BackMuseums can be a challenging choice for family outings. They often evoke thoughts of dull, 'don’t touch that' artwork that many find unappealing, leading families to avoid them. Many museums fail to engage children, offering only basic activities like coloring or Lego areas, which often results in inevitable meltdowns and quick exits. Our children deserve more, given the modern world's expectations. Capturing the attention of kids, both young and older, can be tough, and traditional museums often fall short. Fortunately, Dubai offers a range of options beyond the typical museum experience. The Best Museums in Dubai cater to families, providing interactive and engaging exhibits that ensure a memorable visit for all.
Here are some of our more noteworthy and extraordinary suggestions and a sneaky way for slipping some culture into a family day out.
1. AYA, Wafi City
This is a drop-jaw gorgeous and futuristic exhibition featuring some of the most incredible technology where lights and sound are manipulated into a feast for the eyes. There are 12 rooms for you to walk through where you will spend around 3-6 minutes watching a mini show that will just simply wow you. Your eyes will not know where to look first as you navigate through the different rooms, witnessing some of the most amazing colors, lights and effects. As well as watching the different shows there are also areas where you will be able to get involved and control parts of the exhibit, enabling you and the family to play, bounce and observe rooms full of gardens, stars and rivers to name but a few. Some of the highlights for you to watch out for are, The River Room and The Garden Room, simply stunning! Make sure you ask the guides in each room questions as they are there to help and they also have some interesting facts about each room.
Duration 2-3 hours.
Good to know:- Due to the intensity of lighting and sounds, this exhibit may not be suitable for some people.
- Can be hard to navigate due to the flow of the rooms.
2. Arte Museum Dubai, Dubai Mall opposite Galarie Lafayette
Brand new to Dubai this year is the wonderful Arte Museum which has been designed by the world-class korean digital design company, d’strct. Currently they are showing Eternal Nature, a showcase of natural phenomena in a digital landscape. Here you can enter a world of 14 different immersive digital artworks that will take you on a journey throughout many different environments. Experience awakening soundscapes and custom scented aromas as you witness the ever changing landscape around you, where one moment you are on a beach with the waves lapping the floor beneath and the next you’re watching a sketch book safari parade in front of your very eyes. This exhibit is designed to overload the senses so that not only do you see and hear what’s going on around you but you are also smelling the different aromas used throughout the various media artworks.
Duration is around 1 to 2 hours to fully appreciate the show.
Good to know:
- Children aged 3 and below are free.
3. OliOli, Al Quoz
If you've never heard of OliOli, read on because this is a must-visit for your family. Winner of TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award in 2021, this fully immersive and interactive museum is worth the trip. For those who don’t know, OliOli means joy in Hawaiian, and this fun-filled adventure playground truly lives up to its name! Designed for families with children of all ages, it’s a haven of positive play, creativity, curiosity, and imagination. The museum is thoughtfully designed by leading global educators, developmental psychologists, artists, and fabricators to offer exceptional educational play.
Spread over two floors, OliOli features 8 areas and 45 hands-on exhibits for the inquisitive to explore. These areas include the Air Gallery, Water Gallery, Toshi’s Nets, Incredi-Balls, Future Park, Mission OliOli, Toddler Gallery, and Cars & Ramps. Additionally, there are rooms that host rotating programs like the Winter Village during festive months, and currently, they are hosting a Creative Garage where you can create digital art or compose music. Wonderscape is another fascinating area featuring artworks by world-renowned artists, digitally displayed and interactive, changing with the pressure applied by hands or feet.
We especially love the glow-in-the-dark ball pit, the Water Gallery, and Toshi’s net-climb. So, gather your family and visit OliOli for an unforgettable experience.
If you're interested in the Antique Museum in Dubai, be sure to check out this unique spot for a blend of educational play and artistic wonder.
Good to know:
- Great place to hold a birthday.
- OliOli’s La Petite Treehouse Cafe serves decent coffee.
4. 3D World Selfie Museum Dubai, Al Quoz
We understand that it can be tough to please everyone, so welcome to the 3D World Selfie Museum Dubai. This one is among the exciting New Museums in Dubai, perfect for the whole family, especially when it's hard to convince the kids to leave the house for some quality family time. Touted as the ‘Largest 3D Museum in the World,’ there's something here for everyone, including those glued to their social media. This might just be the extra content they didn't know they needed!
Spanning 21,000 square feet of air-conditioned comfort, this museum features over 185 3D Reality-Defying Artworks across 9 zones. Prepare for some good old-fashioned trickery and optical illusions, where you and your family become part of the art! You might find yourself following the white rabbit, being swallowed by a shark, or running from a train.
Inside, you'll be amazed by the quality of the artwork, and before you know it, you’ll have 500 photos on your camera! Yes, really—this is the average for a family of four visiting this attraction. So, put on your comfy shoes and charge your phones, as it's going to be a busy and fun-filled morning.
Duration is around 2 hours.
Good to know.
- Pre-book a slot for a better experience.
- Go early as it gets busy in the afternoons.
- Staff will help take pictures.
