11 Amazing things to do with kids in Dubai this weekend

The weekend is here! And it’s a bumper-packed one for families, with tonnes of fabulous, free entertainment on offer as part of DSS, as well as brilliant discounts, deals and activations all across Dubai. Here’s what you’ve got to look forward to…

GIGGLE AT MAGIC PHIL’S CIRQUE DU SILLY: The Mercato Mall’s Circus is back for the summer, and this weekend you can catch the UAE’s favourite children’s entertainer Magic Phil in his ‘Cirque Du Silly’ Show! This free-to-attend event is running at 5.30pm on Thursday 1 July, Friday 2 July and Thursday 15 July, and is sure to be full of classic kids’ comedy, non-stop silliness and, of course, magic! Also throughout the month of July, the circus will be filled with international performers from all over the world, all brought to you by Saltimbanco Italiano. DETAILS: Catch Magic Phil’s Cirque Du Silly at 5.30pm this Thursday 1 July and Friday 2 July at Mercato Mall, Jumeirah, Dubai.

CATCH THE TOM AND JERRY EXPERIENCE AT IBN BATTUTA MALL: Step into the world of legendary cat and mouse duo, Tom and Jerry, at the Tom and Jerry Cheese Town Experience at Ibn Batutta Mall this weekend. The Cheese Town, at Ibn Battuta Mall’s India Court, will wow Tom and Jerry fans through an engaging history and evolution feature with original artwork, sculptures, meet and greets, photo opportunities and live music. Journey through the cat and mouse duo’s universe and discover famous areas as seen in the cartoons such as The Kitchen Illusion Space, The Interactive Study, The Living Room Illusion and Jerry’s Home as well as a mini expo and art gallery. Plus, visitors will have the chance to meet Tom and Jerry through a unique meet and greet opportunity every weekend until 30 July. Tom and Jerry clips will be displayed on a large screen while a live mini orchestra plays the music and sound effects to the iconic cartoons with six performances daily, from 1 to 10 July between 1:30pm and 8:30pm.

FIND A FLASH-SALE STAYCAY: The first-ever 24 Hour Flash Sale – Hotels Edition is being held from 10am on 1 July to 10am on 2 July, with extra-special hotel offers including amazing getaways, promotional room rates, big savings on F&B and complimentary tickets to the city’s world-famous attractions. Address Hotels and Resorts, Vida Hotels and Resorts and Armani Hotel Dubai are some of the highlights; whether your idea of a holiday means an urban getaway or something close to the beach, take your pick from the 14 hotels located in Dubai Downtown, Dubai Marina and JBR. The 24-hour sale will also offer exclusive access to explore Burj Khalifa Level 148, swim with sharks in Dubai Aquarium, Underwater Zoo, and experience the virtual and augmented reality attraction at VR Park depending on the room type booked. DETAILS: Booking date: Valid for 24 hours on July 1, 2021 , Stay dates: July 1 till September 4. Bookings can be made through respective hotel website (Addresshotels.com; Vidahotels.com; Armanihotels.com).

TRY ADDRESS BOULEVARD’S NEW FAMILY FRIENDLY BRUNCH: Take the kids for a day at the Riviera at Address Boulevard’s South-of-France-inspired family-friendly brunch. With the best in gourmet Gallic cuisine served to your table – think luscious seafood, crisp yet fluffy baguettes and antipasti and melt-in-the mouth roast beef - and a deliciously indulgent candy trolley and dessert spread, you might even get to enjoy some Côte d'Azur-style peace and quiet since children also get access to the hotel’s brilliant Qix Club for kids included. DETAILS: From Dh245 for soft drinks, Dh345 for house drinks and Dh445 for bubbly, every Friday from 1pm-4pm, 04 561 8888, DineAtBoulevard@addresshotels.com, Addresshotels.com.

MAKE MONEY WITH MODESH: Every kid’s favourite cartoon personality Modesh is going to be every parent’s favourite too this DSS, as the cheery yellow-hued character is hosting the extra special Modesh Daily Jackpot prize draw this year for shoppers at Ibn Battuta Mall and Nakheel Mall. Spend a minimum of Dh200, scan your receipts at the mall Customer Service Desk, and you’ll be in with a chance of winning a daily Modesh Daily Jackpot of D10,000. Prize draws will be held daily until 7 August.

