School’s a distant memory and this year we decided not to put the kids in Summer camp for the rest of July. The weather hit the mid 40’s in Riyadh which also means we’re stuck indoors for most of the day. We’re planning to spend most of the Summer in Riyadh once again, and I have received a lot of questions on my instagram about ideas to escape the heat, I decided to make a comprehensive list of activities that we can fall back on when it gets too hot for the early morning swims and we need to leave the house.
There are plenty more to do I'm sure, and if you have any suggestions, feel free to reach out!
Messy Play and Sensory Sessions
best for kids 4 months - 5 years
65SR
Location: Ranco Village Compound, Riyadh
currently running weekly Summer camps
best for kids 2 - 6 years
120SR
Location: Al Nuzha
organising sensory and play sessions for events, gatherings and birthday parties across Riyadh
best for kids 6 months - 6 years
prices vary based on activity
Location: Riyadh
best for kids 3 and up
Open: 9:30am - 11pm, Fridays from 2pm
Price to be confirmed
Location: Granada Mall
currently on Summer holidays, check Instagram for more info
best for kids 6 months - 3 years
Price to be confirmed
Location: DQ the park behind Tamimi
Soft Plays and Play Areas for Kids under 5
Disclaimer: we haven't personally tried all of these, I plan on taking the kids to all of them eventually. Additionally, new places are opening across the city all the time so this is by no means an exhaustive and comprehensive list but these are the most popular spots that I know of.
I put the ones we have already visited first and if you go on my Instagram you will find posts and reels and recommendations on the ones we have already been to. As we tick them off one by one, expect more reviews on socials.
The places market with * are the ones we have not yet been to.
our favourite - there are now two branches, both spacious with a lovely layout. Very clean and friendly staff.
best for kids 2 - 8 years
From 80SR
Open: weekdays 2pm - 10pm, weekends until 11pm
possibly the coolest (literally!) place to escape the heat for some festive fun in the artificial snow.
best for kids aged 3 and up
Open 12pm - 12am, Friday 1pm - 12am
From 120SR for 2 hours
Location: Othaim Mall
There are a few locations around Riyadh
best for kids 1 - 8 years
Open: depends on the branch, either from 10am or 2pm until late
From 80SR
Location: various locations across Riyadh
another great soft play chains with various locations around Riyadh
best for kids 1 - 8 years
Open: 9am - 12am
From 60SR
Location: various locations across Saudi Arabia
they have branches in Riyadh and Jeddah
best for kids 1 - 8 years
Open: 12pm - 11:30pm, Fridays 2pm-11:30am
From 80SR
Location: The Zone, Riyadh
there are two locations in Riyadh
best for kids 6 months - 8 years
Open: From Sunday to Wednesday: 2:30 pm - 7:30 pm, Thursday and Friday: 2:30 pm - 10:30 pm, Saturday: 11 am - 7:30 pm
From 200SR for full day plus grip socks are compulsory
Location: Al Rabi (One Square) and Al Yasmin (The Roof)
best for kids 1 - 8 years
Open: daily from 2pm - 11pm
From 100SR plus grip socks are compulsory
Location: Al Tawun
various location across Saudi Arabia
best for kids 1 - 8 years
Open: depends on location
From: 80SR
Location: Riyadh Park, Al Othaim Mall, The Esplande, Roshn Front
best for kids 1 - 8 years
Open weekdays 8am - 11pm, Friday 4pm - 12am
From 35SR via Cobone
Location: Munsiyah
currently running Summer Camps for kids 3 and up
best for kids 3 and up
Open: weekdays 2pm - 11pm, Friday and Saturday from 9am
From: 90SR plus grip socks compulsory
Location: Al Yasmin
this is a soft play, there isn't actually any snow here. There are two locations in Riyadh
best for kids 2 - 10 years
Open: depends on branch, either from 10am or 2pm until late
From: tbc
Location: Al Mamlaka (Al Makan Mall), Thumamah Road
best for kids
Open: 4pm - 10pm, weekends until 11pm
From: tbc
Location: Qurtubah
best for kids 1 - 8 years
Open: 1pm - 11:30pm, Thursday and Saturday 10am - 12am
From: tbc
Location: Al Qirawan
best for kids 1 - 8 years
Open: 3pm - 11pm
From: 39SR via Cobone
Location: Al Othaim Mall, Atyaf Mall
best for kids 1 years and older
Open: 4pm - 10pm weekends until 12am
From:
Location: Al Yarmuk
best for kids 2 years and up
Open: 9:30am - 11pm, Friday 1pm - 11:30pm
From: 80SR
Location: Panorama Mall
best for kids 4 - 12 years
Open: 9am - 12am, Fridays 9am - 12:30am
From: 100SR
Location: Riyadh Park Avenue Mall
best for kids 1 - 8 years
Open: 3:15pm - 10:30pm, weekends until 11:30pm
From:
Location: Al Najris, Ishbiliya
I'm excited about this one - apparently they have ducks and bunnies
best for kids 2 - 12 years
Open: 4pm - 10pm
From: 99SR
Location: Al Nafal
Learning
Arabic lessons for the whole family
best for kids 5 and up
Open: most sessions take place between 1:40-4:40 PM, although we have session times available from 8:30 AM until 9 PM Saturday - Thursday.
