Open daily 10am-12midnight. Cost free; rides & games from Dhs2; unlimited -ride wristband Dhs50.Credit Amex,DC,MC,V.

Whizzing, buzzing and whirring, Magic Planet is possibly the noisiest of Dubai's indoor play areas. Boasting many an arcade game, fairground rides - including a ferris wheel, bumper cars, traditional carousel and city train, which snakes its way through the ' planet ' , Sand art and pinball stations - you will find it hard to tear the kids away from their fun filled environment

Other locations: Mall of the Emirates (04 341 4444).

Open Sat- Thu 9am-9.30pm; Fri 4pm-9.30pm. Cost Adults : Dhs.15, Children : Dhs.10, Family (two adults,two children): Dhs.40.Membership for one year, individual Dhs.200, Family(two adults, two children): Dh500.Credit Amex,DC,MC,V.

A huge Duplo looking kids centre on Dubai Creekside with myriad educational zones to entice toddlers and teenagers alike choose from Todler area. Discovery Space section, Physical Science zone, Computer & Communication Gallery, The way we live area and a Nature Centre. Also features a Malik Burger for refreshments, a library and an early learning shop - plenty of entertainment to keep the kids amused for a half day.

Open Sat-Wed 10am-10pm; Thu-Fri 10am-12midnight. Cost Dhs30 per hour in Galactica, Dhs20 per hour in Lunarland (drop 'n' shop) Dhs45 per day for all zones. Other pakages available,plus attractions within each zone at extra cost.

Encounter Zone consists of two parts : Lunar Land (for under eights) and Galactica (for older children). Teenagers in particular will love the latter for its network games, G-Express indoor skate park, House of Horror, 3-D cinema, Pods anti gravity racing simulator and the mentally challenging Crystal maze, with its medieval, future and ocean zones, Younger members meanwhile will prefer the huge soft areas of Lunar Land with its Snow Capsule, Komet rollercoaster and bumping and sliding along the slides and tunnels of Skylab.

Branch two at the Burjuman Centre: Tel. 04 359 3336, Branch three at Reef Mall : 04 222 2405, Branch four  at the Batuta Mall : 04 366 9819.  Free entrance, All rides and games require tokens (Dhs.2 each). Baby sitting service Saturday - Tuesday  Dhs.16 for one hour; Wednesday - Friday  Dhs.20 for one hour ;Open Saturday - Tuesday 10am - 10pm ; Wednesday  - Thursday  10am - 11pm; Friday 2pm - 11pm.

This popular venue is a sourse of fun for kids of all ages. The under fives ' Fun and Learn '  area features make believe zones including kitchen library, fair, art studio and shop. Young children can even be left in the care of the staff while you get on with the shopping ( see baby sitting charges above).

Open Sat-Thu 9am-8pm. Cost Dhs30 per hour and Dhs10 per extra hour.Membership also available.

Children aged up to seven can learn through role-play in The Kitchen and Book Corner, There's the usual quota of cuddly toys too.Note, however,that an adult must accompany children under three at all times.

Open 10.30am-10pm Sat-Tue; 10.30am-11pm Wed-Thu; 2-10.30pm Fri; Public hols10.30am-12midnight. Cost Entrance for one-and-a-half hours: Dhs15(under fours), Dhs25(four-seven year olds) Dhs30(seven year olds plus). Dhs35 for weekday two-hour birthday parties including food, drink and a visit from Toby bear (any age), Dhs40 at the weekends.

At Toby's,tots under the age of four get to romp in their own colourful ball pit and soft play area,while bigger kids can frolic in a larger zone of slides, punch bags, space hoppers and swinging inflatables. There's a cafeteria,where parents and minders can sit and keep an eye on the tinies themselves,or the mall and food court just outside if they would prefer to leave over-fours in the capable hands of Toby's staff-the play pit is gate-controlled so there's no chance of any escapees.

Open Sat-Thu 9am-9.30pm; Fri 2pm-10pm. Cost Dhs500 for 10 hours, including materials.

Activity and retail store for children,with an exciting schedule of original activities,including Create My Shadow, Music Therapy and Body Expression.