What to do with kids in Dubai this weekend

TRY OUT THE NEW CAVING EXPERIENCE AT TRAMPO, NAKHEEL MALL: The UAE’s largest indoor caving experience has just opened at Trampo Extreme children’s play park in Nakheel Mall, The Palm Dubai. Intrepid adventurers can explore nine different routes through 100m of tunnels, discovering secret chambers, clambering up rock-climbing walls and speeding down slippery slides along the way. On top of this brand-new experience, Trampo also offers a large trampolining area, skytrail, foam pit and obstacle course, as well as a soft play and toddlers-only area. DETAILS: One hour of caving alone from Dh55 (10% discount when booked in advance online), combo passes also available, Trampo-uae.com.

GO GAMING AT BRAND NEW ZERO LATENCY: This awesome free-roam virtual reality experience brand has finally opened a branch in Dubai, although the fully immersive, wireless VR experience is actually totally out of this world. You put on the VR headset, strap into the backpack and pick up the controller, and then you and your friends or family are free to wander around the large arena, immersed in the world of your chosen game. There are lots of different experiences to choose from, which are run at regular intervals throughout the day – simply book into a slot for your preferred one. Be warned though – some of the experiences are pretty realistic, so best to check that it’s suitable for your child (ages 12 and up is recommended). DETAILS: From Dh115 per person per half-hour session, Zero Latency, Gate Avenue DIFC, https://zerolatencyvr.com/.

BE WOWED BY AERIAL UMBRELLAS: Is it a bird, is it a plane? No it’s Aerials Umbrellas! This jaw-dropping acrobatic act will wow shoppers at City Centre Mirdif from 7 to 9 January at 4pm, 6pm and 8pm. Seemingly floating in the air, the aerial umbrella duo will create the most mind-blowing experience for the young and old to enjoy. DETAILS: City Centre Mirdif, 7-9 January, 4pm, 6pm and 8pm, free to watch.

TRY OUT SPLASH WATER WORLD AT NEW HOTEL RIU DUBAI: If you’re in the market for an amazing-value staycation then look no further than newly opened Riu Dubai, a 24-hour all-inclusive spa hotel on Deira Islands beachfront that also features an amazing water park called Splash Water World, as well as two children’s pools and a dedicated kids’ club. This hidden gem only opened its doors in mid December 2020, so you’ll be one of the first to try out the many splashtastic rides at this fab new attraction. DETAILS: Riu Dubai, Deira Islands, all-inclusive stays from Dh416, Riu.com.

SEE SANTA ONE LAST TIME AT SOFITEL DOWNTOWN’S EASTERN CHRISTMAS BRUNCH: See out the last of the festive season in style by feasting on international cuisine served at buzzing live stations, sipping on mulled drinks and festive cocktails, before winding down with a delightful dip in the pool at this Eastern Christmas brunch. Kids will be especially pleased, with buzzing live music and a special post-Christmas appearance from Santa just for them. DETAILS: Eastern Christmas Pool Market Brunch, Friday, January 8, 1 PM, Grass Pool Lounge, Sofitel Dubai Downtown, Downtown Dubai, Dh199 for soft, Dh299 for house, Dh99 for kids, sddreservations@sofitel.com.

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.

GET SLIMEY AT MARKET OTB’s KID-FRIENDLY FUN: Extended by another week until 9 January and 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 Plus this weekend, Etisalat Market OTB will host a great Flash Sale with prices reduced by as much as 90 per cent on a wide range of must-have and unique items. 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 (from Dh15). For more info see @dsfsocial on social media channels and www.mydsf.ae.

FEAST ON FRENCH TOAST AT JONES THE GROCER: French toast has got to be a favourite of most kids, but why should it just be for breakfast? Throughout January Jones the Grocer is serving up this marvellous sweet treat all day, with a variety of both savoury and sweet options - from cinnamon poached pears and vanilla mascarpone to crispy beef bacon with vine tomatoes and lashings of maple syrup, enjoy the menu for breakfast, as a dessert or main, or get the whole family to order it so you get to try each flavour. DETAILS: Available until 20th January, the limited-edition menu starts at Dh58 at all restaurant locations across the region, www.jonesthegrocer.com.

BE AMAZED AT AL KHAWANEEJ’S ENCHANTED WONDERLAND: The Dubai Shopping Festival Market at Al Khawaneej’s Alice in Wonderland activation features 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: Until 16 January, Sunday to Wednesday, 6pm to 12am and Thursday to Saturday, 4pm to 2am.

PET BUNNIES AND GO ON 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, free to enter with minimum spend of Dh50 at Box Park.