Dubai - Golf & family holiday
Who would have thought that Dubai Golf would cater for kids? Not me. The Montgomerie (Golf Club) Social and Sport Citizenship, offer family memberships and have facilities that will keep the kids busy. They will be able to watch Dad and Mum playing or they can learn to play the game themselves. This will only be beneficial to you if you are Living in Dubai or you visit Dubai frequently with the children.
If you are only visiting for an annual holiday with the kids, while Dad plays a round of golf or two with his mates, the kids can enjoy the movies and games at the masses of shopping malls in Dubai while mum spends all the money on good quality inexpensive clothes. They can also try their hands (or feet rather) at skiing at Dubai’s latest addition to their entertainment attraction - Ski Dubai (large indoor ski dome).
No trip to Dubai is complete in my opinion without experiencing the magic of the Desert. This was my personal favourite Dubai Activity - The Desert Safari.
There are several tour companies you can use but check them all out before you book as I am not sure they will all suit small children. The one I went on would probably be suitable for kids from the age of about 5 upwards, depending on the children themselves. If they are adventurous and are not prone to car sickness - go for it!
It does depend entirely on the children though. Some adults actually take strain because the dune drive can be quite hair raising. Its not dangerous but because we are not accustomed to the steep ups and downs you experience on the dunes, it feels like the car is not totally in control. In our vehicle there were 4 adults and two kids (my kids age 13) and the kids were fine but one of the adults started feeling insecure and car sick. The driver was really good. He stopped the car and let the chap get out to get some fresh air and drink water and we only continued when the guy felt better. The trip really is fun if you just relax and make up your mind to trust your driver! They are very well trained and its their job so they do it every day.
There is also the Wild Wadi water park (tel: 04-348 4444) if the kids get bored with the movies and the games arcades. Don’t forget about Dubai Zoo, where you can visit the rare chimpanzee’s and Arabian wild cats (these are specially bread in Dubai). You also have the Wonder Bus, a luxurious amphibious bus or the Open Top Bus that takes you around this wonderfully exciting city.
Not enough yet? OK, there is the Cable Car that takes you on a 2.3 kilometer ride over the gorgeous Creekside Park giving you stunning aerial views of Dubai. You can indulge in some Scenic Flying, another option for an aerial view of Dubai. You can do this in a helicopter, plane or hot air balloon.
If none of the above appeals then you still have para sailing, snorkeling, diving and surfing at the beach not to mention just plain swimming in the hotel swimming pool. If all this fails to make your kids happy revert back to the shopping malls. My personal favourite is Ibn Battuta Mall. It is a uniquely themed mall that offers great shopping, tons of restaurants, the movies (I went to the movies here and don’t worry, the movies are in English) and of course the games arcade.
I don’t think the kids will get bored but if you want more information on what to do with the kids in Dubai, let us know? If this is your first visit to Dubai, you may want to check our site for Essential Information on traveling to Dubai.
by Doreen B
Add comment April 5th, 2006