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GET THE HOLIDAY PASS TO FIVE AMAZING DUBAI DESTINATIONS: Save more than 50% at five top Dubai attractions, including Laguna Waterpark, Green Planet and Roxy Cinema, with the Holiday Pass. Priced at Dh245 per person, and available to both visitors and residents of Dubai, the Holiday Pass grants single admission for multiple family days out to five destinations, including Laguna Waterpark, indoor rainforest The Gree Planet, Silver screenings at Roxy cinemas, sunbed access at Sea Breeze in JBR’s The Beach, as well as the unique Flying Cup. DETAILS: The Holiday Pass, available for purchase from 30 November-31 December, valid until 9 January, offers one visit to Laguna Waterpakr, The Green Planet, Silver Screening at Roxy Cinema, single sunbed at Sea Breeze, and ticket to The Flying Cup, Dh245. Purchase online or at selected Meraas destinations.
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LEARN LIFE SKILLS AT AVENTURA RANGERS CAMP: Wannabe explorers can try out climbing, zip-lining and orienteering skills, whilst learning how to use a compass, build a shelter, preserve water and more, all in the surrounds of the rugged natural desert forest at Aventura’s new Life Skills camp in Mushrif Park. The program offers fun and engaging activities for children who want to experience activities that include physical education, thinking out of the box and teamwork. Those more daring can test their skills with Aventura’s Bucket List activities, while the little ones can enjoy the Mini Kids play area. DETAILS: Running from December 13 2020 to January 7 2021, the camp accepts youngsters from age six to 14. One-day pass at Dh200, two days for Dh350 and Dh699 pp per week, the rates include two snacks, unlimited water, and lunch alongside park access, www.aventuraparks.com, 052 178 7616.
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CREATE A WINTER WONDERLAND MASTERPIECE WITH PAINT & GROW: The famous Paint & Grape workshops for adults are launching their first ever Paint and Grow workshop for kids in Dubai on 17 December. In a fun and sociable environment, kids will be able to flex their creative muscles and experiment with colours and shapes as they are helped to recreate marvelous art pieces. This workshop’s theme is Winter Wonderland, and will take place in the cosy surrounds of buzzy French bistro Couqley in JLT. DETAILS: 17 December 3.30-5.30pm, Couqley JLT Cluster A (free valet parking available at Movenpick hotel), Dh195 per kid (inclusive of VAT, all painting materials, guidance, pre-sketched 30X40 cm canvas,1 glass of juice and one pain perdu). For children aged 7 and above, denise@weloveart.com, www.weloveart.com.
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TAKE UP THE PLAY DATES OFFER AT BOUNCE: The Bounce Play Dates program gives junior jumpers the chance to jump for up to 3 hours for only Dh99, with one parent also able to bounce free. Running from 9am to 12pm on Sundays through to Thursdays, including during the Winter break, Play Dates gives toddlers and kids up to the age of five years old the opportunity to learn and develop their physical, social and emotional skills and confidence in a multi-sensory, safe environment, with the help of BOUNCE’s fully trained and friendly staff. DETAILS: Available at BOUNCE Al Quoz and BOUNCE X at Dubai Festival City Mall, bounce.ae/playdates/, 04 321 1400.
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ENJOY A KID-FRIENDLY GINGERBREAD AFTERNOON TEA: Feel festive at Swissotel Al Ghurair’s family-friendly, magical high tea, starring traditional Christmas favourite treats and flavourful teas, alongside the hotel’s specialty karakcino (karak tea but with a twist). While you enjoy the fragrant spices and of this elegant East-meets-West afternoon tea, little ones will be occupied decorating fairytale-style gingerbread houses, which is included as part of the package. DETAILS: 16 December and 23 December, 12-6pm, Dh150 for two adults and two children, inclusive of afternoon tea and two gingerbread house decorating kits. https://www.swissotel.com/hotels/dubai-al-ghurair/.
