Planning an Emirates Experience with Kids: Family Travel Guide from Singapore is one of the easiest and safest ways to introduce your children to the Middle East. Flying Emirates via Dubai gives you a family‑friendly journey, while a well‑planned UAE week (about 7 days UAE) lets you combine theme parks, desert adventures, malls and culture into a complete UAE trip that works for toddlers, primary‑schoolers and teens.
This cluster guide sits under Homejourney’s broader international travel and lifestyle pillar, and is written specifically for Singapore‑based families and global investors who may pair a Dubai Abu Dhabi week or UAE tour with exploring property opportunities in Singapore.
Why Choose Emirates for Family Travel from Singapore
For Singapore families, Emirates is one of the most practical ways to reach Dubai and the wider UAE, with daily flights from Changi to Dubai and onward connections to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and beyond. On board, Emirates offers family‑oriented services such as priority boarding, kids’ meals and toys, plus ICE inflight entertainment with thousands of channels including children’s shows and games to keep kids occupied on the 7‑hour overnight sector from Singapore to Dubai.[1][3][6]
From my own SG–DXB flights with primary‑school kids, the biggest practical win is the combination of inflight entertainment and kid meals arriving slightly earlier than adult trays, which buys parents time to eat. For long transits in Dubai, complimentary strollers are available in Emirates Terminal 3 after security so you do not need to bring your own through the airport.[6]
Emirates also states it aims to seat families together and allows free seat selection in certain zones for passengers travelling with infants, reducing last‑minute stress at the gate.[7] Always double‑check your seating via Manage Booking a few days before departure.
Best Time to Visit UAE with Kids
For a kid‑friendly UAE week, the most comfortable period is roughly November to early April, when daytime temperatures in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are typically in the mid‑20s to low‑30s °C, similar to Singapore but with lower humidity on some days. Outdoor attractions like desert safaris, Miracle Garden and theme parks are far more pleasant in these months.
From May to September, daytime temperatures can exceed 40°C, so families will rely heavily on indoor malls, indoor theme parks and hotel pools. If you must travel in this period (for example, around the June school holidays), plan your itinerary around morning and evening outdoor activities, with mid‑day time indoors.
Getting There from Singapore: Flights, Time Zones, Currency
Non‑stop Emirates flights from Singapore to Dubai are about 7 hours, with Dubai 4 hours behind Singapore for most of the year. An overnight flight leaving Changi near midnight and arriving in Dubai around early morning local time often works best for young kids; they sleep most of the way and wake up just before landing.
The local currency is the UAE dirham (AED), which is pegged to the US dollar (around AED 3.67 to USD 1). In practice, SGD–AED rates usually hover in a stable band; budgeting in Singapore dollars before you travel makes it easier to manage. Homejourney supports UAE‑linked currencies in our property tools, so if you later explore Singapore real estate, you can see rough equivalents in your home currency without manual conversion.Bank Rates
Top Kid‑Friendly Attractions for a 7 Days UAE Complete Trip
A complete UAE trip with kids usually splits time between Dubai (4–5 days) and Abu Dhabi (2–3 days), with optional day trips. Here are family‑tested highlights that work well within a Dubai Abu Dhabi week.
Dubai Highlights
- Dubai Mall & Burj Khalifa – Combine the world’s tallest tower with a giant mall, indoor aquarium and fountain show. For families used to VivoCity or Jewel Changi, think of this as that experience multiplied many times. Prebook Burj Khalifa time slots (late afternoon into sunset is ideal) to avoid long queues with kids.
- Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo – Inside Dubai Mall, this works especially well with ages 3–10. Time your visit for mid‑day heat.
- Desert Safari – Many operators offer family‑friendly options with gentler dune bashing, camel rides and BBQ dinner. For under‑5s or motion‑sensitive kids, request a softer drive and consider a private vehicle.
- Dubai Parks and Resorts – A cluster of theme parks (Motiongate, Legoland Dubai, Legoland Water Park). This is an easy full‑day outing similar in energy level to Universal Studios Singapore, but with more space and typically lower humidity.
- The Green Planet – An indoor rainforest biodome that feels a bit like Gardens by the Bay’s Cloud Forest, good for 2–3 hours with animal‑loving kids.
Abu Dhabi Highlights
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – A must‑see cultural site; older kids often find the scale and architecture impressive. Dress codes are strict, so plan modest clothing; families from Singapore will find this similar to visiting religious sites here (e.g., temples in Little India) but with more formal security.
- Ferrari World & Yas Island Parks – Ideal for older kids and teens who enjoy high‑speed rides. Combine with Warner Bros. World for younger cartoon fans.
- Louvre Abu Dhabi – Calm, air‑conditioned and visually stunning. Families who enjoy ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands will likely appreciate a few hours here.
For more value‑focused planning, see our related guide: Budget Travel Guide to Emirates Experience: 7 Days UAE on a Smart Spend Budget Travel Guide to Emirates Experience: 7 Days UAE on a Smart Spend | Homejo... .
Practical Emirates Family Travel Tips from Singapore
Before You Fly
- Check Emirates family policies – Emirates publishes dedicated pages for planning your family trip, including infant and child ticket rules, baggage allowances for prams, and unaccompanied minor services.[4][7] Review these at booking, especially if travelling with a baby or a helper.
- Request bassinets or child meals early – Bassinets are limited and allocated to bulkhead rows, so request them as soon as you book if you have an infant.[6][8]
- Time your flight with SG routines – Many Singapore parents prefer the late‑night departure; try to maintain your child’s home bedtime as closely as possible for fewer meltdowns.
At Changi and Dubai Airports
- Use family lanes and play areas – At Changi, head early to the gate and use nearby playgrounds so kids burn energy before boarding.
- Complimentary strollers in Dubai – On arrival and during transits in Emirates Terminal 3, you can borrow airport strollers after security and drop them at the gate when boarding.[6] This is especially useful if your own stroller is checked through.
- Transit strategy – For layovers under 3 hours, head straight to your next gate; for longer connections, identify a family area or quiet zone in advance so kids can stretch safely.
On Board with Kids
- Entertainment & toys – Emirates’ ICE system offers up to 6,500 channels including kids’ movies, TV and games, plus age‑appropriate toys, colouring books and stickers on many flights.[1][3][6] Pre‑download a few offline shows as backup.
- Kid meals – Children from two to 12 are served dedicated meals designed to be both tasty and relatively healthy.[6] If your child has allergies or strict dietary needs, request a special meal before departure and pack safe snacks.
- Cabin comfort – Pack a light hoodie; cabin temperatures can feel cooler than in Singapore. Emirates allows the use of some approved child restraint devices—check their guidelines on car seats and child safety equipment.[6]
Safety, Culture and Etiquette for Families
The UAE is generally considered very safe, with low violent crime and extensive CCTV in public areas—similar to what Singapore families are used to. That said, basic precautions still apply: keep valuables close in crowded malls, teach older kids to memorise the hotel name, and use only licensed taxis or ride‑hailing apps.
Culturally, the UAE is more conservative than Singapore, especially in religious sites. Dress modestly in mosques and more traditional neighbourhoods, and teach children respectful behaviour (no shouting or running in prayer areas). Public displays of affection should be minimal.
Always follow local safety guidance for desert activities and waterparks, and check age/height limits before booking rides. If in doubt, prioritise operators with strong safety records and clear child policies.
