UAE holiday 2021: 20 fantastic things to do with the family over the long weekend

TRY SOMETHING NEW: A three-day weekend means thrice the fun. Let’s prove it to you with these options -- from learning to juggle to camping out in a rainforest to splashing in a waterpark, the options just go on and on and on.

D3 SUMMER PROGRAMME: This is the time to discover your child’s artistic inclinations; enroll him or her in the Splatter Drawings event or Collagraph Printmaking. In Splatter Drawings segment, they will learn about mask-making using paper, textiles and assorted finishing while in the printmaking sessions they will learn a creative and experimental form of printmaking through collagraphy. Participants will learn to create a collograph print by first creating a collagraph plate using discarded cardboard, and then printing the plate using ink, their hands and/or a spoon. DETAILS: Splatter Drawings will take place from 10am to 12pm in Building 7; Collagraph Printmaking will be held from 2pm to 5pm in the same building.

SPLASH FEST: If the hot season is making you wish for a dunk in a cool pool and some fun water-flush rides, these awesome offers are perfect for you. When you head to La Mer you can buy four tickets to the Laguna Waterpark for the price of three. And an hour at the Splash ’n’ Party attraction at La Mer Central will cost just Dh50. Both deals run till September 4. But there’s more. Thanks to the Splash Fest, a Legoland Water Park visit comes at a 20 per cent discount when booked online, there’s a 50 per cent off the price of cabanas after 4pm, and kids eat for free after 4pm until September 4. Visitors to Wild Wadi Waterpark, meanwhile, also have cause to celebrate because when they buy a ticket, they also get a meal. This offer is on until August 28.

MODESH CIRCUS ACADEMY: Always wanted a juggler in the family? Well, here’s your chance to enroll your child in a class that offers lessons in stilt-walking, spinning plates, juggling, balancing on a slackline and more. DETAILS: Perfect for ages 5-12 from August 12-21 at Dubai World Trade Centre. Timings: 3pm to 8.30pm. Enrollment is free.

MODESH AND DANA MAZE WONDERLAND: Looking for a picture opportunity with Modesh and Dana? Head over to Al Khawaneej Walk this weekend and look for the Modesh and Dana Maze Wonderland. The labyrinthine structure will entertain with games and obstacles – and the friendly mascots will be waiting for you at the centre of the maze. DETAILS: Open daily until 18 August. Entry is free.

FITNESS BEYOND & CORE DIRECTION YOGA CLASS: Get the whole family involved in a fitness class. Start with the yoga session at The View at Nakheel Mall. Open to all ages and abilities, the class will be held at the observation deck, offering stunning views of the Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina. DETAILS: Class to be held from 7am to 8am on August 13. To book a space, visit coredirection.com.

COURTYARD AT CITY WALK: Meet Count Dracula, Frankenstein, Mavis and Mummy Murray, those loveable characters from ‘Hotel Transylvania’ on Friday and Saturday from 4.30 onwards. A version of the monster hotel will also be open and host ball-toss games, bingo, themed board games, arts and craft workshops, and more. DETAILS: Entry is free upon presenting a receipt for a single spend of AED100 or above at any City Walk outlet. | Above: Photo for illustrative purposes.

LA PERLE: Watch the musical acrobatic spectacular in Al Habtoor City over the long weekend. The award-winning show has a number of special DSS offers. DETAILS: free entry for kids under 12 when accompanied by a paying adult. UAE residents will receive 20 per cent off the price of a ticket and groups of four guests can enjoy 25 per cent off.

IMG WORLDS OF ADVENTURE: There’s a great summer fest on until August 28 at this theme park complete with an LED Display Dance Extravaganza, an Indoor Beach plus a stunning Character Parade with 30 plus cartoon stars including Modesh and Dana, Johnny Bravo, Gumball, Darwin, Finn and Jake as well as Marvel heroes Hulk and Captain America. DETAILS: 12pm-9pm (Sunday to Wednesday) and 12pm to 10pm (Thursday to Saturday). Tickets start at Dh325.

