Community Mall locations offer the perfect respite this summer for casual gamers or competitive e-sports athletes alike, with thrilling tournaments on the calendar.
Where: Bluewaters and Villanova Community Mall
Cost: From AED45 (PC gaming area)
Arcade by Hub Zero
The Arcade by Hub Zero is the region’s first gaming-inspired entertainment park at Al Khawaneej Walk. Children can play some of the world’s most popular video games, from teaming up with the Justice League to battle villains and racing friends in Mario Kart to evading the wrath of the Ghost Gang in Pacman.
Where: Al Khawaneej Walk
Cost: Top up cards from AED 130: Pay as you go along.
Museum of Illusions
The name might give some secrets away, but families are still in for many surprises at the Museum of Illusions. Don’t let your eyes deceive you as you venture through ten eccentric exhibits, whether walking like a bat on the ceiling of a room or serving your heads on a platter. Fill your camera with unforgettable memories and venture to the wider Al Seef district for a dose of historical charm and culinary treasures, where you’ll find no shortage of Instagrammable moments.
Where: Al Seef
Cost: AED65 (3-15 years); AED95 (Adults)
Tr88house
Sixty-five thousand square feet of fun and food? It doesn’t get much better than Tr88house. This mega indoor playground at Bluewaters packs in hours of entertainment for the whole family with a nine-hole miniature golf course set amid a bioluminescent rainforest, laser tag in psychedelic surroundings, and a trampoline park with climbing walls, a ninja course, and a sprawling soft-play area with a ball pit, slides, swings, and ropes for toddlers. Bringing it all together is Tr88house’s brand new Sunday brunch, where you can indulge in unlimited food from its six on-site restaurants and endless activities from 1-4 p.m.
Where: Bluewaters
Cost: Sunday Brunch for AED179 pp
Madame Tussauds
Meet and mingle with glamorous celebrities like Tom Cruise and Shah Rukh Khan, toast over tea with the Queen of England and rub shoulders with Lewis Hamilton and David Beckham. Madame Tussauds is a unique introduction for children to historical, pop cultural and sporting icons of the past and present. Venture into the world-famous wax figure museum, making the most of a discounted family package for AED420 that includes four tickets, unlimited digital photos and more.
Where: Bluewaters
Cost: AED130 (Online single admission)
Game Over Escape Rooms
Created by professional animators and the masterminds behind cinematic alternative universes, Game Over Escape Rooms at Nakheel Mall offers adventure seekers an exhilarating experience. With captivating visuals, challenging riddles and puzzles, and original themes and storylines, it is the perfect destination for thrill-seekers. This summer, enjoy the Family Escape Package, available until 15 September.
Where: Nakheel Mall, Palm Jumeirah
Cost: From AED 545 per person for a 60-minute session
Ground Control
This unique, state-of-the-art venue features an eight-lane bowling alley, mini golf, darts, axe throwing, and retro video games, all under one roof. Guests can also enjoy a delectable menu offering a variety of dishes and mocktails. This summer, families can receive an additional hour free when booking for more than three people, valid until 15 September.
Where: Nakheel Mall, Palm Jumeirah
Cost: Price varies per package
The View, Palm Jumeirah
Experience the unparalleled beauty of Palm Jumeirah and Dubai’s iconic skyline from the island’s highest vantage point. This summer, enjoy a special offer where children can go free with every adult ticket purchased. This offer is valid for all ticket types until 31 August.
Where: The View, Palm Jumeirah
Cost: Price varies per booking date and time
Redwood Montessori Nursery
Designed as a fun way to step into lifelong learning, the summer programme will see happy little campers enjoying academic learning whilst developing essential social skills. Covering eight different themes, ranging from Space Exploration to Renaissance Art and Inventions, children will be sure to have a delightful time while at the summer camp, only until 28 August. For more information, please visit Redwood Montessori Nursery’s website.
Where: Al Furjan West Pavilion and Jumeirah Park East Pavilion
Parkour DXB
This summer, evoke the creativity within your children with Parkour DXB’s exciting indoor summer programmes, available until 23 August. Designed to keep children active and engaged, the summer camp features fundamental techniques to advanced parkour movements, with dedicated coaches to ensure a safe and enjoyable learning environment.
Where: Level 2, Parkour DXB, Circle Mall
Cost: From AED 990 for 1 week
Wellfit Gymnastics
Children can enjoy a summer filled with games, fun and adventure until 23 August with Wellfit’s Summer Camp, running from Monday to Friday. Packages vary according to timing and ages. Call 800-WELLFIT (9355948) for more information and registration.
Where: Wellfit Gymnastics, Circle Mall
Cost: Starting from AED 600 per week
Sky Zone
At the world’s first indoor trampoline park, enjoy a 10% sibling discount until 19 August when purchasing five sessions of Sky Camp or five sessions of Sky Warrior Camp. You can also enjoy an unforgettable experience with non-stop excitement when booking a Weekday Birthday Party starting from AED 125 per attendee, valid until August 31. Terms and conditions apply for both offers.
Where: Sky Zone, Ibn Battuta Mall
Cost: Summer Camp Promotion is priced at AED 699 per person | Weekday Birthday Party Offer is priced at AED 125 per attendee
Precision Football
Get a 25% discount at the Precision Football Indoor Tech Centre, as well as on all Precision Football memberships or walk-in tickets throughout July and August. A state-of-the-art indoor facility, featuring cutting-edge technology for all visitors, Precision Football has high-tech training equipment and engaging games, offering a top-tier environment for skill development, performance enhancement, or simply having fun, making it a premier destination for football enthusiasts. For more information, call 058 820 6756.
Where: Precision Football, Ibn Battuta Mall
Cost: Starting from AED 100
The Little Gym
Offering a myriad of activities from gymnastics to arts and crafts, to keep the little ones engaged. The Little Gym at Ibn Battuta Mall has programs specially designed to nurture children’s physical, social and cognitive abilities while in a safe and stimulating environment. Enrol the little ones in a summer program of their choice for a season full of fun, adventure and learning, available until 30 August.
Where: The Little Gym, Ibn Battuta Mall
Cost: Starting from AED 200 per child
Kidzpalooza
Running until 30 August, Kidzpalooza’s Summer Art Camp promises a world of fun for children. With a program filled with enticing activities such as ceramics painting, baking, fruit decorating, planting and so much more, children are sure to enjoy their summer full of learning and fun.
Where: Kidzpalooza, Ibn Battuta Mall
Cost: AED 135 per child, excluding VAT
