19 Amazing things to do with friends and family this weekend in the UAE: Expo 2020 visit, baking cupcakes and more

Stay at Centara Mirage Beach Resort: Entertainment is guaranteed for the entire family at this new resort – there’s a water park, multiple kids’ clubs, a colourful candy-themed children’s spa, and a dedicated Mirage Family Lounge, a club lounge experience for the whole family. The rooms also come with a sense of flexibility –bedding options include bunk beds for the kiddos. DETAILS: The opening offer has rates starting from Dh 499 per night, including daily breakfast. Up to two children stay and dine for free when ordering from the kids’ menu.

A cupcake for your cupcake at The Hummingbird Bakery: Take your kids over to this cake house for a fun one-hour class where they’ll learn to decorate their cute My Little Pony special edition cupcakes. DETAILS: The Dh129 session at the store at Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates branches includes a box of six cupcakes, a chef’s hat and apron and a baking certificate. The session is for all kids aged between five and 12. In order to maintain safety measures, all classes have to be pre-booked 24 hours in advance. On Saturdays, the first session is at 10am and the second at 11am.

Bite into a classic O' Vada Pao: Visit the Gourmet Indian Slider station, O’Pao and bite into the deep fried potato dumpling in a bun served with two types of Indian spicy chutneys. DETAILS: the Mumbai Street Style classic Vada Pao costs Dh3. Add a masala chai for Dh2.

Buy one get one free dessert at Denny’s: In honour of World Dessert Day on Thursday, this eatery is offering a delicious offer to satisfy the family sweet tooth – and it’s a good thing too, because there’s a lot of treats to choose from. Think rich Chocolate Lava Cake loaded with chocolate sauce to the Caramel Apple Crisp topped with vanilla ice cream and powdered sugar to the all-American diner-style restaurant’s famous Banana Split and the Waffle Fantasy drizzled with hot fudge, caramel sauce and topped with whipped cream and chopped nuts.

Race at the Dubai Festival City Half Marathon: While you test your own mettle at the Dubai Festival City Half Marathon on October 22, your kids can participate in the 1km run for kids. The marathon is open to both seasoned runners as well as aspiring amateurs and the route will take them through some of Dubai Festival City’s most scenic locations including the Dubai Festival City Mall, Automotive Park, Festival Bay, Marsa Plaza and Al Badia Residences. Don’t forget to register before October 19 to get in on the action. DETAILS: To book a spot, go to https://raceme.ae/event/dfc-half-marathon

Make your own milkshake at Sauce: Head to this American diner on Friday for a sweet treat. Kids aged five-12 can make their own version of the diners milkshakes between 12pm-5pm. DETAILS: Kids between the age group of 5- 12 years can participate; each group will have a maximum of five children.

Enroll your child in Junior Lifeguard Camp: Kids can step on the ladder of self-sufficiency with a membership to this club – which requires basic swimming skills. Here children, aged seven to 15, can learn survival and rescue technics, including water safety, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), first aid, and AED (automated external defibrillators). Campers will also improve their fitness and self-confidence, learn to work in teams, practice drills, and have lots of water-based fun. DETAILS: The camp kicks off from October 22 and runs until December 11; each camp will take four sessions - in total spanning two weekends, every Friday and Saturday from 8am to 2pm to complete. Cost: Dh1,119 per child or Dh999 per child if there’s more than one enrolment. Cost includes lunch, a goodie bag with a T-shirt and a certificate at the end of the course.

All-you-can-eat at Jumeirah Golf Estates: Nosh on all your barbeque favourites at the ‘Tap & Grill’ by Merchant Meats BBQ Nights on Thursdays. There’s live entertainment on hand to make this an enjoyable time out with the family. DETAILS: The offer runs from 6pm-9pm every Thursday. It’s priced at Dh180 per adult and Dh90 for kids under 12. To book, call: +971 4 586 7795

Be entertained at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort: Try the Garden Brunch with its hot and cold mezzeh, fresh seafood stations, sushi, Lamb Ouzi and an extensive dessert selection. There’s a lot here for the young ones too - a magician, pony and camel rides, a petting zoo and a colouring corner. DETAILS: The brunch, on every Friday from 1pm-4pm, costs Dh350 per person. For Dh550, you get pool access too.

Laugh while you brunch at The Meydan Hotel: It’s all about family fun at this establishment – there are 10 live cooking stations and a special buffet for kids. Not enough of an enticement? Check out the Little Fun Land corner where crafts, balloon bending, face painting and more await. DETAILS: The Big Meydan Brunch is on every Friday, from 1pm-4pm, and prices start at Dh249.

Go globetrotting at the buffet at Swissotel Al Ghurair: This ‘Around the World’ brunch has been inspired by Expo 2020 – which brings together 192 countries. The spread changes every week and incorporates regional classics from 15 different countries. It’s also a perfect fit for the kiddos who can put on a chef’s hat and create their own culinary masterpiece or indulge in activities aptly named Little Picassos and Little Gardeners or a dance through a Zumba class on site. DETAILS: The brunch runs every Friday from 12.30pm-4pm and is priced at Dh175 for adults and Dh88 per child.

Turn up and play at Expo 2020: On October 15 and 16, Manchester City will be hosting Turn Up & Play sessions for ages 12 and above at the Aussie Park in Expo’s Sports, Fitness and Wellbeing Hub. Hourly matches take place from 12pm onwards. Football fanatics aged 5-16 will be coached by the same teachers who help to hone the skills of the likes of Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne can sign up to the Man City Kids Camp, with daily sessions at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm, from October 17-20.

More playtime at Expo 2020: AC Milan Academy will also be offering skills, drills and miniature games for 6-14-year-olds from 16-23 October.

Cricket coaching at Expo 2020: If your child thinks they have what it takes to be an Indian Premier League player, they can test their skills at the Rajasthan Royals Batting Challenge taking place at hourly intervals on 15-16 October from 5pm. Open to ages 8 and above, participants have the chance to win Royals merchandise.

See the epic ‘Ousha & The Moon’ play out at Al Wasl Plaza at Expo 2020:Fantastic and nostalgic - tumble into the world of a 12-year-old girl’s dream. A place where the moon speaks and the threads of destiny are weaved. A look into the mind of a child born without speech, whose words would one day capture the heart of a nation. When: 1.10pm; 6.35pm

More fitness at Expo 2020: The Australia Multi-Purpose Sports court will host a number of different sports such as Cricket, Aussie Rules, Netball and Touch Rugby on Friday morning. DETAILS: The games kick off at 10am

Check out Al Qatt Al Asiri and Tiles Painting at the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2020. Want to learn an ancient art? Walk over to the Saudi Arabia Pavilion to learn all about the craft of pattern-painting. The educational, interactive and demonstrative workshop will showcase exactly why this colourful practice got into the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. DETAILS: 10am-1pm and 5.30pm-9.30pm

Learn by attending Interactive Culture Lab sessions at Campus Germany at Expo 2020. Achtung! Calling all kids – there are interactive sessions, dance lessons and quizzes afoot at the Germany Pavilion. Or, if you prefer, you can duel your buddy on the Nintendo Switch. Either way, it’s time to play. When: 1.30pm-7pm

Eat at the K-Food Event at the Republic of Korea Pavilion: Want to try some Korean food but unsure of what to try? Head to this pavilion at Expo 2020 on Friday for dish giveaways between 3pm-4pm. This is the perfect time to experiment.