If your kids are into sci-fi vibes, look no further—the world’s tallest building has them in spades. Just the sight of the Burj Khalifa's 2,717-foot (828-meter) summit will wow youngsters, as will its bird’s-eye observatories. Choose from various admission tickets, including skip-the-line options, to visit its Level 124–125 or Level 148 SKY viewing decks—the latter has an outdoor terrace—or go higher to The Lounge, on Levels 152–154.

The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is so close to Burj Khalifa that it makes the perfect one-two of things to do with kids in Dubai—to find it, just go up a floor in Dubai Mall after descending the Burj. The Aquarium houses more than 33,000 aquatic animals, as well as a see-through underwater tunnel surrounded by sharks plus three zoo zones showcasing giant crocodiles, seahorses, spider crabs, and myriad other species.

One of the top Dubai activities for children, Aquaventure Waterpark neighbors the Atlantis, The Palm hotel on the Palm Jumeirah and boasts more than 105 rides, pools, and other splashy attractions. Conquer the 90-foot (27.5-meter) Leap of Faith slide, let the crew loose on bucket-filled Splash Mountain, and chill out at the park's beach and restaurants. Or, for a change of scenery, you can head next door to Atlantis’ The Lost Chambers Aquarium to see a world of marine creatures in lagoon tanks.

Kick-start an evening out with a free Dubai Fountain show. Embedded in the Burj Lake beneath the Burj Khalifa, this choreographed fountain display happens at 30-minute intervals every night between 6–11pm. All the family will love watching the illuminated jets swaying to music. To make things extra magical, buy tickets for the Fountain Boardwalk or an abra (wooden boat) ride to get right up-close to the cascades.

Kid-friendly Dubai activities don’t come much better than Ski Dubai, an indoor snow wonderland in the Mall of the Emirates that will thrill the whole family while also offering respite from Dubai’s heat. Little ones aged 2 and over will adore the fun and games of the Snow Park zone—think snowballs, tubes, and zorb balls—while parents with kids between ages 3–14 can choose from a variety of packages that grant access to the ski and snowboard slopes.

For fun things for kids in Dubai, it’s hard to beat the city’s theme parks. Visit IMG Worlds of Adventure, an indoor extravaganza offering the advantage of air-conditioned cool. Prebook tickets to save time and skip lines; and hit its Marvel-, Cartoon Network-, and dinosaur-themed rides, coasters, cinema domes, and play zones. Or, head for the vast Dubai Parks and Resorts, home to LEGOLAND® Dubai, LEGOLAND Water Park, a movie-inspired Motiongate park, and shops, restaurants, and shows.

Some of the best family attractions in Dubai aren’t immediately obvious, and the old town is definitely one of them. Leave the modern city behind to introduce the family to more traditional Dubai. They’ll get a true sense of old Arabia on an old town tour that covers the 19th-century Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood and allows you to take in Dubai Creek. If the kids have more adventurous tastes, try a culinary tour that takes you around Dubai’s eateries to taste traditional souk staples.

No trip to Dubai is complete without experiencing its desert. Composed of orange-red dunes and huge plains, it blends Bedouin mystique with tons of outdoor fun. Most families experience desert beauty and adventures on action-packed safaris that include dune bashing, camel riding, and sandboarding followed by dinner and shows at a Bedouin-style camp. Alternatively, move things up a notch with premium experiences that include wildlife-spotting in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR).