Because there’s more to these malls than just shopping…

Let’s face it, we, just like you, give in to our shopping whims way too much. But how can we blame ourselves when there’s a mall in every nook and cranny? If you also are on the hunt to try something new at the many beloved malls around the capital, then we’ve got you covered- here’s a quick guide to things to do in malls besides shopping.

Abu Dhabi Mall

Xtreme Zone 

 

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A fun day out for the kiddies and parents, Xtreme Zone has many interactive activities including a trampoline park, climbing walls and arcade games among other thrills. There’s also a soft play area for the tiny tots, so parents can take some time off after dropping their kids. Xtreme Zone also has space for corporate team-building sessions, and to host birthday parties.

Xtreme Zone, Abu Dhabi Mall and Galleria Al Maryah Island, daily 10am to 10pm. Tel:(0)2 448 8474. @xtremezone

Prison Island

Prison Island Abu Dhabi

Fans of the TV show Fort Boyard: Ultimate Challenge might like this one- Prison Island is an adventure destination for all ages. Participants have to work together as a team to manage life behind bars, solve tricky challenges across unique cells and earn points to emerge winners.

Prison Island, Abu Dhabi Mall Level 3, daily 10am to 10pm, from Dhs99 per person. Tel:(0)58 819 9176. prisonisland.ae

Abu Dhabi Marina Mall

Air Maniax

 

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Covering 30,000 square feet, Air Maniax is a multi-activity sports and recreational facility with indoor trampolines and inflatables. The park offers a range of activities for everyone from the age of 2 to 65 with multiple arenas and thrills like zipzag, warrior assault interactive and laser frenzy, so the entire family has something to be entertained with.

Air Maniax Inflatable and Family Adventure Park, Marina Mall and Yas Mall, Sun to Thurs, 10am to 10pm, Fri and Sat, 10am to midnight, general access from Dhs85. Tel:(0)2 444 2938. @airmaniax

BOUNCE

A fan-favourite destination, BOUNCE is a combination of trampolines, airbags and adventure challenges all in a huge playground of entertainment. The freestyle terrain is an integration of trampolines, parkour elements, ninja courses and freestyle features all combined into a huge 5,000-square-meter indoor space.

BOUNCE, first floor, Marina Mall, Sun to Thurs 10am to 10pm, Fri and Sat 10am to midnight, 60 minutes of freestyle from Dhs85. Tel:(0)4 304 9333. @bouncemideeast

The Galleria Al Maryah Island

Zero Latency Abu Dhabi

Things to do in Abu Dhabi Zero Latency

A specialised free-roam VR entertainment destination, Zero Latency Abu Dhabi is a large venue that’s home to one of the largest VR entertainment spaces in the world. The 225-square-meter facility offers players the opportunity to run around shooting zombies, crossing space and time, and experience the excitement of a virtual world.

Zero Latency, The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Sun to Thurs, 10am to 10pm, Fri and Sat 10am until midnight. Tel:(0)2 882 0223. zerolatencyvr.com

Reem Mall

Snow Abu Dhabi

An indoor snow-scapade, Snow Abu Dhabi spans 9,732 square metres in area and has over 20 rides and attractions. From a crystal carousel, and a snowflake garden to a Polar Express-themed train, the adventure park maintains a temperature of -2°C and a snow depth of 500mm in external temperatures above 40°C and offers year-round snow adventures for friends and families. Passes start at Dhs215 for adults and Dhs165 for kids.

Snow Abu Dhabi, Al Reem Island, Sun to Thurs 10am to 10pm, Fri and Sat, 10am to 11.59pm, adults Dhs215, kids Dhs165. Tel:(800) 707070. @snowauh

Cube Challenges

Brand new, ultra cool gaming destination Cube Challenges has just opened at Reem Mall with 32 exciting challenge rooms that will put your physical, mental, skill-based ability and agility to the test. The new live gaming experience is open to all visitors aged 8 and up and is also ideal for groups, small and large, accommodating up to 120 people at a time. Challenges are designed optimally for groups of four, and the spot is also good for school groups, birthday parties, or even just for corporate team-building exercises.

Cube Challenges, Reem Mall, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Thu 10am to 10pm, Fri and Sat 10am to 12am. Tel: (0)50 996 4036, @cubechallengesabudhabi

World Trade Centre Mall

Velocity Slide

abu-dhabi-slide

The longest and tallest stainless-steel slide in the Middle East, the Velocity Slide was opened to the public in 2022. It consists of two transparent stainless steel slides that stretch from the top level of the mall to the bottom with slides that are 68 and 54 meters long and have a sliding speed of two to three meters per second. Prices for the single slide start at Dhs25 and double slide start at Dhs40.

Velocity Slide, World Trade Centre Mall, Sun to Thurs 10am to 10pm, Fri and Sat 10am until midnight, single slide Dhs25, double slide Dhs40. Tel:(0)2 508 2400. velocityslide.ae

Yas Mall

CLYMB Abu Dhabi

Ready to take on two adventures under one roof? A fun-packed hub where you can enjoy indoor skydiving and climbing walls, CLYMB Abu Dhabi Housing has a skydiving flight chamber that is 104 feet high, and the region’s tallest indoor climbing wall, measuring a mountainous 138 feet in height.

CLYMB, Yas Island, closed Mon and Tues, Wed 1pm to 9pm, Thurs to Sun, noon to 9pm. Tel:(600) 511115. @clymbabudhabi

Kidzania

The one-stop place where kids can truly be anything, KidZania is an award-winning children’s ‘edutainment’ concept within a 7,000-square-metre interactive mini-city replicating a real city. It combines play with learning through a fun and innovative approach and is packed with over 40 role-playing activities for children aged 2-16 to get to experience jobs money and working in the real world.

Kidzania, Yas Island, Sun to Thurs, 11am to 8pm, Fri and Sat, 11am to 11pm, four to 16 years Dhs185, 17 and up Dhs75. Tel:(0)54 998 6897.@kidzaniaae

Images: supplied/Instagram