There is always something fun going on in the UAE and just when you think you’ve done it all a new family-friendly activity crops up to impress.
And because we want to make sure you don’t miss out, we have pulled together all the new activities, brunches and family fun so you can get out there with the kids and have a blast. You’re welcome.
EAT
Liwan
Play brunch
Swissôtel Al Ghurair’s new family-friendly brunch has been designed especially with the kids in mind. An afternoon of food, fun and games, the hotel’s Playhouse Friday brunch promises plenty of fun activities for the kiddies such as cool cooking sessions for budding chefs. There is special child-friendly food for the little brunchers, plus the kids can get stuck into a number of activities including a cooking classes, gardening sessions, painting lessons, dance classes and more. But it gets better… The kids’ play area is monitored by cameras linked to a TV, so you can enjoy your afternoon without having to keep checking
on them.
From Dhs160 per person, Dhs80 (kids aged six to 12), free (kids under five). Fri 12.30pm-4pm. Liwan, Al Ghurair Centre, Deira (04 293 3270).
Lola Taberna Española
Family brunch
This authentic Spanish joint sits in the place that formerly held BARBARY Deli + Cocktail Club. It has a quaint terrace and serves up loads of tapas – plus there’s a wide range of Spanish charcuterie, too. The brand-new family-friendly laid- back lunch takes places on a Saturday and serves up tapas, paella and more.
Dhs199 (soft drinks), Dhs210 (house beverages), Dhs99 (kids aged six-12), free (kids under six). Sat 1pm-4pm. Tryp by Wyndham Dubai, Barsha Heights (04 247 6688).
Lowlands at The Pangolin
New kids’ menu
Fancy breakfast out with the kids? Family-friendly restaurant, The Pangolin , which opened in Dubai Sports City at the end of last year, has just introduced a brand-new breakfast menu for kids and added some additional dishes for mums and dads too. You’ll be able to tuck into the new breakfast options between 8am and 11.30am from Sunday to Thursday and from 8am to 12.30pm on the weekend at The Pangolin›s ground floor restaurant, Lowlands. There is plenty of choice when it comes to tasty dishes for the most important meal of the day, some of which have cute names such as the hippo in a pond – milk chocolate porridge with strawberries and fresh fruit rubix cube.
Sun-Thu 8am-11.30am, Fri & Sat 8am-12.30pm. Lowlands, The Pangolin, The Els Club, Dubai Sports City (054 4438 288).
Mina’s Kitchen
Bubbalicious brunch has gone child-friendly
One of Dubai›s most iconic Friday brunches is going all-out family-friendly with the introduction of a brand-new line-up of activities for the kids. Taking place every Friday from 1pm to 4pm, the range of fun on offer for the little brunchers includes loads of kid-friendly entertainment and activities ranging from face, animal toy and pot painting, themed arts and crafts, customised magnet-making and the biggest child craze (not necessarily as popular with mums and dads it has to be said) at the moment, a slime workshop.
Dhs300 (soft drinks), Dhs450 (house beverages), Dhs650 (bubbly), Dhs150 (kids aged six to 12), free for (kids under six). Fri 1pm-4pm. Mina›s Kitchen, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Al Sufouh, www.minaskitchendubai.com (04 511 7373).
Palm Bay
Two new family brunches
The Pirate Bay brunch runs every Friday from 2pm-5pm and comes in at Dhs295 per person, including unlimited starters, sharing main courses and chef’s selection of homemade deserts. The little ones will be kept entertained with a treasure hunt on the beach Long John Silver style. Once the kids have found the spot that X marks, they can get stuck into some cookie decorating, watch a balloon artist and be amazed by a magician. Access to the beach is also included so you can soak up the rays and chill out on the sand with the background sounds provided by DJ Thomas Karnovski and Dj Superfly.
Pirate Bay Brunch: Dhs295 (including house beverages). Fri 2pm-5pm. The Family Island Roast: Dhs150 (including two house beverages), free (kids under 12). Noon-10pm. Palm Bay, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, www.palmbaydubai.com (058 594 1834).
Studio One Hotel
Family quiz brunch
The Family Quiz Brunch takes place every Friday from 1pm to 4pm at The Void and costs from Dhs125 for adults while kids are Dhs50. The whole gang can challenge themselves to a child-friendly quiz (brush up on your Disney mums and dads) and enjoy a barbecue feast. Little ones ones can head to the Busy Kids Studio for free, where plenty of activities will be laid on to keep them occupied. Slime making anyone?
From Dhs125, Dhs50 (kids). Fri 1pm-4pm. Studio One Hotel, Studio City, Dubai (04 581 6877).
