Best Indoor Activities In Dubai For Family

There’s no doubt that Dubai has some of the best leisure, entertainment and attractions in the world but sometimes, it’s just too hot to go outside and enjoy them and with schools out for summer holidays, how do you keep every-one entertained? In this blog, we’ll explore some fun activities that you can enjoy from the comfort of your home.

Best Indoor Activities In Dubai For Family

1. Home Cinema

If you have the room to create your own in-house cinema, then consider contacting Avom who specialize in “design and installation of home cinema, multi-room media and home automation”. Each installation is uniquely designed around the room, meaning that every inch of space is used effectively and your new addition will rival any local cinema. For a quote or more information you can contact them on 052 561 1363.
 

If you don’t have a whole room to dedicate solely to a cinema, you could install a home cinema system in your existing living room. Sony and Bose are two excellent brands to consider, with a wide range of products including soundbars, tallboy and satellite speakers. Some can be purchased online, otherwise you can visit one of their stores across Dubai. Of course, if you want to keep it simple make sure you have a good steaming service - beyond Netflix there’s OSN (with Disney+) and Amazon Prime which has original series / movies. Access is automatically included when you buy a Prime membership.

2. Carpet Camping

If your tastes are more refined, then consider Albaddad tents, one of Dubai’s premier outdoor tent providers. These are no mere camping tents - they are aluminium framed, installed by professional teams and come with air conditioning, solid flooring, lighting and even chairs if needed. For a truly luxurious camping experience try their “fancy tent” available in 10-40m sizes. They have branches across Dubai, you can find out more by calling 04 802 9977

If neither of these options tick the box, consider a good old-fashioned pillow fort. Gather sheets, blankets and as many cushions as you can find - stack them up and snuggle down!

3. Baking

Baking is an easy, low-cost activity that gets children involved in the kitchen. If you’re not a Mary Berry, or a Nigella, consider a Betty Crocker box mix - these are available in all good supermarkets along with tubs of icing and decorative finishes.

If you need to refresh your baking tools, head to Tavola - they stock a great range of brands including Silikomat and Wilton - pans, moulds, icing and all the colours you could imagine. They are also authorised to teach the “Wilton Method” in their cooking / baking classes. In a similar vein, Lakeland is a British favourite - founded in the Lake District it has been providing excellent, innovative products and first-class customer service for over 60 years. It was brought to Dubai by Apparel Group (who are also responsible for LC Waikiki, Aeropostale and The Children’s Place). Like Tavola, they have everything you need (and more).

If baking isn’t your passion, then why not just order some treats? Some of our favorite places include Crumb & Co, Bakers Kitchen and Les Gallusettes. All are available online, or via delivery platforms. For those on a vegan diet, check out Sugar Moo or Vegan Life UAE.

4. Arts & Crafts

Tie dye, candle making, painting or papercrafts - the list (and potential for mess) is endless! Whatever you choose, Creative Minds has all the tools you need to get your creative juices flowing. They have a great range of cost-effective kits which contain enough materials for an afternoon of crafting but reduces the leftovers that you have to store. They have 3 branches across Dubai, the biggest is in Al Barsha and their friendly staff are always on hand to answer any of your questions. As a side note, Creative Minds is a treasure trove of seasonal and themed items - make sure to check out their Christmas display later in the year!

If your child is a budding Piccasso, or Monet in the making, pick up an easel from Ikea - you can also get rolls of drawing paper which attach securely and can be easily removed once their creation is completed. Of course, they also stock pens, pencils and paints - make sure you have a big enough space to display all their masterpieces.

5. Board Games

For those of you who already know what games you like, consider a Skyline chess set - cast in bronze, it can be yours for AED 16,000. Or perhaps consider the Lamah Game box - a gorgeous leather box, finished with gold and containing games like Uno, Checkers, Dominos and Monopoly - yours for just AED 1,500.

Speaking of Monopoly, the sometimes controversial game does have a Dubai version which you can pick up from all good gaming stores for around AED 200. No fighting over who gets what piece.

6. Home Spa

It’s not just the children who are on summer holidays, and you deserve some pampering too - so how about a home spa session? “Home Spa” by Ignite Wellness have a full range of services including manicures, pedicures and massages, all available in the comfort of your own home. They also have a specially curated “little princess” menu so you can have mother-daughter time in style.

Of course, you don’t need to bring in the experts if you don’t want to - simply gather scented candles, run a bubble bath, slather on a face mask and relax - heaven! We recommend Bath and Body Works, Rituals and The Body Shop for products to suit all skin types, tastes and budgets. Don’t forget the cucumbers for your eyes!