UAE long weekend: 18 awesome things to do with the family

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Go skydiving at CLYMB Abu Dhabi. Take family outing to the next level when you head to the world’s biggest indoor skydiving flight chamber. The record-breaking 32-foot wide and 104-foot high space will make for an epic break. DETAILS: You can get four tickets for the price of three indoor skydiving. Image Credit: Supplied

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Perfect those skateboarding skills at Circuit X: Abu Dhabi’s newest hub of adventure has four parks offering a variety of challenges for and a handful of activities for all ages and abilities. At the Ropes Park, one can fly down ziplines, climb the 50-foot wall and free fall into an adventure. The dirt rails at the BMX Park in addition to a range of tricky hills will test visitors riding skills to the max. At Circuit X’s Skate Park, kids can receive private lessons and controlled guidance from coaches. And then there’s Circuit X Parks, where the family can enjoy water play at the Splash & Climb Park. DETAILS: Package prices start at Dh40 for 1 hour. Visit www.circuitxuae.com Image Credit: Supplied

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Get into a dream ride with Carzaty: Kids can book a photoshoot with their favourite car on the Carzaty website; they’ll get to go on a test drive and quiz car experts while visiting the showroom too. DETAILS: The experience is free. Offer is on until October 23. The car will be cleaned and sanitized between rides. Image Credit: Supplied

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Stay at the Centara Mirage Resort: The newly-opened resort is based on a family-friendly concept – there’s something for everyone. Highlights include a water park, multiple kids’ clubs, a colourful candy-themed children’s spa, and the dedicated Mirage Family Lounge, a club lounge experience for all the family. DETAILS: Prices start at Dh499, including daily breakfast, and up to two children stay and dine for free when ordering from the kids’ menu. Image Credit: Supplied

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Chill out at the RIVA Beach Club: You don’t really need to by hyper to have the good time. Lounge by the beach or pool, take in panoramic views of Dubai and just have fun with the family. DETAILS: The Day Access Pass allows you 12 hours of relaxed time, from 7am-7pm. Weekdays: Dh75 (adult), Dh130 (couple), Dh35 (kids, five to 12 years old) with 20 per cent off on food and beverages. Weekends: Dh115 (Adult), Dh210 (Couple) and Dh45 (Kids, five to 12 years old) Image Credit: Supplied

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Shop at Diwali Bazaar: The Indian Festival of Lights may be a couple of weeks off – it’s on November 4 – but that just means you’ve got more time to get organised. Head to the Jumeirah Lakes Towers’ little market for festive clothes, jewellery, décor and gift hampers from more than 50 participating brands. DETAILS: Friday and Saturday, from 4pm to 10pm at Cluster S, Lake Level JLT. Image Credit: Supplied

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Check out the Halloween Spooktacular event at Legoland Dubai. In the lead up to Halloween, this popular theme park has new attractions including ‘Brick or Treat’, where kids aged two to 12 wearing their favourite costumes can go collecting Haribo candies and other treats around the park. Next, head to ‘Miniland’ where you can make pumpkins using Lego bricks. Kids can move their happy feet and learn a new dance on the ‘Cobweb stage’. The park also promises cool and creepy instagrammable locations – such as ‘Wacky Witch Corner’, the ‘Lego Pumpkin Patch’ or the large ‘Minifigure Pumpkin heads’- for that perfect shot. Want to make it a truly budget-friendly trip? Head to‘Caesar’s Pizza & Pasta’ buffet restaurant, where a kid eats free when accompanied by a paying adult; and at ‘Knight’s Table restaurant’ after 6pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday DETAILS: Dh275 for the full day if bought at the gate; 20 per cent discount is applicable for those booking online 24 hours in advance. Offer runs until October 31. Image Credit: Supplied

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Dive into fun family time at Laguna Waterpark: The waterpark has games, live performances, delicacies from the grill and much more. Besides slides, a dedicated surf zone featuring the region’s only WaveOz 180 FlowRider and a comprehensive kids' zone, expect nostalgic aqua games such as the Lazy River Race and Floating Balls Collection along with roaming entertainment from skillful drummers. DETAILS: Dh145 per person; offer valid until October 23. Image Credit: Supplied

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Race at the Dubai Festival City Half Marathon: While you test your own mettle at the Dubai Festival City Half Marathon on October 22, your kids can participate in the 1km run for kids. The marathon is open to both seasoned runners as well as aspiring amateurs and the route will take them through some of Dubai Festival City’s most scenic locations including the Dubai Festival City Mall, Automotive Park, Festival Bay, Marsa Plaza and Al Badia Residences. Don’t forget to register before October 19 to get in on the action. DETAILS: To book a spot, go to https://raceme.ae/event/dfc-half-marathon Image Credit: Supplied

