Traveling to Abu Dhabi With Kids: Our Real 3-Day Itinerary

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If the idea of traveling internationally with kids feels overwhelming, I get it.

Between long flights, time changes, and keeping everyone happy, it can feel like a lot. But after taking our kids to Abu Dhabi, I can confidently say it’s not only doable, it’s 100% worth it.

This is our real, kid-tested 3-day itinerary with built-in downtime, easy wins, and honest tips that actually made this trip work.

Why Abu Dhabi With Kids?

• Extremely family-friendly
• Clean, safe, and easy to navigate
• Activities both kids and adults enjoy
• Luxury experiences that still welcome families

Where to Stay (This Made a Huge Difference)

Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island (Our Favorite)

• Free shuttle bus to major attractions (huge win with kids)
• Easy, quick taxi rides if needed
• About 10 minutes from the airport
• Very family-friendly environment

Food Highlight: The buffet was incredible and made meals stress free, everyone could find something they liked.

We also highly recommend the Nuri Grill & Bar restaurant at the hotel, it was one of our favorite meals of the entire trip.

VOGO Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa

We stayed here when we drove in from Saudi Arabia (about 7 hours) and had our own transportation.

• More flexibility with a car/rental
• Another great buffet option
• Quieter, more relaxed atmosphere

Bonus at Both Hotels: Amazing spas, perfect for moms who want to relax while dads hang at the pool with the kids.

Day 1: Arrival + Reset Mode

Keep expectations LOW. Everyone will be tired, off schedule, and possibly overwhelmed.

Plan:

• Check in
• Explore the hotel
• Pool time
• Easy dinner

One of our favorite routines started here: We hung out in the lounge area, let the kids have iPad downtime, and we grabbed coffee (or a beer) and played canasta.

This gave everyone a chance to decompress without forcing activities.

Day 2: Big Experience Day

Morning: One Main Activity Choose one:

• Warner Bros. Indoor Theme Park
• Yas Island Water World
• Ferrari World @ Yas Island
• Sea World Yas Island

We loved doing a big activity in the morning while energy was high.

Lunch: Keep it quick and easy.

Afternoon: Back to Hotel (Non-Negotiable)

• Pool time
• Rest
• Recharge

After long theme park days, this became our rhythm: Pool + canasta.

Simple, relaxing, and honestly one of the best parts of the trip.

Evening:

• Casual dinner
• Relax

Day 3: Another Park Day 🎢

Abu Dhabi has multiple world class parks, so instead of slowing down, we made Day 3 another fun park day.

Morning: Second Theme Park Choose a different experience from Day 2.

This keeps the trip exciting without overcomplicating your schedule.

Lunch: Keep it easy and nearby again, don’t overthink it.

Afternoon: Back to Hotel (Yes, again)

• Pool time
• Rest
• Recharge

After another big day, we stuck to what worked: 👉 Pool + canasta

By this point, it’s part of the routine and something everyone looks forward to.

Evening:

• Casual dinner
• Pack and prep for departure

Food Tips

• Buffets are your best friend when traveling with kids
• Mix in one nicer meal for fun
• Don’t overthink it, fed kids = happy kids

What I Packed

• Snacks (more than you think)
• Change of clothes in carry-on
• Activities for flights
• Portable chargers
• Deck of cards for canasta

What I Learned

DO:

• Plan less than you think
• Build in downtime daily
• Choose hotels that make logistics easy

DON’T:

• Overpack your schedule
• Skip rest time
• Assume kids will adjust instantly

Final Thoughts

Traveling internationally with kids isn’t about doing everything, it’s about creating moments that actually feel good.

Some of our favorite memories weren’t the big attractions; they were sitting in the lounge with a drink while the kids reset, or playing canasta by the pool after a long day.

That balance is what makes a trip successful.

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