These Outdoor Playgrounds in Dubai Keep My Kids Excited for the Weekend
I bet you would agree that Dubai is one of the best cities in the world to live in with your family. In fact, it’s so family-centered that you can have fun here even if you don’t have any money.
I used to think that we’d be spending a lot of time indoors when we moved to Dubai because of the hot temperature. But I was wrong because the city experiences very good weather during winter, making it perfect for a lot of days spent outdoors.
Of course, having kids means we’d be spending a lot of time in outdoor playgrounds and so, I went on a hunt for the best ones in the city. And yes, a lot of these locations are either free or charge very minimally. You’re welcome!
Zabeel Park
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Website: https://www.visitdubai.com/places-to-visit/zabeel-park
Address: Zabeel Area – Metro Station near Al Jafiliya – Za’abeel – Al Kifaf
Contact details: +971 50 725 2994
Operating hours:
- 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM from Monday to Thursday
- 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM from Friday to Sunday
Price: $
Zabeel Park tops our list for the best outdoor playgrounds in Dubai simply because it’s not just a playground but an entire attraction in itself.
In case you didn’t know, the park is home to Dubai Frame and Dubai Garden Glow, so those two attractions are already reasons enough to visit this destination.
The massive park is equivalent to 45 football fields, so you can expect a lot of activities here. There are several play areas spread around the park, a lake where you can go on boat rides, and of course, the Dubai Garden Glow exhibit during the winter season.
You can even go skating, biking and skateboarding in the park or play a game of mini golf if you’re feeling competitive with your kids.
And if the bunch gets hungry after all those activities, you can go on a picnic and even cook a barbecue in the designated areas of the park.
Pro tip:
Zabeel Park charges AED5 per person for its entrance fee. But children under two years old and people of determination can get inside the park for free.
Safa Park
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Website: https://www.visitdubai.com/en/places-to-visit/safa-park
Address: Sheikh Zayed Road – Al Safa
Contact details: +971 800 900
Operating hours:
- 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM from Monday to Wednesday
- 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM from Thursday to Sunday
Price: $
Visiting Safa Park isn’t only a day out for my kids because of its outdoor playground, but it’s also enjoying a piece of Dubai’s history since it’s the city’s first public park that was opened in 1975.
Safa Park is very accessible from the city center, but being here gives you that escape that you need from the hustle and bustle of the metro.
I love that they have a dedicated play area for my kids to enjoy on a random afternoon if we decide that we need fresh air.
They also have bikes for rent if you want to explore the massive park on wheels and different shaded areas for picnics and barbecue grills if you want to cook your own meal.
Pro tip:
Safa Park stays open until 10:00 PM, so you can always plan a late afternoon stroll and an evening picnic in the park to let your kids have fun for a longer time.
Creek Park
Website: https://www.visitdubai.com/en/places-to-visit/creek-park
Address: Umm Hurair 2
Contact details: +971 4 336 7633
Operating hours:
- 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM from Monday to Thursday
- 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM from Friday to Sunday
Price: $
Creek Park is our favourite outdoor playground since it’s located right on the Dubai Creek, allowing us to enjoy the views of the water while my kids are running around having fun.
The park is the second largest in the city with massive lawns for the little ones to run wild. They even have mini mazes and botanical gardens for you to enjoy.
They also have several play areas complete with amenities, a go-kart track for the adventurous ones and the mini golf zone where we have a lot of fun.
But if that’s not enough, Creek Park is also home to the Dubai Dolphinarium where your family can enjoy a fun show with dolphins and seals.
The park also has Children’s City, which is an indoor edutainment center where your little ones can learn while having fun.
Pro tip:
If you’re wondering how to reach Creek Park, take the Metro Red Line and stop at the Burjuman station. From there, switch to the Metro Green Line and stop at the Dubai Healthcare City Station. Once you get off the metro, you can walk to the park for about 15 minutes or ride a taxi if your kids don’t want to make the hike to Creek Park.
Mushrif National Park
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Address: Al Khawaneej Street – Mushrif
Contact details: +971 4 288 3624
Operating hours:
- 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM from Sunday to Wednesday
- 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM from Thursday to Saturday
Price: $
Mushrif Park may be one of the oldest parks in Dubai, but believe me, nothing is outdated here. In fact, it’s one of the most adventure-packed outdoor playgrounds in Dubai.
For starters, the park is in a forest, so you get to really breathe in fresh air, thanks to thousands of trees surrounding the area.
Your little ones can also enjoy the dedicated kids play area inside the park. But if you’re a family who craves adventure, there’s always Aventura Park and its challenging obstacle courses.
They kids can also watch more than 250 Nile crocodiles at the Dubai Crocodile Park still inside Mushrif. The park even has a swimming pool, petting zoo and picnic areas for your family to enjoy.
Pro tip:
Although Mushrif Park is open all year round, it’s best to visit from November to March when the weather is cooler and ideal for enjoying outdoor activities with your family.
Al Mamzar Beach Park
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Website: https://www.visitdubai.com/en/places-to-visit/al-mamzar-beach-park
Address: Al Mamzar Beach Street – Al Mamzar
Contact details: +971 4 296 6201
Operating hours:
- 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM from Monday to Friday
- 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM from Saturday to Sunday
Price: $
We are a family of beach lovers, so it only made perfect sense for me to find an outdoor playground in Dubai that’s near the beach. Gladly, I found Al Mamzar Beach Park.
This park may be located on the southern end of Dubai, but believe me, the trip will be worth it, especially since your family will get to enjoy not one but five beaches and three beautiful swimming pools.
Al Mamzar Beach Park spans more than 106 hectares and it combines both a massive green area and a huge beachfront. The lawn has a dedicated play area complete with all the amenities that your kids love.
