5 places in Dubai for a chilled-out time
We don’t need to tell you how hot it is in the city, mamas – the outdoors might look inviting but the reality is melt-inducing. If boarding a plane and getting the heck out of Dubers for a bit isn’t an option and cabin fever has set in then head to one of these 5 great places in Dubai to beat the heat and have fun-out-of-the-sun (and remember to check out our icy-treats roundup too for some of the best ice-creams in town too!).
Dubai Ice Rink
The kiddos can get active AND keep their cool at Dubai Ice Rink – whether they’re new to skating or keen on perfecting their twirls – book them in for a lesson (available from age 3 upwards) or join them on ice for a family sesh! Little skaters can be kitted out in skates and a helmet plus given a ‘penguin’ to hang onto if they’re feeling wobbly. If you haven’t checked the Dubai Ice Rink out yet, mamas, then you (or rather the kiddos) are in for a treat. An Olympic-sized rink with the opportunity to skate under gently falling snow (yes, it’s true – at certain times it actually snows), this is the perfect place to be cool this summer and hang out. Get your skates on!
Emaar Entertainment also has a whole summer camp centred around entertainment, perfect for your tweens who want to beat the boredom and escape the heat. To learn more click here.
www.dubaiicerink.com
Ski Dubai
How can we not mention skiing – or snowboarding – or even just running about throwing snowballs or toboganning down a mini Cresta run, in the desert?! Fun for the whole family, Ski Dubai is the world’s largest indoor snow park, housing an amazing 3,000 square meters of super soft snow! So trade your flip-flops in for some snow boots and take your littles along to master the slopes.
Psst…they also run a summer camp but places often book up fast – if you can get in then do it – we’ve heard great things!
Read more: 10 Ways for Sporty Kiddos to be Active Over Summer in Dubai
Cinema
For guaranteed a/c efficiency head to one of the cinemas to catch a movie – usually so cold you need a jacket! Vox kids is the best option for little viewers, with colourful comfy seats and no chance of a bad view (plus the opportunity to relax in the knowledge that it doesn’t matter if your kids aren’t as quiet as you’d like them to be). Just load up on popcorn and a cold drink for a perfect afternoon out.
Chillout Ice Lounge
If you’re craving a bit of winter or if watching Frozen too many times has you yearning for a real-life icy wonderland then The Chillout Lounge in Times Square Mall is the place to be. Kept at minus 6 degrees, this space includes ice sculptures, ice furniture and even ice-carved chandeliers in a cool illuminated interior. Arrive in your shorts and tee and you’ll be given thermal clothing to keep warm before spending a few minutes in a buffer zone area designed to help you get acclimatised to the subzero environment. This space isn’t huge but definitely worth a visit and a hot chocolate- mini Elsa and Anna fans will love it!
Indoor swimming at Talise Fitness
We’re not short of gorgeous hotel swimming pools in Dubai (check out our top picks, mamas) – but when you want out of the sun then an indoor pool is the only option. Talise Fitness at Madinat Jumeirah has a gorgeous indoor pool with deep blue tiles and slick surrounds – and is open to non-members or hotel residents (at a price). Swim a few laps before strolling the Souk Madinat with the fam – perfect for stretching little legs and grabbing a bite indoors.
Read more: 14 Of The Best Hotel Swimming Pools In Dubai
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on 24 June, 2016, and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Featured image via Pinterest