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Finding family-friendly activities to do while on vacation can be a challenge. Neutral places that can cater to the needs of all parties, kids and adults alike, is no easy feat.

But we have a few solutions for the next time you visit Dubai. And they’re all indoor activities so you don’t have to worry about the blazing desert sun!

Some of these attractions are also part of the Dubai government’s “Kids go free” campaign which waives fees and costs for children under a certain age. The complete list of landmarks, hotels and resorts can be accessed here.

So without further ado, here are six family-friendly things to do the next time you are in Dubai to entertain both your inner-child and your actual child.

Green Planet

Green Planet is Dubai’s very own indoor tropical rainforest housing more than 3,000 plant and animals species. Located in City Walk, the building is nondescript from the outside but is a world of its own on the inside.

The place is divided into levels, so to speak, so you start at the very top of the bio-dome, completely covered in greenery from top to bottom and featuring a gargantuan tree-like structure in the middle, and make your way to the bottom.

All the while, you can see exotic birds like macaws and toucans flying overhead and lemurs perched on the railing. Perhaps the coolest part of the visit was when it started “raining”; misters and sprinklers installed at the very top of the bio dome rained down on visitors as the sun streamed in from above. Très cinematic.

Green Planet also features an exhibit of nocturnal animals. Their enclosure is at the very end and illuminated with red light to not disturb their natural routine.

There are also “encounters” you can pay extra for where you can interact with specific animals, such as sloths and sugar gliders.

Tickets: Starting from AED 160

Timings: Monday to Sunday: 10am to 6pm

Pro-tip: Say hi to King Julien!

AYA Universe

Located inside Dubai’s Wafi Mall, AYA Universe describes itself as an immersive entertainment park. I, on the other hand, can only describe it as every Instagram-conscious person’s heaven.

The space comprises a maze of rooms, each featuring a unique part of said universe. Think rooms with mirrors on all walls, floors and ceilings with a six-minute LED show set to a crescendo, an observatory with stars overhead and a light “garden” blooming in front of your eyes.

Before you enter the universe, you’re given a “cosmic passport” and a set of stickers so you can keep a track of which rooms you’ve experienced — which is pretty darn smart because it’s very easy to forget which room you’ve visited.

I’m not gonna lie, the visit left me overstimulated to the max. The place is not recommended for those with light sensitivity or epilepsy as there are flashing lights at every corner.

But if you’re interested in upping your Insta game, then AYA merits a visit.

Tickets: AED 99 and can be booked online, free for kids under three

Timings: Tickets are time specific

Pro-top: Ditch the skirt, wear pants

Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds needs no introduction. Seriously, if you need an introduction then you’ve been living under a rock.

Some people may argue that looking at wax statues is not the most thrilling experience but to those people I say knowing how short I am in comparison to Taylor Swift made the trip worth it.

At Madame Tussauds, located on Blue Water Island, you can rub shoulders with Bollywood royalty, actual royalty, the Kardashian-Jenners and A-list movie stars.

Shah Rukh Khan, Huda and Mona Kattan, the late Queen Elizabeth and Jackie Chan — you’ll want to stop and take a picture with all 60 of the wax figures on display. Also it’s not just wax sculptures inside, there’s also interactive games in each section and, if it tickles your fancy, you can get a cast made of your hand too.

Also once you’ve made your way through Madame Tussauds, you can go outside and explore the island, from which you can see the Jumeirah Beach Residence coastline, which is a whole vibe unto itself.

Tickets: Starting from AED 145. One child under 13 free with one adult until August 31

Timings: 12pm to 10pm on weekdays and 12pm to 11pm on weekends

Pro-top: Tell Modi that the tea in Pakistan is in fact fantastic

IMG Worlds of Adventure

IMG Worlds of Adventure is a massive indoor amusement park in City of Arabia. The park is divided into six zones, including two which are Cartoon Network and Marvel themed.

I went as someone in my late twenties and I didn’t want to leave when it was time to go so I can only imagine how exciting it would be for small kids. We went earlier in the day so there was barely any wait for the rides.

Also, it was so amusing so see adults debating their life choices before going on the roller coasters while kids were pushing each other out of the way.

With carousels perfect for young children and a roller coaster aptly named ‘The Predator’, IMG Worlds of Adventure is the ideal place to go with family and friends.

In addition to the rides, the park also has a plethora of dining options for when the adrenaline leaves you hungry and wanting to rest your aching feet.

Tickets: General admission is AED 345

Timings: Sunday to Thursday noon to 10pm; Friday and Saturday noon to 11pm

Pro-top: For the love of God, go on an empty stomach

Museum of the Future

Picture one of those fancy donut shaped vases from H&M home. That’s what the Museum of the Future looks like, except it is blindly silver in the afternoon sun and covered in poetry by the ruler of Dubai.

The museum describes itself as a “gateway into the future”, specifically 2071. And it’s the perfect place for those interested in science and technology.

As you wait inside the lobby, you are greeted by a small robot on four legs, modelled to imitate a dog, and an inflated balloon resembling a dolphin swimming overhead.

You can easily spend three to four hours inside because there is just so much to see and do. Go on missions, see the DNA library and make a virtual tree bloom in front of your eyes. So not only is it fun, but also educational.

Tickets: AED 149, free for kids under four

Timings: Everyday from 10am to 9:30pm

Pro-tip: Make sure this is the first, and perhaps the only, thing you do that day because you will get tired.

La Perle

If you’re in the mood to indulge in something cultural and visually stimulating, then La Perle might be right up your alley. The 90-minite show boasts a “tailor-made aqua theatre”, which means that there is actual water flooding the stage and falling from the ceiling.

There isn’t a concrete narrative that the show follows, or at least one that I could decipher — the show is more heavy-handed with the visual aspect.

Hair-raising aerial stunts and acrobats suspended from the air, all set to the accompaniment of orchestral music, La Perle is sure to have you on the edge of your seat.

Tickets: Starting from AED 250; kids under two not allowed

Timings: Tuesday to Saturday at 6:30pm and 9pm

Pro-tip: Go out for a nice meal prior, get dressed up to the nines and make a whole night out of it

Disclaimer: This trip was sponsored by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism.