What to do in the school holidays UAE, fun, explore, learn '24

This post was first published in March 2020 and last updated on 23 August 2024.

Are you wondering what to do in the school holidays or weekends? Or maybe you’re out of ideas about where to take (or send) your guests? UAE has lots to offer!

There are so many things to do, and many are cheap or free, especially in Sharjah. Whether you’re looking for something educational, fun or both, you’re sure to find something here.

I created this resource for ideas on what to do during the school holidays back in March 2020 and have since added more places and I update it regularly. No kids? Don’t worry! This quick guide is also a fabulous resource for both residents and tourists alike, big and small and all year round.

If you’re a resident and regularly have visitors from overseas, share this link with them so they can plan their days out independently while you get on with your work.

I originally sorted the listings into categories to help parents support topical school learning. This means locations may appear in more than one category. If you’re homeschooling, this should be a great resource for you too. Check the table of contents if you’re looking for a particular theme.

I’ve also included links to my web posts, where I have them, and you can visit these if you’d like for more info. Most locations are also on my Glimpses of the UAE Map. I’ve also added links to buy tickets for some destinations and activities.

If you would like a free pdf version of this page for easy access on your devices (or to print off), you can get your free download here. If you’ve downloaded it before, a new updated list was created on 23/8/24.

Disclosure: If you make a booking through links on this document, I may earn commission from partners at no extra cost to you. This helps me to build the website and bring you more great posts and resources! Your support is appreciated!

Disclaimer: Glimpses of the UAE takes no responsibility for events occurring from changes in opening hours, prices or terms. Please double-check these, especially for Ramadan and Eid timings, and make a plan B for a day out.

What to do in the UAE School Holidays 2024

What to do in the school holidays UAE – Science-related activities

Sharjah Science Museum interactive stands

Sharjah Science Museum (includes small play area for toddlers) AED 10, children AED 5, under 3 free. (Sharjah)
Sharjah Centre for Astronomy and Space Science, Adults AED 22, children AED 11, children under four free, closed Thursdays (prebooking required) (Sharjah)
Sharjah Airport (Mahatta) Museum (science of flight, avian and aeroplane) Adults AED 10, children (2-12) AED 5, under two free (Sharjah)
Museum of the Future, AED 149, toddlers (0-3) free, Book tickets here (Dubai)
DEWA Innovation Centre. Adults AED 50, children (3-18) AED 30. (Dubai)
Museum of Illusions, Adults AED 71, children (5-15) AED 60, family/group tickets AED 225-340 Buy discounted tickets here (Dubai)
Al Sadeem Astronomy (Observatory and Tour), Adults AED 200, children (8-17) AED 50 (Abu Dhabi)
Museum of Islamic Civilization, AED 10, children AED 5, under 3 free. (Sharjah)

Buy Exploring the Emirate of Sharjah – Walking and cycling tours and itineraries in the city and Central and Eastern Regions – buy now

What to do in the school holidays UAE – Transport-related activities

Sharjah Classic Car Museum, Adults AED 10, children 2-12 yrs AED 5 (Sharjah)
Sharjah Centre for Astronomy and Space Science, (space travel) Adults AED 22, children AED 11, children under four free, closed Thursdays (pre-booking required for shows) (Sharjah)
Sharjah Airport (Mahatta) Museum, science of flight, avian and aeroplane) Adults AED 10, children (2-12) AED 5, under two free (Sharjah)
Sharjah Maritime Museum, Adults AED 25, children AED 15, resident seniors and POD free, combined ticket with Sharjah Aquarium (Sharjah)
Tour in a UniMog, Mleiha Archeological Centre (Mleiha, Sharjah Central Region)
RTA Water taxi between Sharjah Aquarium and Ghubaiba Marine Station, Dubai. silver class AED 15 one way, gold class AED 25 one way (not currently operating) (Sharjah, Dubai)
Abras, self-drive boats, pedaloes – Al Majaz, al Qasba, Ajman Marina 1, Al Rafisah Dam, Manar Mall Promenade (Sharjah, Ajman, Khor Fakkan, Ras al Khaimah, Kalba)
Off-road Museum, (Al Madam, Sharjah Central Region)
Classic Car Museum, Dibba (Fujairah)
Emirates National Auto Museum, AED 50, children under 10 AED free. (Abu Dhabi)
Abu Dhabi Maritime Festival, held in early spring, free (Abu Dhabi city and Western Region)
Al Ain Classic Car Museum, Adults AED 15, children (5-15 ) AED 5, under 5 free (Al Ain)

What to do in the UAE school vacation – Archaeology/history-related activities

Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization exhibit

Sharjah Archaeological Museum, AED 10, children AED 5, under 3 free. (Sharjah)
Al Hisn Museum, Khor Fakkan (includes exhibitions going back to the Iron Age), AED 15, free under 12 (Khor Fakkan)
Mleiha Archaeological Centre, archaeological sites free or paid tour, museum AED 20 (Sharjah Central Region)
Heart of Sharjah – Heritage Museum, Calligraphy Museum, Hisn Fort, Souq al Arsha, Bait al Nabooda, Bait al Hurma, Sharjah Heritage Museum, Souq al Shansiya, Sharjah Art Museum and Arts Area, Bait Obaid al Shamsi (Sharjah)
Museum of Islamic Civilisation, Adults AED 10, children AED 5 (Sharjah)
Al Hayl Fort, Fujairah entrance free (Fujairah)
Ajman Museum AED 5 (Ajman)
Wadi al Helou Archaeological site, free (near Kalba and Hatta)
Jazira al Hamra ‘haunted’ abandoned village, free (Ras al Khaimah)
Al Dhaya Fort, Rams, free (Ras al Khaimah)
Fujairah Fort, free (Fujairah)
Bidya Mosque, free (Fujairah)
Awhala Fort, free (Fujairah)
Falaj al Mualla Fort and Museum, AED 5 (inland Umm Al Quwain)
Khor Fakkan archaeological site (old fort), Hisn Museum (later fort), various towers, dam, souq, dining, corniche and more (Khor Fakkan)
Tayyibah Museum, free (Fujairah)
National Museum of Ras al Khaimah, Adults AED 5, children AED 2 (Ras al Khaimah)
Museum of Beautiful Times, RAK (Ras al Khaimah)
Masfout Fort and Museum (Masfout, near Hatta)
Al Dhaid Fort and Museum (Sharjah Central Region)
Resistance Monument– monument, small museum, free screening of film Khor Fakkan (Khor Fakkan)
Qasr al Watan (Al Ain) – Buy tickets now
Al Ain Palace Museum, (Al Ain)
Qasr al Muwaiji (Al Ain)
Jahili Fort, (Al Ain)
Pearl Museum, Free (Dubai)
Umm Al Quwain Fort and Museum (Umm Al Quwain)
Dubai Museum, Adults AED 3, child (0-5) AED 1 (Dubai)
Etihad Museum, adults AED 25, students 5-24 AED 10, group ticket AED 20pp (Dubai)
Naif Police Museum, Free (Dubai)
Shindagha Museum, AED 35, children (5-17) AED 20 Buy tickets now (Dubai)
Sharjah Maritime Museum Adults AED 25, children AED 15, resident seniors and POD free, combined ticket with Sharjah Aquarium (Sharjah)
Holy Quran Museum (Sharjah) free
Coffee Museum AED 10 (Dubai)
Women’s Museum (Dubai)
Dubai Municipality Museum, free (Dubai)

Buy The Ultimate Guide to the Emirate of Sharjah now to help plan your trip

What to do in the school holidays UAE – Nature/plant-related activities

Botanical Museum, Sharjah Desert Park AED 21 for all museums/centres in park, under 12, People of Determination and resident seniors free, closed Tuesday (Sharjah Central Region)
Islamic Gardens, Sharjah Desert Park AED 21 for all museums/centres in park, under 12, People of Determination and resident seniors free, closed Tuesday (Sharjah Central Region)
Mangrove forests, Ajman, UAQ, RAK, Abu Dhabi, Al Mirfa
Al Noor Island adults AED 35, child AED 20, butterfly house AED 15 extra (combined ticket 2 for 1 in Entertainer, also on Fazaa) Buy Tickets Now (Sharjah)
Walk through Old Residential Village at Wadi Shees
Khor Kalba Mangrove Centre, Monday closed, adults AED 15.50, under 12, People of Determination and resident seniors free (Kalba)
Miracle Garden, AED 75, Buy Tickets Now (Dubai)
Quranic Park (Park free, Botanical Garden AED 5) (Dubai)
Al Ain Oasis (Al Ain)
Green Planet, Adults AED 140, child 120, Book Now (Dubai)
Mamsha Al Mugheirah Mangrove Walk (Abu Dhabi)

