BC indoor play 1
Oli Oli Image Credit: Supplied

1. Oli Oli

This vast, interactive children’s museum in Al Quoz has reopened, and kids can once again climb giant nets, shoot cars down ramps, design their own robots, build forts and dens, and much more.

But the most popular areas are always the air and water zones – step into the hurricane booth to experience hair-raising 110kmph gusts of wind, experiment with air tunnels and wind pressure, and then pop along to the water gallery, where little ones can dance in the indoor rain showers, play with a water vortex and wash a real car. What could be more refreshing when it's 40 degrees outside? 

Details: The venue has reopened with reduced capacity to allow for social distancing. Two-hour slots must be booked in advance: Free for babies 0-12 months; Dh63 for 1-2 year olds for 2 hours; Dh126 for 2-18 year olds for 2 hours; Dh42 for adults.  www.Olioli.ae

2. Chillout Lounge

Located at Times Square Center on Sheikh Zayed Road, Chillout Lounge is a winter wonderland in the heat. With a stunning array of ice sculptures to look at and a warm cup of hot cocoa to enjoy upon arrival, your kids will enjoy the novelty of icy walls and wrapping up warm (the lounge provide you with a warm fuzzy coat, gloves and socks). Chillout is open Saturday to Wednesday from 10 am to 10 pm, and till midnight on weekends.

Details: Admission fee is Dh70 for adults and 30 for children between 5 and 12. Children under 4 enter for free. The lounge advises parents not to bring infants under one year old. www.chilloutindubai.com

3. Rain Room Sharjah

Kids can sing in the rain without getting wet at this inspiring, immersive art installation in Sharjah, which sees you walking through an atmospherically lit, continuous indoor downpour that switches off as you walk so you don’t get drenched. The venue has reopened with strict health and safety measures, which mean a maximum of 5 people may enter at a time and each visit lasts 15 minutes. Tickets should be booked in advance. 

Details: Free for five years and under, Dh25 per adult, Dh15 for students under 22. www.Sharjahart.org

BC rain room Sharjah
Image Credit: Supplied

4. Ski Dubai

Cool down with a trip to the slopes! It may be sweltering outside, but it's a frosty -1 degree to 2 degrees Celsius throughout the year at Ski Dubai, an indoor ski resort filled with deliciously powdery, white snow. While there are skiing and snowboarding lessons and snow penhuin encounters to be had, the Snow Park pass includes unlimited access to the snow park rides, including the Bobsled, Tubing Run, Snow Bumpers, Climbing Wall, Snow Plough Playground, Ice cave and one Zorb Ball (Giant Ball) Ride. 

Price: Dh190 per person - children under two years are not allowed inside Ski Dubai, www.Skidxb.com

5. Dubai Ice Rink

While little ones from the age of three are welcome to try their hand at learning to ice skate, booking into a Snowfall session at this Dubai Mall-based ice rink offers an even more magical experience. Smaller kids can rent a seal skate support, which functions as a ride for them to sit on while you glide them around the rink. Meanwhile older kids who are just getting use to their ice skates can use a snowman or penguin support to lean on as they find their feet.

Details: Dh40 per child under 100cm; Dh75 per adult. www.Dubaiicerink.com

Read More:

8 Indoor activities to do this summer in the UAE

4 Cool summertime spots for nature-loving kids in the UAE

Expert tips on how to keep kids safe in the sun this summer