I Found 9 Things to Do in Dubai for Teens That Aren’t Cringe
It’s been a while since I was an actual teen. So when my older sister drops off her two teenage daughters for me to take care of, I suddenly feel clueless.
I’ve got to admit, I’m not sure what’s hip these days. It’s not like I’m a grandma, but I’m no high schooler, either. My nieces are two generations younger—basically from a whole different era—so this felt like a real challenge.
To make sure we had a good time, I came up with a solid list of fun things for teens to do in Dubai. Here are the ones that were a hit!
What activities can teenagers enjoy in Dubai?
There are a bunch of activities teenagers can enjoy in Dubai! They can spend the whole day in a theme park, marvel at an indoor rainforest, watch artistic VR installations, play exciting water sports, and visit a trendy burger place.
IMG Worlds of Adventure
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Website: https://www.imgworlds.com/
Address: City of Arabia
Contact Details: +971 4 403 8888, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 12 PM to 10 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 12 PM to 11 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 10 PM
Fees:
- General Park Admission – AED 365
- IMG Kids Zone (1 hour) – AED 50
- IMG Kids Zone (full day) – AED 100
- Annual Membership Pass – AED 765
- With a 20% discount on the Ultimate Fast Track, F&B, retail, digi-photo, arcade, and Iron Man experience, respectively
- VIP Package – AED 7,725
- *All prices are inclusive of VAT.
IMG Worlds of Adventure is a massive indoor theme park with thrilling rides based on superheroes, cartoons, and dinosaurs, perfect for thrill-seeking kids and teenagers.
For me, many will enjoy the live stage shows and meet-and-greets too. Whether it’s The Avengers or Powerpuff Girls, I won’t judge! This indoor Dubai theme park is for adventure seekers of all ages.
And if you’re an adrenaline junkie, you can go after roller coasters like The Velociraptor and the Predator at The Lost Valley. Whenever you feel peckish, snacks at IMG Boulevard will be waiting for you too.
Pro tips:
IMG Worlds of Adventure covers an area as big as 28 football fields. I recommend wearing your trusty comfy shoes (shoe stores Dubai) so your feet can last all day.
Tired of walking anyway? Take advantage of the small train here that offers a free ride! This would allow you to relax while taking in the colorful scenery.
The Green Planet
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Website: https://www.thegreenplanetdubai.com/en
Address: City Walk – Al Wasl
Contact Details: +971 800 2629464, +971 800 7699, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM
Fees:
- Day Pass
- Adults (ages 11 and above) – AED 175
- Juniors (ages 2 to 10) – AED 150
- Infants (aged under 2) – Free
- VIP Pass
- Visitor – AED 215
- Animal Meet & Greet
- Complimentary Animal Map
- Fish Feeding
- Visitor – AED 215
- Zookeeper For A Day
- Visitor – AED 410
Want to see nature without the sweat? The Green Planet is an airconditioned indoor rainforest where teens can explore diverse wildlife. This includes sloths and toucans while learning about conservation and the environment.
It’s got over 3,000 plant species and animals for you to discover. The biodome also has 4 levels: the Canopy, the Midstory, the Forest Floor, and the Flooded Rainforest. Each talks about the role and importance every part of a rainforest plays.
You can also choose from several activities like having a picnic, playing zookeeper, or even swimming with piranhas—safely, of course!
Handy hacks:
Be sure to check the news or your weather app before visiting. When it’s raining, some attractions or activities might be closed.
Need free car parking? Opposite The Green Planet, there’s an orange-colored building where you can park. From there, you can just walk to the park by crossing the road.
Theatre of Digital Art (ToDA)
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Website: http://www.toda.ae/
Address: Souk – Madinat Jumeirah – Al Sufouh 1
Contact Details: +971 4 277 4044, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 11 PM
Fees:
- General Admission – starts at AED 75 per adult
- 1 Adult & 1 Child under 12 – AED 135
- 2 Adults & 1 Child under 12 – AED 225
- 2 Adults & 2 Children under 12 – AED 269
- Special Events – around AED 100 to AED 369
Theatre of Digital Art (ToDA) is a unique immersive experience that blends art, music, and technology, where youngsters can experience 3D visuals and virtual reality installations.
It mixes 3 digital art formats including multimedia exhibits, modern immersive installations, and art in virtual reality. This venue also displays digital shows of classical art, paired with music, visual effects, and surround sound.
Some of my favorite artists to look forward to are Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, and Wassily Kandinsky. Still, there are more artists to discover, so you have plenty of artwork to marvel at.
Friendly reminder:
Sitting in the balcony area at the Theatre of Digital Art (ToDA) for a show can be pretty cold due to the air conditioning. I suggest either bringing jackets or asking for blankets in the reception area to be comfier.
La Mer
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Address: Jumeirah 1
Operating Hours:
- Retail Outlets
- Monday to Thursday – 10 AM to 10 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 10 AM to 12 AM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 10 PM
- Restaurants and Cafes
- Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 12 AM
Fees:
- Free entry
Love being active in the water? La Mer is a trendy beachfront area with various water sports, such as paddleboarding and kayaking. Plus, it’s got vibrant shops and street art perfect for hanging out.
