Dubai’s Best Outdoor Play Areas

Playing Al Fresco in Dubai

Want to make the most of the milder weather, mamas? We’re right with you – which is exactly why we’re planning to spend the next few months visiting all the best outdoor play areas in town! They have swings, they have slides, they have sand pits, and they have jogging tracks for tiring out little ones on scooters – and excitingly, some even serve coffee! Bookmark this page – and get ready for some fun! 

Al Barsha Pond Park

The play areas are quite small at Al Barsha Pond Park, but who cares when you are surrounded by swaying palm trees, a gigantic man-made lake, and a jogging track for letting the little ones loose on their scooters? Tots will love digging and playing in the sandy areas and you will love the great expanses of lawn (50 acres, in fact) to lay down a blanket while they play.

Location: Between 329th Street and 23rd Street, Al Barsha 2, Dubai
Entrance Fee: AED 5 per person or AED 30/car

Al Ittihad Park

This park runs up the trunk of Palm Jumeirah under the rails of the monorail and is much-loved by Mamas in the neighbourhood. We can see why, as not only is there a long jogging track for little ones to cycle or scoot, but there are two small playgrounds to make pit-stops, with slides, climbing frames, and see-saws for good, old-fashioned fun!

Location: Trunk, Palm Jumeirah
Entrance Fee: Free

Al Khazzan Park

Al Khazzan Park is a small and cozy family park, with a decent shaded area where mamas can relax while supervising their little ones at the play area next to it. Perhaps not worth driving longer distances for but a great option for Al Wasl and Al Bada’a mamas looking for an extended outdoor space to hang out with the fam.

Location: 1st interchange on Sheikh Zayed and Al Wasl Roads (off Al Safa Street), Al Wasl, Dubai
Entrance Fee: Free

Al Mamzar Beach and Park

We would be prepared to go as far as to say that Al Mamzar Beach and Park qualifies as a Sassy Mama hidden gem. This beach park definitely has one (or several) up on Jumeirah Beach Park. The clean, white beaches are supervised with changing rooms and plenty of shade. For AED 200 you can rent an air -conditioned chalet for the family offering more shade and privacy – ideal for tots who still sleep at lunch-time (we wish!). Jelly fish in the water? Splash about in the swimming pool instead which has a dedicated kids pool for water babies. At beach number 1 (the beach is divided into different sections) there is a water fun park for kiddies with bouncy castles and other goodies that can be enjoyed at an additional fee.

Location: Al-Mamzar Creek, Deira, Dubai
Entrance Fee: Swimming pool costs AED 10 per adult and AED 5 per child

Al Sufouh Park

Looking for the perfect picnic spot? Grab that basket (filled with enough food and drink to last you the day), a football and a skipping rope! Al Sufouh Park offers enough outdoor activities to keep the whole fam entertained. There’s a full-size basketball court, and a small football pitch to keep those kiddos running around, plus, if you’re looking to get a bit of a workout in yourself, there’s even a 300-metre cushioned jogging track and some resistance-based training equipment. If you’re a mama who gets her daily workout from weightlifting babies and groceries (guilty!), sit back and enjoy the grassy lawns whilst your bubs are safe in the children’s play area.

Location: Al Sufouh Park, D94 Al Sufouh St, Al Sufouh 1, Jumeira
Entrance Fee: Free!

Al Wasl Park

A personal Sassy Mama favourite, Al Wasl Park is a hidden gem in the residential area of Al Bada’a just of Wasl Road in Jumeirah 1. Perfectly sized for keeping the kids under surveillance but enough space for scooter and bike fans alike. Afternoons are best as there always seems to be a nice breeze (even during the scorching summer months) and families from the neighbourhood come to play, bringing the place to life.

Location: Off Al Wasl Road behind the Iranian Hospital, Al Bada’a, Dubai
Entrance Fee: Free

Creek Side Park

This is the second biggest park in Dubai and we love its picturesque location alongside Dubai Creek, which stays cool thanks to a breeze from the water (always a bonus when the temperatures start rising again, mamas!) There are plenty of kids’ play areas to keep them happy on a cool day, along with barbecue areas, a miniature train, and a cable car to for a bird’s eye view of the city.

Location: Bur Dubai, Al Riyadh Street, Umm Hurair 2, Dubai
Entrance Fee: AED 5 for person

Dubai Marina Bridges

No wonder Dubai Marina Mums love their ‘hood’, with a long promenade to stroll down in the sunshine on either side of the water (or whizz down on scooters of bikes if their little ones prefer!) A surprise is waiting under the bridges just before and after Marina Mall on both sides too, with shaded play areas so kids can climb, slide, ride, and bounce as Mamas enjoy the view of yachts gliding past. Perfect!

Location: Dubai Marina Promenade
Entrance Fee: Free

The Beach at JBR

You might be dreaming of spending a lazy day on the beach with a good book, but things change when we are mamas, which is why we love the play area down at The Beach at JBR to keep little ones entertained on beach days. Located on the sand itself, the kids can climb and slide to their heart’s content. Be warned Mama – it does get busy at the weekend, so we recommend heading down in the morning to have the most fun!

