Best Parks in Sharjah for Families: Fees, Hours and What Kids Love

The best parks in Sharjah for families are Al Majaz Waterfront (free fountain show, splash park AED 35), Sharjah National Park (a couple of dirhams, the biggest lawn in the city) and Kshisha Park in Al Rahmaniyah, with its duck pond. For a day trip, the east coast has waterfalls at Shees Park and the Hanging Gardens in Kalba. Here's what each costs, when it opens and what your children will head for first.

Sharjah parks at a glance

Where hours aren't published, check before a long drive.

Al Majaz Waterfront: fountains and a splash park

The lakeside promenade has kids' play areas, a mini splash park (AED 35), a jogging track and football courts. The musical fountain show on the lagoon is free, so an evening stroll costs nothing. Boat trips start from AED 20.

📍 Directions: Al Majaz Waterfront

Sharjah National Park: the big lawn

The city's largest park, about 630,000 square metres, has playgrounds, bicycle rides, space for ball games and a little train that tours the park. Entry was last reported at AED 2 a person, open 8am to 10pm, closed 1pm to 4pm on weekdays. Check at the gate, as holiday hours change.

📍 Directions: Sharjah National Park

Kshisha Park: ducks, bikes and a picnic

In Al Rahmaniyah, Kshisha has a pond with a duck-feeding station, playgrounds, cycling tracks, a library and a skate area. You may bring your own food, but barbecues are not allowed. Open 9am to 10pm, until 11pm Thursday to Saturday. Next door, Shaghrafa Park is for women only, handy for a mums' morning.

📍 Directions: Kshisha Park

Your neighbourhood park and the entry card

Sharjah city's neighbourhood parks, such as Al Nahda and Al Qara'in, have play areas and walking routes. Some ask for a park entry card: residents apply through Sharjah Municipality, the card is AED 15 plus small service fees, and it covers parks in your area.

Kalba: Hanging Gardens, a lake and the corniche

The Hanging Gardens have children's play areas split by age group, a waterfall into a small lake and a train with four stations. Entry was reported at AED 10; parking is AED 10 an hour. Nearby, Al Hefaiyah Lake has a 620 square metre play area, a 3 km loop and boats, and Kalba Corniche Park has play areas and shaded picnic seating beside the beach.

📍 Directions: Hanging Gardens · Al Hefaiyah Lake · Kalba Corniche Park

Khor Fakkan: Shees Park and Al Rafisah Dam

Shees Park sits in the Hajar Mountains with a 25 metre waterfall, a play area, 32 shaded seating areas, a barbecue area and free drinking water; tickets are by QR code at the gate. Al Rafisah Dam is free to visit, with three play areas, a palm-lined walk up to the fort and kayaks from AED 30.

📍 Directions: Shees Park · Al Rafisah Dam

Shade and heat: the practical bit

October to April is park season. Early on, go before 10am or after 4pm, and take more water than you think, hats and a blanket. For shade, Shees Park and Kalba Corniche Park have shaded seating; in the city, pick a playground under trees.

Something to do this weekend

Pick one park from the table, tap Directions and go in the late afternoon, with water, a snack and a ball. Check the Calendar for what else is on. Worth reading alongside this one: farms families can visit in the UAE and UAE public holidays for longer breaks. Any park we should add? Tell us.

Sources

• Sharjah Municipality: park entry card
• Shurooq: Al Majaz Waterfront, Kshisha and Shaghrafa parks; Al Majaz Waterfront prices
• Visit Sharjah: Al Majaz, Shees Park, Hanging Gardens, Al Hefaiyah Lake, Kalba Corniche Park, Al Rafisah Dam
• Khaleej Times: Sharjah National Park, park timings, park entry card, Hanging Gardens fee
• Gulf News: places under Dh20, picnic parks, Kshisha Park, Kalba and Khorfakkan, Khorfakkan for free