The city of Dubai has a diverse range of attraction spots as well as leisure activities not only for adults but also for kids. Despite having a ton of shopping malls and playgrounds, Dubai has plenty of museums as well. In case you are a resident or planning to visit Dubai with your children anytime soon, these museums should be on your bucket list to visit. Not only they will explore the traditions and cultures of the city, but also enjoy plenty of activities as well.
Furthermore, if you are tired of visiting camping destinations, beaches, ski slopes, or theme parks with your kids, going to these popular museums in Dubai might be a good departure for you. Museums have always been said to be educational for you as well as your children If you are interested to learn more about these museums, keep reading below.
List of the Best Museums for Children in Dubai
Museums are very educational as well as full of activities for kids, providing them with great delight. These museums are very age-friendly, making them suitable for all ages.
Here is a guide to Dubai’s must-visit kid-centric museums for you:
| Museum Name | Description | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| OliOli Museum | Interactive playground blending art, technology, and science. | Fun & learning for all ages |
| Museum of the Future | Futuristic showcase of innovation, design, and human potential. | Future technology & possibilities |
| Museum of Illusions | Mind-bending experience with optical illusions and interactive exhibits. | Trickery & playful illusion |
| Louvre Abu Dhabi | Renowned art collection spanning civilizations and millennia. | Global art & cultural history |
| Etihad Museum | Interactive journey through the UAE’s history and aviation development. | National history & Etihad Airways |
| The Museum Group | Three museums showcasing archaeological finds, Islamic art, and traditional crafts. | UAE heritage & culture |
| Saruq Al Hadid | Archaeological site with Iron Age fort ruins and exhibits. | Early history & archaeology |
| The Pearl Museum | Dedicated to the pearl diving industry and its cultural significance. | Maritime history & pearl trade |
OliOli Museum
OliOli Museum is known as one of the best art museums for children in this city that you must visit. It is a spot where your kids get to learn a lot of things and inspire themselves. With the presence of around 8 impressive art galleries with approximately 45 interactive exhibits, OliOli museum retains its attention on inspiring kids where they can enjoy and learn at the same time. Furthermore, this museum is not similar to the traditional ones where exhibits are not hands-on most of the time. The activities you will find here offer kids the opportunity to discover in a protected and secure environment. Also, one of the best things about OliOli is that every single corner of this place is created to engage and learn.
| Name | OliOli Museum |
| Address | Al Quoz 1, 62 4 A St |
| Art Galleries | 8 |
| Timing | 9 am – 7 pm (Tuesday – Saturday)10 am – 3 pm (Sunday)10 am – 7 pm (Monday) |
| Contact no | +971 4 702 7300 |
Museum of the Future
The Museum of the Future was opened in the year of 2022. Since the time it opened, the museum has earned its position not only as one of the most noteworthy museums throughout the world but also as one of the must-visit spot in the city. The Museum of the Future located by the Emirates Tower uses AI (artificial intelligence) innovation to cultural art forms. With an area of around 323,000 sq. ft, it has 7 stories and is said to be a living museum because it keeps changing from interior as well as exterior. Each floor of this place provides plenty of experiences for you. One of its floors is specifically created for children, known as Children’s World. This floor shows the determination of the museum to develop a fun educational climate for kids in Dubai. Additionally, it includes 3 primary experiences which are Imagine, Design, and Build.
| Name | Museum of the Future |
| Made in | 2022 |
| Address | Sheikh Zayed Rd, UAE |
| Floors | 7 |
| Name of Kid’s floor | Children’s World |
| Area | 323,000 sq. ft |
Museum of illusions
One of the age-friendly museums in Dubai is The Museum of Illusions which provides an amazing and immersive encounter for visitors. In case you are interested in learning about the brain and science of humans thrillingly, this place is for you. Furthermore, after spending just a little time at this museum, your kids will be able to understand how they can see things that are not comprehended by their brains. You will find a wide variety of attractions here incorporating approximately 80 exhibits of all types. While kids are inside the Vortex Tunnel, as they shrink and grow in the Ames Room, they will feel like the floor is shifting, providing an impeccable experience. Additionally, the interesting puzzles in the mind-bending playroom guarantee to engage every member of your family. Because of many Dilemma Games, brain-teasers, and wooden puzzles, your brain will get good exercise for the day.
