Kids Kingdom puts the fun into learning

The words 'Back-to-school' do not normally have happy associations for youngsters getting ready for the new school year.

But the Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) final theme, "Back-2-School" - under which weeklong activities started on Thursday in all the main shopping centres - provides lots of amusing workshops that will make the return to school easier and happier.

Learning the basics in a fun and enjoyable environment is what Kids Kingdom is all about, as part of Back 2 School Surprises week, organised by the Dubai Department of Economic Development.

From playing with shapes, learning colours, practising alphabets and numbers as well simply making new friends, Kids' Kingdom offers children the chance to develop their early skills in preparation for the new term at school.

"Our aim is to give children a place where they can play and learn at the same time," said Hamza Abbas, deputy head of the Back-2-School Surprises Organising Committee.

"The activities that we have arranged help promote creativity and give children a head start with their ability to learn the basics, such as counting, simple words, naming colours, and playing games that encourage confidence and social interaction.

"The response so far has been excellent and Kids Kingdom in all three malls is regularly packed with children," added Abbas.

Organisers supply the children with all the drawing materials and toys, displaying them in two areas exclusively dedicated to them. Here boys can find small cars and jeeps while girls have a corner where they can play at ironing or cooking.

There is also a section with a giant puzzle displaying numbers, in order to teach the youngest visitors how to count and how to recognise numbers. Finally, a funny fishing corner provides small fishing rods and plastic fishes for a fishing competition.

Arif Mohammed Ahmed, a nine-year-old national, has come here with his brothers, Abdul Rahman, 3, and Ahmad, 5.

Busy playing with some cars, Arif said he had come to the workshop with his mother for the first time. "She has some shopping to do, so in the meantime we play here, together with other children."

Abdul Rahman, who was clinging to his brother's arm, added: "Here there are many toys and I'll ask mum to come back every day."

Zahra is a 16 year-old volunteer, who supervises the activities together with two of her peers.
She reveals that this is the first time she is working with children.

"I have spare time, in which I do not know what to do, especially now that school has not started yet. Some friends proposed coming here and I am really enjoying it."

The children visiting Kids Kingdom are aged between five and eight. Those eight and above are invited to join the Read and Paint corner where all materials are supplied to draw and colour, as well as storybooks and fairy tales to read.

Hasan Mohammed, a Qatari, is on vacation in Dubai along with his family. His two children, Fatima and Mohammed, are taking part in the Read and Paint workshop.

"We are here for one week only and we came especially for the DSS. We know that every year the activities that are organised are impressive and there is always something new. The workshops dedicated to children are very good and the kids are excited when they find a corner where they can draw and paint."

Mohammad especially appreciated one aspect of the Back-2-School activities. "I like the fact that children can interact with others while playing. I do not like the children to be shy and this kind of amusement enhances their capability of working in a group and communicating with their peers."

He said he would like to see such activities being organised in his country. "This year, they started to organise some shows and entertaining events doing the rounds of the shopping malls, but they are not as rich and they do not include activities for kids like the ones in Dubai."

Mohammad Al Osaimi, a Saudi national who has also come here to enjoy DSS atmosphere, noted: "We are roaming around in all the shopping malls all over the city and Sheda and Shruk, my two children, play in every corner dedicated to children. This DSS is really notable, as children learn something new while amusing themselves, the best way of getting educated."

The free-of-charge Kids' Kingdom is running every day from 4:00 until 10:00 PM in Al Ghurair City, BurJuman Centre and Mazaya Centre.