Teenagers do need the absolute best of things, which is why you should consider taking your teen to Dubai.
From incredible gaming hubs and thrill rides to cinema and water theme parks to desert safaris, there is no dearth of fun things to do in Dubai.
And shopping too, not that your teen will let you forget that.
We guarantee that you will be surprised at the choice of places where you can take your teenagers to in Dubai.
Let’s see them all one by one, starting with the least surprising choice.
01. Shopping Malls
Yes, as predictable as it is, shopping malls are some of the best-known fixtures of the Dubai experience. The Mall of Emirates and The Dubai Mall are two that we can guarantee your teenager will absolutely love.
Make no mistake, there is a lot to do in these malls besides shopping. The 270-degree screen at Screen X in Dubai Mall is something you should not miss. You can be sure that the cinemas will feature all the teen favorites.
And in the malls, there will be food courts and ice-skating rinks too, in case you didn’t know.
02. Gaming Hubs
- Hub Zero
Not for nothing has the Hub Zero gaming experience been labeled the ultimate cyber playground.
This gaming hub at City Walk is like walking straight into the world of Tron: Legacy, where the virtual is another dimension altogether.
We guarantee that your little geek will absolutely refuse to come out from there.
See it like this: apart from the whole range of world-class computer games (like Battlefield or Resident Evil), there is a 3D immersion tunnel and a racing simulator called HyperDrive letting you safely experience driving at break-neck speed.
Then, a 4D movie theater, a House of the Dead where you fight monsters in 360-degrees, an interactive virtual climbing wall…should we continue?
03. Adventure and Sporting Hubs
- Sports
If your teen is not virtual-reality-inclined but wants some real-world sporting events, XDubai is ideal for them. Some hours of skateboarding, marathons, and triathlons later, they can still head over to other sporting and adventure experiences.
- Hurdle Jumping
At Parkour DXB, you can get classes and outdoor experiences overcoming hurdles in real-life. This is for those teens who can’t get enough adventures and who do not mind some sweat and dirt.
- Ice-Skating
You don’t expect to have this one experience in the Middle-Eastern desert, do you? Well, there are at least two ice skating providers in Dubai, and both of them are at the two malls already mentioned above.
Ski Dubai is at The Mall of Emirates and offers a wide range of ice-related activities.
While beginners may go with the ‘magic carpet’, all levels of skiing expertise are honored with five ski slopes here. Meeting up with penguins is another fun activity that Ski Dubai offers its visitors.
- Dubai Desert Safari
One of the most iconic Dubai experiences, Dubai Safari is a must for teenagers who visit the city. The pictures you see of dune bashing and quad biking do not give it justice, because a desert safari is more than just cruising over the sands.
It is about Emirati traditions as well. Yes, you get to ride a camel or hang on to the quad bike, and you get your Insta-worthy clicks with the Arabian falcon.
But in the evening, you get to sit around a bonfire and have the best food you had in Dubai, and if interested, get your hands henna-painted.
All the while, you will be enjoying live music and sensual dancing that you can take back home.
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04. Parks
- Theme Parks
It is lucky for your movie-loving teen that the theme parks in Dubai are so incredibly movie-themed.
Getting to Motiongate Dubai is extremely easy by the Dubai Metro. (Note that getting on the Metro is another opportunity for Insta-worthy photos!) Motiongate bases its rides on highly successful movies like The Hunger Games, which will feature among your teen’s favorite list.
For tweens too, movies like The Smurfs feature into the rides there, so no worries if you have a younger or an older teen. They can go to Motiongate together.
Bollywood Parks Dubai does the same for the Hindi film industry, and if you love watching Indian movies, this is the park you should choose.
IMG Worlds of Adventure is a character-based theme park. From Power Puff Girls to the Incredible Hulk, from Ben 10 to the Avengers, the choices here seem unlimited, occupying the wonder-seeking teen for hours to come.
In the IMG, there is something for the thrill-seeker as well.
The Haunted Hotel not only features the scarier characters from the movie world–it is also a maze of winding corridors that change backdrops, challenging the adventurous teen looking to find the exit.
- Water Theme Parks
Being in the middle of the Arabian desert does not mean a world-class water park experience cannot bless your teen. The most popular water parks in Dubai may be Wild Wadi and Laguna.
Wild Wadi Waterpark offers a range of adrenaline-pumping rides, from the 80 miles per hour 120-meter drop at Jumeriah Sceirah and the wild tornados of Tantrum Alley to the spiraling slides of Burj Surj and some gravity defiance at Master Blasters water jets.
If your teen hates adrenaline, they may like Juha’s Journey and Breaker’s Bay rides in Wild Wadi, for a more calming atmosphere.
However, Laguna is more appropriate for a relaxed water park experience.
Although there are exciting rides like the Flowrider, there is also the Infinity Pool Lounge or the on-site restaurants or the Cabanas, so that your teen is sure to be happy.
- Traditional Parks
Traditional parks in Dubai, like the Creekside or Zabeel Parks, offer a more authentically Dubai experience.
If you want to see the Emiratis enjoy the evening when the heat is cooling down, head to these parks. There is food and a family atmosphere, and your teen won’t have an issue relating to it.
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05. Beaches
For more than just a beach volleyball experience, head to the public beaches like Kite, JBR, La Mer, Black Palace, etc. The entry is free, and you may spend those hours doing watersports like kayaking, paddleboarding, etc.
Here is a quick look:
Sunset Beach offers surfing and kite surfing.
Kite Beach is another place famous for kitesurfing, but you can also skate or play volleyball, or just have a blast, eating from the food trucks.
JBR Beach is an excellent shopping arena, which does not cancel out its parasailing potential. You may also go on banana boat rides or donut rides.
La Mer offers those beautiful backdrops for your teen’s Instagram, but also a range of eateries.
Black Palace or Al Sofouh Beach is the place to go for snorkeling if you have got the equipment. It is more secretive than other beaches and offers a relaxing experience.
If you’re visiting Europe next and need proper guidance on which cities have the best attractions for teenagers, don’t miss our post on the best European cities for teenagers.
Wrap Up
Wherever you take your teenager, make sure that the experience is a mix of flamboyance and traditional warmth.
When you are in Dubai, some of the cooler places to visit as a family include the Dubai Museum or the Heritage and Diving Village.
Maybe just hearing about it won’t entice your teen, but the fishing boats and the Emirati communities that you get to see absolutely will.
So, have an awesome family vacay in Dubai, and see you in the next one!
