Revealed: All the winners from the Time Out Kids Awards 2019

RETAIL
BEST UAE KIDS’ CLOTHES
WINNER
H&M
From teeny tiny newborns all the way up to fussy, cool teenagers (the largest available size is 14 plus years), H&M has an extensive choice of outfits for all ages and every occasio n– the prices are extremely affordable too. You might just go in for a jumper, but colourful swimwear, practical pyjamas, cute shoes and fashionable accessories (think pretty hairbands and funky water bottles) will all make it hard not to fill your baskets. Plus, we won’t lie, once we have finished shopping for the small ones in our lives, it’s pretty convenient to be able to browse the ladies collections and menswear section, not to mention the excellent interior décor in the homeware department, all under the same roof. They offer free delivery too!
Various locations including The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, www.ae.hm.com.

BEST ONLINE KIDS’ RETAILER
WINNER
SPRII
Designed to make the lives of busy mums easier, this shopping platform offers more than 2,000 of the world’s most renowned, authentic brands with a curated edit or products and quick and efficient check out system. Plus, we love the price match guarantee, which offers peace of mind that you are getting the very best value for your baby essentials and kids accessories.
www.sprii.com.

BEST UAE FAMILY LEISURE STORE
WINNER
DECATHLON
Every adventurous child’s shop of choice. The range of clothes, accessories and sporting essentials is overwhelming – if you can’t get it here, you can’t get it anywhere! From swimming goggles and noodles to horse riding hats and jodhpurs with plenty of balls, bats and bikes thrown in for good measure, Decathlon is the ideal go-to for all your kids’ extra-curricular needs. Plus everything is very reasonably priced.
www.decathlon.com (04 283 9392).

BEST MATERNITY RETAILER
WINNER
MUMMYISTA
Born out of a very personal journey of one woman’s very personal desire to offer expectant and nursing mothers a range of clothes that are not only comfortable and practical, but stylish too – she has ticked that box. The website is a pleasure to navigate with a great collections that include active wear, pyjamas, swim suits, dresses, tops and the perfect stretchy trousers. Plus the virtual style assistant who, with the help of some hashtags, helps you to find a suitable outfit for a particular occasion, is a nice touch.
www.mummyista.com.

BEST UAE TOY STORE
WINNER
HAMLEYS
A visit to Hamleys is a fun day out in itself with gadget-savvy staff giving excited kids a demo of the latest toy or game. The sheer choice is overwhelming as you enter this enchanting world of wonder that mesmerises little ones and takes parents back to their childhoods.
Various locations including The Dubai Mall, www.hamleys.com.

ENTERTAINMENT
BEST KIDS’ ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
WINNER
AIR MANIAX
This colourful, bouncy hangout is a huge hit with energetic kids. Spread over 23,000 square feet, Air Maniax’s biggest zone is an inflatable arena for kids of all ages – and adults too. Older kids will love the challenging obstacle courses, the zip line and laser tag game, while the littlest bouncers have their own dedicated toddler area to go crazy in. The colour-coded, sensor-activated wristbands are an added bonus that allow competitive children to go up against each other to get the highest scores.
Al Quoz, www.airmaniax.com.

BEST KIDS EDUTAINMENT CENTRE
WINNER
KIDZANIA
There’s just something fun about pretending to be a doctor, a fireman, a chef or a builder. KidZania is a magical world of make believe where children can role play more than 40 professions and earn their own KidZania money, which they can then spend on their way out in the on-site shop.
The Dubai Mall, kidzania.ae (800 382246255).

BEST SOFT PLAY VENUE
WINNER
CHEEKY MONKEYS
A world of colour and fun awaits little explorers at the Cheeky Monkeys soft play centres. Innovative neon-lit slides, mini zip lines, brilliant dressing up area and an enormous ball pit provide endless entertainment that energetic tots love. Plus there’s a café serving hot kid-friendly meals and Starbucks coffee for the mums and dads.
Various locations including J3 Mall (04 276 0011).

BEST UAE THEME PARK
WINNER
MOTIONGATE DUBAI
With two of the fastest rides in Dubai – The Madagascar Mad Pursuit and The Bullet Train – as well as plenty of less thrilling rides for younger theme park goers and an entire indoor area housing four themed zones – Kung Fu Panda, How to Train your Dragon, Shrek and Madagascar – there is something for everyone year round.
Dubai Parks and Resorts, www.motiongatedubai.com (800 2629464).

