Budget-friendly entertainment for children in Dubai
WANDER IN A MAZE: Stay out of the summer heat with BurJuman’s DSS activation – a life-size, 18-metre-long maze filled with picture-perfect opportunities as you find your way to the mystical treehouse at the centre (open until 26 August). Maze open 2pm to 10pm daily.Image Credit: Supplied
POSE IN FUN PHOTO-BOOTHS: The DSS adventure continues at Burjuman at a series of Insta-worthy photo-op stations spread across the mall (open until August 29). If you fancy a spot of shopping while you’re at it be sure to save your receipts; between 9 July and 29 August 2020, you can enter a digital raffle for a chance to win a luxury car for every spend of Dh200 and above.Image Credit: Supplied
STEP INSIDE A HELIX: Little ones will love scooting through the perspective-altering length of the architectural wonder that is the Twisted Bridge over Dubai Water Canal. Head there first thing in the morning or pre-sunset for some jaw-dropping views, and follow up with a bridge-hop over to Tolerance Bridge and then a pleasant walk along the Dubai Canal, where you can also catch a magical, purple-lit waterfall gushing beneath Sheikh Zayed Road come sundown.Image Credit: Shutterstock
BUILD A LEGO MOSAIC WALL: Visit Ibn Battuta Mall’s Lego mosaic wall at Persia Court, where kids and adults can also build their own Lego creations. Or, snap a selfie with life-size jungle animals, made of Lego bricks, at India Court. Ibn Battuta Mall will also be home to a world of musical acts – from a musician in a giant bubble to lap tap acoustic show, with a guitar being played sideways for a unique sound – throughout DSS.Image Credit: Supplied
VISIT DUBAI’S RESIDENT DINO: Dinosaur-loving kiddos will love being transported back in time to the Jurassic period at Dubai Mall’s Souk Dome. Measuring over seven meters high and 24 meters long, this towering exhibit is a genuine fossil of a Diplodocus longus, which roamed the earth more than 150 million years ago.Image Credit: Supplied
DRAW AND EAT A SPACE COOKIE: In support of the UAE’s Hope mission to Mars, DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Beach has launched a kids’ ‘space-themed’ drawing competition. Little ones aged 12 and under are invited to submit their galaxy-inspired drawings in exchange for a free DoubleTree cookie and a chance to win a space-themed brunch. Between 10am-5pm, 20th-30th July 2020 AT DoubleTree by Hilton.Image Credit: Supplied
GET A WATERSIDE LULLABY: Wind down little ones’ evenings with live music at the DSS Sounds at The Pointe Palm Jumeirah every evening from 9 July to 29 August, with musicians in the restaurants and along the promenade from 4 pm to 10 pm.Image Credit: Supplied
WEAVE THROUGH MARKET STALLS: Each Friday and Saturday throughout DSS, the family-friendly Ripe Retail Pop Up will take over Nakheel Mall with a selection of locally made products. The Ripe Retail Pop Up will be open from 10am to 7pm every weekend, with items from 15 to 20 home-grown businesses selling fashion, art, jewellery, homeware, food and more.Image Credit: Supplied
SPY SHADOW ART: Kids will be amazed by the awesome shadow creations that appear when viewed from the right angle at the “Dreams” by Bassam & Maysoon exhibit put on by Alserkal Cultural Foundation (ACF) in Nakheel Mall on The Palm.Image Credit: Supplied
CATCH CRABS AT JUMEIRAH FISHING HARBOUR: A hidden gem along Beach Road, this fishing harbour surrounded by cafés and restaurants is a serene snapshot of Dubai’s marine past. Kids will love watching crabs scuttle up and down the steps along the quay side, and there is a small play area to occupy toddlers. Take buckets, string and bait to ensure a good crab catch (before throwing them back in the water), and follow up with breakfast at one of the many cafes.Image Credit: Supplied
WATCH WATER DANCE: The spectacular, choreographed water and light show of the Dubai Fountains can be viewed at various points throughout the day, but the 6pm showing is perfect for little ones, with the sun setting, and the temperatures cooling. Saturday to Thursday 1pm, 1.30pm, and 2pm; Friday afternoon 1.30pm, 2pm, and 2:30pm; Evening shows every 30 mins 6-11pmImage Credit: Supplied
GO BIRD WATCHING: Pack a breakfast picnic and trundle the kids in the car as soon as they wake up for a breathtaking dawn with the stunning waterside views and desert wildlife at Al Qudra Lakes.Image Credit: Supplied