What to do in the UAE school holidays – Animal-related activities

Vulture at Kalba Bird of Prey Centre, UAE

Al Hefaiyeh Mountain Conservation Centre, Kalba

Al Noor Island adults AED 35, child AED 20, butterfly house AED 15 extra (combined ticket 2 for 1 in Entertainer, best to call the day before to check it’s open to the public that day) Buy Tickets Now (Sharjah)
Arabian Wildlife Centre and Children’s Farm, Sharjah Desert Park, AED 21 for all museums/centres in park, under 12, People of Determination and resident seniors free, closed Tuesday (Sharjah Central Region)
Wasit Wetlands Nature Reserve, AED 15 including buggy ride round lake, under 12, People of Determination and resident seniors free, closed Tuesday (Sharjah)
Kalba Mountain Conservation Centre, Adults – 25dhs plus VAT, children under 12, People of Determination and resident seniors free, closed Tuesday (Kalba)
Kalba Bird of Prey Centre, Adults – 15dhs plus VAT(free return within one month), children under 12, People of Determination and resident seniors free (Kalba)
Khor Kalba Mangrove Centre, Monday closed, adults AED 15.50, children under 12, People of Determination and resident seniors free. (Kalba)
Sharjah Aquarium Adults AED 25, children (2–12) AED 15. Resident senior citizens and People of Determination go free. Discounts available for groups of 6 or more. Ticket includes Sharjah Maritime Museum. (Sharjah)
Sharjah Safari, Adults – AED 25 plus VAT, children under 12, (Sharjah Central Region)
Green Planet, Adults AED 140, child 120, Book Now (Dubai)
Dubai Safari, Adults AED 94.50, child 36.75, (cheaper tickets without safari tour but I don’t recommend this) Buy Tickets Now (Dubai)
Emirates Park Zoo, AED 50-100, 0-2 free. Book Resort Stay (I recommend Giraffe Arena rooms) (Abu Dhabi)
Al Ain Zoo, Adults AED 31, Children AED 10, Book Tickets now (Al Ain)
The National Aquarium, AED 105-180, Book Tickets Now (Abu Dhabi)
Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, 150 AED, Book Now (Dubai)
Lost Chambers Aquarium, Adults AED 120, Children (3-11) AED 95, Book Now (Dubai)
Dubai Crocodile Park, Adults AED 95, Children (0-12) AED 75 Book Now (Dubai)
Ajman Pygmy Zoo, Adults AED 10, Children AED 5 (Ajman)

What to do in the school holidays UAE – Geology/natural history-related activities

Sharjah Natural History Museum, Sharjah Desert Park

Buhais Geology Park, adults AED 10.50, children under 12, People of Determination and resident seniors free, closed Tuesday (Sharjah Central Region)
Natural History Museum, Sharjah Desert Park, AED 21 for all museums/centres in park, under 12, People of Determination and resident seniors free, closed Tuesday (Sharjah Central Region)
Discover Mleiha – Children’s workshops on fossils, palaeontology, wildlife, etc. – book in advance (Sharjah Central Region)
Al Dhaid Wildlife Centre, entrance AED 10 for adults, children under 12 free, People of Determination and resident seniors, closed Tuesday (please note, there are no live animals here) (Sharjah Central Region)
Al Wathba Fossil Dunes (Abu Dhabi)
Mountain formations, road trip – lots of interesting formations around the Dibba Zone, see also Kub, etc