BEST UAE WATERPARK
WINNER
LEGOLAND WATER PARK DUBAI
Aqua fun for the whole family at this water park where the rides are great, the water is cold and the sun always shines. The Joker Soaker kids’ area has the perfect amount of tumbling buckets of water, water shooters and slides, the lazy river is a great way to chill out and stay cool and with 20 water slides throughout the park to enjoy, there is no excuse not to get wet.
Dubai Park and Resorts, www.legoland.com.

BEST KIDS’ PARTY CHOICE
WINNER
BOUNCE
Always a huge hit with birthday boys and girls, the UAE’s original indoor trampoline park includes free-style bouncing, well-run games, food for all (including the option to upgrade to Freedom pizzas) and a cake-cutting ceremony. It’s good value for money, every party comes with a Bounce host to guide kids around the various jump zones, plus there’s easy parking.
4B Street, Al Quoz (04 321 1400).

FOOD AND HOSPITALITY
BEST FAMILY RESTAURANT/CAFÉ
WINNER
MAISON MATHIS, ARABIAN RANCHES
While hugely popular with the Arabian Ranches residents, people from all around the city are willing to make the trip to Dubailand for breakfast, lunch or dinner at this family-friendly European eatery. The huge terrace is a bonus in the cooler months. Dishes are simple and done well, with a huge choice ranging from salads and pastas to grills and sandwiches. Once the kids have had their fill, they can hit the adventure playground meaning mum and dad can sit back, relax and enjoy some time to catch up – everyone’s a winner!
Arabian Ranches Golf Club (04 450 1313).

BEST FAMILY BRUNCH
WINNER
BREAD STREET KITCHEN AT ATLANTIS THE PALM
This year’s winning family brunch edges it over its rivals thanks to a combination of superb grub (it does come courtesy of Gordon Ramsay, after all) and lovely touches put in place to amuse the younger diners. For the kids there is macaroni cheese, chicken wings and cheeseburgers on the menu and the adults can load their starter plates from the raw bar or opt for a hot appetiser such as mini cottage pie before choosing their mains from a meat, fish or vegetarian option. Cookie decorating, an ice cream bar, playdough making, face-painting, a huge playground and bouncy castle in the cooler months is added bonus for little ones. All that plus the kids get free tickets to The Lost Chambers too.
From Dhs240 (soft drinks), Dhs105 (kids). Atlantis The Palm (04 426 2000).

BEST FAMILY BEACH DAY
WINNER
SOFITEL DUBAI THE PALM RESORT & SPA HOTEL
Stunning organic architecture and a tropical spirit set the scene on this East Crescent Palm frond hotel. The white sandy beach stretches out wide, the circular pools are cool and inviting and the water slides make for lots of splashing fun – the perfect beach (and pool) day for all the family. Plus we love the Aqua Bounce activity course just a few metres out into the sea and the lively Amura Kids Club, situated right next to the kids’ pool.
Sofitel The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, www.sofitel-dubai-thepalm.com (04 455 5656).

BEST UAE FAMILY HOTEL
WINNER
ATLANTIS THE PALM
Aquaventure, The Lost Chambers Aquarium, Dolphin Bay, Sea Lion Point, Kids’ Club and Club Rush and babysitting services – need we say more? It’s all kicking off here for families. Plus great restaurants, top brunches, plenty of family offers, a slew of nightlight options and indulgent spa treatments make this a hit with parents too. We also love the regular promotional room rates and extras that this hotel offers, talk about going the extra mile when it comes to families.
Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah (04 426 1000).

SPORT, HEALTH & WELLBEING
BEST FITNESS ORGANISATION
WINNER
MY SPORTS ACADEMY
Whether your sporty kids prefer scoring goals on the football pitch, doing three-point turns on the netball court, going all out in a triathlon, want to splash their way to glory in the swimming pool – or even do them all – My Sports Academy offers it all. Top notch, dedicated coaches encourage children and focus on them as individuals. And mums and dads need not worry about providing a chauffer service for their little sports mad darlings as with a huge number of venues across the city, you’re bound to find one right on your doorstep.
www.mysportsacademydubai.com.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SPORTS EXPERIENCE
WINNER
AVENTURA PARKS
Encourage them to reach for the skies as they hit the tree tops for some fun climbing, balancing, tree-surfing and zip lining action in Mushrif Park. Let them get back to nature as they safely explore the tight-ropes and rope bridges suspended high above the ground in the branches of the lofty trees.
Mushrif Park, www.aventuraparks.com.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION PRE- AND POST-NATAL CARE
WINNER
JOANNE HANSON-HALLIWELL AND LALA LANGTRY WHITE, SMALL AND MIGHTY BABIES
Set up in 2014, this support group is for women who deliver very premature babies in Dubai, inspired by their personal experiences that both Hanson-Halliwell’s and Langtry White’s went through with their pregnancies. Drawing on their own circumstances of having been through so much themselves, the inspirational duo help and support other families going through similar things.
www.smallandmightybabies.com.

