It’s the most wonderful time of the year but when the kids finish school you need to be creative to think up ways to keep them busy.
Looking after little ones is a lot of fun but it can also be expensive and you bank account won’t always thank you for the increase of ‘family time’.
If you need to keep the kids entertained and don’t want to part with too many of your hard-earned dirhams then here are 12 great ideas for the next few weeks while school is out.
Explore Al Ain’s cultural sites
The Garden City is so close to Abu Dhabi but some residents never visit. Al Ain is full of great things to do and a lot of top activities won’t cost you a thing. Head to Al Ain Place Museum, Al Qattara Arts Centre and Al Jahili Fort and you can explore amazing architecture and learn about the history of the UAE. Al Ain Oasis, a UNESCO world heritage site, is another great place for a stroll among 147,000 date palm trees and if you want to get some amazing views you can drive to the top of Jebel Hafeet, the capital’s highest peak and watch the world go by. What are you waiting for? Go, now. You’ll love it.
www.visitabudhabi.ae.
Go flamingo spotting
Head to the UNESCO site Al Wathba Wetland Reserve and you’ll not only get the chance to check out a cool natural wetland but also see some great wildlife. Flamingos have made the site their home and while they like to migrate, you can catch colonies (or flamboyances) of the birds at the site relaxing in the water. Don’t worry, you’ll spot them easily, they’re bright pink after all.
Thu and Sat, 8am-4pm. Al Wathba Wetlands Reserve www.ead.ae
Have fun on the beach
While there are many beach clubs where you can enjoy a luxurious afternoon, the city is also home to a few public beaches that are absolutely free. Bring a towel, water and some snacks and you can soak up the sun at the Corniche public beach or the super-cool Al Hudayriat Island beach without spending a fil. Dive into a book, kick back and relax. Go on, you deserve it. For more public parks and beaches to explore, click here
Go on a road trip to the desert
Have you forgotten we live in a desert? When you drive south of Abu Dhabi you’ll soon remember. If you’ve been on Instagram and seen those snaps of dunes spreading as far as the eye can see well the good news is that these picturesque scenes are right on your doorstep. The Liwa desert is a sprawling landscape and it isn’t for the faint-hearted. If you’re going off road, things can get rough and ready and should you be going dune bashing make sure you prepare and don’t bite off more than you can chew. Throw a few tents and sleeping bags in the back and you can even spend a night under the stars but remember to bring water, not to travel alone and leave nature the way you found it. We’d all like to enjoy it for many years to come, thank you very much. Plan ahead, explore and enjoy the cooler weather.
Watch the sunset at The Founder’s Memorial
There are many great places to watch the sun set in the city but The Founder’s Memorial is truly special. As night descends on the city, The Constellation, an artwork and memorial to the late Sheikh Zayed, lights up. Standing 30m tall and using 1,327 geometric shapes, the installation projects a portrait of Sheikh Zayed out into the night and it’s brilliant to watch. It’s a stunning spectacle.
Open daily 9am-10pm. Corniche West, www.thefoundersmemorial.ae.
Learn about culture at the Heritage Museum
Abu Dhabi wasn’t always skyscrapers, smart technology and supercars (yes, we know that’s hard to believe at times). Want to catch a glimpse of life in the UAE before it evolved into a modern metropolis? Take a trip to the Heritage Village and you can see a snapshot of traditional Emirati life and heritage. The free-to-visit village showcases a range of local crafts, explores the history of pearl diving and gives insight into the past that can sometimes be forgotten.
Open Sat-Thu 9am-4pm; Fri 3.30pm-9pm. Heritage Village, Near Marina Mall, Corniche Breakwater (02 681 4455).
Play at Reem Central Park
Not only is it absolutely massive but there’s also loads to do in this cool public park. Located in the heart of Reem Island, the green space feature playparks, outdoor gyms, restaurants, a beachfront, a fountain with daily light shows, sports courts and a skate park. Fitness workshops and film screenings are also held in the park as well as regular meet-ups and there’s even local art on display throughout the space. It’s very cool.
Open 24 hours www.reemcentralpark.com.
Explore Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Okay, it’s unlikely that you’ve never been and there’s a good chance that every time a new visitor comes out to see you that you find yourself back at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. But that’s a good thing. What can you say about it that hasn’t been said before? It’s stunning, it’s one of the most iconic structures in the region and with 82 domes, 1,000 columns, 24-karat gold chandeliers and the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet it’s a masterclass in craftsmanship and architecture. Just remember to be respectful, dress conservatively and to get those brilliant snaps for social media.
Open Sat-Thu 9am-10pm; Fri 4.30-10pm. Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street (02 419 1919).
Get arty at Mina Zayed
Warehouse 421 is effortlessly cool. It’s a repurposed warehouse in the heart of Mina Zayed and there’s always something going on. Art galleries, exhibitions, events, film screenings and workshops – as much as it’s a cliché, there truly is something for everyone. If you want to find out what local and regional artists are creating and catch a glimpse of brilliant work from overseas then this is the place to do just that.
Open Tue-Sun 10am-8pm. Mina Zayed, www.warehouse421.ae.
Take to the streets in an e-scooter
E-scooters are popping up around Abu Dhabi left, right and centre, so if you haven’t tried one yet, now is as good a time as any. There’s a 15-minute free session for any newly registered accounts on Circ if you use the voucher code ‘wecirc’ when unlocking a scooter. You’ll need to download the free mobile app and set up an account beforehand, but you could be zooming about in minutes.The scooters go at 20kph as a maximum speed and normally cost Dhs3 to unlock, then Dhs1 for every minute you use it. The offer will run until December 31 so there’s still time to try it. Have fun.
Celebrate Christmas on the Corniche
From December 12 to 21, things are getting fun and festive at one of Abu Dhabis most popular destinations. Taking over Formal Park on the Corniche, The Winter Market will be hosting a free family festive celebration to get you into the Christmas spirit. At the event families can enjoy shopping at a host of stalls selling unique items from the UAE, try the open-air ice rink, play a selection Winter-themed games, tuck in to some seasonal food and drinks, watch festive films on the big screen and more. Plus there will even be a snow zone where you can enjoy a snowball fight and build a snowman. A host of workshops will also be held including gingerbread making, ornament making, arts and crafts and more. Live entertainment will also be held across the ten-day festival including performances from choir singers. We’re already getting our singing voice ready and perfecting the snowball making skills.
Free. Dec12-21. 3pm-11pm. Formal Park, Corniche www.abudhabimoments.ae
Get festive at The Galleria Al Maryah Island
Bringing some more festive cheer, Winter Wonderland is set to return to The Galleria Al Maryah Island. Attractions on offer include a sliding slope park, a snow zone, a wax ice rink and a host of stalls selling seasonal food and drink and activities including festive bath bomb making, slime making, gingerbread house making and fun fair games. Taking to the stage a number of live performances are also set to take place across the festival including live music and theatrical performances. A special festive train ride will also be available to young children. Inside The Galleria Al Maryah Island there are even more festive attractions including a Narnia-themed maze, Candyland and more. Last but certainly not least, Santa’s Grotto will return to the shopping destination where little ones can meet the man himself and get some pictures taken. It sounds like a whole lot of fun.
Free. Winter Wonderland until Dec 26 4pm-10pm, The Galleria Al Maryah Island until Dec 24. The Galleria Al Maryah Island www.almaryahisland.ae
