The weekend is within sight, just a few more short hours until you can close those laptops and enjoy some quality time together as a family.
Plus, the kids are on half term from today. So, even if you can’t fit in all of these brilliant family-friendly things to do this weekend, you’ve got time to try them out with the children next week.
Get two for the price of one on these Dubai attractions
After a month’s hiatus, Laguna Waterpark is now back in business and offering Dubai families free cinema tickets. The La Mer water park has been closed for a month and, to celebrate its re-opening, is offering families free tickets to Roxy Cinema. Every single person who buys a general admission ticket to the park between now March 25 will be given a cinema ticket absolutely free. The tickets can be used at any of the Roxy Cinema location around Dubai including CityWalk, JBR and Al Khawaneej and are valid until April 30 2021. The waterpark is open between 10am and 6pm from Tuesday to Sunday and features four distinct zones and caters to the daredevils with rides such the regions first WaveOz 180 FlowRider, but doesn’t overlook the little ones with a lazy river and a dedicated water adventure zone.
Until March 25 (valid until April 30). La Mer, Jumeirah 1, www.lagunawaterpark.com.
Go on a Smurf Hunt
Lapita Hotel is challenging families to try and find the tiny blue creatures around the city and, as an added bonus, if you’re successful, you could win a prize. For five days, Smurfette, Brainy Smurf will be touring Dubai and taking in all the sites. Kiddos will need to keep their eyes peeled for the blue duo who will be lurking around Dubai’s most iconic landmarks and destinations including JBR and La Mer. Smurfette and Brainy will kick off their sightseeing on Monday March 1 at The Beach opposite JBR and will end up on the beachfront at La Mer on Friday March 5. And if you spot the Smurfs, take a picture of them and post it to Instagram using the #Smurfinlapita and you might just end up winning the chance to actually meet the Smurf pair, or a stay at Polynesian resort, Lapita. Time to put your deerstalkers on kiddo and get your Sherlock Holmes on!
Mar 1-Mar 5. Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Autograph Collection (04 810 9999).
Hit the beach with the kids
The weather is perfect for some beach day fun with the family. From private beaches to public beaches, we are so spoiled with choice. Have a look here and take your pick. Just make sure that wherever you go, you have some trusty beach toys to keep the kids occupied all day. Click here for some brilliant inspiration.
Learn to paint at Tashkeel
Creative kids between eight and 12 can sign up to the art studio’s spring camp that is taking place between March 28 and April 1. The Afterschool Arts Club will take place every Tuesday from 4pm to 6pm. The Nad Al Sheba-based art studio is also inviting residents to take part in brand-new workshops that aim to connect them with nature, strengthen their critical thinking and self-awareness, and relieve stress (don’t we all need some help with that at the moment?). The workshops will run from Sunday March 29 to April 2 between 10am and 1pm and between 2pm and 5pm. You can pay per session, with one session coasting Dhs276, or the whole week costs Dhs1,238.
For more information, visit www.tashkeel.org.
Make plans for Mother’s Day
It’s nearly Mother’s Day, which means it’s time to spoil your mum and make her feel special. The special day is celebrated on Saturday March 21 here in Dubai and in the UK it’s celebrated on Sunday March 14, and in honour of Mother’s Day in Dubai 2021 we’ve rounded up all the very best ways to treat your mum. Whether you’re lucky enough to have your mum with you in Dubai this year, or if you’re a mum yourself, make sure you go out and celebrate the important woman in your life.
Click here to find out what’s going on in the UAE this Mother’s Day and get planning.
Read the March issue of Time Out UAE Kids
The March issue is packed full of fun things to do in the UAE with the whole family. Filled with news, features and stories, every issue of Time Out UAE Kids covers everything that’s going on across the emirates so that you can make the most of living in the UAE as a family. Thinking about taking a road trip? We’ve rounded up the best destinations for you to try and we even share some top tips from experts about how to make the journey more enjoyable for even the littlest family members, and don’t worry, there isn’t a single game of I Spy in sight. Plus, we’ve taken one for the team and ridden, screamed and sped our way around the UAE’s awesome theme parks to bring you a round-up of the very best rides and attractions. Well, someone had to do it. In addition we’ve rounded up some of the UAE’s top playgrounds that won’t cost you a fils and have some suggested some lovely Mother’s Day gifts.
The latest issue is available to buy in shops now, as well as to read for free, here. You can also download the Time Out Dubai app from the Apple or Google App store and access it, and all past issues, from there.
Sign up to Spring camp at Aventura Parks
Taking place every day from 9am until 6pm from March 28 to April 15, Aventura Park’s Spring camp is aimed at kids between six and 14. High-energy kiddos can sign up to the camp for day, two days or for the full week with day passes costing Dhs200, two-day passes Dhs350 and weekly passes costing Dhs699. The focus is on fun, fitness and embracing the great outdoors and will include activities that focus on team-building, survival and nature activities. Plus, little campers will be able to climb, zip-line and take part hone their orienteering skills while learning how to use a compass, build a shelter, preserve water and more.
From Dhs200. 9am-6pm Mar 28-Apr 15. Mushrif Park, Gate 1, Dubai, www.aventuraparks.com (052 178 7616).
Snuggle up in front of a good film with your toddler
Yes, we know that sticking your tiny tot in front of the television for hours on end does not constitute great parenting, but sometime you need (and really, really deserve) a break, even just a hot cup of tea. The best kids’ movies for one- to three-year-olds can’t be too boring, or long, or scary, or they’ll ask you to turn them off. They have to be just right and that is what these films are. From Curious George to Mary Poppins, click here for some top toddler recommendations to try.
And if you still need more ideas, we’ve got you covered
New rides at Bollywood Parks
Have you checked out the brand-new rides at Bollywood Parks yet? There are nine new rides to try, if you dare. Click here.
30 family days out in the UAE
This is the ultimate list of fun things to do for families living in the UAE. Check it out here.
Family-friendly restaurants to try
Kids love to eat, constantly. So we’ve got you sorted with these three restaurant suggestions where some cool meal deals will keep the costs of eating out as a family down. Click here.
