Day 1: Life's a Beach
All day: Spend the first day of holidays relaxing at one of the city's brilliant beaches, such as Jumeirah Beach Park, JBR or Jumeirah Open Beach.
Evening: Head to Jumeirah Beach Hotel's family-friendly La Veranda for a cosy catch up.

Day 2: More Fun in the Sun
All day: Spend the whole day at Aquaventure or Wild Wadi, where you can scare yourself on the rides, spash about in the sea or relax on a sun lounger as you please.
Afternoon: Swim with the dolphins at Dolphin Bay or check out the fabulous Lost Chambers aquarium, both part of the Aquaventure complex. 
Evening: Stroll along Marina Walk and eat at one of the many budget-friendly cafes that line the waterway.

Day 3: The Dubai Mall
Morning: A day at The Dubai Mall doesn't have to involve shopping. Start at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo and marvel at the exotic inhabitants, then head over to SEGA Republic indoor theme park for some thrills.
Afternoon: After a huge lunch at American favourite The Cheesecake Factory, lose the kids in KidZania, where they can act out 80 different roles in this mini city. 
Evening: If everybody isn't worn out by now, pop into Hamley's and Candylicious, and then step outside to watch the Dubai Fountain from one of the many restaurants lining Burj Lake. 

Day 4: Park Life
Morning: Spend the day at Creek Park, where you can enjoy plenty of play areas, mini golf and even take food for a barbecue. Take a ride in a cable car and get a good view of the Creek. 
Afternoon: Watch a Dolphin and Seal Show at Dubai Dolphinarium, housed in the park, and maybe even swim with the dolphins afterwards. Be sure to check out the exotic bird show, too.
Evening: After letting the kids loose in Children's City, catch a water taxi to Dubai Festival City and eat at the Hard Rock Cafe. 

Day 5: Mall of the Emirates
Morning: Head to Ski Dubai for the desert city's most unexpected activities. Meet some penguins, go tobogganing, try zorbing, and whizz down the Snow Bullet zip wire. 
Afternoon: After lunch in the food court, go along to Magic Planet and go crazy on the rides and games. 

Day 6: Exciting experiences
Morning: Go on a morning desert safari and throw the kids down the dunes on a sandboard. 
Afternoon: Head to Mirdif City Centre for some fun at Playnation. Send the kids indoor skydiving at iFLY Dubai, and pop the young'uns into Little Explorers.
Evening: Go see a 4DX movie at VOX Cinemas while you're there. 

Day 7: Back at the Beach
Morning: Head to The Beach at JBR and take in the buzzing atmosphere of this city beach. Splash around in the shallows with Marsa Dubai's stunning skyscrapers forming a back drop, and get a day pass to the kids' splash park. 
Afternoon: Go along to one of the five-star hotels along the beachfront and try out some watersports, such as kayaking or banana boating.