PEOPLE AND ACHIEVEMENTS
BEST MATERNITY/FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER
WINNER
ADELE MAJOR PHOTOGRAPHY
Capturing those major milestones on the parenthood journey is so important, which is why with her ability to focus on the natural timeless moments as they happen, Major is the one to trust to get it right every time. From perfect pregnancy portraits to fun family snaps, she freezes those magical moments in time giving the whole tribe a treasured keepsake that will stand the test of time.
www.adelemajorphotography.com

PARENT BLOG OF 2019
WINNER
THE MOTHERSHIP, HELEN FARMER
When The Mothership, A.K.A. Helen Farmer, posts a story on Instagram or to her blog, we get excited to read it. We love the way she deals with parenthood in a frank, honest and transparent way, sharing the bad with the good in equal measure and making us laugh with her witty take as a working mum – she has two gorgeous little girls – in Dubai.
@themothershipdxb, www.themothershipdxb.com.

TIME OUT KIDS FAMILY ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARD
WINNER
LILY KANDALAFT, MALAAK MAMA & BABY CARE
After having her first baby in 2013 Kandalaft spotted a big gap in postnatal care in the region and took on the momentous challenge of launching her own maternity focused agency to fill the void. Malaak Mama & Baby was the first maternity destination of its kind offering a complete programme of pre- and post-natal services – and, as its founder, Kandalaft is the well-deserving recipient of this hotly contested award.
www.malaak.me

RECOGNITION FOR THE EDUCATION OF PEOPLE OF DETERMINATION
WINNER
RIVERSTON CHILDREN’S CENTRE
With a belief that all children can progress in their development and learning with the right level and type of support, the centre provides outstanding expertise for children and their families from a multidisciplinary team offering in-depth assessment, diagnosis and therapy input as well as providing bespoke learning programmes in our early intervention nursery.
www.riverstoncc.ae (04 328 0052).

TIME OUT KIDS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION
RANA AKKAD
Every year we recognise someone who has dedicated their time and efforts to supporting other families, someone who has made a huge impact on a certain issue that is of great importance to the Dubai community.

This year’s winner went through something that no parent should ever have to experience. But out of the worst possible situation, has managed to spread light and hope among other families who have gone through – or are going through – the same thing.

When faced with the frustrations and knock backs of trying to get her special little boy Jad into school – he was rejected by a staggering 22 schools in Dubai – she spotted a gap between special needs and mainstream education in the city.

Taking on the challenge to fill this void herself, she began the process of opening a top-notch school, whose mission it was to embrace children just like Jad. And so the Modern Alternative Education was opened in 2016.

Heart-breakingly, in August 2018, Rana lost her little boy suddenly to SIDS. She decided to change the name of the not-for-profit educational and vocational centre in his memory. Jad’s Inclusion now provides an outstanding education to children of determination and special needs pupils.

Rana is a true inspiration and we were thrilled that she was able to join us on the night to collect her well-deserved award.

TIME OUT KIDS SPECIAL RECOGNITION
RUBY HAMILTON
Another important award of the yearly ceremony as we believe it is important to recognise those incredible children whose empathy, determination and wisdom are far beyond their years.

This year, the award went to a young girl who has inspired so many other children – and adults too – all over Dubai to face life’s challenges with one of the biggest, most beautiful smiles.

Born with Downs Syndrome, her mum Stephanie struggled to find a school that would accept her. In fact, she was denied entry to 40 schools before finally being accepted into one, though it comes at a cost to her parents who have to pay for both a support teacher and therapy.

This little girl had always loved to twirl ribbons and so last year, when her mum received a call from the Special Olympics World Games representatives asking Ruby to participate in the sports event, rhythmic gymnastics seemed like the most natural fit.

It was during her participation in the Special Olympics in March this year that Stephanie began to explore an autism diagnosis for her daughter. Emerging research shows that up to 30 percent of children with Down Syndrome may also have autism.

But nothing stops her, she is a little girl with no limitations, a little girl who comes alive listening to music, loves boy bands and has a great ability to learn song lyrics. And a little girl who made an entire nation proud when she placed third in two of her gymnastics events and received a ribbon in a third.

A truly inspirational child who loves hugs and has so much love to give, Ruby and her infectious smile came to the stage and won over the entire audience when she collected her award.