20 Cool Activities to Beat the Heat for Families & Professionals
Staying in the UAE this summer? Good news — there’s no shortage of adventure to keep the boredom at bay. Whether you’re a family with kids or a working professional looking to mix up the routine, this guide has you covered with 10 epic activities in Dubai and 10 must-visit spots in Abu Dhabi — all indoor, all air-conditioned, and all bookable directly through PickYourPlayground.
Top 10 Things to Do This Summer in Dubai
IMG Worlds of Adventure
Dubai’s indoor theme park giant! Dive into Marvel, Cartoon Network, and dinosaur zones — perfect for a full day of family fun. Get lost in the world of your childhood and enjoy the amazing atmosphere IMG has to offer! Great for families, kids and adventure loving adults alike!
Ski Dubai
Escape the desert heat with real snow, penguins, and chairlifts — all inside Mall of the Emirates! Take the chill to the extreme and experience everything to do with the snow! It’s a ski holiday on your doorstep and the perfect way to escape the heat this summer!
iFLY Dubai
Soar like a skydiver in a vertical wind tunnel! No parachute, no plane — just pure adrenaline! If outdoor fans aren’t strong enough to keep you cool, iFLY has exactly what you need! Enjoy the feeling of freefall just a few feet off the ground and let the expert instructors take you on a journey
Madame Tussauds Dubai
Strike a pose with ultra-realistic wax figures of global celebrities, sports icons, and royalty! The wax figures, like us, want to stay cool and so this is a perfect escape from the heat! Enjoy the amazing craftmanship and make your friends look TWICE at your socials as they try to work out if you really did bump into your favourite public figures!
Lost Chambers Aquarium
Explore the legendary underwater city of Atlantis while surrounded by 65,000 marine animals! It’s the perfect cool spot for a day out with family, friends or a special someone. Get lost in the magic that usually lives undetected off our shores and hey, maybe you’ll learn something new about what lurks in the depths!
Roll DXB
Put on your skates and roll to retro beats in this nostalgic roller disco experience! Situated in an airconditioned warehouse, this is an awesome activity for friends and families! With small ramps and obstacles, you can choose to take it chilled or test your skills on the skates, and the music really helps keep the energy up!
3D Blacklight Mini Golf
Play glow-in-the-dark mini golf across neon landscapes. Great for kids, dates, or team-building fun! If you have not yet been to 3D Blacklight Mini Golf, this is a MUST DO ACTIVITY! One of the first activities I did when I arrived in Dubai, this one holds a special place in my heart! The visuals are next-level and you will question your senses on more than one occasion! The themed rooms and challenging obstacles make this worth doing TWICE! Oh, and don’t forget, whoever ends last gets to do a little karaoke for the group!
AYA Universe
Step into another dimension with this immersive light and sound journey. One of Dubai’s most Instagrammable spots! If you missed Expo, this is THE place for you! Stunning visuals, lighting and effects! A real treat for the senses! Just be warned, there are mirrors on every surface in some rooms so dress accordingly!
Al Barari Playground Summer Camp
Let the kids explore nature-inspired fun and themed summer camps — all while staying cool! Summer camps pop up all around and are a great way to keep the kids busy if you’re working through! Al Barari has a summer camp that will occupy their time and energy while you’re at work! An awesome opportunity for your little ones to make new friends and engage in fun activities!
Play DXB
The region’s biggest indoor VR park inside Dubai Mall. From racing to flying, this one’s for all ages! The world of VR is taking over and when it’s too hot outside to experience the world in person, VR has you covered! Explore the digital world around you and escape from the heat at the same time!
Top 10 Things to Do This Summer in Abu Dhabi
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
The newest marine mega-park in the region. Expect ocean tunnels, animal encounters, and edutainment zones! It’s a maze of amazement TRUST ME! Dive deep into the ocean without getting a single drop on you. Explore the depths, the shows and the rides for a full day of jam packed fun with family and friends!
Ferrari World
Zoom into summer with record-breaking rides, racing simulators, and all things Ferrari! There is nothing cooler than speed, and Ferrari world has you covered with that. Explore the Italian heritage of the most iconic car company in the world, all on your doorstep. It’s a thrilling adventure just waiting for you!
Snow Abu Dhabi
Build snowmen, sled down hills, or explore a snow-covered forest — inside Reem Mall! Because the way to fight fire is with ice! This is the best way to keep it cool in Abu Dhabi this sizzling summer season! Come on, keep it cool, ice cool!
Harry Potter™: The Exhibition
Muggles and wizards alike will love this magical experience filled with props, costumes, and interactive moments! This one is one I AM DYING to visit! As a Harry Potter nerd, the announcement sent me back to my youth. I have my cloak ready to go, will I see you there?
The Cube Challenge
Test your mind and reflexes with real-life game show challenges. Great for friends, families, and work teams! If a challenge is what you’re looking for, look no further! This is an ideal day out for friend groups and families. You will be doubled over laughing as you work together to achieve the objectives set out for you. Put yourself to the test against Physical, Brain, Skills or Horror rooms! No matter how long you book for, you will want to stay longer!
Leo & Loona Kids Park
Indoor jungle gyms, sensory zones, and activities tailored for toddlers and young kids, keep the little ones happy and occupied in the amazing world and play area that is Leo&Loona! The park has everything your child needs for a day of adventure and fun in the safest possible way!
Adrenark Adventure Park
High ropes, wall climbing, and aerial obstacles — all in a cool indoor environment! The physical challenges await! The perfect place that brings the outdoor adventures to you in a cool environment! Explore and enjoy today!
KidZania Abu Dhabi
Let your kids become doctors, firefighters, chefs, and more in this kid-run mini city! Kidzania is first on my list of places that I wish existed in my childhood! Let them become anything they want to be and learn about the way the world works around them in a fun and safe environment! A great day out for the young ones!
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
From Gotham to Bedrock, explore 6 themed lands packed with rides, shows, and character meet-and-greets! This is one place I have been to more than once in Abu Dhabi and would happily go back again and again! The rides? Spectacular! The designs? Flawless! But make sure you get a map! Some experiences are easily missed if you don’t know what you’re looking for!
The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi
Home to over 46,000 creatures, this is the largest aquarium in the Middle East. Quiet, cool, and captivating! They say we know less about our oceans than we do about our universe, so why not learn a little more about that whilst you’re here this summer! The national aquarium boasts a WIDE range of environments and ecosystems and is not a place to miss if you’re fascinated by the world that is so close, but that we still know so little about!
Book Your Adventures Now
Skip the heat and dive into unforgettable experiences — all just a click away.
Head to PickYourPlayground.com to explore and book these experiences with exclusive partner links and deals.
📣 Have a favorite summer spot we missed?
Tag us on Instagram @pickyourplayground.ae — we want to feature you!
And for those travelling, have a great summer break, and don’t worry, we will be ready with a new range of activities waiting for you when you get back!
Have a great summer all! – Jack
Great article! 👏 I really appreciate the way you explained this topic—it shows not only expertise but also a clear effort to make it easy for readers to understand. What stood out to me most is how practical your insights are, which makes the piece very relatable. As someone who works a lot with different industries and categories, I can say your perspective feels very authentic. Looking forward to reading more of your work—keep it up! 🚀