Adventure seekers, take note: Louvre Abu Dhabi has launched a massive free treasure hunt for kids that turns a museum visit into a full-blown quest. The experience — called The Secret of the Dome Stars — is the museum's new digital game for families, and it's available right now on Saadiyat Island.
What Is The Secret of the Dome Stars?
The Secret of the Dome Stars is a location-based mobile game designed for children aged 6 to 12. Using any smartphone, kids search for 12 stars hidden across the Louvre Abu Dhabi's 12 permanent galleries. Each star is linked to a real artwork — players must look closely at the pieces, solve puzzles and quizzes, and collect each star to recharge the museum's iconic dome.
The whole experience runs for around 45 minutes to an hour, blending storytelling with active exploration across the permanent collection.
How to Play — No App Download Required
Access is simple: visitors receive a link or QR code inside the museum, open it in a browser, and the game begins immediately. No app store download is needed. It works on any smartphone or tablet.
Guiding players through the quest is Volpi, a friendly sand fox who serves as the digital guardian of the stars. Volpi keeps children on track and makes sure they don't get lost in the galleries — or in time.
The game is available in English, Arabic, and French, so the whole family can join in regardless of preferred language.
Developed and Tested With Real Families
The game was developed by Louvre Abu Dhabi and tested extensively before launch. Nineteen families — including 34 children — took part in early playtesting, helping shape the final experience into something immersive and genuinely engaging for the target age group.
Beyond the fun, the game is designed to sharpen observation skills and build a real relationship between young visitors and the museum's 600-piece permanent collection. As Ugo Bertoni, the game's creative lead, put it: it makes the museum "fun and not only a very serious place" while remaining "scientifically accurate" and grounded in art history.
It's Completely Free
The best part? Entry and the game are entirely free for children. All visitors under 18 enter Louvre Abu Dhabi at no charge, meaning families only need to pay for adult tickets.
Louvre Abu Dhabi is located on Saadiyat Island and opens Tuesday to Thursday from 10am to 6:30pm, and Friday to Sunday from 10am to 8:30pm. Visit louvreabudhabi.ae for more details.
