Dubai has a reputation for being an expensive playground - and if you're only looking at theme park gate prices (see our Yas Island breakdown for proof), that reputation is fair. But some of the best family days we've had in this city cost us next to nothing! Flamingos, a world-class fountain show, a real dinosaur skeleton, a boat ride for less than the price of a stamp - Dubai's free stuff is genuinely good, not just "free because it's rubbish". Here are our ten favourites, plus how to string them together.

⚡ Quick summary - free things to do in Dubai with kids

📍 Location: Citywide; Downtown, Jumeirah, Dubai Creek Harbour, Ras Al Khor, and Dubai Parks & Resorts

💰 Average Cost: Free, with a couple of brilliant 1 AED (~20p) exceptions

🕐 Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon/evening - November to March for anything outdoors, year-round for the indoor spots

🌟 Top Money-Saver: Pair the free outdoor spectacles with a self-catering picnic or cheap street eats instead of restaurant dining, and your daily spend barely moves

💸 Budget Reality Check

Dubai will happily take as much money as you're willing to hand over. But you don't need a big theme-park-ticket habit every single day to have a brilliant family trip - you just need to know where the genuinely good free stuff is. Below are our ten favourites, roughly ordered from Downtown out toward the coast, so you can chain a few together in one day.

🎉 The 10 Best Free Things to Do in Dubai with Kids

1. ⛲ The Dubai Fountain Show

The best free show in the city, no question. Water jets shoot up to 150 metres into the air right at the base of the Burj Khalifa, choreographed to music - its a real spectacle! The show runs every 30 minutes from 6pm to 11pm (plus extra afternoon shows on Fridays and Saturdays, although we’d recommend getting there between 6-8pm for the best experience). You’re able to watch from the promenade, Burj Park, or Souk Al Bahar and it costs nothing. There are several restaurants offering a fountain view - booking and planning ahead is recommended. If viewing from the promenade be sure to arrive 10–15 minutes early to claim a good vantage point.

2. 🛍️ Dubai Mall's Free Highlights

You don't need an aquarium ticket to get your money's worth out of Dubai Mall. The giant acrylic viewing panel gives you a free look straight into the 10-million-litre tank, with smaller viewing windows from within or close to certain stores on the upper floors - we had a great view from in or near the H&M store. A few minutes walk away, Dubai Dino - a genuine, roughly 90% original, 155-million-year-old Diplodocus skeleton hangs in the Grand Atrium for anyone to walk under. Add a stroll through the lantern-strung Chinatown district and that's a couple of free hours sorted before anyone's spent a dirham!

3. 🦩 Flamingo Spotting at Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary

A proper "did we really just see that in the middle of a city" moment. Free bird hides look out over a wetland packed with wild flamingos - best November to March - alongside herons, egrets, and ospreys. Entry is free year-round and its roughly a 15-minute drive from Downtown. Ideally bring binoculars if you have them and ensure to keep a respectful distance from the birds.

4. 🏖️ Kite Beach & Boardwalk

A genuinely great public beach with free playgrounds, a running and cycling track, and full-on Burj Al Arab views without paying for a sunbed anywhere! Food trucks and kiosks line the boardwalk if a picnic isn't your thing, and it's an easy one to pair with a Jumeirah Mosque or Madinat visit the same day.

5. 🌉 The Viewing Point, Dubai Creek Harbour

A striking 70-metre cantilevered walkway that extends 26 metres out over the creek, sitting 12 metres above the water - and it's completely free to walk. You get uninterrupted views back toward Downtown Dubai and across to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library. Quieter than most of Dubai's viewpoints, and a lovely sunset spot. It really can feel like somewhat of a hidden gem, especially to get those sunsets shots of the skyliine.

6. 🏰 Riverland Dubai

The themed promenade at the entrance to Dubai Parks & Resorts, styled like a 16th-century French village, complete with cobbled streets and a working water wheel. No ticket needed to wander through - you only pay if you carry on into Motiongate, Legoland, or Bollywood Parks next door.

7. ⛵ The 1 AED Abra Ride Across Dubai Creek

Possibly the best-value activity in Dubai. The traditional wooden abra crossing between Bur Dubai and Deira takes about five minutes, costs AED 1 (roughly 20p) per person, paid straight to the driver in cash, and gives you a proper slice of Old Dubai alongside the gold and spice souks on either bank. From the Deira side, you should navigate to Deira Old Souk Marine Transport Station, and from the Bur Dubai side look out for Bur Dubai Marine Transport Station.

8. 📚 Mohammed Bin Rashid Library

A genuinely striking building shaped like a traditional book rest, free to enter, right on Dubai Creek in Al Jaddaf. Worth knowing before you go: kids need to be five or over to come inside - but once they qualify, there's a dedicated children's library with an indoor slide and thousands of titles to dig into.

9. 🌴 Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk & Marina Stroll

An 11km coastal boardwalk looping around the Palm, free to walk end to end, with yachts, Atlantis views, and a proper sea breeze. Great for an evening scooter or bike ride if you fancy hiring one - the ride's paid, the walking isn't. If you’re up to the challenge and you’ve packed your running shoes - its always an favourite route to add to your Strava account!

10. 🐢 Souk Madinat Jumeirah & the Turtle Rehabilitation Lagoon

A wander around the the Arabian-style waterways of Souk Madinat is free, then head next door to Jumeirah Al Naseem, where the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project has rescued and released thousands of sick or injured sea turtles since 2004. The outdoor lagoon is free and open daily, with a public feeding session most Wednesdays around 11am.

🚗 Getting Around Without Blowing the Budget

These ten spots are spread right across the city, so a rental car genuinely earns its keep here - we always book ours through Discover Cars, and having your own wheels means you can combine 3–4 of these together easily in a single day without relying on taxis. If you'd rather not drive, the Metro covers Downtown, Dubai Mall, and Al Jaddaf comfortably, though Ras Al Khor, Riverland, and the Palm are easier with a car or a taxi.

Two more tips:

Take in the outdoor spots - Ras Al Khor, Kite Beach, and the Viewing Point at Dubai Creek, either early morning or after 4pm to dodge the peak heat.
For even more savings - swap restaurant meals for a supermarket picnic or a local shawarma spots.

🧳 Final Verdict

Free doesn't mean forgettable in Dubai. Flamingos, a real dinosaur, a walkway hanging over the creek, a boat ride for pennies - pack two or three of these into a day and you'll barely notice the dirhams slipping out of your wallet. Save the big spends for the days that need it (looking at you, Yas Island) and let these ten carry the rest of the trip.

With all the savings from checking out the activities in this article, why not check out our Dubai city guide which includes a range of activities, tours, trips and more to suit all parties and budgets on Get Your Guide…

10 Best Free Things to Do in Dubai with Kids: High-Fun, Low-Cost Guide (2026)