Saudi Arabia With Kids Is a Brilliant Idea
I know what you're thinking. Saudi Arabia for a family holiday? Isn't that a bit... intense? A bit remote? A bit too adventurous for kids who are currently arguing over the iPad in the back seat?
Trust me on this one. Saudi Arabia has quietly become one of the most family-friendly destinations in the Middle East, and most parents planning their first trip here have absolutely no idea how much there is to do with children of every age. From gentle camel rides for toddlers to quad biking for teenagers, from snorkelling in the Red Sea to horse riding at sunset in the desert, this country delivers the kind of experiences that kids genuinely remember for the rest of their lives.
We've pulled together the best family activities across Saudi Arabia, organised by age group, with honest prices and practical tips. Whether you've got a curious five-year-old or a thrill-hungry fifteen-year-old, there's something here that will make your trip unforgettable.
Why Saudi Arabia Works So Well for Families
A few things make Saudi Arabia surprisingly great for family travel. The country is genuinely safe. Crime rates are very low, the locals are warm and welcoming, and children are treated with great affection everywhere you go. Families with kids tend to get even better service and more smiles than solo travellers.
The weather is another factor. Outside of the brutal July and August heat (when temperatures can hit 45 degrees Celsius in Riyadh), the climate is beautiful. October through April is genuinely perfect, with clear blue skies, temperatures between 18 and 28 degrees, and long golden evenings. Outdoor activities in these months are an absolute joy.
Infrastructure has also improved dramatically under Vision 2030. Roads are excellent. Family-friendly restaurants are everywhere. Most major attractions now have proper facilities, car parks, toilets, and even cafes. This is not the same country it was five years ago, and the pace of development is stunning.
Prices, once you're in-country, tend to be reasonable. A family of four can do serious outdoor adventures for a fraction of what the same experiences would cost in Europe or Southeast Asia.
Best Activities for Young Kids (Ages 3 to 8)
Young children are actually the easiest age group to entertain in Saudi Arabia. The novelty factor alone keeps them engaged for days.
Camel rides are the obvious starting point. There is something absolutely magical about watching a three-year-old on the back of a camel for the first time. The sheer size of the animal, the gentle rocking motion, the way camels bat their eyelashes. Most operators around Riyadh and AlUla offer short guided rides of 15 to 30 minutes specifically designed for young children, with handlers walking alongside the whole time.
Sand dune sliding needs no introduction. Give a small child a sandboard, point them at a dune, and watch them dissolve into hysterics. The dunes around Riyadh at Edge of the World and in the Rub al Khali are perfect for this. No skill required, no risk, pure giggles. Many desert camp operators include sand boarding for kids as part of their package.
Gentle horse rides on the beach or in open desert are available through several operators and are genuinely lovely for young kids. Most places have calm, kid-friendly horses and offer 20 to 30 minute guided rides with an instructor holding the lead rope.
Pro tip: Book morning activities for young kids. By 11 AM they're still fresh, the light is beautiful, and you're back at the hotel for lunch and a nap before the afternoon heat arrives. Afternoon activities plus tired toddlers equals chaos.
Best Activities for Older Kids (Ages 8 to 14)
This age group is where Saudi Arabia really shines. Old enough to handle real adventures, young enough to still be genuinely amazed by everything. You will not hear "this is boring" once.
Quad biking is the runaway favourite for kids in this age range. The experience of riding your own quad bike across open desert, kicking up dust, bouncing over bumps, with nothing but space in every direction. It's the kind of experience kids talk about for years. Most operators offer dedicated junior bikes for smaller riders, and proper safety gear is always provided. Guided quad biking near Riyadh starts from SAR 400 per person, with a minimum age of 10.
Want to book a session? Check out our quad biking experiences across Saudi Arabia.
Snorkelling the Red Sea is genuinely one of the most eye-opening things you can do with a child who has never experienced marine life up close. Kids are naturally fearless in the water and the Red Sea's reef fish are so colourful, so numerous, and so close to the surface that even an eight-year-old with no experience can float face-down in shallow water and be completely gobsmacked. You do not need to be a strong swimmer. A snorkel mask and fins are enough. Equipment is always provided. Many Jeddah operators run family-specific snorkelling trips with very shallow, calm reef areas chosen specifically for kids.
Desert camping with a family is a whole different experience from solo travel. Building a fire at sunset, seeing the Milky Way properly for the first time, waking up inside a Bedouin-style tent and stepping outside into the golden silence of the desert. Kids in this age range absolutely love it. Look for glamping operators that include activities like fire-making, traditional bread baking, and stargazing sessions as part of the experience.
Best Activities for Teenagers (Ages 14 Plus)
Teenagers are honestly easy in Saudi Arabia. The activities here are genuinely cool rather than parent-chosen, which makes all the difference.
Horse riding on the beach or through desert canyons is a hit with teenagers who want something photogenic and genuinely exciting. A one to two hour guided trail ride through desert terrain, with dramatic rock formations and the occasional stop for photos, is the kind of experience that absolutely owns social media. Browse our horse riding experiences available in Riyadh, Jeddah, and AlUla.
