Complimentary cruise for children inside Burjuman!

While two months of the UAE’s searing summer heat can douse the passion of kids and parents alike, BurJuman offers the perfect solution to cool off indoors this year.

Fast becoming the destination for family fun, the mall, continues to redefine indoor entertainment for little ones, with its brand new interactive adventure for the summer break called the ‘BurJuman Fun Cruise’.

The mall’s main atrium has been transformed into a nautical-themed activity zone that will have kids clamouring to leave the land for distant shores on a fascinating high-sea journey with Captain Shark as their guide.

Head to the mall any day between 2pm and 10pm until August 25, and experience plenty of fun, COMPLIMENTARY activities, all designed to encourage children to explore the unknown aboard a colourful cruise ship.

“This year we have a treat for the little ones, the BurJuman Fun Cruise,” said BurJuman Management. “Children can enjoy their very own cruise-themed experience as they navigate the seven islands, enjoying the diverse activities on board.”

With swings, rockers, slides and climbing frames, the Riviera Play Island is designed for tiny merrymakers to go wild as they jump off, climb up and slide down the rides.

Afshan Seher, 10, from India, is thrilled with the different play areas and activities available on board the giant cruise ship. “We have so many fun things to do. I love the slides, the obstacles, and the art and craft activities. The ship’s colourful flooring looks so pretty. BurJuman always comes up with new concepts and fun activities for us. That’s why I love visiting the mall.”

Get the kids to burn off that extra energy by diving into the Pool’s Paradise – a giant ball pit with two slides and thousands of blue and white balls, practice eye-hand coordination by dropping the anchor at the correct slot at the ship’s Anchor’s Bay, visit a friend of Captain Shark at the Shark Tooth Island, play sensory games and jigsaw puzzles at the Creative Cove area, or go high and low with friends on a seesaw at Teeter Totter island.

Mother to two children, Maira Ali from Pakistan is impressed with the activities on offer at BurJuman. “My children were getting bored at home so I brought them here. All the activities are planned to engage their attention, while giving them the chance to explore and become physically active. I am going to ask my friends to visit the mall with their kids.”

Sean Chabassier from the Ivory Coast, who is on a holiday in Dubai with his family, is happy to see his six-year old daughter, Isabelle, enjoying herself on the ship. “We came here to dine at one of the restaurants. Now, my daughter refuses to leave the mall as she wants to take part in all the activities. It’s a kid-friendly place with plenty of age-appropriate offerings for them.”

The Fun Cruise has a dedicated art area on the upper deck for kids to unleash their creativity. They can take part in underwater themed art and craft activities or simply enjoy the views of the ship from a height. Children can also take pictures with the mascot of Captain Shark to share with their friends when the schools reopen after the summer break.

“The place is designed in such a way that everyone can have fun,” says Monica Chetan Balsara, mum to four-year old Fiyanshu. “My daughter loves the seesaw. And, most importantly, she can interact with other kids while playing. This helps build children’s social skills.”

The fun doesn’t end at the main atrium. Visitors can walk over to the other side of the mall and step into a bright yellow submarine for an immersive virtual reality experience.

“It’s so thrilling to explore the underwater wearing the VR headsets,” says nine-year old Diya Manoj Kumar from India. “Initially, I was a bit scared as it felt like I was really going under the water. However, it was a beautiful experience.” Her friend, Arshitha Reddy, adds, “I spotted a shark, jelly fish and lots of other small fish during the VR fun.”

The décor of the mall also appeals to visitors, with plenty of nautical-themed installations offering the perfect setting for a quick selfie or a family photo. And, its roaming photo booth takes the fun to visitors, wherever they are.

As the kids get busy exploring the fun on the cruise ship, parents can indulge in a bit of retail therapy at BurJuman’s wide range of stores, including the newly opened outlets of Matalan and Brands For Less. They can also stop for some bites and beverages at the mall’s many restaurants and cafes after a day of fun and shopping.

So what are you waiting for? Pull up the anchor and head to BurJuman for an adventure-packed day during the summer break, whether it’s shopping, indulging in kiddie fun, enjoying some gourmet treats or just hanging out in an air-conditioned mall. Don’t forget to click a photo and upload on Instagram with the hashtag #BurJumanFunCruise to win surprise gifts as part of BurJuman’s Snap, Share & Win contest.

At a glance

Where: BurJuman Mall, main atrium

When: Daily from 2pm – 10pm; Until August 25

Details: All activities are free; children between 4 and 12 years can enjoy the main ocean fun, while kids between 2 and 4 years are allowed to play only at the dedicated zone, the Glider’s Bay Island. Visit www.burjuman.com for more info.