Long hot summer nights (not to mention the days!) are all very well, but Dubai residents will know only too well that summer is not what it’s cracked up to be, especially with the kids running riot. Fear not – the summer holidays will end, but until then – check out these ideas and deals on what to do and where to go that will ensure everyone stays cool in every sense.
1. Le Petit Palais
Modelled on a miniature French town, Le Petit Palais isn’t your ordinary kids play area. Located on the second floor inside Galeries Lafayette you’ll find a life size play house, a mini supermarket where the kids can play mum and dad, an arts and crafts station and even a beauty salon for the little ones who seek that little extra ‘je ne sais quoi’.
Suitable for kids aged 0 to 10 (kids under four must be accompanied by an adult).
Location Le Petit Palais, 2nd Floor, Galeries Lafayette, Dubai Mall Cost Dhs80 for the first hour of play and Dhs20 for the second, Dhs140 for a full day Timings 10am to 10pm daily Phone 04 382 7333 Ext 2754
2. thejamjar
Best Deal 15% discount on all painting packages during weekdays until the end of August
Little Picassos will love getting their hands on a paintbrush or two and letting their creative imaginations run wild at thejamjar art studio. And the best thing of all? You don’t even have to clean up afterwards!
Suitable for all ages Location thejamjar, Al Quoz 3, St17a, RKM Properties but moving in September to Unit 74, Alserkal Avenue Cost from Dhs100 Timings Monday to Thursday, Saturday 10am to 8pm, Friday 2pm to 8pm, Sunday closed Phone 04 341 7303
Best Deal kids under 12 months go free, special needs children go free, Buy one entrance get one free for twins
With a play area catering specifically for the smaller kids aged six and under, a first of its kind Sensory Room and a multi-storey jungle gym all housed in a new venue, the much-loved Mini Monsters has gone over and above to help keep your littlest monsters happy and out of your hair.
Suitable for kids aged 0 to six years (supervised play for kids aged two and up)
Location Mini Monsters, Ground Floor, DNATA Building (beside Emirates Holidays), Sheikh Zayed Road Cost Supervised play Dhs95 for the first hour (kids two to four years old), Dhs75 for the first hour (kids four to six year olds). Dhs65 for each additional hour (maximum of three hours). General play: Dhs50 per child for two hours of play. Kids under the age of 12 months go free. Sensory room: Dhs35 per hour. Mini Monsters Zone Package: Dhs75 for two hours of play with access to both the sensory room and the soft play zone Timings Open daily Sun to Weds 9am to 7pm, Thurs to Sat 9am to 8pm Phone 04 259 8843
An initiative encouraging everyone of all ages to give badminton a try, Dubai Sports World boasts six full size badminton courts where kids and adults of all ages can attend coaching clinics to learn about the sport from 8am to 4pm on weekdays, then practise what they’ve learned by taking advantage of court bookings in the evenings and weekends. And the best part? It’s free!
Suitable for all ages Location Dubai Sports World, Dubai World Trade Centre Cost free Timings coaching clinics run from 8am to 4pm on weekdays, court bookings from 4pm to midnight on weekdays, 8am to midnight on weekends, running until August 29 Phone 04 306 4000
5. Caboodle
Best Deal Caboodle three month members receive a 40% discount on eduplay classes, six month members receive a 50% discount throughout August. Kids can play for two hours at just Dhs70 (CityWalk and The Dubai Mall branches), valid until August 31, 2015.
Covering a range of different play and learn activities on a daily basis, August activities at Caboodle feature themed days of the week along with a new Back to School workshop which consists of arts and crafts, face painting, story telling and much more.
Suitable for kids aged 18 months to 12 years Location Caboodle at The Dubai Mall - 2nd floor, near Galleries Lafayette. Caboodle CityWalk - Al Safa Street, Jumeirah Cost Dhs99 for two hours play plus event, Dhs70 first hour, Dhs50 second hour Timings seven days a week, from 10am to 10pm Phone Caboodle Dubai Mall 04 325 3367, Caboodle CityWalk 04 344 4570
6. Insportz
A large indoor sports centre offering a range of different sports. This summer kids can take advantage of their cricket coaching courses or join their summer camp to take part in four activities every day from cricket, basketball, dodgeball, handball, football, table tennis, board games and bowling!
Intensive cricket coaching is suitable for kids aged 5 and above,
Location Insportz Club, Al Quoz 3 Cost Intensive cricket coaching from Dhs300 per month. Summer camp Dhs125 per day, longer packages available, free transport available Timings Intensive Cricket Coaching 11.30am to 1.30pm Saturdays, 5pm to 7pm Sundays. Summer camp 9am to 1pm Sunday to Thursday until August 27. Phone 04 347 5833
7. Zoo Skatepark
For kids that love wheels, Zoo Skatepark is the place to be - an indoor air-conditioned space with ramps and obstacles for skateboards, scooters and rollerblades.