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Enroll your child in Junior Lifeguard Camp: Kids can step on the ladder of self-sufficiency with a membership to this club – which requires basic swimming skills. Here children, aged seven to 15, can learn survival and rescue technics, including water safety, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), first aid, and AED (automated external defibrillators). Campers will also improve their fitness and self-confidence, learn to work in teams, practice drills, and have lots of water-based fun. DETAILS: The camp at Emirates Palace Abu Dhani kicks off from October 22 and runs until December 11; each camp will take four sessions - in total spanning two weekends, every Friday and Saturday from 8am to 2pm to complete. Cost: Dh1,119 per child or Dh999 per child if there’s more than one enrolment. Cost includes lunch, a goodie bag with a T-shirt and a certificate at the end of the course. Image Credit: Supplied

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Join the OliOli Grand Prix: Test your child’s mechanical prowess at the experiential children’s play museum this month. The latest offering from OliOli is a chance for kids to learn how to make their own model cars and watch them zip down various tracks. There are 55 prizes for winners in categories including for fastest car on the Speed track; highest jump recorded on the Jump track; most creative car design; and most outrageous moment. DETAILS: Offer on until October 23. Tickets: Dh126 for one child and one adult, access to Grand Prix included. Image Credit: Supplied

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Kids learn how to bake: Golden, crumbly biscuits – that’s what your child will learn to make at Jones the Grocer’s new baking class, which runs on weekends at stores in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. DETAILS: The Anzac Biscuit classes, which are one-and-a-half hours long, run till November 6 and cost Dh149 per kid. The price includes a chef’s hat, an apron and a reusable canvas bag. Timings: Usually 3pm or 4pm. For bookings, visit https://www.jonesthegrocer.com/events-i197 Image Credit: Supplied

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Make your own chocolate: On Thursday, you can enjoy a playful hands-on chocolate making class at Mirdif Club at City Centre Mirdif. Experiment with white, milk and dark chocolates, chocolate colouring, layers, fillings, coating, bounty bar and more. DETAILS: For all age groups, from 4.30pm-6.30pm. To book a spot email eternitycoaching8@gmail.com or call 058 558 7899 Image Credit: Unsplash

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A cupcake for your cupcake at The Hummingbird Bakery: Take your kids over to this cake house for a fun one-hour class where they’ll learn to decorate their cute My Little Pony special edition cupcakes. DETAILS: The Dh129 session at the store at Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates branches includes a box of six cupcakes, a chef’s hat and apron and a baking certificate. The session is for all kids aged between five and 12. In order to maintain safety measures, all classes have to be pre-booked 24 hours in advance. On Saturdays, the first session is at 10am and the second at 11am. Image Credit: Instagram/@hummingbirdbme

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Go globetrotting at the buffet at Swissotel Al Ghurair: This ‘Around the World’ brunch has been inspired by Expo 2020 – which brings together 192 countries. The spread changes every week and incorporates regional classics from 15 different countries. It’s also a perfect fit for the kiddos who can put on a chef’s hat and create their own culinary masterpiece or indulge in activities aptly named Little Picassos and Little Gardeners or a dance through a Zumba class on site. DETAILS: The brunch runs every Friday from 12.30pm-4pm and is priced at Dh175 for adults and Dh88 per child. Image Credit: Supplied

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Lunch at Samakjé: This is a family affair – there’s a variety of mezze and mains including Lobster Kibbeh, Prawns Provencal, Roasted Muhammara,as well as fish for guests to choose from a display. And for young ones, there’s a special kids’ menu with Rakakat (cheese rolls), fish sticks and French fries. Whether it’s over rounds of backgammon or bites of mezze, this trip promises to be rewarding. DETAILS: Dh198 per person; Dh58 per child under 12. Lunch is served on Friday and Saturday, between 12pm and 4pm. Image Credit: Supplied

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Get the complete experience at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island: This option offers real value-for-money for a family of four. Staycationers not only get complimentary breakfast at Graphos Social Kitchen but also up to 25 per cent off on food and beverages, and access to Yas Theme Parks including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. DETAILS: Offer, which starts from Dh565, is valid until November 30. Image Credit: Supplied

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Head to the Kids’ Fest by the Russia Pavilion: Enter Expo 2020 to see a packed programme of exciting performances from finalists from TV shows including ‘Voice Children’ and ‘Blue Bird’; young Russian stars Taya Skomorokhova, Maxim Putin, Alina Sansyzbay, Varya Butko; the Harry Potter Choir; and a special guest - 15-year-old singer Vanya Dmitrenko. DETAILS: The fest is at 4pm at Jubilee Park. Image Credit: Supplied

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