Explore Dubai's affordable family attractions
With planning, pre-booking online, mixing paid attractions with free ones, and visiting during off-peak times, families can enjoy the very best of Dubai without draining their holiday budget.
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Dubai often conjures up images of glittering skyscrapers, luxury shopping, and extravagant resorts.
Yet beyond the glitz lies a city brimming with family-friendly experiences, many of which can be enjoyed on a budget.
For South African families dreaming of a holiday that mixes wonder with affordability, Dubai offers snow in the desert, futuristic museums, bustling street markets, and even bargain-hunting adventures - if you know where to look and plan ahead.
Exchange rate
The local currency in Dubai is the United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED), known as the dirham, with an exchange rate of approximately 1 - 5 with the South African rand - meaning that you would multiply everything by 5.
AYA in the Mall of Dubai
One of Dubai’s most dazzling attractions is AYA, tucked inside the Mall of Dubai. This immersive digital wonderland whisks visitors through 12 cosmic worlds, from sparkling gardens and cascading “reverse” waterfalls to galaxies alive with infinite stars. Children will be wide-eyed, while parents will marvel at the cutting-edge technology.
Tickets cost AED 135 (R675) per person, and buying online can save time and secure preferred slots.
Wild Wadi Waterpark
For families who prefer splashing about, the Wild Wadi Waterpark in Jumeirah is a refreshing escape from the harsh desert sun.
With gentle rides for young children and thrilling slides for teens, it caters to all ages.
Tickets start at AED 299 (R1,495) for adults and AED 249 (R1,245) for children, with infants under two are free. Savvy travellers will find that booking online often comes with discounts and shorter queues, particularly on weekdays.
Snow slopes and penguins at Mall of the Emirates
Nothing captures children’s imaginations quite like snow in the desert. At the Mall of the Emirates, families can bundle up and step into “Ski Dubai” a sprawling indoor winter park complete with ski slopes, toboggan runs, and even a chance to meet penguins.
Packages vary, with entry to the Snow Park starting at around AED 220 (R1,100) per person, while premium encounters with penguins cost AED 450 (R2,250).
It may not be the cheapest outing, but the surreal thrill of skiing in Dubai is one of those once-in-a-lifetime memories worth every dirham.
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
Just across town, the Dubai Mall provides an equally magical yet more budget-flexible day out.
Inside, the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo houses more than 33,000 marine creatures, including sharks and rays gliding through one of the world’s largest suspended tanks.
Standard entry begins at AED 199 (R995) per person, though combo deals online often bundle aquarium tickets with access to the Burj Khalifa at a discount.
Step outside at dusk and the family can enjoy the iconic Dubai Fountain show for free, where jets of water dance in synchrony with music and lights against the towering backdrop of the Burj Khalifa.
Waterduck Tour
For something quirkier, the Waterduck Tour combines a bus ride through the city streets with a surprise splash into the harbour which then transforms seamlessly into a boat.
Children adore the novelty, while parents enjoy the views of Dubai Creek from two very different angles. Tickets range from AED 120–150 (R600–R750), with discounted rates for children.
The Museum of the Future
No family holiday in Dubai would be complete without a brush with the future. The Museum of the Future, a striking architectural landmark on Sheikh Zayed Road, takes visitors on an immersive journey through themes like climate change, space travel, and artificial intelligence.
With its interactive exhibits, it is especially engaging for older children. Entry costs AED 149 (R745) per person, with under-fours for free. Booking online is essential as slots sell quickly.
The Karama Market
For families seeking to balance out the big-ticket attractions, Dubai’s vibrant markets provide both cultural immersion and bargain hunting. The Karama Market, in the city’s older Karama neighbourhood, is a treasure trove of textiles, handicrafts, and leather goods, with shopkeepers always ready for a round of haggling.
China Mall
A little further out, China Mall in International City offers everything from homeware to fashion at budget-friendly prices.
Both markets are free to enter and offer authentic, inexpensive dining options at nearby Indian and Pakistani eateries - a welcome relief for the wallet after pricier excursions.
The beauty of Dubai lies in its contrasts. One day you could be skiing indoors or marveling at sharks, the next bargaining for a handbag at Karama or enjoying the simple delight of a fountain show.
With clever planning and pre-booking online, mixing paid attractions with free ones, and visiting during off-peak times families can enjoy the very best of Dubai without draining their holiday budget.
IOL Travel