School is almost out, and these exciting, hands-on indoor activities are ideal for summer fun in Dubai
Looking for ways to keep the kids entertained this summer?
From gooey slime labs to live-action go-kart racing and life-sized video game mazes, these three immersive indoor adventures are bursting with fun, movement and creativity.
Tried and tested by Team Yalla, they’re guaranteed to help you beat the heat while keeping children of all ages engaged, curious, and happily worn out.
OliOli: Slime Mania
For kids, slime is a BIG deal! It’s squishy, stretchy, sparkly and gloriously messy. And now, thanks to OliOli’s Slime Mania, that obsession has been transformed into a full-scale, sensory-powered adventure.
Set in a dedicated gallery, Slime Mania invites young makers to whip up their own bespoke slime from a playful menu of textures (fluffy, crunchy, gummy), colours, scents (strawberry and vanilla were firm favourites), and toppings like glitter, charms and foam beads.
The process is part science lab, part art project—hosted around a revolving sushi-style counter where kids get hands-on with their gooey creations.
Once the slime is perfected, the real fun begins.
From catapulting slime across the room in a ‘Slime Shot’ to making giant bubbles on interactive light tables, every corner of the exhibit encourages messy, marvellous exploration.
There’s a workbench for slicing and swirling, a musical station where slime meets tech, and an obstacle course made entirely from bright blue kinetic sand.
The kids could have stayed in that sand zone for hours—building castles, dragons and even a pirate ship.
My 9-year-old (a self-declared slime expert) called it the “best slime ever”—and I have to agree. OliOli has nailed the formula: messy, meaningful, screen-free fun with plenty of learning on the side.
Better still, Slime Mania is included in the Standard PLUS ticket, so that you can explore the rest of OliOli’s brilliant exhibits too.
Top tip: Don’t wear white socks—the kinetic sand obstacle course is as colourful as it is creative.
Slime Mania at OliOli, Al Quoz Tickets from AED 179 (1 child + 1 adult for 2 hours). Visit: OliOli
Pac-Man Live Experience
Tucked away in the industrial area of Al Quoz, behind a warehouse door like any other, lies a neon-drenched world where retro gaming gets a full-throttle, real-life reboot.
This is Pac-Man Live Experience—and yes, it’s just as wild as it sounds.
From the moment you step inside, it’s a sensory overload in the best possible way. A glowing tunnel of neon light welcomes you, pulsing with colour and futurism. The reception area buzzes—literally.
With birthday parties in full swing and kids darting between air hockey, ping-pong and arcade games, the vibe is high-energy and fun. There’s even a café (and the coffee’s surprisingly decent).
Once you’ve chosen your mission—Pac-Man or Chaos Karts—it’s game on.
We chose Pac-Man first. Originally from Manchester, UK, it’s one of the latest immersive experiences to land in Dubai.
If you remember the old-school video game, get ready to level up, because this time, you are the Pac-Man.
The maze is life-size, the ghosts are digital projections, and the floor itself becomes part of the action thanks to cutting-edge tech that transforms it into a shifting, glowing labyrinth.
Your mission? Dodge, dash, and grab those Power Pellets while outrunning spectral pursuers, all tracked in real time by a special ‘Pac-Vest’ that scores your every move.
Our testers—a group of energetic 12-year-old boys—ran, ducked and weaved their way through it, emerging sweaty, breathless and absolutely buzzing.
This 30-minute experience is physical, fast-moving, and full-on fun, with pulsating music and vibrant visuals adding to the thrill.
Designed for ages 7 and up, it’s great for families or a high-octane group day out.
Pac-Man Live Experience, Active Games, Al Quoz, Dubai. Tickets from AED 160 (ages 7+) Visit: Pac-Man Live Experience
Chaos Karts
If you’ve ever wished Mario Kart was real, Chaos Karts is about as close as it gets, minus the banana peels.
