For a family half term break in February, Abu Dhabi offers both sun and plenty to do for children.
Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi with children
A day spent mustering up the courage to go on the big slide is a day of minimal parental stress. Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi is, crucially, big and varied enough for it to occupy the best part of a day. And in February, it’s warm enough for Little Miss 7 to forgo the traditional whingeing about being cold every time she gets out of the water.
Abu Dhabi weather in February
The average high temperature of 25° Celsius makes the basic appeal of Abu Dhabi in February pretty obvious. But it’s also just about close enough to make a week’s holiday viable, especially when you factor in the direct Etihad flights from Manchester that cut out the schlep to Heathrow.
The flight pricing is based on lobal demand rather than British school holiday dates, too. While they’re horrendously expensive around Christmas because the world is travelling, they’re usually pretty reasonable during February half term.
Abu Dhabi vs Dubai with children
Abu Dhabi is also much less frenetic than neighbouring Dubai, which makes tackling it with two young children in tow significantly more appealing. There’s plenty of apartment-style accommodation in hotel complexes with big pools – those in the locally-based Rotana chain generally hit the sweet spot of space, price and facilities.
Abu Dhabi theme parks
A week of beach and pool time sends my family a bit stir-crazy, though. Mercifully, Abu Dhabi has enough kid-friendly attractions to keep the girls merrily occupied. Some, like Yas Waterworld or the Ferrari World and Warner Bros World theme parks, are no-brainers. All of these are on action-packed Yas Island.
But what Abu Dhabi does well is making less-obviously kidproof outings more accessible. They’re frankly going to struggle with the Louvre Abu Dhabi, even when entrance for children is free. But the kayak tour around the outside is much more fun.
Similarly, Qasr Al Hosn initially sounds far from a winner. Emirati history inside Abu Dhabi’s oldest building is not the greatest pitch for two kids who just want to run around in a playground. But the Cultural Foundation is also based here, and it offers a great range of children’s workshops. The girls can get happily absorbed painting or making dolls.
Abu Dhabi dune-bashing and camel riding
And, if all else fails, there’s the desert. The dune-bashing 4WD tours are as exciting as any theme park ride, while riding a camel brims with novelty value. The only downside? Getting sand out of a four-year-old’s clothes and hair after she insists on making ‘sand angels’ in the dunes.
More Abu Dhabi travel tips
Other Abu Dhabi articles on Planet Whitley include a look at the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital.
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