Location: The Beach at JBR, Dubai Marina
Entrance Fee: Free

JLT Park

Offering welcome green space underneath the skyscrapers of Jumeirah Lake Towers, JLT Park offers children in the area the chance to run, chase, or kick a ball across the lawns. There are a couple of playgrounds to suit both tiny tots and older children, along with sandy patches for building sandcastles (take along a bucket and spade, mama!) The parking gets busy, so arrive early – or if you are lucky enough to live nearby, just head over on foot.

Location: Located next to Cluster P (behind Armada Tower 2), Jumeriah Lake Towers.
Entrance Fee: Free

Maison Mathis Arabian Ranches

Whether you’re a ranches mama or not, this fab spot is ideal for a coffee or meal while the kids have a play. There’s a great little outdoor play area that’s completely secure and within sight of the restaurant’s deck and indoor seating meaning that when the kids decide that their mealtime is over – while you’re still midway through your first latte – they can be let loose to climb, slide and have fun while you finish your food in peace (at least that’s the plan!).

Location: Next to Arabian Ranches Golf Club
Entrance Fee: Free (or the cost of a coffee/drink/meal!)

Mushrif Park

We’re big fans of the International Village at Mushrif Park, which features 13 miniature models of traditional houses from around the world! Kids can wander inside each house to explore (our highlight is the Dutch Windmill!), while you spread a blanket out on the lawn for a picnic. If they prefer a more traditional playground, there are plenty of those dotted around the vast 5.25 square kilometer park too (don’t worry, this is the only park in Dubai you can drive through, so your feet won’t be aching at the end of the day).

Location: Located near to Uptown Mirdif and Khawaneej,
Entrance Fee: AED 10 per car

Reform Social & Grill

We are partial to a cup of good coffee when we take the kids out for some fun (and we know you’re with us mamas!), so it’s a real treat to head to Reform Social & Grill in The Lakes for a natter with friends while the kids are entertained in the onsite outdoor playground. It’s small, so better suited to smaller tots – but there’s a great ice cream parlor inside that may convince older siblings to join in too!

Location: The Lakes Club, Emirates Hills
Entrance Fee: Order from the menu

Safa Park 2

Much smaller and quieter than the main Safa Park nearby, Safa Park 2 is a hidden gem that every Mama needs on her to-visit-list during the winter months. Unfortunately it does seem a bit too hidden on your first visit as it isn’t signposted well – but trust us, you’ll be pleased that you made the effort when you stroll through the gates! Little ones can let off steam in the play areas, while you can spread out a blanket and enjoy the shade of trees. This park is popular for birthday parties during the cooler months, so we prefer heading over early on weekdays to avoid the crowds.

Location: Near the Al Manara/Al Wasl interchange, Al Safa 2, Dubai
Entrance Fee: Free Entry

Starbucks on Al Sinyar Street

We know that Starbucks isn’t the most exciting place to take the kids for the morning – but take our word that the branch on Sinyar Street, off Al Wasl Road in Jumeirah 3, is worth a visit. Hidden in the garden at the back is a children’s play area, complete with climbing frame, slide, and swing – and whilst it won’t keep older kids entertained for hours, it will definitely give you the time to sit back and enjoy your coffee while it’s still hot (and we all know what a novelty that is, don’t we!)

Location: At the corner of Al Sinyar Street and Mehemal Street in Jumeirah 3.
Entrance Fee: The price of a cup of coffee

The Journey (REOPENING SOON!!)

With stepping stones to hop over, water features to splash in, wooden bridges to balance on, and giant rocks to climb, this unique new play area is a welcome new addition to the Dubai family scene. Giving kids the chance to re-discover their sense of adventure (without a television or tablet screen in sight), we think it’s best suited to little ones from three years up so they can independently explore (younger siblings will enjoy the experience too, but Mamas will need to keep eyes on them at all times!)

Location: Fazza Beach Club Dubai, near Kite Beach, Umm Suqeim
Entrance Fee: AED 30 per person (including adults) for 2 hours play

Umm Suqeim Park

This is a tiny park by Dubai standards, with the jogging track around the edge at only 550m (it does make you feel virtuous when you rack up the laps with the buggy though!) We love the location, which is close to Burj Al Arab – and parking is fairly easy outside, especially on weekdays when the park is ladies and kids only. The play area is best suited to small tots and there’s a café inside for grabbing a coffee to sip as they play.

Location: Opposite Burj Al Arab Beach, Junction Jumeirah Beach Road and Al Thanya Road, Umm Suqeim 2, Dubai
Entrance Fee: Free

Zabeel Park

Connected by a footbridge over Sheikh Zayed Road, Zabeel Park is actually two giant parks combined – and you will spoilt for choice for playgrounds as you wander around. We recommend heading over on a Friday morning, when Ripe Market pops up at Zabeel. Let the kids climb and slide in the playground alongside, visit the petting zoo, and grab some coffee while they soak up the leafy surroundings.

Location: Creek End of Sheikh Zayed Road, Zabeel, Dubai
Entrance Fee: AED 5

There you have it, mamas – playtime never seemed so easy!