Kids go free: 12 family attractions in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah with free entry this summer

Dubai: Summer is here, and with free entry for children to dozens of attractions around the UAE, there’s no better time to plan a family day out. Popular recreational spots around the city are currently allowing kids to go free for a limited time, so you can enjoy summer events and activities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, without creating a dent in your wallet. Plan your next outing after you take a look at our list below: 1. Culture on Wheels and Emirati Hospitality Experience, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding, Dubai What if you could take your family on a uniquely UAE experience this summer? Explore desert living, meet with Emiratis, enjoy a full-fledge Emirati meal of your choice, and tour Old Dubai’s historical landmarks in a traditional trolley. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding’s Culture on Wheels and Emirati Hospitality Experience, a coveted four-hour programme, is free of charge for children seven years and younger this summer. Location: SMCCU, Al Fahidi historical neighbourhood, Dubai Timings: 8am to 8pm 2. Terra and Vision, Dubai Explore the world from a completely unique perspective – enter forest roots, and swim the ocean’s depths to discover the beauty and wonder of nature. Terra, the Sustainability Pavilion at Expo City, Dubai, will keep your kids busy for hours with its interactive exhibits, net-zero architecture, and energy trees. Next, head to Vision Pavilion, where you can immerse yourself in the cultural journey of Dubai’s transformation, from a modest settlement to an urban metropolis. Expo City’s Kids Go Free offer began on May 26 and extends till September 30. Children aged 11 and under can explore Terra and Vision completely free! Location: Expo City, Expo Road (E77), Dubai Timings: 10am to 6pm 3. Museum of the Future, Dubai Venture through five floors of captivating exhibits at the Museum of the Future in Dubai, and discover diverse landscapes – from a digital Amazon rainforest to a space station orbiting Earth. This summer, as part of their ‘Future Worth Sharing’ season, each adult ticket includes one complimentary pass for a child under 12. The offer is valid between May 10 and September 30. Location: Museum of the Future, Shaikh Zayed Road, Dubai Timings: Every day, 10am to 7pm 4. Dubai Crocodile Park, Dubai Home to 250 Nile crocodiles, Dubai Crocodile Park includes a Natural History Museum, an African lake-themed aquarium and a savannah inspired landscaped area for families to explore. From July 1 to August 31, enjoy one free child ticket (age 11 and below), with every paying adult. Right now, children below three years old get free access, when accompanied by an adult above 16 years holding a valid ticket. Location: Tripoli Street, Mushrif, Dubai Timings: 10am to 8pm 5. The Green Planet, Dubai The Green Planet, Dubai’s indoor rainforest, is turning up the cuteness this summer with the arrival of its newest baby lemur. To celebrate, families can enjoy a special Kids Go Free offer until Sunday, June 14. With every adult ticket purchased, one child aged 10 and below can enter for free, giving little explorers the chance to meet the rainforest’s tiniest new resident up close. Location: City Walk, Dubai Timings: Every day, 10am to 6pm 6. Knit-Wits Club, Magrudy’s, Dubai If you’re looking for a fun activity to do with your pre-teen, join the Knit-Wits Club at Magrudy’s in Dubai. This knitting club meets every Saturday from 10.30am to 11.30am, and knits together to the rhythmic clacking of needles and the cosy chatter of a growing community. Whether you’re just starting out or have been knitting for years, people of all skill levels are welcome. The club is open to kids aged 12+, and is completely free. Location: Magrudy’s Jumeirah, 62 Jumeirah Street, Dubai Timings: Saturdays, 10.30am to 11.30am 7. Children’s Library, Abu Dhabi This summer, the Children’s Library at Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation has a packed schedule of activities, from interactive programmes that promote literacy and learning, to activities that encourage kids to get creative. Visit the space to keep your toddlers engaged, too. The library offers daily Storytime, Baby & Me, Tinker Tots and Maker Mums sessions, among several others. Entry to the Foundation is free for children aged 14 and below. Location: Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street, Abu Dhabi Timings: Saturday to Thursday: 9am to 8pm, Friday: 2pm to 8pm. 8. Free Family Weekends, Louvre Abu Dhabi Every weekend until the end of June, Louvre Abu Dhabi is hosting free art making activities for families. Grounded in object-based learning, these sessions begin in the gallery, exploring works from the museum’s collection, and are followed by a hands-on, creative making activity. Choose from Picasso-inspired family portraits and memory maps, to clay bowls and travel journal or postcard making experiments, and lots more. The workshops are completely f