10+ things to do in Dubai for teens

Aquaventure is the mother of all waterparks. A whopping 55 acres of watery adventure, it's the largest waterpark in the world and you'll find it located within the iconic Atlantis the Palm resort. You know: the one with the distinctive pink facade and huuuuge Arabian arch.

Naturally, a water park of this vast size has something for families of all shapes and sizes. Teens can get their thrills on terrifying thrill slides like the Leap of Faith and Odyssey of Terror, while parents may choose to chill in the relative calm of the lazy river. There are splash zones for little kids, too, and everyone can get on board with a bit of downtime on the kilometer-long sandy beach.

Also handily located at Atlantis The Palm, the Lost Chambers Aquarium is perfect fodder for any animal-, history- and/or mythology-loving teen. Stroll through the many fascinating chambers of this aquarium, designed to recreate the lost city of Atlantis as it might look below the ocean waves. You’ll get to eyeball many of the ocean’s coolest critters, including sharks, stingrays, jellyfish and tropical fish galore.

Lost Chambers also boasts the largest open-air marine habitat in the Middle East, so you’ll get to really soak up the ocean vibe. Join up with a guided hourly tour (included with entry), or explore at your own pace. Either way, there's every chance you'll have just as much of a blast as your teens.

Who doesn’t love the idea of snow days... in the middle of the desert? Because that's exactly what you can experience at the spectacular Ski Dubai – only the largest indoor ski resort in the Middle East.

Swoosh and swivel down slopes of real snow as you cool off after a sweaty morning beneath the scorching desert sun. And it ain't just about the skiing here either – there are also facilities for snowboarders, toboggan riders, snowball warriors and more. Heck, you might even spot some of the park's feathered inhabitants – cute Gentoo and King penguins – frolicking in the drifts every once in a while!

Pro-tip: Entry to both the ski slopes and the snow park (for tobogganing, etc) is included with a Go City Dubai pass. The pass can save you big bucks vs regular gate prices when visiting multiple major Dubai attractions, inclusing Ski Dubai, Aquaventure Waterpark, Burj Khalifa and more.

If you’re looking to explore Dubai’s gorgeous waters (and believe us, even your teen will be enticed by that proposition), then  it makes good sense to opt for an exciting choice that’s also sure to engage their sense of adventure. A RIB speed boat tour offers a thrilling experience for 90 minutes of high-speed fun. Leave the Dubai Marina (itself a very cool sight) and head out to see major landmarks like the Palm, the Burj Al Arab, and more – all at breakneck speed.

And, if nothing else, it's a great opportunity to cool down in all that heat.

Teens love a theme park, right? And Motiongate Dubai – inspired by the magic of Hollywood cinema – is a theme park and a half. Here's another example of how Dubai does things bigger, better and bolder than most other places on the planet. Explore nearly 30 immersive rides and attractions, including adrenaline-fueled fun inspired by The Hunger Games, Ghostbusters, The Green Hornet.

Younger teens will get a real kick out of DreamWorks zones dedicated to Shrek, Madagascar and more, while the bright blue inhabitants of the Smurfs Village are sure to charm the whole crew.

Show us the teen who doesn't love kicking up sand on a desert quad bike experience and we'll show you a liar. This sunrise sensation – suitable for ages 12 and up – sees thrill-seekers steer their 4x4s across the dunes for 30 minutes of pure adrenaline.

The comedown afterwards won't last very long either: there's sandboarding and desert camel rides to round out this epic Arabian Desert adventure.

Another theme park? Oh go on then! IMG Worlds of Adventure is another Dubai powerhouse, with multiple adventure zones featuring Hollywood franchises like Marvel, the Cartoon Network and more. You can easily spend a whole day here as your teens drift from Powerfuff Girl attraction to Avengers thrill ride; prehistoric valley to a haunted hotel so terrifying that you may only enter if aged 15 or over. Yikes.

Located inside the cavernous Dubai Mall, the Dubai Aquarium is another top option for visiting teens. There’s a HUGE aquarium tank housing thousands of sea creatures from over 140 different species. You’ll see over 300 sharks and rays alone – eyes peeled for the ever-popular tiger sharks.

Onwards to the Underwater Zoo, home of the only slightly terrifying King Croc, an Australian beast that weighs over 1,650 pounds. Check out his impressive habitat and marvel at his frankly massive size. And, when your teens are done here, there's still plenty more to explore around the mall, including an ice rink, a real diplodocus skeleton, and somewhere in the region of 1,000 stores.

Touring Dubai can be a tricky proposition on your own, but the Big Bus Dubai sightseeing tour makes it easy. This one's an easy sell for teens, with its promise of quick and easy access to some of the city's most Instagrammable spots. The Palm Jumeirah: check. Burj Khalifa: check. Dubai Fountain: check. The vibrant and colorful Insta candy that is the old Spice Souk: check, check, check!

The lively narration on board keeps the whole crew entertained, and the ability to hop off and back on at a whim keeps things flexible and fun. An easy win.

We've saved the best (and biggest) for last. Yep, it's only the Burj Khalifa which – standing a staggering half a mile high – is the tallest building on Earth. Steel yourself for a ride up to its 'At The Top' observation decks on the 124th and 125th floors, a whopping 1,483 feet above the bustling streets (and dancing Dubai Fountain) below.

Gaze out across the glittering sea of skyscrapers and soak up some of the most extraordinary views you'll ever experience, including ant-sized camels out in the desert and tiny toy boats cruising the gulf. Perfect Instagram shots guaranteed.