Mother’s Day should be about spending time with the people you love the most. From spa sessions to afternoon tea, the memories you make will last long after the experience has finished.
Be pampered princesses at Chloes
Pampering sessions are so much more fun if your little princess can get their nails done too. Chloes has a section solely dedicated to little girls where pink butterly chairs and a loads of child-friendly nail varnish in a ranhge of gorgeous colours will make their day. They can also have their hair done or get a foot massage while Mums have similar treatments at the same time.
Prices vary. Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, www.chloesuae.com (04 388 4884).
Have breakfast at Emirates Park Zoo
Start the day off the right way with a wholesome hearty breakfast that includes eggs, sausages and toast (yum). But what’s particularly magical here is that it won’t just be the two of you starting your day in the right way, you will also be accompanied by a super-friendly giraffe who will be sticking his neck out in the hope that you might share your brekkie with him. Alternatively you can share your breakfast with a colourful cast of feathery friends. As part of the package, you also get complimentary all-day access to the zoo where you can meet the rest of its cute and creepy residents.
Dhs160 (adults), Dhs80 (kids four-12), free (under four) for the bird breakfast. Dhs1,500 (a group of two-six people) for the giraffe breakfast. Sat-Thu 9am-11am. 12th Street, Al Bahia, Abu Dhabi, www.emiratesparkzooandresort.com (02 501 0000).
Eat sweet treats at Yamanote Atelier
What better way to bond than over a super sweet (in both senses of the word) Japanese pastry? The newly-opened Yamanote Atelier in the AL Ferdous complex in Jumeirah is a gorgeous, light and airy space where you can feast on the most adorable custard-filled buns that look almost too good to eat… Almost. Order a selection and while away the afternoon satisfying everyone’s sweet tooth while you catch up on all the important stuff you never have time to chat about with your mini me. And if you’re a Mum in the capital, worry not, you can get your lotus bun fix with your kiddo at the Etihad Towers branch.
Daily 8am-10pm (Sun-Wed), 8am-11pm (Thu-Sat). Al Ferdous 2, Al Safa 1, Dubai; Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi, www.yamanoteatelier.com (04 399 9559).
Get on your bike at the Dubai Canal
Enjoy some fresh air and some one-on-one time with your gorgeous offspring as you take a leisurely bike ride along the scenic waterfront of Dubai Canal. Don’t have a two-wheeled mode of transport? No problem, the recent launch of Careem Bikes means that there are over 780 pedal bikes dotted around the city at some 78 bike stations. All you have to do is download the Careem Bike app which allows you to unlock bikes by scanning a QR code, and then inputting a related 5-digit code from your app into the station. Literally as easy as riding a bike!
Free. Dubai Canal, Al Safa, Dubai.
Make chocolate at Oompa Loopma
The newly-opened Oompa Loompa restaurant at JBR is a nod to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory where you and your mini-me can turn your hand to making your own version of this sweet cocoa treat. The chocolate making masterclasses take place at various times of day throughout the week, as well as at weekends, and are loads of fun. Plus you get to take your creation home to savour at the end… delicious.
Dhs65 (Sun-Thu), Dhs130 (Fri-Sat). Sun-Thu 10am, 12pm, 2.30pm, 4.30pm. Fri-Sat 10am, 12pm, 2.30pm, 4.30pm, 6.30pm. JBR, Dubai (04 578 6121).
Watch a movie at Vox Cinemas
Ditch your other half and instead take your little person on a movie night. As an extra special treat, why not upgrade your standard ticket to a full-on experience by either watching your chosen film in 3D, or by going all out and booking yourselves in for a cinema dining experience at Theatre by Rhodes. That’s two birds with one stone – a movie and dinner, can’t say better than that. Plus, this month there are some top films hitting screens across the UAE including Disney animation Onward, Star Dog and Turbo Cat and a film adaptation of Mulan – it’s a date.
From Dhs37 (standard), from Dhs168 (Theatre by Rhodes). Various locations across Dubai including Mall of the Emirates and Mercato Mall; various locations across Abu Dhabi including Nation Towers Mall, www.uae.voxcinemas.com.
Enjoy high tea onboard the QE2
Little girls (and boys) love a chance to get dressed up – as do big girls to be fair. So don your glad rags and give this sophisticated afternoon experience a go.
The afternoon tea boasts finger rolls and sandwiches that include smoked salmon and horseradish, roast chicken with mustard, roast beef and gherkin, cream cheese and cucumber, along with egg mayonnaise with watercress. Plus Mums will get to choose from a selection of ten premium Tchaba teas from Dubai to wash everything down with.
As for those with a sweet tooth, plain and raisin scones with clotted cream and jam (of course), macarons, chocolate tart, salted caramel choux and baked cheesecake are all on offer.
There’s also a package for kids aged seven to 12 priced at Dhs95, featuring crust-less Nutella and turkey sandwiches (not together obviously), smiley face mini-pizzas, candy cookies, jelly and home-made milkshakes. Pinkies at the ready!
From Dhs195 (adults), (kids aged seven-12). Every Thu-Sat, 3pm-5pm. The Chart Room, Queen Elizabeth 2, Mina Rashid, Dubai, www.qe2.com (04 526 8811).
Be creative at My Kids Doodles
If you’ve ever wondered about what to do with your little one’s beautiful art work, we’ve got just the suggestion, and it doubles up as a fun way to spend an afternoon, too. First, get drawing. Sit your little person down at the kitchen table with a pot of colouring pencils and some plain paper. Next, give them a topic and ask them to set to work on creating a gorgeous piece of art. Once they’ve finished their masterpiece, you can upload it to the My Kids Doodles website where the designers will miniaturise the drawing and transform it into your chosen piece of jewellery. A great way to make memories last.
From around Dhs299. Always open. www.mykidsdoodles.com (050 795 2811).