Trattoria by Cinque
Family-friendly brunch
The Little Italian Family Brunch at FIVE Jumeirah Village is one for the whole famiglia to enjoy. There are plenty of fun activities to keep the littlest brunchers entertained as well as free access to the pool and to the on-site kids› club. There is balloon bending, pasta arts and crafts, face painting and pizza making classes as well as performances from Rapunzel as well as Nintendo›s Italian brothers, Mario and Luigi. At the end of the day kids can watch a family-friendly film.
Dhs250 (soft drinks), Dhs350 (house beverages), Dhs425 (bubbly), Dhs150 (kids four-11), free (kids under three). 1.30-5.30pm Fri. Trattoria by Cinque, FIVE Jumeirah Village, Dubai, www.familybrunchdubai.com (050 836 1513).
Time Out Market
Opening in Downtown Dubai
Set to house some of the city’s best-loved restaurants and chefs, Time Out Market Dubai is opening soon in Downtown Dubai. Keep your eyes on timeoutdubai.com to see which big names are heading this way. The brand-new market – the seventh market location globally for the Time Out Group – will be housed in Dubai’s Souk Al Bahar, so not only can you expect cracking grub, but fantastic views of the world-famous Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa, too. So, watch this space and start getting excited.
Opening Q1 2021. Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, www.timeoutmarket.com.
EXPLORE
Al Ain Zoo
Two new cycling experience
Al Ain Zoo has opened two new cycling trails at the bottom of Hafeet Mountain. here are two tiers to choose from, one is aimed at mountain bikers with three cool tracks of three, seven and nine metres long. The trails will take you along the bottom of the mountain and alongside the Al Ain African Safari, where you can look out for some of the zoo›s residents. The second is dedicated to younger riders and beginner cyclists on tricycles.
Sun-Thu 10am-6pm (mountain bike and tricycle), Fri & Sat 7am-6pm (mountain bike) 1pm-7pm (tricycle). Nahyan The First St, Shiab Al Ashkhar, Abu Dhabi (0800 966).
Aljada
A new farmer’s market
“Fresh and local” is the order of the day at the brand-new Manbat farmers’ market, where hawkers will soon be tempting punters with their delicious produce. Pitched up in Arada’s Aljada development, the vibrant market features 30 stalls manned by a wide range of farmers, entrepreneurs, suppliers and F&B outlets, as well as a presence from Spinneys. Families visiting on the opening day will be in for an extra treat, with a rally of vintage and classic cars, arranged by Sharjah Old Cars Club, under start’s orders. The rally will begin at the Sharjah Old Cars Club at 3.30pm and will proceed to Aljada afterwards.
Open Fri 3pm-8pm. Aljada by Arada.
LEARN
Threadwerk, JLT
Learn to sew
ThreadWerk, a sewing and fabric studio based in Dubai’s JLT, is offering classes and workshops to budding crafters of all ages. ThreadWerk’s courses span all levels of experience from its Intro to Sewing and Beginner Course to its Dressmaking courses. All beginner courses include materials, patterns, and tracing paper and for all other courses, attendees are asked to bring their own fabric. Patterns and sewing machines are also provided but if you own your own sewing machine, feel free to bring it along. There are a maximum of eight people class, offering plenty of one-on-one time with the expert instructors and courses start from Dhs300 per person.
From Dhs300. Cluster L, JLT (058 576 2739).
Mango Thais Bistro
Learn to cook Thai food
Mango Tree Thai Bistro has introduced weekly kids› cookery lessons, meaning that mums and dads can get their kiddos in the kitchen knocking up a delicious Asian supper. Yum. The weekly cookery classes are aimed at kids between six and 12 and will take place at the family-friendly eatery at Hilton Dubai The Walk every Sunday from 4.30pm. Best of all, the Dhs69 you pay per child for the sessions fully redeemable against food and drinks at the Thai eatery either for take away of eat-in. Sounds like a winner to us.
Dhs69 (kids six-12). Sun 4.30pm-5.30pm. LP Level, Hilton Dubai The Walk, Dubai (04 318 2319).
PLAY
Bollywood Parks Dubai
Nine new rides and attractions
The Indian movie-inspired theme park at Dubai Parks and Resorts has recently opened its doors following a refurb. There are a total of nine brand-new rides including the world’s tallest swing ride, the Bollywood Skyflyer, the Wheel of Stars, a 55 metre ferris wheel; Taxi No.1, an exciting 88 metre family rollercoaster inspired by Mumbai’s famous yellow-black cabs; Rodeo Ki Sawari, an exhilarating family ride with triple spinning action that has been inspired by the traditional Indian Rodeo experience; Mansoon Masti, a splash-tastic family attraction that will take you on a twisty monsoon adventure; Tanga No. 13 that will whizz you around the Gateway of India in an ornately decorated horse-drawn carriages; the Hawa Hawai, a family ride that simulates the sense of flying on a hang glider and Abraa Ka Dabraa, a fun-filled and mystical swinging Abra ride. There are also some new rides for little family members.