Suitable for kids aged six and up Location Zoo Skatepark Al Quoz 3, on the corner of Al Manara and 8th Street. Cost Weekdays Dhs30 for 1 hour. Dhs40 for 3 hours. Dhs70 for full day pass. Weekends Dhs35 for 1 hour. Dhs50 for 4 hours. Dhs80 for full day pass. Skateboard Lessons Dhs195 per person for a private 1 hour lesson. Timings weekdays 1pm-7pm. Weekends 12pm-8pm Phone 04 338 6126
8. Tee and Putt
Best Deal Loads! Including weekday special of unlimited rounds when just one round per person is purchased, every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday buy one ticket and get the second 50% off. For the full list of promotions click here
Who doesn’t love mini golf? And there’s nothing that makes mini golf more fun than glow in the dark mini golf! Tee and Putt has two 18 hole mini golf centres crammed with obstacles and amusing intricacies in Dubai. Abu Dhabi residents will also be pleased to know they’ve also recently opened in the capital at Dalma Mall.
Suitable for kids aged three and up Location WAFI Mall, Level 1, Oud Metha Road.
Arabian Center, First Floor
Al Khawaneej Road Cost Mini Golf Dhs75 each, for a group of three and more, Dhs65 each. Dhs50 for children below 44 inches in height. Timings 10am to 10pm Saturday to Wednesday, 10am to Midnight Thursday & Friday (varies by location) Phone Wafi Mall 800 MINI GOLF (800 6464 4653), Arabian Center 04 239 3636
Best Deal group pricing and party packages available
If your kids are the type that just can’t sit still and really want to be tearing it up outdoors, Adventure Zone brings the outdoors indoors with a 9 metre high climbing pinnacle, 6 metre high climbing wall, cable climb courses that hang from the rafters, low ropes course for younger adventurers, skate park, trampoline park, pump track for BMXs and so much more. That’s one way to ensure all that extra energy is well and truly burned off before bedtime.
Suitable for kids weighing 15kg or over and over 90cm in height Location Times Square Center Sheikh Zayed Road, The Galleria Mall Al Wasl Road Cost from Dhs60 for 30 minute session, Dhs250 for an all day pass Timings Saturday to Wednesday 10am to 10pm, Thursday to Friday 10am to Midnight Phone Times Square Center 04 346 6924, The Galleria Mall 04 343 5110
Best Deal Kidzventure play only summer specials: Sunday buy one hour and get one hour free - pay Dhs45 and second hour is free. Monday Dhs30 for the first hour (supervised by parents), Dhs20 per additional hours. Dhs45 for the first hour and Dhs25 per additional hours (unsupervised).
If it’s all getting too much for you and you need some time out – keep the kids busy and drop them off for babysitting and play at Kidzventure while you focus on some much needed peace and mindfulness at their Meditation for Mums class. Kidzventure play areas include soft play, shopping corner, kitchen corner arts and crafts and much more.
Meditation for Mums while the kids play is suitable for babies aged six months plus, Kidzventure kids club is suitable for babies up to four years. Location Kidzventure Double Tree Hilton Jumeirah Beach, additional play location: Kidzventure Egypt Court, Ibn Battuta Mall Cost Meditation for Mums while the kids play Dhs100, Kidzventure play - kids supervised by parents Dhs45 for the first hour and Dhs30 per additional hours. Kids (aged three plus only) dropped off - Dhs60 for the first hour, Dhs40 per additional hours Timings Meditation for Mums Wednesdays 3.30pm, Kidzventure Kids Club: 1 to 9pm Sunday – Wednesday, 10am to 10pm weekends and holidays (booking required) Phone Janelle on 052 276 8237 for Meditation for Mums at Kidzventure Double Tree Hilton Jumeirah, Kidzventure Ibn Battuta 04 368 4130
11. Bounce
Bounce the kids along to the largest indoor trampoline playground for the Bounce fully supervised summer Tramp Camp. Kids will start the day with Bounce athletics where activities include playing ultimate fris-ball, big ball volleyball and dodgeball before finishing off with attempting the wall, shooting hoops, freestyle jumping and lots more throughout the school holidays until September 2.
Suitable for kids aged six and up Location Bounce Dubai, Al Quoz (behind Ace Hardware Sheikh Zayed Road) Cost from Dhs180 per person per day Timings Sunday to Wednesday 8.45am to midday until September 2 Phone 04 321 1400
Maraya Art Centre holds regular kids arts and craft workshops where kids can get hands on with a new skill at the same time as having fun. Kids workshops in August and early September include silk painting, mosaic art, glass painting and jewellery design.
Suitable for kids aged six to 12 Location Maraya Art Centre, First Floor (The Community), Sharjah Cost Dhs30 per child per workshop Timings Usually Sundays or Mondays. Dates and timings vary according to workshop Phone 06 556 6555
