10 Fantastic free things to do in Dubai with kids this weekend

OTB MARKET’S KID-FRIENDLY FUN: Taking place at Burj Park, Downtown Dubai, the kids’ area at this year’s Etisalat Market OTB has a ‘Candy and Slime Park’ theme, and features inflatable play, a bungee trampoline for children, a dedicated ‘Glitterati – Crafts Station’ for decorating, as well as colouring and slime-making workshops. There are also regular basketball workshops and competitions at the Slam Dunk Court, led by players from the Phases Basketball Academy, which are open to kids aged 14-16 and are free to attend. Other highlights to look forward to include regular movie nights, talent shows, live performers and creative fashion and accessory stalls to browse, all hinged around the concept of this year’s ‘Newtro’ theme, combining eclectic elements of new and retro pop culture from Korea and Japan. DETAILS: Until 2 January, open Thursday from 4pm to 12am and on Friday and Saturday from 12pm to 12am, free to attend, although some activities may be chargeable. For more info see @dsfsocial on social media channels and www.mydsf.ae.

AL KHAWANEEJ’S ENCHANTED WONDERLAND: The Dubai Shopping Festival Market at Al Khawaneej is swapping Winter Wonderland for Alice in Wonderland, staging a series of themed children’s entertainment, with a weekly lineup of activations and attractions. Enjoy a WonderMaze, Enchanted Garden, Venus Fly Jump, Wishing Lake, Arcade games, a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party full of arts and crafts workshops, outdoor cinema and daily theatre shows, game shows, musical performances and storytelling sessions. DETAILS: 17 December to 16 January, Sunday to Wednesday, 6pm to 12am and Thursday to Saturday, 4pm to 2am, free to enter.

NAKHEEL MALL’S ROOFTOP FESTIVE VILLAGE: There’s still time to catch the activities going on at Nakheel Mall, Palm Jumeirah’s rooftop Winter Wonderland this weekend, offering a variety of wintery entertainment, including a fun play area for the kids complete with Toy Factory Workshops, a winter-wonderland ice rink, and a 13-metre Festive tree and live music every day at the entrance of Santa’s hideout. It also features food and crafted gift pop ups by Ripe Market. DETAILS: Time: 2pm - 10pm on weekdays and 12pm - 10pm weekends (Thursday Friday Saturday), every day from 10 December 2020 – 2 January 2021, at Nakheel Mall Rooftop, free to enter.

AL SEEF’S KITE AND BUBBLE WEEK: This weekend from 31 December to 6 January it’s Kite and Bubble Week at the Dubai Shopping Festival Market at Al Seef Presented by Al Foah, featuring ocean-themed kite shows, bubble shows and kids’ kite making workshops. Market timings are weekdays from 4pm to 10pm and weekends from 2pm to 12am. DETAILS: Al Seef Waterfront DSF market, Weekdays 4-10pm, weekends 2pm- midnight, the market runs until 23 January.

STUNNING DISPLAYS AT THE DSF DRONE SHOW: Be dazzled by The Beach JBR’s Drone Light Show, in which 300 drones take to the air at 7pm and at 9.30pm daily until 30 January 2021. Free to watch, the event will feature two performances, each lasting four minutes. The first, most kid-friendly performance at 7pm, titled ‘Dubai, A City of Adventure’, features kiddie characters Modesh and Dana going on a journey to explore what the city has to offer. If your little one can stay up until 9.30pm them performance two, titled ‘Dubai, From the Past to the Present’ will show the city’s journey from old Dubai to new Dubai, where it started and where it is headed into the future. Tonight visitors to the destination will also be able to enjoy spectacular views of fireworks shows on New Year’s Eve. DETAILS: Taking place daily above The Beach opposite JBR and Bluewaters, 7pm and 9.30pm, until 30 January.

SNOWFALL FUN AT BURJUMAN’S WINTER WONDERLAND: Keep the festive spirit alive throughout all 12 days of Christmas with Burjuman’s festive setup, which includes shimmering lights, glistening snow, live snowfalls, VR and motion games and Instagrammable photo ups. With snowfall every 30 minutes in the main atrium, scan the QR code and experience a magical Winter Tale as you walk through the snow-clad forest, with live animators on hand to guide your journey. DETAILS: Until 9 January 2021, www.burjuman.com.

PETTING ZOO AND RODEO RIDES AT FREEJ VILLAGE: Head to Boxpark this weekend to enjoy a petting zoo, rodeo rides, face painting and arts and crafts at the Freej Village, an area dedicated to the much-loved characters from the popular Emirati TV series Freej. If you spend Dh50 at any Boxpark outlet, the whole family can enter the dedicated Freej Village for free. Visitors will also have the chance to meet Um Saeed, Um Saloom, Um Khammas, Um Allawi and Abood, and capture fun moments as they swap parenting notes with the famous Emirati mothers. DETAILS: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until 23 January, from 4pm to 10pm.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AT MERCATO MALL: Visitors to Mercato can enjoy a host of free live entertainment shows taking place at the center stage every day this weekend. Shows include ‘Travelers from the Past’ taking place at 4pm and 7.30pm, ‘Charieston Bella Vita’ taking place at 6pm and ‘Twin Comedy Trip’ taking place at 4.30pm, 6.20pm and 8pm. This is in addition to roaming shows to entertain shoppers at 5pm and 6.20pm and a variety of workshops available for kids.

WORKSHOPS AT SALT CAMP DIFC: Cult burger brand Salt has set up its own indoor campsite at Gate Avenue DIFC, which has a special Little Campers initiative, where kids can come and enjoy the campsite atmosphere, experience the indoor star gazing activation, browse the camp shop, enjoy nightly entertainment between 7-9pm and pick what they want from the special Little Campers menu. While food and retail is chargeable, you can enjoy the activities and you’re your campsite spot for free (reservations are essential). This Saturday there is also a Kids’ Photography workshop from 11am to 2pm. DETAILS: Reserving your camping spot is free but must be made online in advance. See @findsalt on Instagram for more details and for the link to book.

MIRROR ROOM AT CITY WALK: Reflect on the past year and the new one ahead at the new ‘Mirror Room’ at City Walk, next to the fountain, open this weekend and running until 30 January 2021. The brain-bending spectacle is free to enter when you spend a minimum of Dh50 at City Walk, Visitors can enter a larger-than-life room and experience a world of LED lights, reflected against giant mirrors, to create a visual marvel. DETAILS: Open from 2pm to 10pm every day, visitors can also check out the beautifully illuminated palm trees at the boulevard that make for great photo opportunities at the urban-inspired destination.