Dubai Parks and Resorts, Dubai (04 820 0000).
BOUNCE UAE
Parkour courses
BOUNCE Freestyle Academy has introduced Ninja Squad across all of its locations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The hour-long parkour-focused classes is aimed at high-energy kiddos aged eight and above. The new 10-week course, which combines core elements of ninja, parkour and free running, promises to teach little ninjas some epic new skills while developing their strength, co-ordination and agility. Classes are run in small groups based on ability from beginner to advanced, and prices start from Dhs1,000 for the whole 10-week programme. Got younger kids? Bouncers under eight and tiny tots haven›t been overlooked, with new 10-week courses aimed at kids between two and seven. Little ones between two and five can sign up to the freestyle academy’s Mini BOUNCE Squad, while kids between five and seven can join BOUNCE Squad where they can pick up some fundamental movement skills.
From Dhs1,000. Various locations across the UAE, including Al Quoz, Dubai; Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi; Remal Mall, Al Ain (04 3211 400).
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
Dedicated family days
Every Friday until February 25, the Yas Island theme park will be welcoming the whole crew for a fun family day out. Tiny tots whizz around in a Ferrari-themed push cart, while older kiddos can head to the park›s Family Zone where little ones will be able experience scaled-down versions of the park’s most popular attractions and rides with the opening of Turbo Tower, Speedway Race, Flying Wings and Formula Rossa Jr. A DJ will also take to the decks to spin the records and play some top tunes, while mums and dads challenge the kiddos to some giant human-sized board games. The new pizza eatery, Mamma Rossella, is serving up bite-sized treats and family combo meals to fill little tummies. There is even a Nutella dessert pizza for those who have been particularly well-behaved. And although we were taught never to play with our food, there is an option to play a cookies and crosses game, essentially an edible version of noughts and crosses. Alternatively you can head to Espresso Rosso for a special family gelato party platter.
From Dhs855 (family of four). Tue-Sat noon-8pm, Jan 15-Feb 25. Yas Island Abu Dhabi, www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com.
Motiongate Dubai
Three new rollercoasters
We are so spoiled when it comes to adrenaline-inducing rides and attractions. But feel like you›ve done them all and need more? You›re in luck. Fans of high-speed, white-knuckle rollercoasters will be able to hop aboard two new rides at Motiongate later this year, when the expansion of the Lionsgate Zone opens. The new rides are based on the movie franchise John Wick – the popular films starring Keanu Reeves – as well as Now You See Me. John Wick: Open Contact is a 4D free spin coaster while The Now You See Me movie-inspired rollercoaster is set to be the world’s fastest single-car spinning coaster reaching speeds of up to 70km per hour.
Coming 2021. Dubai Parks and Resorts (800 262 9464).
Studio One Hotel
Family slumber party
Families wanting to make a night of it, can check themselves into the hotel for the night and enjoy private access to the cinema. For Dhs150 per person, you can sleepover at the hotel, watch a film and play games in the hotel›s gaming room. The price also includes soft drinks, popcorn and snacks as well as a 20 percent discount in the hotel›s restaurant LARTE. For an extra Dhs50 per child, the little culinary fans can also whip up their own pizza before they settle down to watch the film. Kiddies can try out the variety of games in the studio arcade where they can challenge each other on the PlayStation. Mario Kart anyone? Karaoke is also on the cards, if you›re confident enough.
Dhs150. Daily until Nov 30. cu@studioonehotel.com.
Trampo Extreme, The Palm
Indoor adventure caves have opened
Little ones can now release their inner Indiana Jones at Tramo Extreme at The Palm›s Nakheel Mall thanks to the opening of the UAE›s biggest indoor adventure caves. The high-octane park, which is almost 4,000 sq ft, has opened its highly-anticipated adventure caves. Intrepid little explorers over four can head off through 100 metres of tunnels where nine different routes will put their navigation skills to the test.
Open Mon-Sat noon-9pm. Nakheel Mall, Palm Jumeirah (04 580 4411).
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
Super Hero Saturdays
Taking place every Saturday until Saturday February 27, families and superhero fans alike can unleash their inner superhero and meet their favourite DC characters including Batman, Superman, The Flash and Wonder Woman. There is also a new show, DC Super Heroes in Training 2.0, which features special appearances from Green Lantern, The Flash and Wonder Woman, as they lead the mini superheroes through a series of strength, speed, and agility exercises. And that’s not all as favourite Looney Tunes characters are also showcasing their “powers” in their own special show, Super Looney Tunes. Kids will be in their element, and they’ll even be able to meet some of their favourite characters.
Sat 11am-7pm. Until Sat Feb 27. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi (02 496 8000).