Though it launched in Dubai last year, Chaos Karts remains one of the city’s most fun and family-friendly immersive experiences.
Housed in the same Al Quoz hotspot as Pac-Man Live, Chaos Karts swaps running shoes for racing seats and puts players behind the wheel in a live-action go-karting experience with a seriously techy twist.
Think dazzling digital projections, AR-style gameplay, and actual in-kart power-ups—from laser beams to EMP blasts, all without the need for headsets or screens.
You’ll race through ever-changing virtual tracks (Arabian desert one minute, outer space the next), steering your electric kart while battling opponents for boosts, jewels and bragging rights.
The kart goes fast enough to get your heart racing, but not so speedy that it’s intimidating—ideal for younger racers and cautious adults alike.
This is one activity where parents can finally reclaim the upper hand. Perfect for settling a family feud—or proving once and for all who’s the fastest in the family.
Chaos Karts, Al Quoz, Dubai. Tickets from AED 104 (ages 9+). Visit: Chaos Karts
OTHER ACTIVITIES TO TRY THIS SUMMER
Adventure Island
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JBR newcomer Adventure Island is an exhilarating entertainment hub for thrill-seekers six years and older. Alongside high-tech laser tag arenas, this destination’s coolest draw is its PIXEL rooms, where the floors come alive with mesmerising LED lights. Teams of two to six must step on the changing colours to score points—and watch out for the risky reds! —with the speed and difficulty increasing as you go.
Where: Bahar Plaza – Al Gharbi, JBR The Walk
Cost: Starting from AED59
Ribambelle
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Ribambelle is where high-end dining and family fun meet—an unusual combination for Dubai. Parents can enjoy premium food by Chef Gabrielle Martinez and delectable desserts by pastry chef Luis Federico Oliveira. While parents feast, children can keep busy at a fun-filled play area or participate in workshops, from arts and crafts to cooking classes and more. July is packed with various experiences, including chocolate chip cookie baking, bath bomb making, pencil case decorating and t-shirt painting.
Where: Bluewaters
Cost: Workshops range from AED100 onwards
TEP Factor
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Put your skills, logic, and fitness to the test at TEP Factor, where teams can compete across 21 challenges and four categories. Perfect for kids ages eight and up, this thrilling indoor adventure park will have you climbing, crawling, balancing, and solving a series of obstacles. It’s a great activity for birthdays or playdates; you only need two to six players, and you can create up to 18 teams simultaneously.
Where: Bahar Plaza, JBR The Walk
Cost: AED79 (Kids eight-11); AED99 (12+)
Illusion City
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Discover original, logic-defying experiences at Illusion City. Walk on walls like Spiderman, crawl out of a TV like Samara, and discover mind-boggling artworks at this interactive, Insta-worthy venue. Located at The Wharf, it’s the perfect post-lunch pitstop to impress and inspire little ones. Children under seven can visit for free (one free child per adult).
Where: Bluewaters
Cost: AED60 (Kids seven-18) AED75 (Adults)
3D Blacklight Mini Golf
Step into a neon-lit world at 3D Blacklight Mini Gold, Dubai’s ultimate glow-in-the-dark mini-golf experience. Navigate 18 uniquely themed holes and immerse yourself in a kaleidoscope of colour. World-renowned 3D artists have transformed ordinary putting greens into mesmerising landscapes, from Bedouins sipping qahwa to an underwater world filled with marine wildlife.
Where: Plaza Level, Bahar, JBR
Cost: From AED90 (five-12 years); AED110 (adults)
Arcade by Hub Zero
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The Arcade by Hub Zero is the region’s first gaming-inspired entertainment park at Al Khawaneej Walk. Children can play some of the world’s most popular video games, from teaming up with the Justice League to battle villains and racing friends in Mario Kart to evading the wrath of the Ghost Gang in Pacman.
Where: Al Khawaneej Walk
Cost: Top up cards from AED 130: Pay as you go along.