AVENTURA PARKS’ NATURE TRAIL: Learn and have fun is the mantra at this site, where kids get an interactive experience and find out about the region’s flora and fauna with the help of an expert on-site. Then there’s a fun test of knowledge at the animal boneyard analysing skeletons, a chance to interact with domesticated pets and more than 30 different points of interest. Parents can then take a break at Café Chris or enjoy a circuit or two with their children. The tree top circuits include bridges, swings and over 24 zip lines set in a beautiful Ghaf tree forest. DETAILS: Cost Dh45 for a one-hour experience; one adult gets in free with a kid younger than 12. Timings: 9am-6pm

PARK REGIS KRIS KIN HOTEL: Not only does this staycation offer you a 50 per cent discount on rooms, it also throws in a complimentary buffet breakfast and lunch or dinner set menu. And if you want to head to Dubai Parks for a fun day out, you get half-off on tickets too. DETAILS: Offer valid until September 30 and cost Dh210. For information and bookings, please call 04 377 1163.

THE GREEN PLANET: Treat yourself to a camp-out with the kids in Dubai’s indoor rainforest this weekend. Home to an incredible 3,000 exotic plants and animals, The Green Planet offers quite an adventure to those taking up this package. There’s a guided scavenger hunt, a nocturnal animal tour and after dinner, a nature-themed movie and marshmallow roasting. Guest can fall asleep under the bio-domes in tents. Cost: Dh700 for a party of two and Dh1,400 for a party of four

CARLUCCIO’S: Treat your child to a fancy dining experience with this offer – when you order a main, kids get a three-course dining experience for FREE. Each meal will include veggie crudites, a main course - Mac and Cheese, breaded Chicken Milanese served with rosemary potatoes, pizza or a hearty Lasagna - a dessert and a drink. Dessert choices include a chocolate brownie topped with ice cream or a scoop of gelato in flavours including strawberry, vanilla, and pistachio. There’s even a make your own pizza or pasta option! DETAILS: Offer runs until August 31.

SIR BANI YAS ISLAND: If you are looking for a treat for the whole family, head over to the Arabian Wildlife Park, which is home to giraffes, cheetahs and gazelles. Horse-riding options are available at the Sir Bani Yas Stables as are activities such as kayaking. DETAILS: Prices are variable.

CAFÉ SOCIETY: Cool off with delicious homemade ice cream this summer season. The flavours available are vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, pistachio, mocha and Brazilian para nuts praline ice cream. DETAILS: Prices start at Dh15.

THE EDGE ADVENTURES: At this indoor park in BurJuman Centre, kids get to go ziplining, play ninja, and find their way through a 20-metre high ropes course The adventure park also features an augmented climbing wall, where players must beat challenges as they climb. . (And there’s stuff for parents to do too.) DETAILS: Packages start at Dh50.

DUBAI ICE RINK: Show off your skills on ice or learn how to skate alongside your kid – everything’s possible at the ice rink. Have fun while grooving to the beats of a DJ. DETAILS: The DJs on Ice Event takes place every Thursday and Friday night. There are two sessions: 6.15pm-7.30pm and 8.15pm-9.45pm.

BOUNCE: When you jump at Bounce the odds are the floor will throw you back up. The wall-to-wall trampoline-lined funhouse is offering – until August 26 – a specially curated summer camp where the kids can learn trampoline technique, parkour and special Ninja Squad training. DETAILS: Timings vary across locations; Bounce is located in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Al Quoz and Dubai Festival City. Cost: Dh190/day. For bookings call 04 321 1400.

FERRARI WORLD: Head to the Yas Island amusement park, which is home to the fastest roller coaster in the world and more than 40 rides and experiences, before the end of September for a great deal for the family. With every adult ticket you buy your child (below 12 years of age) gets in free. Screaming together as you chug air on a roller coaster – ah, the true mark of a good friendship.

BURJUMAN: A fun-filled ‘Summer Farm’, which runs until August 15 in BurJuman’s main atrium, is sure to be a hit with the kids. Kids between 6 to 12 years of age can also enjoy a number of edutainment activities including crop and fruit harvesting, virtual petting zoo, planting workshop, augmented reality games such as fruit ninja and mini haystack tractor race. DETAILS: The ‘Summer Farm’ is open from 2pm-10pm.

TOP GOLF: Calling all teens with a penchant for golf – head over to Top golf for a two-hour game this summer season. DETAILS: Until September 1, for teens aged 14-18, the Teen Zone offers a two-hour game along with one soft beverage for Dh100. Walk-ins only.