Skydiving, Immersive art: Indoor activities in Abu Dhabi the whole family can enjoy this summer

Feeling like summer is draining your energy and putting a full stop on your plans? Don’t get the heat get to you – you don’t need to compromise on anything, from adrenalin-pumping plans to team-building adventures.

Want to go skydiving? Or how about playing with a handful of snow? Here’s how you can have fun without getting the sunburn.

 

All aboard the Polar Express at Snow Abu Dhabi

Forget about summer strain and head to Snow Abu Dhabi, home to cool adventures for the whole family including unlimited access to nine rides, including Polar Express Train, Crystal Carousel, and Flight of the Snowy Owl. Every pass comes with fleece gloves, snow boots, trousers, jackets, and socks, so you can be toasty even as the chilly winds blow.

Dh215 (Summer pass). Kids under two not allowed. Snow Abu Dhabi, Reem Mall, Abu Dhabi. 10am-10pm (Sun-Thu); 10am-midnight (Fri-Sat). +971 600 5 99905. skidxb.com.

Check out the sea life at Sea World Abu Dhabi

For animal encounters of the close-up and personal kind, check out the world’s largest indoor marine life theme park. There are eight ‘realms’ with more than 100 animal experiences and presentations, more than 35 interactive experiences and rides, live performances, and dining and retail outlets. If you go this July, you’ll get a lot of information on sharks, which are in the spotlight. (Each month focuses on a different species.) Interesting things to consider: sharks do not have bones!  What they have is a flexible cartilaginous skeleton strengthened by calcium salts, which they get from the food they eat. There are about 450 species scattered throughout the world.

From Dh480 (single day ticket, which includes sea lion feeding and either a dolphin or penguin encounter). 10am-8pm (Mon-Sun). Yas Island. 600 511 115. Seaworldabudhabi.com.

Culture — and catamarans — await you at Louvre Abu Dhabi

If you are a UAE resident who hasn’t explored the artistically built Louvre Abu Dhabi, this is your moment to rectify that. From summer camps for the young ones to historical illustrations for the older people, a café, and a boutique shopping experience, Louvre has something for everyone. Feeling a bit extra? Hire a private catamaran for a cruise along the prized building.

From Dh45.50 (UAE residents). 10am-6.30pm (Tue-Sun). Saadiyat Cultural District. louvreabudhabi.ae. 600 5655 66

Experience the art of interaction at teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi

We react to our environment, and it reacts to us. See the international art collective, which combines tech, art, and science to create works that are immersive and interactive. You can walk through the Autonomous Abstraction exhibition, for instance, and see how it moves and evolves depending on your movement. In the Floating Lamps section, floating lights react to visitors' movements as well. Prepare to spend some time – and grey cells – exploring the space. When you get tired, take a break at Anko, where you can delve into the rich patisserie tradition of Japan. The menu is a journey across the country, with specials such as pan, mochi, and Daifuku.

From Dh67. Daily, 10am-7pm (Sun-Fri); 10am-8pm (Sat). Al Saadiyat Island, Cultural District. teamlababudhabi.com. +971 600 56 55 66.

Escape Prison Island

If you are looking for a group activity that tests the strength of your relationship as much as it does your mind power, this is the escape room (or prison escape) experience you will really be able to get behind. You can have between two and six players per team (about 20 teams can play at the same time) who will navigate their way through 26 cells. Note: eight- to 11-year-olds need an accompanying adult. Wear comfy shoes and clothes for this heart-pumping game that will need you to commit at least an hour of your time.

Dh99-129 (per person, one-hour game) Minimum of 2 people needed in a team. Abu Dhabi Mall, Level 3. prisonisland.ae. +971 58 819 9176.

Go skydiving at CLYMB

Always wanted to skydive but been a bit jittery about what that entails? Us too. But this summer, you can get some defying gravity time in, in a controlled environment. CLYMB Yas Island Abu Dhabi instructors will strap you into your safety gear (after a briefing) and stand you in the 32-metre-tall flight chamber (incidentally, the world’s tallest) and then switch on the fans. The air from a total of 16 whirring fans will carry you up, up, and away (to a safe point). When you buy a ticket, you get two flights, so don’t worry too much if you’ve got your eyes closed during your first soar. The experience is available for those over three and those who weigh less than 115kg. Once you’ve celebrated your flight, don’t forget to claim your flying certificate to remember the proud moment.

From Dh235 (includes two pre-flight training and rental gear along with one-on-one instruction). Noon-9pm (Mon-Thu); noon-10pm (Fri); 11am-10pm (Sat-Sun). CLYMB Abu Dhabi, Yas Island. clymbabudhabi.com. +971 600 511115.

Ride the wave of fun at Yas Waterworld

There are about 60 ways to make a splash and 12 brand-new rides to discover at Yas Waterworld. From Dawaama Junior, the world’s first Blaster ride for kids, to flume ride Bahamut Rage – which takes you on a three-minute thrilling journey before dropping you 15 metres – there’s something for every adrenaline fan.

Dh295 (day pass with free parking, online).  10am-9pm (Sat-Thu). yaswaterworld.com. 600 511115.

 

Superheroes are waiting for you at Warner Bros. World Yas Island

This one is so much more than a theme park — it’s where you can feel close to your favourite superheroes. With six themed zones and more than 30 rides to choose from, there’s a lot to try at the region’s biggest indoor theme park this summer.

Dh310 (single day ticket). Daily, 10am-8pm. wbworldabudhabi.com. 600 511115.

 

Take a trip to the wild side at Ferrari World

The really good thing about the UAE – theme parks don’t take a summer break. At Ferrari World, you can ride on the world’s quickest roller coaster, experience the highest non-inverted loop, and about 39 other rides and experiences. Got a little one in tow? They’ve have a blast with drive-inspired activities and perhaps a zoom at the Karting Academy.

From Dh310 (all-day access). Daily, 10-8pm. 600 511115. ferrariworldabudhabi.com.