Tr88house
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Sixty-five thousand square feet of fun and food? It doesn’t get much better than Tr88house. This mega indoor playground at Bluewaters packs in hours of entertainment for the whole family with a nine-hole miniature golf course set amid a bioluminescent rainforest, laser tag in psychedelic surroundings, and a trampoline park with climbing walls, a ninja course, and a sprawling soft-play area with a ball pit, slides, swings, and ropes for toddlers.
Where: Bluewaters
Cost: Sunday Brunch for AED179
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Madame Tussauds
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Meet and mingle with glamorous celebrities like Tom Cruise and Shah Rukh Khan, toast over tea with the Queen of England and rub shoulders with Lewis Hamilton and David Beckham. Madame Tussauds is a unique introduction for children to historical, pop cultural and sporting icons of the past and present. Venture into the world-famous wax figure museum, making the most of a discounted family package for AED420 that includes four tickets, unlimited digital photos and more.
Where: Bluewaters
Cost: AED130 (Online single admission)
Game Over Escape Rooms
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Created by professional animators and the masterminds behind cinematic alternative universes, Game Over Escape Rooms at Nakheel Mall offers adventure seekers an exhilarating experience. With captivating visuals, challenging riddles and puzzles, and original themes and storylines, it is the perfect destination for thrill-seekers. This summer, enjoy the Family Escape Package, available until 15 September.
Where: Nakheel Mall, Palm Jumeirah
Cost: From AED 545 per person for a 60-minute session
Ground Control
This unique, state-of-the-art venue features an eight-lane bowling alley, mini golf, darts, axe throwing, and retro video games, all under one roof. Guests can also enjoy a delectable menu offering a variety of dishes and mocktails. This summer, families can receive an additional hour free when booking for more than three people, valid until 15 September.
Where: Nakheel Mall, Palm Jumeirah
Cost: Price varies per package
The View, Palm Jumeirah
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Experience the unparalleled beauty of Palm Jumeirah and Dubai’s iconic skyline from the island’s highest vantage point. This summer, enjoy a special offer where children can go free with every adult ticket purchased. This offer is valid for all ticket types until 31 August.
Where: The View, Palm Jumeirah
Cost: Price varies per booking date and time
Parkour DXB
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This summer, evoke the creativity within your children with Parkour DXB’s exciting indoor summer programmes, available until 23 August. Designed to keep children active and engaged, the summer camp features fundamental techniques to advanced parkour movements, with dedicated coaches to ensure a safe and enjoyable learning environment.
Where: Level 2, Parkour DXB, Circle Mall
Cost: From AED 990 for one week
Precision Football
Get a 25 per cent discount at the Precision Football Indoor Tech Centre, as well as on all Precision Football memberships or walk-in tickets throughout July and August. A state-of-the-art indoor facility, featuring cutting-edge technology for all visitors, Precision Football has high-tech training equipment and engaging games, offering a top-tier environment for skill development, performance enhancement, or simply having fun, making it a premier destination for football enthusiasts.
Where: Precision Football, Ibn Battuta Mall
Cost: Starting from AED 175
The Little Gym
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Offering a myriad of activities from gymnastics to arts and crafts, to keep the little ones engaged. The Little Gym at Ibn Battuta Mall has programs specially designed to nurture children’s physical, social and cognitive abilities while in a safe and stimulating environment. Enrol the little ones in a summer program of their choice for a season full of fun, adventure and learning, available until 30 August.
Where: The Little Gym, Ibn Battuta Mall
Cost: Starting from AED 200 per child
Kidzpalooza
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Running until 22 August, Kidzpalooza’s Summer Art Camp promises a world of fun for children. With a program filled with enticing activities such as ceramics painting, baking, fruit decorating, planting and so much more, children are sure to enjoy their summer full of learning and fun.
Where: Kidzpalooza, Ibn Battuta Mall
Cost: Starting from AED 150 per child
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