Helicopter tours deliver a perspective on Saudi Arabia that very few people get to see. Riyadh from the air at sunset, or the ancient Nabataean tombs of AlUla from above, is genuinely breathtaking. It's not cheap, with the AlUla helicopter tour starting from SAR 2,500 per person, but if you're going to splash out once on the trip, a helicopter tour creates a memory that genuinely lasts. Teenagers who claim to be too cool for everything tend to go very quiet on a helicopter and come off buzzing.
Scuba diving (try dive) is available to beginners from age 12, and many teenagers are the perfect candidate for a Discover Scuba Diving session. No certification needed, an instructor right beside them the whole time, and access to a world that most people never see. The Red Sea off Jeddah consistently stuns first-timers of every age. A beginner dive experience starts from SAR 600 per person including all equipment.
Pro tip: For teenagers, give them a choice between two activities rather than deciding for them. The same experience feels ten times better when you chose it yourself. Quad biking or scuba diving? Helicopter or horse riding? Let them own it.
Best Family Destinations in Saudi Arabia
Where you go matters as much as what you do. These three destinations offer the best combination of family activities and practical logistics.
Riyadh is the easiest starting point. Good airport, excellent accommodation options at every price point, and day trips to quad biking dunes and desert camps within 30 to 60 minutes of the city centre. The Edge of the World viewpoint, about 90 minutes northwest of the city, is one of those places that rewires your sense of scale. Standing on the edge of a 300-metre escarpment with nothing but flat desert stretching to the horizon, every family member goes quiet at the same time. That is saying something.
Jeddah is the go-to for water-based activities. The Corniche is lovely for an evening walk. The floating mosque is a unique photo opportunity. But it is the Red Sea that steals the show. Snorkelling, scuba diving, glass-bottom boat trips, kayaking, and paddleboarding are all available close to the city. Jeddah's food scene is also genuinely excellent, which matters enormously on a family trip when someone always needs feeding immediately.
AlUla is for families who want to combine adventure with history. The Nabataean tombs carved into sandstone cliffs are extraordinary, and the landscape itself is one of the most photogenic places in the entire country. Hot air balloon rides over the formations at dawn are available and make for one of the single best family experiences Saudi Arabia offers. See AlUla experiences on our site.
Practical Tips for Families Travelling Saudi Arabia
A few things worth knowing before you book.
Dress codes have relaxed significantly in recent years. Women are no longer required to wear abayas in public, though modest clothing (covered shoulders and knees) is still respectful and appreciated. Children can dress comfortably and normally. At outdoor adventure sites and beaches, standard outdoor clothing is completely fine.
Timing activities around prayer times is worth doing. Friday midday prayers see some outdoor operators close briefly, usually for 30 to 45 minutes. Most activities simply pause and resume without issue, but it is worth factoring in if you're on a tight schedule.
Water and sun protection are non-negotiable. Even in winter, the Saudi sun is strong. Kids especially need high-SPF sunscreen, hats, and regular water breaks. Most outdoor operators remind you, but bring your own supplies just in case. Dehydration happens faster than you think in dry desert air.
Children's seats and baby equipment can be harder to find than at home. If you need a car seat for a rental, check in advance with your operator. Several family-focused operators now provide them on request, but it's not yet universal.
Pro tip: Build a rest day into every two or three activity days. Kids hit a wall suddenly and without warning. A day by the hotel pool between adventures keeps everyone happy and recharged for the next experience.
Sample 5-Day Family Itinerary
Here is a practical itinerary that works well for a family with kids aged 8 to 14, based out of Riyadh.
Day 1: Arrive, settle in, evening walk on the Riyadh Corniche. Good food, easy start. No pressure.
Day 2: Morning quad biking in the desert (1.5 hours out and back including driving). Lunch at the camp. Afternoon free. This is usually the day the kids decide Saudi Arabia is actually incredible.
Day 3: Drive to Edge of the World viewpoint. Pack your own lunch and eat on the escarpment edge with the desert spread out 300 metres below you. Return via one of the traditional market towns for afternoon tea and date shopping.
Day 4: Full day at a desert camp. Camel rides in the morning, sandboarding, traditional lunch, afternoon rest in the shade, campfire and stargazing after sunset. Book an overnight glamping option if the kids are up for it. They always are.
Day 5: Morning horse riding session (suitable for beginners, guided, relaxed pace). Afternoon at leisure before evening flight or onward journey.
Five days, five genuinely different experiences. No day feels like the last. You will not hear the words "I'm bored" once. I can almost guarantee it.
How to Book Family Activities in Saudi Arabia
All of the activities mentioned in this guide are available to book through SaudiActivities.com. Browse quad biking, horse riding, scuba diving, and desert camping on our site and check availability for your travel dates.
Not sure which activity is right for your kids' ages? Send us a WhatsApp message. Our team knows every operator on the platform personally and can point you toward the exact experience that fits your family. We'll also flag anything that might not suit younger children or first-timers. Real advice, not just a booking form.
Saudi Arabia with the family is one of those trips that surprises everyone. The parents expect it to be interesting and come home saying it was genuinely brilliant. The kids expect to be bored and come home already asking when they can go back. You will not regret this one. Plan the trip, book the activities, and let Saudi Arabia do the rest.
Start planning your family adventure: Browse all activities on SaudiActivities.com →