HAVE BEACH-THEMED FUN AT FESTIVAL CITY: Dubai Festival City Mall is offering a host of free activities for littles ones to enjoy at Festival Square throughout DSS. From a beach-themed playground and sandpit, to a series of fabulous kid’s workshops, children will be spoilt for choice. Plus competitive spirits can win great prizes at the skilled games area: spend Dh300 at any of the mall retailers, validate your receipts at the customer service desk and then complete all three skilled games for a chance to win amazing retailer giveaways and Festival City Malls gift cards worth up to Dh2,000. And every night you can catch the record-breaking light and laser show IMAGINE from 7.30pm, totally for free (if you are with kids you will need to have a table at one of the Festival City Bay restaurants, as vaccination certificates are required to watch directly on the bay itself).

GAIN LITERACY CONFIDENCE WITH THE READING DOGS: This Saturday the wonderful Reading Dogs are helping children to increase their confidence and reading fluency at Egg & Soldiers in Time Square Centre on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. Kids really respond to the patient, non-judgmental audience of a well-trained pooch when they are learning to read, and canine coaches Toby and Ginger will be featuring at this weekend’s session, which is running from 3-3.45pm for 4-6 year olds, and from 4-4.45pm for 7-10 year olds. Not only will your child have the chance to read with them, but they will also learn cool facts about dogs and how to interact with them safely. DETAILS: Dh75 per session, or Dh260 for a pack of four (they are running every Saturday), at Egg & Soldiers, Time Square Centre, Dubai. Email your child’s name and age to hello@readingdogsuae.com to register.

DIP INTO A RIVIERA-INSPIRED POOL DAY: Jumeirah Islands Clubhouse (JIC), Dubai’s new dining, lifestyle and fitness hub, is inviting people to escape the summer heat with a laidback day of blissful relaxation at The Pool. JIC’s riviera-inspired, al fresco venue is open to all, daily from 8am to 7pm. Guests are welcome to use the temperature-controlled pool and facilities, including sun loungers and cabanas, and order from a menu of delicious F&B options. DETAILS Poolside loungers are Dh50 minimum spend weekdays and Dh100 weekends, 04 583 3124.

DINE FOR 25% OFF AT ATLANTIS: UAE residents can get 25% off at every restaurant in Atlantis, The Palm this summer, including celebrity chef restaurants and popular outlets Nobu, Hakkasan, Bread Street Kitchen, Ossiano, Wavehouse and Ronda Locatelli. To avail the discount you need to download the free The Atlantis Circle mobile app, which gives you an automatic upgrade to Silver Tier this summer, which provides the 25% discount for up to eight guests in the resorts’ restaurants and bars, as well as the chance to collect points every time they spend to climb tiers up to Gold. DETAILS: Download The Atlantis Circle mobile app from either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, www.atlantis.com/dubai/membership/atlantis-circle.

SMILE WITH THE SMURFS: City Walk will welcome classic children’s characters The Smurfs for family fun, games and more from 1 July until 17 July. Whether it's sports at Soccer Smurf's Field or experimenting at Papa Smurf's Science Lab, stop by The Smurfs City located at The Courtyard in City Walk to participate in fun activities for the entire family, and win some exciting prizes while you're at it! Over the weekend kids can also meet Papa Smurf and Smurfette from Thursday to Saturday for some Smurftastic snaps! DETAILS: Meet the Smurfs this Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 4.30pm onwards, or enjoy the activities at Smurf City every days from 1-17 July at Citywalk.

CHECK OUT THE PLAY ZONES AT FESTIVAL PLAZA: Face painting and arts and crafts workshops will be running this weekend at Jebel Ali-based mall Festival Plaza as part of its Summer Paradise activation, which is offering a jam-packed schedule of family-friendly activities from 1 July – 4 September 2021. From fun-filled play zones, where children and adults will be able to get creative with wall art and giant crayons, to a fabulous kids Summer Camp throughout July offering gardening workshops, reading sessions, ceramic work and donut decorating, all the way to science experiments and special LEGO workshops, there is loads to get stuck into. DETAILS: Stay tuned for more surprises and live performance announcements on the Festival Plaza social media page @dubaifestivalplaza for ongoing weekend DIY workshops for children, www.dubaifestivalplaza.com.