KidZania is a miniature indoor city built for children, with its own streets, shops, banks and buildings, where young visitors take on real-life roles and earn a pretend currency for the work they do. In Abu Dhabi the format has been shaped to the local setting, so the activities mix familiar jobs with ones that reflect the capital: running a hospital, flying a plane, working at a news studio, cooking in a restaurant kitchen, or putting out a fire with a proper fire engine. Children usually enter through a check-in desk, where they receive a wristband and a small amount of the local KidZania money. They then choose which activities to try, queue for their turn and, if all goes well, are paid for the job. The money can be spent in the city's shops or saved in the bank, which makes the visit a gentle lesson in earning and budgeting as well as a good time. The setting is fully indoors and air-conditioned, so it is a dependable choice on hot afternoons or when the weather turns. Parents wait in a supervised adult area or watch from the edges, depending on age, so the visit can also be a chance to sit with a coffee. Entry is usually timed by session, so check the available sessions and age limits when you book.
How it works
Tickets are bought for a child's session and adults generally need their own entry as well, so check how the ticket is structured when you book. At check-in, children receive a wristband and an allowance of pretend money, and a security tag is used to make sure younger children leave only with the adult who brought them.
What to expect
The city is laid out like a real town, with a main street, a hospital, an airport, a supermarket, a studio and dozens of workplaces. Each activity runs for around fifteen to thirty minutes, and queues are shortest early in the session. Children can work in a team or on their own, depending on the job. Staff give clear guidance throughout, and the activities are designed to be safe and playful rather than technical.
Making the most of it
Arrive early for the first session of the day, when queues are short, and let your child choose the first two or three activities themselves. The most popular jobs, such as the fire station and the cooking school, fill quickly, so go for them first. Plan a break for lunch or a snack, since children can be surprisingly tired after a morning of pretending to be adults.
Good to know
The experience suits roughly the early primary years best, with younger children enjoying a smaller selection of age-appropriate jobs, and teenagers often finding it a little young. Closed shoes are usually required for some activities. Hours and session times vary by day and school calendar, so check them when you book, and bring a small bag rather than a large one, since lockers can be limited.
What to expect
The experience
A timed session in a child-sized indoor city, where children choose jobs, earn pretend money and spend or save it in shops and a bank.
Best time
The first session of the day, when queues are shortest, or any hot or rainy day.
How long
Three to four hours for a full session.
Tips
Bring closed shoes, choose the popular jobs first, check how adult entry works and leave time for a snack break.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Children from the early primary years who like role play and being in charge.
- Families
- Built for it, with supervised activities, a safe check-in system and a calm adult waiting area.
- Couples
- Not a couples activity, but parents can enjoy a quiet coffee while the children are busy.
- Pair with
- The National Aquarium or a beach afternoon on Saadiyat for a full family day.
- Time needed
- Three to four hours.
Good questions
What ages is KidZania suited to?+
It suits roughly the early primary years best, with a smaller selection of jobs for younger children. Check the age guidance for each activity when you book.
Do adults need a ticket?+
Usually adults need their own entry, so check how the ticket is structured when you book.
How long does a session last?+
Plan three to four hours, which is enough for several activities, a break and some time in the shops.
Is KidZania indoors?+
Yes, it is fully indoors and air-conditioned, which makes it a good option in summer heat or bad weather.
What should children wear?+
Comfortable clothes and closed shoes. Some activities involve costumes, and the staff provide them.
