Free Outdoor Places Where Kids Can Play In Dubai & Abu Dhabi

Spend your early mornings or golden afternoons at this gorgeous promenade where you and your kiddies can explore the various quirky photo-op installations and snap some awesome memories. And when you're starting to feel peckish, you can pop in to one of the many restaurants along the marina.

Head out to Kite Beach where you and your little ones can enjoy taking a dip in the deep blue and even skip, stroll or run along the community beach's running tracks or boardwalk. If you need to fuel up on some energy, there are multiple F&B venues onsite where you can grab something to munch and drink.

Get ready for an adventurous ride on this 19m long slide. It’s Downtown Dubai’s completely free treat for kids and adults who are 110cm and above.

50 acres of greenery for your little ones to let loose and explore surround a man-made lake at the park's center. With tracks to jog, cycle and exercise, there's plenty of room for the whole family to unwind.

Enjoy a family-friendly recreational space where you can relax and unwind, as well as escape and get fit. Located on the d3 Waterfront, The Block features a skate park, basketball and volleyball court, climbing walls, an urban beach as well as outdoor seating and entertainment area. With a host of cafes and restaurants minutes away in the Design Quarter, The Block is perfect for an outdoorsy day.

Take a trip to the desert and check out a man-made lake in the shape of two intertwined hearts. The word LOVE is spelled out in trees right in front of it, making for a perfect spot to spend some time with your loved ones. Take a long stroll, watch the colourful fish, snap wonderful shots at cute and quirky nature props, and even have a family picnic!

Let your kiddies splash around in the dancing fountains to keep cool, or take part in the water fun yourself. Grab lunch in one of the endless food outlets on your way and make a family day out of it.

A natural haven in the middle of the city - that's how we'd describe Al Fay Park in Abu Dhabi. This green space is truly 'that green' in every sense of the word. Construction remained true to the local environment, with over 2,000 trees and shrubs exclusively native to the region. 

The landscaping and planting create a micro-climate that reduces traffic noise and temperature and maintains a forest-like environment. The downward slope from the road leads to the central park and funnels the cooler southern breeze down into the park while local grasses and bushes reduce sand infiltration and movement. 

And it's not just the environment of the park that's worth mentioning. There are also activities for everyone - grown-ups and kiddos: Mini Golf, Table Tennis, Badminton, Football, Basketball, Skate Park & Climbing Wall, Track, Volleyball, Kids Playarea, Fitness Area and Forest Paths. 

Once you've worked up an appetite, you and the kids can grab a bite from one of the park's food trucks and a enjoy a picnic-style meal at one of the outdoor seating areas. So make a day of it with the kiddos - whether you're a Abu Dhabi resident or just passing through, Al Fay Park is the perfect choice for a fun family day out.

If you're in Abu Dhabi and looking to get some fresh air or exercise, with a bonus gorgeous view, then this is the spot. Treat yourself and the kiddos to a 3.5 km walk along a gorgeous promenade, accessible 24 hours a day throughout the week. 

You can soak up the sun and bast in nature on the shaded walkways and cycling paths overlooking the Mangrove Waterfront and Mangrove National Park. And if you're looking for something a little more active than a leisurely stroll, they've got you covered. Al Gurm Corniche now has 3 exercise platforms where you can get a full-body workout and get that adrenaline pumping. For a dose of adventure you can go kayaking as well. Yoga with a view anyone? You can just as easily find your Zen in the designate yoga zones, or wind down and relax with a good book in the reading nooks. 

And the kiddos aren't forgotten: plan the perfect day out or playdate the kids' pay area or the cool dolphin park. There are also several edutainment zones to keep the kiddos active and occupied, and observation decks with telescopes where you can look out at the mangroves and get a close view of the birds and vegetation. So whether you're looking to get moving, have a family day out, or enjoy the serenity of nature, Al Gurm Corniche has something for everyone.

Head to the ultimate family fun day out on Abu Dhabi's pristine corniche where big and small can enjoy a variety of F&B outlets, entertainment, leisure, and wellness outlets and shops. The beachfront also features a great playground for the littles and a variety of sports facilities, including basketball and beach volleyball courts, soccer pitches and an outdoor gym.

Put Dolphin Park on your list of must visit-outdoor spots in the capital - from fun and games, to picnics and relaxation, you and the kiddos are sure to have a great time out. This family friendly park has been revamped with new floors and spruced up equipment, umbrellas and surrounding interior lighting for shade and illumination have also been set up. 

The old fountain was removed, and a multi-purpose playground has been built in its place. There are also wide open green spaces, 10 barbecue areas, and several shaded and multipurpose playgrounds for the kids to enjoy.

Heading toward Khorfakkan on the new Sharjah – Khorfakkan highway opens up a view of the beautiful Al Rafisah Dam. Originally built in the 1980s, the dam has had an upgrade with a new visitor centre and rest area. 

The Dam borders a large, clear lake with boating facilities is overlooked by the magnificent Hajar mountains. The sandstone mountain range towers over a pure blue reservoir, surrounded by a rich green landscape and man-made waterfall, perfect for nature lovers and outdoors adventurers. There is a rest area, a mosque, outdoor play areas for kids, a parking lot, supermarket as well as a popular restaurant with lake view. 

Part of the redevelopment has restored the nearby Wadi Shea Fortress and the surrounding old plantations. A kilometer-long walkway, fringed with palm trees, winds its way along the mountain’s edge, through the plantations up to the fort.