Dubai’s summer heat can be intense, often reaching temperatures that make outdoor activities challenging for families. However, the city offers a plethora of indoor playgrounds designed to keep children entertained, active, and cool during the hotter months. These venues provide safe, engaging environments where kids can explore, learn, and play, all within air-conditioned comfort.
From imaginative role-playing cities to expansive soft play areas and interactive museums, Dubai's indoor play centers cater to a wide range of interests and age groups. Whether you're seeking educational experiences, physical activities, or creative outlets for your children, there's an indoor playground in Dubai to suit every family's needs.
In this article, we'll explore some of the top indoor playgrounds in Dubai for kids this summer, ensuring your little ones have a fun-filled season, regardless of the soaring temperatures outside.
KidZania Dubai
KidZania is an interactive, child-sized city that combines education and entertainment, allowing children aged 4 to 16 to role-play various professions in a realistic urban environment. With over 40 activities, kids can experience roles such as doctors, firefighters, chefs, and more, fostering creativity and learning through immersive play. The facility spans 7,000 square meters and is designed to provide a safe and engaging experience for young minds.
Location: Second Floor, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai.
Cheeky Monkeys
Cheeky Monkeys is a vibrant indoor play area designed for children aged 10 months to 8 years. It offers a multi-level soft play structure equipped with slides, trampolines, and ball pits. Beyond physical play, children can engage in creative activities at the Arts & Crafts Garden, participate in role-playing at the Monkey Clubhouse, and explore building at the Block Station. Cheeky Monkeys also hosts themed birthday parties and seasonal camps, providing a comprehensive edutainment experience for young ones.
Locations: Multiple branches across Dubai, including Downtown Dubai, JBR Marina, J3 Mall (Al Wasl Road), Mirdif Hills, and Arabian Ranches 2.
Air Maniax
Air Maniax is one of Dubai's most popular indoor leisure and adventure spots, providing entertainment for people of all ages. There are 15 indoor activities, each designed to make health and wellbeing an active part of daily life, spread across a space of more than 2,000 square meters. Start in the well-liked Inflatable Arena, where you can engage in friendly games of laser tag or the Warrior Assault Interactive Obstacle Course with your friends. In designated toddler zones, spoil your little ones with special entertainment. You can refuel in between all the activity at the on-site cafe.
Locations:
- Al Quoz 1: 16 Street 1, Al Quoz Industrial First, Dubai.
- Arabian Center: Al Khawaneej St, Al Mizhar 1, Dubai.
Dig It Dubai
Dig It Dubai is an interactive, construction-themed indoor play area designed to engage children aged 3 to 10 in a variety of hands-on activities. Inspired by real-life building sites, it offers a safe and educational environment where kids can dig, build, and create using a range of equipment and tools. If your child loves construction vehicles, this is their Disneyland.
Highlights:
- Construction Play: Children can operate mini diggers, drive remote-controlled trucks, and explore mechanical arms, simulating a real construction experience.
- Interactive Zones: Features include a brick conveyor, bucket hoist, and a climbing frame with tunnels and slides.
- Creative Workshops: Regularly hosts workshops such as slime-making, cookie decorating, and LEGO building to foster creativity.
Location: Level 2, The Springs Souk, Springs Community, Dubai.
OliOli®
OliOli® is not a typical play area—it’s an interactive children’s museum designed to inspire creativity, exploration, and hands-on learning. Built around themes like air, water, engineering, and sensory play, each gallery is carefully designed to help children think, move, and create freely.
With activities like air cannons, giant bubbles, and a Toshi’s Net climbing structure, the space encourages both physical activity and critical thinking. The Water Gallery is a favourite among younger visitors, while older children often spend time building chain reactions or experimenting with mechanical installations.
Unlike louder soft play areas, OliOli® offers a calmer, more intentional environment ideal for children aged 2 to 10. It’s especially popular among parents looking for play with educational value.
Location: Al Quoz 1, near Oasis Mall, Dubai
Extreme Fun
Extreme Fun is a soft play and activity centre that lives up to its name, especially for toddlers and younger children. It features colourful, multi-level play zones with slides, climbing frames, ball pits, tunnels, and interactive games that help kids stay active and engaged in a safe, padded environment.
What sets Extreme Fun apart is its relaxed, parent-friendly atmosphere. The space includes a café area where adults can sit nearby with full visibility of the play zones. There’s also a dedicated toddler zone for babies and preschoolers, ensuring that younger kids can play without the intensity of older ones running through.
Extreme Fun regularly hosts themed birthday parties and seasonal workshops, making it a popular choice for family celebrations.
Locations:
- Motor City
- Mirdif 35 Mall
- J3 Mall, Al Wasl Road
Fun City
Fun City is one of Dubai’s longest-running indoor play areas, offering a combination of fun rides, arcade games, and activity zones for children. It caters to a wide age range, from toddlers to pre-teens, making it a reliable option for families with multiple kids.
The centre features two main areas: PlayZone for soft play, slides, and tunnels, and Fun ‘n’ Learn, a more structured space that promotes cognitive development through hands-on learning activities. There are also kiddie rides, redemption games, and carnival-style setups to keep older kids entertained.
Fun City is known for its budget-friendly prices and pay-per-use card system, allowing families to manage their time and spending easily. Many branches are located in popular malls, making it a convenient stop during shopping trips or weekend outings.
Locations:
- Ibn Battuta Mall
- Oasis Mall
- Century Mall
- Arabian Center
Adventure HQ – Adventure Zone
Adventure Zone by Adventure HQ offers a more active, adrenaline-based indoor experience tailored for slightly older children and early teens. It’s perfect for families looking to go beyond soft play and introduce kids to safe, indoor adventure sports.
The facility features indoor zip lines, rope courses, climbing walls, and skateboarding areas, all supervised by trained instructors. Children can test their physical skills, overcome challenges, and gain confidence in a controlled environment. It’s not only fun—it also promotes physical coordination, teamwork, and resilience.
This is an ideal option for kids aged 4 and up who are eager to try something new and enjoy a more dynamic form of play.
Location: Times Square Center, Sheikh Zayed Road
Orange Wheels
Orange Wheels offers a holistic play environment designed around wellness, learning, and creativity. It combines structured and free play with a focus on imaginative development and physical movement, all in a bright, welcoming space.
The centre includes a soft play area, pretend-play corners (like mini grocery stores and kitchens), arts and crafts stations, and even a child-friendly cooking zone. Each section is tailored to spark curiosity and allow children to explore through role play, sensory activities, and social interaction.
Parents appreciate Orange Wheels not only for its variety of activities but also for its calm and secure setting. There’s an organic café on site, and the facility maintains high hygiene standards, making it a preferred choice for younger children.
Location: Town Centre Jumeirah, Jumeirah 1
When the temperatures rise in Dubai, keeping kids active, happy, and safe becomes a top priority for many families. Fortunately, the city is home to a wide range of indoor playgrounds that go far beyond simple entertainment. These spaces are designed to support learning, creativity, social skills, and physical activity—all within air-conditioned comfort.
This summer, let playtime continue—indoors, safely, and with plenty of opportunities to learn and grow along the way.
Also Read:
Umema Arsiwala
Shahba Mayyeri
HiDubai Newswire
HiDubai Newswire
HiDubai Newswire
