14 Fun things to do with kids this weekend in the UAE

GET CREATIVE AT AN EXCLUSIVE STREET ART CLASS: Kids of all ages can channel their inner Banksy in this fun, creative street art class, run by Jojo’s Arthouse, being held this Saturday at parkour-inspired bounce park Streeet Maniax in Al Quoz, Dubai. Designed to encourage mindfulness in children, each participant will receive their own personal canvas on which they will learn the street art techniques, which they can then take home. DETAILS: 10 am Saturday 16 January at Street Maniax, Al Quoz, Dh250 for art class, one hour bounce pass and lunch, open to all ages. Streetmaniax.com.

TRY FUN, FREE FITNESS AND WORKSHOPS AT RIPE MARKET: The uber family-friendly Ripe market is in full flow at the moment, with some fantastic free fitness classes and workshops lined up this weekend. Catch complimentary morning yoga from 9am, or try an amazing fun drumming-fitness class known as Pound at 10am this Friday, while Saturday sees a free Zumba class (10am) and sunset yoga (5pm). There are also workshops on both days; try flower-arranging at 4pm on Friday and Saturday, or scrub up with a soap-making workshop at 3pm Saturday. This is in addition to all of the usual kid-friendly activities going on, from the Just Play ninja warrior obstacle course and football activities, to face painting, arts and crafts, a wonderful wooden playground, plus lots of lovely artisanal retail options and delicious street food and organic groceries. DETAILS: Friday 9am-7pm, Saturdays 10am-7pm, Academy Park, Umm Suqeim, Dh5 entry.

DISCOVER A HIDDEN BREAKFAST GEM: Have brekkie with a view at the stunning Lakeview restaurant, nestled in Dubai Creek Golf Club. Boasting beautiful panoramas of Old Dubai, as well as one of the UAE’s most indulgent traditional English fry ups (Dh72), it also opens from 6.30am, making it perfect for early risers. It also has a children’s menu and a newly opened kids’ club too. DETAILS: Dubai Creek Golf Club (Clubhouse), Daily, 6.30am to Midnight, call 04 295 6000.

FLEX YOUR SUPER POWERS AT WARNER BROS. WORLD: Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi has launched DC Super Hero Saturdays, where you can take part in special activities and spot your favourite DC Super Heroes patrolling the streets, including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash and Cyborg. Don’t miss the chance to experience the brand-new show; DC Super Heroes in Training 2.0 featuring Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and The Flash as they lead the young trainees through a series of strength, speed and agility exercises while also imparting insight into what it takes to be a real hero. DETAILS: Saturdays 16 Jan to 27 Feb, at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, WBWORLD.COM.

SAMPLE THE NEW KIDS’ BREKKIE AT PANGOLIN: The Pangolin’s children’s menu has been revamped for 2021, featuring fun and delicious dishes such as Hippo in a Pond – Milk Chocolate Porridge with Strawberries, Mini Pancake Stack with Fresh Banana and Chocolate Sauce, Breakfast Pizza with Tomato, Egg and Crispy Beef Bacon and the super cute Fresh Fruit Rubik’s Cube. Based in the lush surrounds of the Els Club at Dubai Sports City, the Pangolin also features a kids’ play area, making it a great spot to spend a weekend morning with your minis. DETAILS: New kids’ menu at The El’s Club, Dubai Sports City, Sunday to Saturday; Weekdays 8am – 12am, Weekends 8am – 1am, 054 4438 288 or email to hello@thepangolindubai.com.

CHECK OUT THE REGION’S FIRST LEGO FURNITURE RANGE: Home Centre has just launched the region’s first Lego furniture range. Available in a wide range of colours, shapes and sizes, these iconic stackable pieces are ideal for storing toys, Lego bricks, office supplies and crafts, and household items. The modular color blocked range have also been given the stamp of approval by design leaders around the world as not only being affordable but cleverly crafted to be adapted as design features; side tables, crafty corners, and plinths – all offering additional storage. DETAILS: The range starts at Dh25 and includes lunch sets, water bottles, wall hooks, wall shelves, available in-store at Home Centres or online at www.homecentre.com.

SEE MASHA AND THE BEAR AT MIRDIF CITY CENTRE: The well-loved preschool series Masha and the Bear will be making a limited-time appearance to delight little ones in a stage show production at Mirdif City Centre. From the 7 to the 16 January 2021 ‘Masha and the Bear – Super Masha!’ will take children on a thrilling adventure, with five shows happening between 12pm and 8pm daily. Each 30-minute show will include singing and dancing along with Masha’s much-loved and recognized tunes. DETAILS: 7-16 January, City Centre Mirdif Dubai, five shows daily between 12pm and 8pm.

INDULGE IN THE NEW PREMIER LOUNGE AT SOFITEL THE PALM: Sofitel The Palm has just launched a new Premier Lounge, which includes a raft of benefits, such as personalized check-in and check-out, complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, happy hour, all-day refreshments and snacks, late check-out, butler service and access to the spa. With family staycations from 1,190 plus taxes, there are also plenty of activities to keep the kids busy while you enjoy the Premier Lounge, such as the beautiful private beach, pools including those with water slides, and the extensive Amura Kids Club. DETAILS: Premier Lounge access included as part of a family staycation at Sofitel The Palm, from Dh1,190.

MAKE A FAIRY GARDEN AT AL SEEF: It’s Date Week at Al Seef from 14 to 20 January, featuring date tasting, date-based dishes, workshops, palm tree crafts and lots of date products to eat, enjoy and explore. The venue will also stage a range of kid-friendly activities based around nature, including birdhouse painting and decorating, a fairy / dinosaur garden, planting and pot painting and how to make wooden photo frames and wind chimes. DETAILS: Al Seef market timings are weekdays from 4pm to 10pm and weekends from 2pm to 12am.

BE ENCHANTED AT AL KHAWANEEJ: The Enchanted Garden, inspired by Alice in Wonderland, continues for another fun-packed weekend of adventure at Al Khawaneej. Meet characters from Lewis Carrol’s classic kids’ book including Alice, The Mad Hatter, The Queen of Hearts and more at the outdoor market venue, which runs until 30 January. Activities include arts and crafts sessions where children can learn how to make a variety of fun Alice in Wonderland character masks, plus famous items from the story such as the White Rabbit’s pocket watch and more. DETAILS: Market opening times are Sunday to Wednesday, 6pm to 12am and Thursday to Saturday, 4pm to 2am.

SHOW OFF YOUR MOVES IN THE TIKTOK BOOTHS: This weekend fun TikTok Booths will be in place at Mercato Mall and the Dubai Shopping Festival Market at Al Khawaneej for fans of the hugely popular app that has swept the world to show off their moves and share some giggles with friends and family. Guaranteed to raise a laugh among TikTok fans of all ages, the booths encourage users to get creative, strut their stuff and have heaps of fun.

BROWSE THE EXCLUSIVE NEW DISNEY COLLECTION AT BABYSHOP: Mickey and Minnie fans will be in raptures as the exclusive new Disney collection has just dropped at Babyshop. Head on down to browse a vast range of Disney-designed baby clothes, accessories and toys, www.babyshopstores.com/ae/en/.

MEET MODHESH AND DANA: As part of the Dubai Shopping Festival, popular children’s characters Modesh and Dana will make an appearance to meet fans and their families at City Centre Mirdif mall on Friday 15 January at 4.30pm, 6pm, 8pm and 9pm. The two friends will also visit Mall of the Emirates on Saturday 16 January with appearances around the mall at 4pm and 9pm

SEE 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, free to watch.