The best things to do during June

1. Treat your children in Kidville

What: It's all about staying indoors this month, so take the tots along to Kidville. Co-founded by Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, Kidville is a one-stop entertainment destination where children can take part in fun developmental classes covering music, dance and gym. There's also a beauty salon, kids' boutique and snack bar - so, an indulgence for mothers and children!
How: Classes are offered in 12- or 14-week semesters, prices start at Dh1,745. Opening offers at their new centres in Uptown Mirdif and Motor City include free play space passes, they also have a centre in JBR. Visit www.mykidville.ae for more.

2. Check your health at the Hayya! health carnival

What: Head down to the Hayya! Meadows Club on Saturday, June 11 for the Hayya! Summer Health Carnival. There will be free health check-ups, nutrition advice, fitness challenges and express workouts, food samplings and seminars, plus access to the club's pool and gym for the day, a carnival and children's activities.
How: The event runs from 9am to 9pm, entry is free. Call 800 Hayya (42992) for more information.

3. Bag a bargain at Dubai Flea Market

What: The market moves indoors during the hotter months, but this is probably the best time to find great deals on household goods, toys, accessories and everything in between!
How: At Crowne Plaza Dubai on June 4 and Stargate, Zabeel Park on June 18. Entrance costs a wallet-friendly Dh5 (we like!), visit www.dubai-fleamarket.com.

4. Enjoy gourmet treats with Dine Dubai

What: Love eating out? You should check out Dubai's newest foodie deal concept, dinedubai. It is a loyalty card which gives you exclusive discounts at more than 100 restaurants around the city, plus special offers, deals and rewards for revisiting specific outlets. The website is also a great resource for the foodie community, with reviews, recipes and tips.
How: The card costs Dh275 and comes pre-loaded with three discount coupons. Available at select bookstores and supermarkets, log on to www.dinedubai.ae for more details.

5. Do your bit for marine conservation

What: June 8 is World Oceans Day, and to mark it, La Mer has come up with an iPhone app, the Seven Seas Sound Mix. The app contains music, ocean sounds and interviews with seven sea-conscious celebrities including sailor Samantha Davies, actress Rinko Kikuchi, and designer Philippe Starck to promote the message of sustainability.
How: The app will be available on iTunes from June 8.

6. Party on at a dance fest

What: The Dubai International Dance Festival features live performances by top international acts, dance workshops, competitions and lots of other dance-themed gigs over three days. There will be some great entertainment and creative collaborations to look forward to.
How: DIDF is on from June 1-4 at the Madinat Theatre, visit www.dubaidancefestival.com for details.

7. Heal yourself at a wellness workshop

What: The Dubai Herbal and Treatment Centre is holding a series of workshops this month on homeopathy, women's wellness and physiotherapy (focusing on children's posture issues). Or, if you feel like you're stuck in a rut, sign up for a neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) workshop, It's All About You, to help you live a fuller life.
How: DHTC workshops cost Dh100, call 04-3351200. It's All About You is on June 3 at The Address Dubai Marina, and costs Dh2,000, all-inclusive. Call 050-6744793 or visit www.lifeeffectivecoaching.ae.

8. Upgrade your tech with a tablet

What: If you are shopping for a tablet PC, then check out the new Ideos S7 Slim tablet by Huawei. Its sleek design won us over instantly, and intuitive, user-friendly features, plus tech credentials like an Android platform and HD video sealed the deal. The only downside? It's quite heavy. But at prices lower than its market-leading competitors, it's well worth a try.
How: Prices start at Dh1,460.

9. Join the party at the Aviation Club

What: This award-winning club is celebrating its 20th birthday this month, and you're invited to join in the celebrations. There will be special offers at the Akaru Spa and various restaurants to look out for, but the biggest deal is a waiver of the Dh2,500 annual membership fee. Members get full use of the gym, pool, fitness classes and more.
How: Call 04-2833071 for details.

Get your culture fix

Visit… The Memory is the Message at the XVA Gallery, DIFC. Pakistani artist Imran Channa explores his country's rich cultural heritage and traditions, even as they drown in a mire of controversy, with abstract pencil drawings. The show runs until June 18, www.xvagallery.com

Watch… Pirates of the Caribbean - On Stranger Tides. Starring: Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush. The swashbuckling buccaneer is back with his trademark swagger, irreverent sense of humour - he nearly has a food fight with an English king! - and ingenuous ideas. Jack Sparrow is joined by newcomer to the franchise, Penelope Cruz, who plays a former lover who joins him, the infamous Blackbeard, and Barbossa - his traditional nemesis - in a quest to find the mythical fountain of youth. Expect the usual drama, fun, and stunning special effects all brought to (larger than) life on 3D screens at CineStar cinemas. 

Read… Carte Blanche by Jeffrey Deaver (Hodder & Stoughton). This is the first outing for Deaver, a celebrated crime thriller writer, as a James Bond author. The smooth, suave secret agent is given a modern-day makeover in a contemporary setting. The novel follows the glamorous spy as he typically races from one exotic location to another - including Dubai - to track a dangerous villain threatening international security. Dh60.

Book tickets for… The last of the Fridge concert series this month, which will then take a break for the summer. June 6 will see modern flamenco guitarist Amir Mafakher take the stage, and on June 13, Colombian dance group Piso Caliente will be performing. Tickets cost Dh50, visit www.thefridgedubai.com for more info. 

Listen to… The Fall by Gorillaz. Written while the band was on tour in North America, this album documents lead singer Albarn's personal experiences. Their chilled out, electro vibe makes this perfect for a day at the beach. Highlight - the bassy, moody Shy-town.