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WATCH A MERRY MOVIE IN THE SNOW: Nothing says Noel like a festive movie, and the only way to guarantee a white Christmas in the desert is at Ski Dubai, with their brand-new Snow Cinema. From 11 December until the end of February, snuggle up and get cosy while enjoying the magic of movies, surrounded by real snow. Meet Santa Claus in his grotto, followed by a screening of a family-friendly festive favourite such as The Grinch, Frozen 2 or Daddy’s Home 2. Snow Cinema provides table service so you can munch on gourmet popcorn, or choose from North 28’s menu, featuring everything from Raclette, to mince pies and Peppermint Hot Chocolate. DETAILS: Shows daily at 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm. From Dh100 per person, including cinema ticket and F&B package consisting of a signature hot chocolate, popcorn and bottle of water. All guests at Snow Cinema will receive rental clothing, fleece gloves, socks, boots, a blanket, wireless headphones and a dedicated locker. Skidxb.com.
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SAIL ON A SWAN AT THE NEW DUBAI FOUNTAIN’S FAMILY ATTRACTION: Located in the extension of The Dubai Fountain, within Downtown Dubai, the new Dubai Fountain Water Experience features a dedicated kid's activity, a family boating experience, a unique kayaking adventure, and a floating garden. With the option of motorized or pedal boats in the shape of larger-than-life swans, adults and kids from 12 onwards can peddle their way through the Downtown lake, while little children can get on board a motorised swan boat and float through the Dubai Fountains in a way they have never done before. Families looking for an activity closer to land can find it with the Floating Garden – an attraction that aims to highlight the flowers loved by the people of the nation. DETAILS: The Dubai Fountain Experiences attractions are open daily from 12pm to 8pm, with the last entry to the attraction accepted at 7:30pm. Book tickets on www.atthetop.ae, from Dh55.
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SEE THE UAE’S LARGEST TROPICAL CHIRSTMAS TREE LIGHT UP: The 40-metre-high Kopak tree structure at indoor rainforest Green Planet (the largest man-made and life sustaining tree in the world) will be transformed into Dubai’s largest tropical Christmas tree every evening over the festive period, including 300m of lights, 60 ornaments and 400m of tinsel. The switching-on ceremony will happen daily at 5.30pm, just after the Tropical Thunderstorm experience, where you are immersed in a rainforest-style storm, with gushing raindrops, plus simulated thunder and lightning flashes. When you visit over the festive period all guests will have the opportunity to plant their own seed into organically fertilized soil – ready to take home to watch grow – as well as a special Gift Card loaded with pocket money, valid until June 2021, to be used at the retail shop, café or for future ticket purchases. DETAILS: Tree lighting ceremony from 12 December, 5pm Thunderstorm, 5.15pm Christmas tree lit up and Christmas music playing, 6pm Green Planet closes. Experiences included in standard ticket price: Dh110 per adults online (Dh120 on the door); Dh89 per child age 3-12 online (Dh99 on the door), Infants below 3 are free.
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HAVE A GINGERBREAD DECORATING MASTERCLASS AT CAYA: Located in Town Square Dubai Park, homegrown neighbourhood eatery Caya is hosting delicious decorating masterclasses, encouraging kids to get creative with their culinary skills by embellishing freshly baked gingerbread men with tasty trinkets – after which, they’ll walk away with complimentary goodie bags, packed with treats from candy store Candylicious. Caya has limited each class to 10 people per session. Classes will be on 17th, 18th and 19th of December with time slots of 3pm - 4pm, 4pm - 5pm or 5pm - 6pm. DETAILS: Dh30 per Gingerbread Masterclass, Caya, Town Square Dubai Park, December 17, 18, 19, 3pm-4pm / 5pm-6pm / 6pm-7pm, book in advance by calling 056 484 2836.
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POST A LETTER TO SANTA (AND GET A HANDWRITTEN REPLY): From now until the end of December, children can stop by natural children’s retail store Eggs & Soldiers – located on the ground floor of Times Square Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai – with their letters, and post them to Santa via its beautiful wooden post office, with no postage fee required! If you get down to post them before December 18th your children will receive a handwritten reply from Santa himself, which will arrive for collection at the store in good time for Christmas.
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