Abu Dhabi With Kids: Parks and Aquarium

October 18, 2026

Travel advisory: Families should read this before booking. The UAE has been caught up in the 2026 conflict between the United States and Iran: Iranian missiles and drones were fired at the country from 28 February, and intercepted debris fell on parts of Abu Dhabi. The UK FCDO reports strikes and retaliatory attacks across the region since 8 July and warns of the risk of more. It does not advise against travel to the UAE, while the US State Department rates it Level 3, “Reconsider Travel”. If a phone alert tells you to shelter, go to an interior room with few windows and stay there until the all-clear, and tell children never to touch fragments from a missile or drone. Filming strikes is illegal. Check the FCDO advice and the US advisory before you book and before you fly. The ideas below suit a calm visit.

Abu Dhabi suits families who like big, air-conditioned attractions, since summer highs of 40 to 46 degrees C with high humidity rule out most outdoor midday plans from May to September. Prices are in UAE dirhams (AED, about 3.67 to the US dollar) and ride, show and ticket details change, so confirm on each park’s site.

Yas Island parks

Warner Bros. World is fully indoors and air-conditioned, with 29 rides across six lands. Its Harry Potter-themed lands are announced for 2029 and are not open. SeaWorld Yas Island opened on 23 May 2023, with eight realms and more than 15 rides, including the Manta launch coaster. Park sites do not give an animal count, so none is quoted here.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is home to Formula Rossa, one of the world’s fastest coasters, famed for reaching 240 km/h in about 4.9 seconds. Yas Waterworld is the island’s water park, a cooler option on hot days.

Ticket prices are dynamic. A one-day single-park ticket costs from roughly AED 295 to 375, with cheaper rates online and on weekdays, and multi-park passes are available. Children under 3 are reported to enter free. See the Warner Bros. World site and the SeaWorld Yas Island site , or compare Yas Island park tickets .

The National Aquarium at Al Qana

The National Aquarium opened on 12 November 2021 and press reports describe about 46,000 animals in 10 zones, with 25 species of sharks and rays. Adult admission is about AED 100, and opening hours are reported as 10am to 10pm. Confirm both on the aquarium’s site .

Museums with free entry for under-18s

Children under 18 enter Louvre Abu Dhabi free, and adult tickets are AED 70. Zayed National Museum, which opened on 3 December 2025 on Saadiyat Island, also admits under-18s free according to secondary sources, with adults about AED 70. The Louvre dome and building stay open until midnight, and entrance to the dome is free. The Louvre visit page lists current hours.

Beach time

Corniche Beach is a Blue Flag beach about 2 km long. The public section is free, and the family section costs AED 10 for adults and AED 5 for children up to 12. Al Bateen Beach is free, Blue Flag and about 800 m long. Use shade, high-factor sunscreen and plenty of water. Details are on Visit Abu Dhabi’s beach guide .

Falcons for older children

The Falcon Hospital’s two-hour guided tour suits older children who can sit through a long visit, and one source puts the minimum age at about 5. Book ahead.

Local rules for families

Cross roads only at marked crossings, as crossing elsewhere is illegal and can bring a fine. Do not photograph strangers without asking.