Summer is here. Finding the best outdoor activities for kids can be difficult because of the sweltering heat of Riyadh, where daily highs exceed 40 degrees Celsius. You don’t have to confine your kids in your houses! You can still bring them outside and into these establishments that can entertain and delight them with indoor activities.
INDOOR SPORTS
Getting your kids engaged in physical activities while remaining cool in an enclosed setting is what indoor sports venues are for. They provide a controlled environment that allows a safe and comfortable experience, making them a popular choice for families with young children.
For a wide variety of fun and exciting activities, Go4fFun is definitely a go! Formerly known as Goal! for its popular indoor football pitch, it has expanded its facilities to cater to a wider age range of visitors.
Go4Fun also includes bowling alleys, indoor tennis courts, billiards, trampoline park, and arcades.
They also provide professional coaching for young football aspirants.
Football: starts at SR 30 (15 minutes)
Bowling: starts at SR 60 (One Round)
Trampoline: starts at SR 55 (30 minutes)
Billiards: starts at SR 35 (30 minutes)
Tennis: starts at SR 35 (30 minutes)
Location: Go4Fun has branches in Sahara Mall, Al Makan Mall, Riyadh Gallery
Working hours: 3:00 P.M. – 11:00 P.M. (Saturday – Wednesday), 3:00 P.M. – 12:00 A.M. (Thursday – Friday)
Not much into physical sports activities? Here’s an exhilarating one for the thrill-seekers.
One of the few go-kart racing tracks in Riyadh is Doos Karting.
With a 350-meter (Hittin branch) and 1,150-meter (Riyadh Boulevard branch) indoor tracks with multi-level spiral ramps, boost those electric karts and unleash that adrenaline-junkie within you and your kids.
Doos Karting race packages are divided into two age brackets – Junior (from 8 to 14 years old with at least 120cm height) and Adult (from 15 years old and above) In addition, they also provide safety and protective equipment to their visitors.
Go-Karting: starts at SR 140 (single race)
Location: Doos Karting has branches in Hittin Road and Riyadh Boulevard
Working hours: 4:00 P.M. – 12:00 A.M.
INDOOR PLAYGROUND
Now this is the part where we embark on an adventure for the younger and enthusiastic explorers. Indoor playgrounds are a great choice for young children to have fun and shed off their energies especially when it is too hot to play outside.
Get ready for countless activities and surprises especially designed for your children at Kids Station.
From ball pits, trampolines, and slides to various activity tables and role-play toys, kids can freely select from the huge selection of entertainment depending on their age.
Kids Station accepts children from 6 months old up to 11 years old. While they do have staff to watch over the children, they prefer the parents’ guidance and presence throughout the child’s stay.
Rate: starts at SR 80 per child (one hour)
Location: King Abdullah Branch Road, Riyadh
Working hours: 2:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M. (Saturday – Wednesday), 2:00 P.M. – 11:00 P.M. (Thursday – Friday)
INDOOR LEISURE
One fantastic way of spending a fun-filled day with children is giving them unparalleled experiences from places that not only entertain but provide learning as well.
The Line Experience, located in Ad’Diriyah, gives you a glimpse of the futuristic linear smart city currently under construction in Neom, a city in the northwestern part of the Kingdom.
With all the detailed architectural designs in miniature figures plus the informative films shown to visitors, you and your children are absolutely in for a visual treat.
The exhibition showcases the concept of the 170-km linear city that will be fully powered by renewable energy.
Admission is free, visitors may register and receive their tickets through: https://theline.halayalla.com/
Location: Diriyah Biennale Foundation for Contemporary Art (Ad’Diriyah, Riyadh)
Visiting hours: 11:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. (Saturday to Thursday), 3:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. (Friday)
Another indoor educational activity that awaits you and your family will greatly provide insights into the history and culture of the Kingdom’s people and its civilization.
Located at the heart of Riyadh, the world-class National Museum of Saudi Arabia presents a remarkable collection of artifacts, exhibits, and galleries that bring the traditions, customs, and history of the Kingdom to life.
While The Line Experience transports us to the future, the National Museum carries us back to the past through audio-visual exhibits and interactive displays.
Admission is free
Location: King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Al-Murabbah District, Riyadh
Visiting hours: 9:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. (Monday to Thursday), 2:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. (Friday), closed on Saturday and Sunday
Parents may take advantage of the countless available indoor activities around the city to keep their children entertained during this season. Whether it is exploring a museum, participating in indoor sports, or maybe just simply strolling in the mall, there is always something for every child to enjoy.
Despite the sweltering heat of Riyadh’s summer, the fun truly never stops!
