What makes a great one week toddler friendly Abu Dhabi Itinerary? We think any destination can be child friendly, but some countries cater more to kids than others. The UAE is very child friendly, and if you're traveling there with your toddlers, you will not lack things to do.
Going to the UAE? Check out our one week toddler friendly Dubai Itinerary here!
In the fall of 2022 we visited Abu Dhabi with our toddler and had a surprisingly good time. The weather is hot in the fall, but always great in winter months (northern hemisphere). The sights are amazing and there's always something new to do. We love spending our time exploring this city with our toddler and here's what we recommend you do with one week in Abu Dhabi.
For more toddler friendly itinerary ideas check out our other posts.
Day 1 - Desert Safari
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The safari should be done in the evening
- it's better to do a safari from Abu Dhabi than dubai, as there are less people and the quality of the safaris are better.
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It should include a tour of the desert, which will give you an idea of how it looks during different times of day and night.
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You can do a camel ride, but alternatively, taking photos with the camels is always fun for little kids. Our toddler was allowed to ride, she just didn't want to.
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Your guide will take you through some dunes with views out across Abu Dhabi's cityscape, and then stop at an old fort built by one of its former rulers - this is a great place to stop for photos! The guide will also point out some landmarks along the way such as oil wells and hotels on shoreline islands that are visible from afar.
Day 2 - Yas Island & Warner Brothers World
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Yas Island. You can't miss this enormous entertainment complex, which includes Ferrari World, Basket City and other attractions. This complex is a must in any one week toddler friendly Abu Dhabi itinerary.
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Warner Brothers World Abu Dhabi (WBW) is a must for any superhero fan! The rides are great for all ages and there's plenty of fun to be had even if you don't ride anything at all. There are also many shops where you can buy souvenirs.
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Yas Aquarium: This is one of the oldest aquariums in the region so it offers visitors some great experiences like swimming with sharks, penguins and stingrays! It's also home to several endangered species so this is another good reason why everyone should visit here at least once during their stay in UAE.
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Lost Ark Adventure: This interactive ride takes guests on an adventure through biblical times where they'll encounter characters like Noah's wife Naamah while searching for rare artifacts such as Solomon's Key (which unlocks anything). For curious toddlers, this is a very fun activity.
Day 3 - Sheikh Zayed Mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is an architectural marvel, and it's one of the biggest mosques in the UAE. It's also open to non-Muslims, so if you're looking for an interesting place to visit with your toddler, this could be it!
The mosque was built as a tribute to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (the founder of Abu Dhabi), who died in 2004. The building features many beautiful details including marble floors and walls made from gold-plated glass panels. These panels depict verses from the Quran. The minarets are designed so they reflect light at different times throughout each day depending on where they face--which means there's always something new happening inside!
Entrance fees are free here; however there may be charges associated with tours or special events taking place inside. We did not take a tour and loved moving around freely, but if you're into history or not well acquainted with its history a tour might be a good idea. Visitors must dress appropriately when entering: no shorts or short skirts allowed! And remember that Friday is considered sacred by Muslims so try not visit then if possible.
Parent Tip: bring a stroller here. It's A LOT to walk and very hot. Our toddler fell asleep during the visit and we still managed to finish exploring.
Day 4 - Louvre Abu Dhabi & Corniche Beach Park
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Visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi, one of the largest art museums in the world.
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Take a stroll along the Corniche Beach Park and enjoy some time at this popular public beach.
Day 5 - Mangrove Kayaking Tour
Mangroves are unique trees have adapted to survive in these harsh conditions. In Abu Dhabi, you'll find mangrove forests lining much of its coastline. They help protect against erosion and provide habitat for many animals like fish, crabs and birds.
As you kayak through these beautiful waters you'll see wildlife up close including herons (which look like tall storks) and pelicans. If you are lucky you can see the pelicans flying overhead or resting on branches above you as well. There are also many different kinds of fish swimming below your boat so make sure you let your toddler peak at them.
Day 6 - Dhafra Beach
Dhafra Beach is a great place for kids to swim. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby, so you can come here for lunch or dinner. If they're feeling adventurous, they can take part in other activities on offer such as camel rides, horseback riding or jeep safaris.
Day 7 - Arabian Nights Show & St Regis Saadiyat Island Hotel
This day is all about culture. The Arabian Nights show is a great way to learn more about local traditions and customs. The St Regis Saadiyat Island Hotel has been designed by Jean-Michel Gathy. Jean-Michel Gathy also designed many famous buildings around the world like the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It's definitely worth visiting this hotel if you have time for it!
Activities to add to your toddler friendly Abu Dhabi Itinerary:
High Tea at Observation Deck 300:
Observation Deck at 300 serves high tea from the highest point in Abu Dhabi. It's not a traditional toddler friendly Abu Dhabi itinerary activity, but we added it to our trip and had a blast. The Conrad Etihad Towers are so beautiful they're worth a visit on their own. Make sure you allow time to stroll the lobby if you like to admire good decor. The high tea is by reservation so make sure you reserve with time. From up there, the view is absolutely stunning. The high tea is massive and our toddler loved trying all the different sandwiches and cakes.
Our toddler had clearly never been in such an elegant setting, watch her reaction here.
Splatter Rooms:
We had never done this activity before and it is not something we normally do while on vacation because it is not related to the culture. However, we needed a break from the heat and this was the perfect activity to add to a not-so-full day. We spent an afternoon making art at Splatter Rooms and it was absolutely amazing. Keep in mind, you need a few days to pick up your art piece, so better schedule this at the beginning of your week so you have time to go pick it up.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our itinerary, and that it helped to inspire your trip to Abu Dhabi. Remember that nothing makes a better itinerary than the activities your family enjoys. Don't be afraid to look for new activities, ideas, and to think outside the box when planning your trip. Abu Dhabi is definitely a place we would love returning to in the future.
Want to see what our week there looked like? Check out this video!
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Thank you for reading and we hope you enjoyed it.
xoxo
The TFA Family
