6 of the best activities for kids in the Middle East
These are the six must-do's for families when heading to the Middle East
1. Hit the slides at Aquaventure Waterpark, Dubai
The largest waterpark in Dubai and home to some iconic record-breaking rides and attractions. With over 30 waterslides and 1.4 miles of rapids and Dubai’s larges aquarium this day out ticks all the boxes. There’s plenty of activities and guests can also safely swim with sharks or hand-feed friendly Cownose stingrays. For the extra thrill, adrenaline seekers can zipline across the park.
This enormous theme park also features marine activities, private beaches and children’s play areas for all ages. It’s adjacent to Atlantis The Palm, so you can get the most out of your holiday in Dubai. Although children need to be taller than 1.2 meters to enjoy many of the parks slides, little ones will delight in the Splashers Children’s Play Area – a maze of kid-friendly tunnels, tubes, slides and climbing frames.
2. Brave the fastest rollercoaster in the world on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Following closely behind is Abu Dhabi, home to thrilling Ferrari World, Yas Island.
Strap in, put your goggles on and prepare to be blasted 240km/h in 4.9 seconds on the world’s fastest rollercoaster. After scaling heart-racing heights of 52 metres and with the Adrenalin rush of 4.8Gs riding high, you’ll cross the finish feeling like a true Scuderia Ferrari champion. It’s the world’s fastest rollercoaster with a speed of 0 to 240 km/h in 4.9 seconds. Feel the surge of 4.8Gs in the pit of your stomach as you scale heart-racing heights of 52m.
3. Ride a horse in the Al Hajar Mountains, Oman
The Hajar mountains are Oman’s geological backbone, the spectacular mountain range extends all the way along the east coast of the country, from Sur to the Musandam Peninsula. They’re a hotshot for active family adventures, but for a different way of getting around, saddle up on an Arabian horse.
4. Float in the dead sea, Jordan
The Dead Sea is a salt lake over 1,300 feet below sea level, making it the lowest elevation on Earth. Nestled between the country of Jordan to the east and Israel to the west, the unusually high salt concentration (8.6 times saltier than the ocean) causes a natural buoyancy that makes you float like a fishing bobber.
5. Snorkel with dolphins in the red sea, Israel
Eilat, Israel’s most southerly city, specialises in the latter, offering over 10 year olds the chance to glide alongside these sleek, elegant creatures from beneath the water at eco-site, Dolphin Reef, a private beach frequented by a residential pod. You can also see turtles, groupers, manta rays, parrot fish and plenty more can be found in the region’s crystalline waters, with the nearby Coral Beach Nature Reserve boasting a vibrant coral wall that’s home to more than 350 species.
6. Go on a 4×4 ride in the dessert, Dubai
Venture into the desert and enjoy a complimentary quad bike ride at the desert camp, barbecue dinner and traditional Emirati entertainment on this 5-hour 4×4 safari from Dubai. As the sun starts to set, scale the dunes on your 4×4 and arrive at a Bedouin-style camp for shisha, Arabic coffee and dates. Then, take an exciting complimentary quad ride, watch henna artists at work, enjoy a camel ride, and admire impressive sand art. Finish with a barbecue dinner under the stars as you watch belly dancers and a ‘tanoura’ dance, with whirling dervish dancers spinning before you.