It also has an open amphitheater where you can enjoy free entertainment on some days. And if you’re ready for the water, you just need to pick your spot by the beach.
Pro tip:
Al Mamzar Beach Park can get easily packed, especially during the weekends. So if you want to get the best spot in the park for your day out, make sure that you head to the beach extra early.
Al Barsha Pond Park
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Website: https://www.visitdubai.com/en/places-to-visit/al-barsha-pond-park
Address: Al Barsha 2
Contact details: +971 800 900
Operating hours:
- 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM from Sunday to Thursday
- 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM from Friday to Saturday
Price: $
We call Al Barsha Pond Park our little escape from the city without actually going out of the city. Having one of the best outdoor playgrounds in Dubai, my kids always look forward to weekends spent here.
This park is massive – all 50 acres of it – and every corner has something to offer, making it a great place to spend a day out with nature.
Al Barsha Pond Park has several play areas for kids complete with slides, swings and seesaws. And if you have older kids, they can ride their bikes safely in the dedicated cycling areas too.
And the best part is, the massive park has a lot of facilities like washrooms, shaded picnic areas and parking spaces, so you can really enjoy your time here.
Pro tip:
If you’re visiting Al Barsha Pond Park for the first time, take the M1 Metro and stop at the Sharaf DG Station. From here, you can ride a taxi to the park or go on a 20-minute walk if the weather is good.
Dubai Creek Harbour
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Website: https://properties.emaar.com/en/our-communities/dubai-creek-harbour/
Address: The Lagoons – Ras Al Khor
Contact details: 800 EMAAR (36227)
Operating hours: 24 hours
Price: $
I admit, I never thought a chic neighborhood like Dubai Creek Harbour would have such an amazing outdoor playground – but it did and we were all in on the fun!
And true to being one of the artsy districts in Dubai, you won’t expect a typical playground in Dubai Creek Harbour. I was even surprised at how unique their outdoor playground is, and my kids sure had the best time.
Let’s start with Creek Play, a colorful installation where the little ones can explore different “capsules” containing climbing walls, swings and ball pits.
Now if your kids are done running around Creek Play, you can move on to the next attraction, which is a playground inspired by the sea.
Here, the kids can run around a huge space and explore the massive yellow submarine, which is the playground’s main attraction. Here, they can get inside the sub and pretend to be passengers exploring the underwater world.
Pro tip:
If you’re planning a full day in Dubai Creek Harbour, consider booking a dhow cruise and exploring the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary nearby.
JLT Park
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Website: https://jlt.ae/
Address: Jumeirah Lake Towers – Jumeirah
Operating hours: 24 hours
Price: $
Jumeirah Lake Towers is, in my opinion, one of the best neighborhoods in Dubai for families, and it also has one of the best outdoor playgrounds in the city.
JLT Park is our go-to spot for impromptu afternoon dates at the playground since it’s near the city center and very accessible from anywhere in Dubai.
The Park is nestled right in the middle of the skyscrapers in JLT where you get to enjoy some greenery in the midst of all those structures.
And you’re not just visiting a typical playground with slides and swings here because JLT Park has three dedicated play areas to cater to different age groups. Yes, they were that thoughtful!
If you have toddlers and preschoolers, they can safely have fun in the dedicated play space with rides, slides and swings. Meanwhile, your older kids can enjoy the more challenging play areas that include a zip line.
And if the little ones ever get fuzzy and hungry, there are many dining options around JLT Park and changing stations are also easily accessible for those immediate nappy changes.
Pro tip:
JLT Park is best visited in the late afternoon when the weather is extra cold, making it perfect to spread a blanket and have a picnic by the lake.
Sustainable City Park
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Website: https://thesustainablecity.com/cities/dubai/
Address: Al Qudra Road – The Sustainable City
Contact details: +971 4 347 5995
Operating hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM from SUnday to Friday
Price: $
I never thought I’d see a fully sustainable neighborhood in my lifetime. Then, there’s The Sustainable City, a 46-hectare community that’s now home to one of our favourite outdoor playgrounds in Dubai.
Stepping inside this neighborhood feels like stepping into the future with its domed structures. In fact, you’ll forget that you’re in Dubai for a moment because of all the greenery that you’ll see around the neighborhood.
At the heart of Sustainable City is its park with amenities made from up-cycled materials. Think car tyres made into swings, a cute duck pond and even a mini farm with goats and donkeys.
I love that my kids can learn about sustainability while they’re having fun here. It also shows them a different side of Dubai that’s still less crowded but still has a lot of cafes and restaurants where we can enjoy a great meal.
Pro tip:
If you’re commuting to The Sustainable City, you can take the J02 or F32 Bus with stops at The Sustainable City Main Entrance. You can also take the metro and stop at the Dubai Internet CIty Metro Station. From here, you can ride a taxi to the community.
The Block in Dubai Design District
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Website: https://dubaidesigndistrict.com/
Address: Dubai Design District
Operating hours: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily
Price: $
The name says it all – Dubai Design District is one of the trendiest spots in the city. And it’s a huge plus that this area also has one of the best outdoor playgrounds in Dubai.
The Block Park was originally designed to be a skatepark to support Dubai’s booming skating scene. But it has also evolved into a fun outdoor park for kids of all ages through the years.
This waterfront destination now has climbing walls, volleyball and basketball courts, trampolines, swings and a massive piece of greenery where your kids can run around freely.
We also love doing picnics here, especially with the views of the water and the relaxing vibe of the place, especially in the urban beach.
Pro tip:
If you’re driving to Dubai Design District, you can park in the free outdoor parking in the vicinity and the underground parking near Building 5.