MUSEUM OF THE FUTURE: This highly anticipated new cultural landmark in Dubai is an architectural wonder and has a treasure trove of activities in store for children and adults alike. The 78-metre-high museum combines elements of exhibition, immersive theatre and themed attraction, dedicated to learning, imagination, and the possibility latent in the great frontiers of science, space and society. The top floor however is totally dedicated to the little ones, giving kids an edu-taining wonderland in which to explore and solve challenges in their own way to become our ‘future heroes’. While the building exterior was finished at the end of 2020, sit tight for updates on when the museum itself will be open to the public at some point this year. Museumofthefuture.ae
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Snow Abu Dhabi: The world’s largest snow play park will feature a total of 13 rides and attractions, themed around the story of a magical frosty forest, featuring snowman building and ice labyrinths in the Snowflake Garden, rides on a shimmering Crystal Carousel, climbs up Flurries’ Mountain, as well as a huge Enchanted Tree as the centerpiece. The 125,000 sq ft destination will maintain an inside temperature of -2° C, with a snow depth of 500mm, and is set to open at the Reem Mall development in Abu Dhabi this year. Watch this space! Reemmall.ae
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JUNGLE BAY: This awesome-sounding new waterpark in Dubai Marina is expected to feature a massive wave pool, a huge variety of slides for all ages, as well as a dedicated AquaPlay area for younger children to enjoy water play safely. Meanwhile the daredevil AquaTubes will whoosh you on a thrilling ride at top speed, culminating in a loop-the-loop, followed by a surprise drop. Currently undergoing the last stages of construction and expected to open soon this year, this fab new waterpark will be exclusively for guests of Le Meridien Mina Seyahi and The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi (we feel a staycation coming on soon…!). Whitewaterwest.com
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AIN DUBAI: This vast ferris wheel is the tallest observation wheel in the world, standing more than 250 metres above the Bluewaters island destination, with breathtaking views across Dubai’s glittering landscape. The final structure will be made from more than 9,000 tonnes of steel – almost 25 percent more iron used in the construction of Paris’ iconic Eiffel Tower, while the central wheel rim is said to weigh as much as 16 Airbus 380 aircrafts. Although it has been a familiar feature of the landscape on the JBR/ Marina end of town for many years now, the first passenger pod was finally installed last year and it looks to be in the final stages of development, with the wheel’s launch hotly anticipated this year. Bluewatersdubai.ae
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EXPO 2020: Postponed until October 2021 because of the pandemic, the world’s greatest show has a plethora of amazing activities planned to inform and inspire children, and looks set to be an amazing day out for families. Although the unprecedented situation has put a question mark over the full extent of the entertainment that will be on offer come October this year, the original plans included more than 60 family-friendly shows daily, gaming experiences that combine technology with real-world activity, as well as a vast slide. This is on top of the all of the immersive and interactive exhibits on in the pavilions, all designed to inspire the future generation. Expo2020dubai.com/
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SHARJAH SAFARI PARK: The Sharjah Safari project, part of Al Bardi Reserve in the city of Al Dhaid, is set to be the largest safari project in the world outside of Africa, with an area of 14 square kilometers and will contain nearly 50,000 animals, making it one of the most important environmental tourism destinations in the region. The project includes a section for giraffes, 15 of which have already been released to adapt to the safari, a group of lakes that will house crocodiles, plus sections dedicated to lions, elephants, rhinos and much more, as well as a large natural lake, a picnic area for visitors, and cafes spread around venues featuring live animal shows. It is expected the project will be finished by the end of 2021.
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BEAR GRYLLS EXPLORER CAMP: Nestled in the wilds of Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah, Bear Grylls Explorer Camp opened for adults in Autumn last year and has now opened up to families, welcoming explorers from the age of 8 upwards to learn how to make a fire in the wilderness, build emergency shelters, practice knife techniques for survival, as well as dedicated practical instruction on remote medical trauma treatment, navigation techniques and extreme weather survival. While half-day survival courses are available now for families, its overnight accommodation is set to open up early this year, and will feature cabin lodgings that are designed to host up to three guests with basic self-catering, including a private BBQ on a private outdoor terrace to prepare meals. Beargryllscamp.ae
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LEGOLAND WATERPARK AND BOLLYWOOD PARKS: Although Motiongate theme park has been open again since summer 2020, and Legoland Dubai reopened to coincide with National Day last year, families have yet to be able to set foot inside either Legoland Waterpark Dubai or BollywoodParks Dubai again since the pandemic hit. While it’s still a case of watch this space, we are optimistic that both of these family-friendly favourites may be open again in 2021.
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