From: free trial then tbc
Location: Al Takhassussi
swim lessons
best for kids 4 months and up
Open: 12pm - 9pm
From: prices vary by location
Location: various locations across Riyadh
gymnastics, dance, arts & crafts, sensory
best for kids 1 and up depending on the activity
Open: daily 9am - 9pm
From: first class for FREE
fitness, gymnastics, ballet and martial arts classes
best for kids 18 months and up depending on the programme
Open: weekdays 1pm - 8pm, weekends until 6pm, Friday closed
From: tbc
Location: At Tawuun
best for kids 2.5 years and up
Open: 4pm - 11pm
From: tbc
Location: Al Olaya
cultural and culinary experiences and workshops
best for kids 5 years and up, depending on the activity
prices vary based on activity
Location: Al Samhaniya, Diriyah
great to kill an afternoon strolling around the cool building or catching one of the temporary exhibitions
best for kids 4 and up
Open: 9am - 7pm Thursday until 10pm, Friday 2pm - 10pm
From: free
Location: Al Murabba
Child friendly restaurants
Generally most restaurants in Riyadh are child friendly in a way that families with young ones are usually welcome even more formal dining environments. However, not all family friendly dining experiences were created equal - below are some spots that cater specifically to little gourmands.
cooking classes for kids every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday
best for kids 3 - 8 years
Open: between 11am -12pm
From: 75SR
Location: Al Sulimaniyah
don't be fooled by the Mandarin Oriental's fancy setting, there's a designated children's play area and comfortable Stokke Tripp Trapp high chairs
best for kids of all ages
Open: every Saturday
From: SR198 for kids 7 - 12 years and SR397 for adults
Location: Al Faisaliyah
Saturdays kids eat free, has "make your own pizza" options
best for kids 2 and up
Open: varies by location
From: tbc
Location: various locations across Riyadh
The Saturday family brunch is the best in Riyadh with good entertainment options - make your own dessert is a hit!
best for the whole family
Open: Saturdays 1pm - 6pm
From: SR150 po
Location Via Riyadh
Something for the older kids and kids at heart
Some of the below are amusement parks that are, more geared towards arcade games and more action packed entertainment that, in my opinion, are better suited for older kids. We tried a few and found them too overstimulating for our young children as they tend to lack natural light, play loud music, have lots of blinking lights and rides.
best for kids 2 and up
Open: varies by location
From: tbc
Location: various locations across Riyadh
best for kids 6 and up
Open: varies by location
From: 49SR
Location: various locations across Riyadh
best for kids 2 and up
Open: varies by location
From: 35SR
Location: various locations across Riyadh
best for kids 6 and up
Open: varies by location
From: 40SR
Location: Riyadh Park Mall, Riyadh Front
best for kids 6 and up
Open: 12pm until late
From: tbc
Location: Jerusalem Neighbourhood, Al- Sahafa
gaming and e-sport centre
best for kids 8 and up
Open: 10am - 1am, Fridays from 1pm
From: tbc
Location: Al Rabwa
gaming and e-sport centre
best for kids 10 and up
Open: 4pm until late
From: tbc
Location: Hittin
best for kids 8 and up
Open: 4pm until late
From: tbc
Location: Hittin
gaming and e-sport centre
best for adults
Open: 4pm until late
From: tbc
Location: Ar Rahmaniyya
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