UAE: 5 fantastic new family attractions to check out this weekend

The pandemic is a tough time to launch a new business, but these family-friendly hotspots are bucking the trend and presenting us with yet more amazing options for fantastic family fun in the UAE…

WOO-HOO! CHILDREN’S PLAY MUSEUM: Opened on 5 November 2020, Immersive Experiences (iEX) has just launched a brand-new, interactive children’s edutainment museum called woo-hoo! Based in a vast Al Quoz warehouse (right opposite iEX’s popular Xstrike venue), it features 10 themed galleries that are all focused on delivering open-ended play and immersive entertainment that enhances children's development while allowing them to engage in meaningful and fun experiences with their families.

From the Splash Lab to Clever Climber and the Splatter Studio to Amplify, all of the 10 themed galleries have been carefully curated based on studies of leading international development specialists and designed to support the growth of key skills for children up to the age of 12. The skill development is established through, promoting creative expression, fostering critical thinking and strengthening the bond between children and their families whilst being active and adventurous.

The venue plans to offer parents' classes and kids' camps, and also features an onsite café called The Nest. As a safety measure all children aged 4 and above as required to wear masks and online bookings are encouraged. Tickets are Dh110 for one child (aged 1 year and above) and one adult for two hours of play. Open from 11 AM to 9 PM from Sunday to Wednesday, from 11 AM to 9PM on Thursdays, and from 9AM to 9PM on Fridays and from 9AM to 7PM on Saturdays, book online https://woo-hoo.ae/ or through calling 800WOOHOO (800-966466).

THEATRE OF DIGITAL ART: Launched in October 2020, this multi-sensory, multi-media, immersive art initiative at Souk Madinat Jumeriah in Dubai combines art, virtual reality, education and entertainment for a visually and intellectually stimulating experience that will engage children with the great masterpieces of history in a way never seen before.

The Interactive room is a section dedicated entirely to children, which features multidimensional spaces with secret passages and portals to magical worlds, allowing interaction with the installations in a playful way. Blending digital storytelling with mystery and exploration, kids are encouraged to use their imaginations and use scientific concepts to discover the depths of meaning hidden in great artworks.

There is also a virtual-reality experience, which transports visitors back in time to the studios of four artists - Munch, Malevich, Shishkin and Goncharova - where they can learn about the artistic process and the colourful personalities of these famous painters. Tickets are Dh75 per adult and Dh45 per child, available to book in advance from Toda.ae.

THE ARCADE BY HUB ZERO: Launched on 15 September 2020, this new gaming experience at Al Khawaneej Walk offers a variety of over 50 games and experiential zones to choose from, from artificial intelligence to virtual reality and motion capture systems.

For football fans there is Soccer Star, which uses kinetic software to allow players to physically play while virtually competing with friends. Plus some of the most sought-after games like Justice League, Batman, Mario Kart are on offer, as well as retro classics like Pacman and Space Invaders.

THE PALM FOUNTAIN AT THE POINTE: Launched on 22 October 2020, this world-record-busting fountain is the world’s largest dancing fountain, spread over 14,000 sqft of sea water, with a super shooter that reaches heights of 105 metres. Illuminated by more than 3,000 LED lights, this is the only multicoloured fountain in Dubai and is a celebration of Dubai’s resurgence and ambition to aim for the sky.

Kids love anything that is ‘the biggest’ or ‘the best’, and they will love watching this record-breaking fountain dance along to a selection of songs from one of the restaurants at Al Nakheel’s The Pointe. The Palm Fountain is free to view and has 20 bespoke shows, with five different shows running daily between sunset to midnight (7pm to 12am) while swaying to an array of popular songs including Khaleeji, pop, classic, international and more. Each lasts for three minutes and is performed every 30 minutes. This weekend it will be playing Bollywood songs and hosting a fireworks display to celebrate Diwali.

SHEES PARK IN SHARJAH: Opened on 15 October 2020, this spectacular new park nestled amongst the mountains covers an area of more than 11,000 square metres and features a 25-metre high manmade waterfall.

It also includes more than 50 metres of walkways through three mountain terraces connected by stone stairs, leading to a main viewing platform.

The perfect place to get back to nature now that the weather is cooling, head there for a hike and a picnic, and enjoy the mountain views and picturesque waterfall.

It also includes a children's play area, 32 shaded seating areas for families, an outdoor theater that can accommodate 70 people and a barbecue area.

DROPLETS BY CABOODLE, ABU DHABI: This new interactive play area for 0-6 year olds is based in The Luxury Collection in Abu Dhabi and is designed to encourage creativity, interaction and imagination in toddlers and younger children – all while having fun.

The ‘water inspired’ space includes two sensory rooms – one water play room and one dark room with glowing lights – alongside arts and crafts, jungle gym, ball-pit lake and a ship where children can role play.

There is also a dedicated baby zone for those under 12 months, plus a separate quiet room for naps and feeding, as well as a self-service coffee bar for parents. The ‘drop and shop’ service is not currently running due to health and safety regulations, but the play area is now open and operating according to strict safety guidelines.