What to do in the school holidays UAE – Art-related activities

Ajman street art at Ajman Heritage District

Sharjah Art Museum, (Sharjah)
Sharjah Art Foundation (Sharjah)
Bait al Naboodah, AED 10 or four museums for AED 20 (Sharjah)
Bait Obaid al Shamsi free (Sharjah)
Calligraphy Museum, Heart of Sharjah AED 10 or four museums for AED 20 (Sharjah)
The Rain Room art installation Adults AED 25 Children 6-12 AED 15, under 5s go free. Best to book in advance. (Sharjah)
The Flying Saucer (free) (Sharjah)
Arabic Architecture – Sharjah government buildings in Al Khan, Government House Roundabout, Quran Roundabout, University City, Sharjah, Sharjah Municipality Building, Sharjah Mosque, Al Qasba, Fujairah Grand Mosque, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Ajman Heritage District murals depicting local culture and traditions (Ajman)
Louvre, Adults AED 57 Children 0-17 free, Book tickets here (Abu Dhabi)
RAK Fine Arts Festival (Feb-March) (Ras Al Khaimah)
Qasr al Watan, Adults AED 45 Children (4-17) AED 27, Book Discounted Tickets now (Abu Dhabi)
Madam Tussauds, Adults AED 145 Book Discounted tickets now (Dubai)
Inside Burj Al Arab tour, AED 99, Book now (Dubai)

What to do in the UAE school break – Fun Activities!

Kayaking in Ajman with Quest for Adventure

Al Rafisah Dam – lake, play areas, picnic areas, nature, ducks, pedalos, kayaks, etc starting from AED 30. (Khor Fakkan)
Khor Fakkan Corniche (Khor Fakkan)
Kalba Corniche Park (Kalba)
Kayaking and other water sports – Ajman, RAK, UAQ, Khor Kalba
Al Majaz Waterfront – restaurants and cafes, more happening 4pm onwards – mini golf, splash park, boats, car rides (pretend old style cars), multiple play areas, jogging track, park (Sharjah)
Al Qasba Canal – restaurants and cafes, paid play areas, occasional festivals (Sharjah)
Ajman Marina – play areas, boat rides, restaurants and cafes, beach, caravan site, birdwatching, golf (Ajman)
Al Marsaa Ajman – waterfront restaurants, go-karts and bicycles to rent, floating restaurant (mostly closed mornings and early afternoon) (Ajman)
Al Suwaidi Pearl Farm with boat trip, Al Rams AED 200-300. Book Now. (Ras Al Khaimah)
Discover Mleiha – dune-bashing, horse-riding, UniMog tour, workshops, stargazing and more (all need to be booked in advance) (Sharjah Central Region)
Jebel Jais – Sky Maze, Sky Tour, Sky Flight, food trucks, picnic areas, views, camping, hiking. Book the Sky Flight (Ras Al Khaimah)
Promenade Manar Mall, (Ras Al Khaimah)
Fujairah Seven Peaks/Summits hiking trail (Fujairah)
Fujairah Adventure Park (Fujairah)
Huwailat Family Park, South Ras al Khaimah
Sharjah Paintball Park (Sharjah)
Karting Town (Sharjah)
Dubai Frame, Adults AED 49 Children (4-11) AED 25, Book tickets now (Dubai)
Dibba Mountain Park and Resort (Fujairah)

To find more fun activities to do in the UAE, visit Platinum List or Get Your Guide and enter your preferred location.

What to do in the UAE school break – Theme Parks

Dubai Parks and Resorts – Motiongate, Legoland, Lego Water Park, Bollywood, AED 295 ➡️ Buy Your Dubai Parks Tickets Now (Dubai)
IMG, AED 345. ➡️ Buy Your IMG Tickets Now (Dubai)
Warner Bros, AED 295. ➡️ Buy Your Warner Bros Tickets Now (Abu Dhabi)
Ferrari World, AED 295. ➡️ Buy Ferrari World Tickets Now (Abu Dhabi)
Yas Waterworld, AED 295. ➡️ Buy Yas Waterworld Tickets or Buy Combi-tickets (Abu Dhabi)
Dreamland AquaPark, Adult AED 95 Buy Tickets Now (Umm Al Quwain)
Al Montaza Park and Pearls Kingdom Waterpark, AED 55-175 Buy Tickets (Sharjah)