Discover Wild Wonders Across the Emirates!
When it comes to action-packed family outings in the UAE, nothing tops spending the day with exotic animals, beautiful birds, and sea creatures! From desert lions to rainforest sloths and enchanted aquariums, the Emirates are home to some of the most immersive animal adventures ideal for curious little minds. Whether you find yourself in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah, there's a zoo or aquarium just waiting to amaze your children—and yes, you'll secretly be loving it just as much too!
Let's explore the wildest (and most adorable) places for animal enthusiasts. Here is your ultimate guide for zoos in Dubai and beyond, exclusively designed for families with children!
Al Ain Zoo – The Grand Safari Experience
Where: Al Ain, Abu Dhabi
Why Kids Love It:
Hi, and welcome to one of the UAE's largest and most historic zoos! With more than 4,000 animals, Al Ain Zoo is essentially a kingdom of wildlife. White lions, cheetahs, hippos, giraffes, and even an enormous African Safari adventure, to name a few! Children can ride the safari truck and view animals grazing in a massive, open environment, just like the true savannah!
Highlights:
● African Safari Tour
● Petting zoo for kids
● Bird show and giraffe feeding
● Desert World reptile and insect zone
Emirates Park Zoo – A Hotel-Zoo Combo!
Where: Abu Dhabi
Why Children Love It:
Where else can you sleep alongside lions and wake up with giraffes tapping on your window? Emirates Park Zoo provides that fairy-tale experience! It's a combination of hands-on exhibits, free-roaming animal enclosures, and learning shows that make it more than a zoo.
Top Attractions:
● Breakfast with giraffes
● Elephant encounter
● Zookeeper-for-a-day program
● Water splash area
The Green Planet – A Tropical Rainforest in the Heart of Dubai
Where: City Walk, Dubai
Why Children Adore It:
Experience an actual indoor tropical rainforest! The Green Planet is the premier zoo in Dubai, housing over 3,000 plants and animals, including toucans, monkeys, sloths, and snakes. It's a tropical, multi-level environment where children will feel like little jungle adventurers.
Highlights:
● Walkthrough the bat cave
● Bird feeding activities
● Sloth encounters
● Wildlife education talks
Lost Chambers Aquarium – Atlantis-Style Magic
Where: Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai
Why Children Love It:
Step into the mythical city of Atlantis—beneath the waves! The Lost Chambers Aquarium is not an aquarium, but a thought-provoking expedition into old ruins teeming with sea creatures. Children are transported to be like underwater archaeologists searching through fish-filled chambers and crystal tunnels.
Highlights:
● Touch tanks
● Fish feeding
● Marine educator-led aquarium tours.
● More than 65,000 marine animals
Aquarium Underwater Zoo Dubai – Dubai Mall's Underwater World
Where: Dubai Mall
Why Children Love It:
Deep within the world-renowned Dubai Mall is an underwater world that spans three floors! The Aquarium Underwater Zoo Dubai offers a walk-through tunnel, crocodile encounters, and penguins at play that children can't take their eyes off.
Top things to do at Aquarium Underwater Zoo Dubai:
● World's largest acrylic viewing panel
● Shark dives (for older children and teenagers)
● Glass-bottom boat rides
● "King Croc" – a 750kg reptile!
Sharjah Desert Park – Science, Nature & Animals in One
Where: Sharjah
Why Kids Enjoy It:
It's not just a zoo—it's an environmental hub! Sharjah Desert Park has a wildlife center, botanical garden, and natural history museum. Great for young scientists and animal enthusiasts. The Arabia Wildlife Centre exhibits local species, including oryx, foxes, and lynxes.
Highlights:
● Arabia's Wildlife Centre (indoor, air-conditioned)
● Farm animals petting zoo
● Sharjah Natural History Museum
● Educational and interactive displays
Sharjah Aquarium – The Sea's Secrets Revealed
Where: Al Khan Old Area, Sharjah
Why Children Love It:
This serene and gorgeous aquarium offers a peaceful experience for younger children. Discover 20 tanks of colorful sea creatures of the Arabian Gulf. Stroller-friendly corridors and touch pools are a delight to small hands.
Highlights:
● Coral reefs and mangroves exhibit
● Seahorses, turtles, and clownfish
● Marine conservation awareness
● Fun facts around every corner
Parent Travel Tips While Visiting Zoos in Dubai:
Ideal Time to Visit Zoos in Dubai: Mornings or late afternoons (particularly for outdoor parks)
Bundle Tickets: Certain attractions, such as the Dubai Aquarium and Burj Khalifa, offer combo packages that are ideal for budget-conscious travelers. Check CollectYourTicket!
How to Get There: Most locations offer parking. To visit a zoo in Dubai, take the Metro (Dubai Mall, City Walk). Al Ain Zoo and Emirates Park Zoo are best accessed via car or tour bus.
Beat the Heat: Opt for indoor aquariums or early morning visits during the summer. Always carry hats, sunscreen, and water bottles when going on outings to outdoor parks.
Final Roar: Which Zoo in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah Should You Visit?
If your children are animal-crazy, Al Ain Zoo is a no-brainer for its epic safari atmosphere. For little ones or toddlers, Sharjah Aquarium or Emirates Park Zoo offers a milder, smile-a-minute experience. Urban explorers? The Green Planet and Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo are rainy-day (or ridiculously sunny day) busters!
From the sand to the sea, the UAE has built a zoo or aquarium that's just right for your little adventurer. So load up your snacks, charge your cameras, and make unforgettable wild memories together!
