By the seaside
The UAE is not short of sand, but the majority of the beaches charge fees. By far the most popular in the city is Corniche Beach, a man-made stretch of sand. It has quickly won over a flock of admirers and at only Dhs10, it isn’t very expensive. The only free beaches are those on the surrounding islands or the old public beach, out past Emirates Palace. However, unless you want to get active with the kitesurfers and boot camp enthusiasts, there are no real facilities. Man-made islands such as Bahraimi and Lulu Island (opposite the corniche) are likewise free, but then you also have to get to them – they are also often littered with rubbish. Boats and charters can be hired from Abu Dhabi Marina (at Marina Mall) and Al Bateen Marina, although it can be pricey. If your kids are a bit older, rent a Jet Ski from the InterContinental and explore the islands by yourselves.
Parks and gardens
Plenty of parks dot the city, speckling the urban chaos with dabs of horticulture. A great number of the best parks sit across from the corniche, with areas set aside especially for barbecues and picnics. The most family friendly is, unsurprisingly, Family Park, near the Hilton Baynunah. It has plenty of activities for kids, including a maze and a giant pirate ship to light up the eyes of any youngster. Meanwhile Khalidayah Park has theme park-style rides, as does Khalifa Park, near the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Centre. For peace and quiet, head to Zalamat Garden, near the InterContinental. Shady, a bit wilder and usually quieter too, it offers something a bit different to the rest of the city’s odes to nature.
Kids’ clubs
Rainbow Island is kids’ activity centre at the Abu Dhabi Ladies’ Club. With programmes to suit kids aged four-14 years (boys under seven years only), there are plenty of workshops to help keep kids occupied. Indoors, a maze of tunnels, tubes, ball pools and trapezes lets them work off some summer steam away from the sun. Best of all is the shadow wall room, where little ones can experiment with light and shadows, creating all kinds of fun shapes. There’s also a party room for kids’ birthdays. Entrance is free for members; non members pay Dhs25 on weekdays and Dhs35 on weekends, while tickets must also be purchased for classes, which range from painting and cooking, to arts and science. Call 02 666 2228 for more information.
Mums’ groups
If you’re new to Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Mums (www.abu dhabimums.ae) is a great place to start. This friendly group will help you out with all sorts of advice while, more importantly, providing a host of play activities for kids up to six years old. Groups are divided by age, ranging from bumps and babes through to movers and groovers, then up to walkers and talkers. They typically meet once a week for playdates and mummy (or daddy) chat. Plus there’s a bouncy castle session open to all kids every Tuesday at The Club (02 673 1111) from 3.30pm-5.30pm. St Andrew’s playgroup next to Al Khubairat school is another friendly get-together for mums and tots aged up to five years old. Run by Tracy Crowther, the group boasts a wide selection of toys, snacks for the little ones and coffee and chat for the grown-ups, and ends with a half-hour session of raucous singing and music-making. Contact Tracy Crowther for more info (050 321 3962; jtcrowther@gmail.com). The group meets every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and costs Dhs15 per family.
Fun zones
When summer drives the family indoors, a fun centre can kill a few hours – and stop your ankle biters (and you) from going stir crazy.
Sparky’s, Khalidiyah Mall
The biggest attraction is a small ice rink (for kids aged six-12 only), a 4D cinema and a large, well-padded playhouse for smaller kids. Super Air Hockey proves very popular, as does the gut-rupturing ride Coconut Drop. The bowling alley is cheap too, at only Dhs15 per person per game.
Khalidiyah Mall (02 635 4000). Open Sat-Thu 10am-midnight; Fri 1pm-midnight
Fun Zone Al Mariah Mall
Al Mariah has seen better days and it’s not very child-friendly – it’s full of single men avoiding sunlight. Many machines are broken, with a high proportion of shoot ’em ups, a popular basketball hoop and a boxing machine. Bumper cars are set at neck-breaking speeds.
Al Mariah Mall (02 671 5577). Open 10am-3am
Wanasa Land Al Wahda Mall
The choices are many, varied, and often spectacular, such as magic bikes and a Japanese percussion game. Wanasa Land also proudly boasts Strike Zone, a kind of laser quest. There’s also a bowling centre next door.
Al Wahda Mall (02 443 7654). Open 10am-midnight
Fun City, Marina Mall
Rich with arcade games, and a shark rollercoaster that thrashes and whips with no notion of mercy, there’s plenty for all age groups here and there’s the Extreme Shock machine; a fancy version of air hockey rather than a psychiatric treatment.
Marina Mall (02 681 5526). Open Sun-Wed 10am-11pm; Thu 10am-midnight; Fri 2pm-midnight
Kidoos, Abu Dhabi Mall
Most of the arcades are generations out of date. The highlight is the 10m climbing wall. Alternatively, a machine called Blazing Angels allows you to take control of a Spitfire and defend London during the Battle of Britain.
Abu Dhabi Mall (02 645 9070). Open Sun-Wed 10am-10pm; Thu 10am-11pm; Fri 3pm-11pm