No matter your age, if you love to shop, you can expect over 30 shops around here! The way I see it, the stunning beaches with sun loungers and cabanas also make fantastic resting spots if you get exhausted from your shopping spree.
Insider scoop:
Want to save more with your accommodations? Consider checking in at Rove Hotels at La Mer! It offers fabulous seaside getaways, as well as discounts across the destination’s venues and watersport options.
Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shake
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Website: http://www.blacktapme.com/
Address: Dubai Mall – Financial Center Rd – Downtown Dubai
Contact Details: +971 4 330 5103, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 12 AM
- Friday to Saturday – 11 AM to 1 AM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 12 AM
Fees:
- AED 50 to AED 150
Love taking photos? Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shake is a casual yet trendy spot known for its Instagram-worthy milkshakes and gourmet burgers. For me, it’s no wonder lots of teens flock here for the photos and the vibe.
I recommend the truffle burger or the golf burger right away. In my book, these go well with the wings too! Of course, you can’t go wrong with partnering your meals with one of its killer craft beers. Non-alcoholic beers are available too!
And if you’re looking for something sweet, I love that there are plenty of shakes here. My top picks are the Oreo shake and the banana toffee flavors.
Nifty trick:
I recommend using The Entertainer app at Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shake to get deals like a buy-one-take-one burger!
The Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk
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Address: 44J8+G87 – Crescent Rd – The Palm Jumeirah
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 11 PM
Fees:
- Free entry
The Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk is a scenic walk, offering beautiful views of the sea and skyline. There’s plenty to see here as it stretches for 11 km and spreads 6 m wide, dotted with a few dozen food trucks, refreshment stands, and souvenir sellers.
I believe this place is a fantastic spot for meeting and mingling with friends. For one, you can see the Arabian Gulf views for a more interesting and relaxing setting.
But if you just want to work on your health or physique, you can bike or jog along the picturesque stretch. Should you need to refuel, I bet you’ll like that there are a bunch of food trucks in the area, serving classics like shawarmas or fish and chips.
Savvy suggestion:
I believe the best time to visit The Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk is around 5 to 7 pm—perfect for capturing amazing clicks during the sunset!
Street Food at Global Village
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Website: https://www.globalvillage.ae/
Address: 38C5+F57
Contact Details: +971 4 362 4114, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 4 PM to 12 AM
- Thursday to Saturday – 4 PM to 1 AM
- Sunday – 4 PM to 12 AM
Fees:
- Weekday Ticket – starts at AED 25 per person
- Any Day Entry Ticket – AED 30 per person
- Minors under age of 3 – Free
- Seniors (age 65+) – Free
- People of Determination – Free
Are you a foodie through and through? Teenagers can explore diverse cuisines from around the world at the Global Village—it provides tons of affordable and delicious street food!
The highlights for me are the luqaimats or “deep-fried doughy dumplings,” chicken toast sandwiches, Turkish baked potatoes, Turkish ice cream, and churros.
But if you want to try a healthier route, I like the Thai fruits here too! You can select from coconuts, mangoes, passion fruit, papaya, pink guava, and even durian—if you can handle its unique smell!
Smart pointers:
Remember to pace yourself at the Global Village! I say share dishes with your crew so you can sample more. Start with savory before going to sweets. Stay hydrated too!
It’s best to bring both cash and cards since some stalls might only take one. Why not be ready with both?
Dubai Marina Walk
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Website: https://www.emaar.com/en/our-communities/dubai-marina
Address: Dubai Marina Walk
Operating Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Fees:
- Free entry
Dubai Marina Walk is a vibrant promenade where teenagers can enjoy casual dining, shopping, and people-watching while overlooking the yachts and skyline.
There are more than 7 km worth of countless eateries and shops here too! That’s why, I appreciate that there are many seating areas where you can relax and take in the scenery.
On top of that, you can get a Marina tour that lasts from 60 to 90 minutes, depending on your choice of package. In my opinion, this is ideal for romantic dates too!
Good to know:
Keep in mind that while Dubai Marina Walk provides many dining spots, options for vegetarians are extremely limited. For me, it’s smart to research where to eat first!
PlayDXB
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Website: https://entertainment.emaar.com/attraction/play-dxb
Address: Dubai Mall – Financial Center Rd – Downtown Dubai
Contact Details: 800-DUBAI-MALL (800-38224-6255), [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 10 AM to 11 PM
- Friday to Sunday – 10 AM to 12 AM
Fees:
- Pay & Play (all ages, single day) – AED 200 to AED 500
PlayDXB is the world’s biggest indoor virtual reality zone at Dubai Mall. It offers more diverse entertainment with plenty of options toddlers, teens, and the young at heart can enjoy.
If you’re feeling extra competitive, I reckon you won’t run out of ways to battle with your crew. Why not conquer the top scores at arcades or play with the Oculus gaming headset? Plenty of options here to get those bragging rights.
Cheat sheet:
Your PlayDXB ticket covers blue, yellow, and rainbow-coded rides. Blue rides are mostly for virtual reality (VR) and cost more, while the yellow games may or may not give you tickets. Moreover, at least AED 35 is required on your card.