Since 2005, tourism in Saudi Arabia has been steadily increasing. In 2019 alone, there were over 20 million international arrivals!

Whether you’re an experienced globetrotter or you’ve recently wanted to start expanding your horizons, there’s no doubt that Saudi Arabia is a fantastic place to visit. It’s a beautiful Western Asian country that’s famous for Islam’s holiest city, Mecca.

Has this country grabbed your interest? Are you planning on traveling to Saudi Arabia with your family?

Then keep reading. We’ve got a great list of family-friendly activities in Saudi Arabia!

Check Into Family-Friendly Hotels

Wherever you travel to, you’ll want to check into family-friend hotels. Not only does this ensure that your family will be comfortable, but also that other guests are ok with your kids being around.

So for example, if you’re going to Mecca, you’ll want to look into kid friendly Mecca hotels. These will provide you with things like free cribs, kids’ clubs, large soundproofed rooms, toys and games in the rooms, fantastic children’s menus, and babysitters.

When you opt for one of these family-friendly hotels, you’ll ensure that your kids stay energized and happy for the entire trip. It’ll make things so much easier!

Visit Mecca

We touched upon Mecca earlier. This is the holiest city for Muslims, as it’s believed to be the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and Islam. Many Muslims travel here from all around the world to embark on the holy pilgrimage called the Hajj.

The Great Mosque of Mecca isn’t just a beautiful sight to see. It’s also a great chance for you to educate your children about Islam and how this religion plays an important role in the world.

So out of all the sights to see in Saudi Arabia, Mecca is a must!

Visit the Masmak Fortress

Would your kids like to see a fortress that looks like a giant sandcastle? If so, then definitely put the Masmak Fortress on your to-go list!

This fortress is located in Riyadh, which is the country’s capital. It was first built in 1865 and today, it’s a museum where you can see some excellent exhibits. What’s great is that they’re both in Arabic and English, plus entry is free!

Just make sure you check the Masmak Fortress’s schedule before you pack up the family and head over. It’s only open to families at certain times of the week, so you’ll want to double-check to avoid being disappointed.

Shop at the Kingdom Center

Also located in Riyadh, the Kingdom Center is truly a sight to behold. This huge 99-story skyscraper was completed in 2002 and is the tallest tower in the country!

Inside, there are luxury apartments and hotels, so you might want to stay a night here. But also, there are tons of restaurants and shops where your family can stroll, shop, and eat.

When visiting, make sure you go on the Sky Bridge. This bridge spans 65 meters and is 300 meters up from the ground. It allows you to walk between the 2 sides of the tower and gives you an outstanding view of the entire city.

Go Quad Biking at the Red Sand Dunes

Since you’re already in Riyadh, you should also put quad biking on your Saudi Arabia things to do list. The Red San Dunes aren’t very far from Riyadh and this activity offers an up-close and personal look at these beautiful dunes.

If you don’t feel comfortable navigating the Red San Dunes on your own, not to worry. There are guides you can hire to take you through them.

Also, if you want to avoid crowded dunes, think about going on weekdays instead. Rental prices should be a bit cheaper then as well.

Go to the Al Shallal Theme Park

Are your kids thrill-seekers? Then spend an evening at the Al Shallal theme park, which is located on the Corniche promenade in Jeddah.

It has plenty of rides for all thrill levels, so even if you’ve got a child who is afraid of speed and heights, you can enjoy a nice teacup ride with them. There’s even an ice rink where you can glide along leisurely.

The amusement park also has plenty of shops and international food outlets. So if your family gets tired, you can always sit and have some tasty food to recharge, then go shopping for some souvenirs.

Do note that Wednesdays are for women and children only, so plan around this.

Spend an Afternoon at the Fakieh Aquarium

When you think about Saudi Arabia, you probably conjure up images of vast deserts. So it might be surprising to learn that this country actually has an amazing aquarium!

The Fakieh Aquarium is located in Jeddah, a port city on the Red Sea. This aquarium will show your family the rich diversity of sea life you’ll find in the 1,800-kilometer coastline of this body of water.

Your children will view anything from seahorses to dolphins and sharks. In fact, there’s even a dolphin show that’s sure to create some unforgettable memories!

Visit the Al Bujairi Heritage Park

The Al Bujairi Heritage Park is a national park located in Diriyah. Pack your family a picnic and go strolling around the park.

This heritage park is very peaceful and allows you and your loved ones to spend some quality time with one another while discovering the beauty of Al Bujairi. If you don’t want to lug a picnic basket around, then you’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of restaurants around.

Traveling to Saudi Arabia? Add These Family-Friendly Activities to Your List

If you’re traveling to Saudi Arabia with your family in the near future, now you’ve got a great list of fun activities in Saudi Arabia. From visiting Mecca to going on a quad bike ride, there’s so much for you to discover this amazing country. We hope you and your family create tons of lasting memories!

If you enjoyed this article on things to do in Saudi Arabia, get more travel advice by browsing the rest of our blog!