| Name | Museum of Illusions |
| Attractions | Vortex Tunnel, mind-bending playroom, etc. |
| Activities | Dilemma Games, brain-teasers, and wooden puzzles |
| Exhibits | 80 |
| Best for | Learning about the human brain and science |
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Situated on Saadiyat Island, the Louvre Abu Dhabi has a star-latticed dome of approximately 180 meters with around 8 layers. It provides a way to speak of light. With around 9,200 sq. meters the museum also has a series of galleries filled with masterpieces from artists all around the world. Louvre Abu Dhabi is one of the best places for kids to explore and learn about art, offering them an immersive experience. The best thing is that the goal of the Children’s Museum is to engage children in art with exhibitions that are placed at the eye level of a kid. Every single display you will find at the museum engages kids to discover while they educate about them. Furthermore, people under 18 years of age can go inside The Children’s Museum without any charges. However, the adults need to buy admission tickets for themselves to explore all the galleries in the museum.
| Name | Louvre Abu Dhabi |
| Location | Saadiyat Island |
| Star-latticed dome | 180 meters. |
| Art Galleries | 9,200 sq. meter |
| Entrance | Free for below 18 |
Etihad Museum
If you are interested to know about the origination story of Dubai, Etihad Museum is a never-miss place for you. The roof of this museum was created as an inspiration from the Unification Agreement. Stretching over an area of around 25,000 sq. meters, visitors will see artifacts from the period of unification between 1968 and 1974 as well as before the unification of the Emirates. At the Etihad Museum, there are lots of immersive exhibits for children to have a great time. Furthermore, a timeline exists in one of those exhibits; touching the year on the situation will mean a pop-up elaborating on the significance of the year. Furthermore, you will find several exhibits of the leaders’ passports here as well. Whenever you visit here, remember to walk ahead from the main building and explore The Guest House as well. At this spot, the kings met before the authorization of the binding contract. Tickets: Dh25 (adult); Dh10 (student); kids and People of Determination free.
| Name | Etihad Museum |
| Area | 25,000 sq. meters |
| Attractions | Artifacts from the period of unification and before the unification of the Emirates |
| Other Places to Visit | The Guest House |
| Tickets | Dh25 for adults, Dh10 for students |
The Museum Group
Situated in Bur Dubai, the Museum Group comprises the Rare Books Manuscripts and Prints Museum, The Armory Museum, and The Crossroads of Civilization Museum (CCM). The Crossroads of Civilization Museum is a house to around 6 best exhibits that incorporate decrees from Generals and Sultans, manuscripts, rare artifacts, and autographs of historically significant individuals like explorers and kings. Some of the highlights at this museum include a Kaaba door cover, which was made by Sultan Suleiman is the Kaaba door cover, which was designed by Sultan Suleiman (1520-1566), and 471 years ancient sitarah. Sultan Suleiman was the tenth and the most ruled king of the Ottoman Empire. The entrance for the Museum Group is free for People of Determination as well as children below 10.
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| Name | the Museum Group |
| Location | Bur Dubai |
| Comprised of | Rare Books Manuscripts and Prints Museum, The Armory Museum, The Crossroads of Civilization Museum (CCM). |
| Highlights | Kaaba door cover, 471 years ancient sitarah |
| Tickets | Dh20 for adults, free for kids below 10 |
Saruq Al Hadid
Saruq Al Hadid incorporates artifacts that are almost 3,000 years old and provides you with insight into ironwork at that time. The museum was created in the year 1928 and has 2 stories that are made according to the history of the Emirate. It was built utilizing cultural materials such as sandalwood, coral stone, and gypsum. In the past, the owner of the museum was Sheikh Juma bin Maktoum Al Maktoum. In addition to the history, you will get to explore the theories behind the findings as well. Furthermore, there is a separate pathway for children in every room of this museum. The visiting hours for Saruq Al Hadid are 7.30 am-7 pm for Monday to Thursday and 9 am-5 pm on Friday. Also, the price for tickets is Dh10 for children of 7-12 years and Dh20 for adults.
| Name | Saruq Al Hadid |
| Made in | 1928 |
| Stories | 2 |
| Timings | 7.30 am-7 pm for Monday to Thursday9 am-5 pm on Friday |
| Tickets | Dh10 for children of 7-12 yearsDh20 for adults |
The Pearl Museum
The Pearl Museum has a wide assortment of pearls and is quite popular for its legacy that ages back to the pre-unification period. It is located in Deira Dubai and is owned by Sultan Ali Al Owais, who is a well-known pearl trader. The entire place is filled with a lot of coins from the Ottoman, British, and Greek Empires. That’s why The Pearl Museum is referred to as the best place for educating your family and kids about the history of the pearls as well as how to distinguish between a fake pearl and a real one. Also, a 7500-year-old ancient pearl was found by archaeologists in Dubai. It was utilized as a pendant. There are no charges for entrance to this museum. Also, the time for visiting The Pearl Museum is from 8 am – 4 pm.
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| Name | The Pearl Museum |
| Coins from | Ottoman, British, and Greek Empires |
| Best for | Learning pearl history |
| Timings | 8 am – 4 pm |
| Tickets | Free |
