Hey friends,
I’ll get right to it. We have a lot for you.
Whether it's a Saturday morning Olympic medallists triathlon at Al Mamzar, a farm where kids can pick their own watermelon, or a tiny orchestra where your child gets to wave a glowing baton, it’s all here.
Grab your beverage of choice and let’s dive in.
Oh, and don’t forget…new car seat rules for kids from Jan 1, 2027.
THE WEEKEND'S BIG ONES
Watch Olympic Triathletes (Free): Dubai T100 Triathlon Weekend (Al Mamzar Beach Park, Fri–Sun, Nov 13–15). Spectators get in free all weekend. You can catch the pro races Saturday morning. The Kids Zone features inflatables, soft play, giant Connect 4, crafts, and food trucks. (Note: 8–17-year-olds can join a free school aquathon on Friday if registered through their school).
Family Golf Day: DP World Tour Championship (Nov 12–15, Jumeirah Golf Estates). Sunday is official Family Day, and kids 17 and under get in completely free with a registered ticket.
The Green Bazaar (Free): Down to Earth (Sat–Sun, Nov 14–15, from 3:00 PM, Jameel Arts Centre). A vibrant green market featuring local growers, a farmers' bazaar, and a Nature Bus running birdfeeder and botanical crown workshops (Free with registration).
In partnership with Yalla Zaman
Remember the Good Old Days?
When the weekend hits, finding a Saturday outing that doesn't involve crowded indoor play areas or an endless tab can feel like a challenge. That’s why we love what the team at Yalla Zaman is putting together.
In Arabic, Yalla means "let's go" and Zaman takes us back to the good old days—and that's exactly the energy of this afternoon. They’re taking over Al Khazan Park (opposite City Walk) for an open-air picnic packed with great music, giant lawn games, and a full spread of nostalgic local childhood snacks right under the trees. It’s designed as a retro, zero-stress community hangout where parents can sit back, meet new friends, and let the kids run wild.
Best of all? Kids get in completely free with an adult ticket (AED 100).
GET MOVING
Palm 3K Run (Free): Nakheel Palm Run (Sat Nov 14, 8:00 AM, Palm Jumeirah). A free family run for ages 3+. This sells out every time, lock in your spots today. (More)
Glow-in-the-Dark Run: Ajman Neon Run (Sat Nov 14, 8:00 PM, Al Ittihad Road). A neon 1.5K for juniors (AED 49) with a dedicated stroller category (AED 79). Registration closes Friday. (More)
Beach Car Show (Free): Sharjah Motor Fest (Sat Nov 14, Al Heera Beach). A free outdoor car show right on the beach—ideal for vehicle-obsessed kids. (More)
FOR THE LITTLE ONES (AGES 0–6)
Goats, Pizza & Farm Play: Wadi Al Amardi Farm (Al Khawaneej, open daily 8:00 AM–9:00 PM). Feed animals, make pizza, and pick fresh figs and watermelons. No booking needed for entry.
Puppet Birthday Weekend: Les Marionnettes (Sunset Mall). Catch My First Puppet Experience (ages 1–2) on Fri Nov 13 at 9:30 AM; Lionheart storytelling & crafts (ages 3+) at 4:30 PM; and Little Red Riding Hood (ages 2+) on Sun at 5:00 PM. Every child gets free popcorn!
Toddler Learning Fest (Free): Festival of Learning (Sun Nov 15, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM, Times Square Center). Storytelling, balloon twisting, and sensory workshops for toddlers up to early primary. Free entry, free coffee, and free parking.
CREATIVE KIDS & TWEENS (AGES 5–12)
Souk of Little Creators (Free): (Wed–Sun, Nov 11–15, 4:30–8:30 PM, Souk Madinat Jumeirah | Ages 5–11). Five free interactive stations, including light-table sand art, felt puppet making, and painting under projected floral installations. (More)
Live Painting Contest (Free): Aster Canvas 26 (Sat Nov 14, GEMS Winchester School | Ages 4–16). A giant live painting competition with prizes up for grabs.(More)
Video Game Playtest Night: Dubai Playtest Night (Sat Nov 14, 2:00–6:00 PM | Ages 8+). This one definitely is a parent and kid afternoon out. Kids and teens can test unreleased video games built by local Dubai developers and give raw feedback directly to the creators. (More)
TEENS & TWEENS (AGES 10+)
Immersive Digital Art Fest (Free): ISEA2026 (Through Sun Nov 15, Al Wasl Plaza, Dubai Mall, ARTE Museum & Madinat Jumeirah). A city-wide showcase of cutting-edge digital art and interactive installations with a free live program (free pass registration required)
Looney Tunes 3K: Space Jam Run (Sun Nov 15, Warner Bros. World Yas Island). Celebrate 30 years of Space Jam with a fun run that finishes right inside Cartoon Junction.
Lord of the Rings Marathon (Through Sun Nov 22, Reel Cinemas Dubai Mall). Introduce your kids to the best of the best in fantasy and worldbuilding. Watch The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy back on the big screen.
BEYOND DUBAI (WORTH THE DRIVE)
Conduct an Orchestra (Free): Peter and the Wolf (Sat Nov 14, 3:30 PM, NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Center | Ages 5+). The UAE National Orchestra lets kids lead musicians using glowing batons. Tickets are free.
Foodie Weekend & Candy Land: Taste of Abu Dhabi (Nov 13–15, Yas Gateway Park North). Features top chef pop-ups, live music, and a brand-new Candy Land kids' zone (From AED 80, kids under 12 go free). Of course, it sells out fast.
Weekend Park Science (Free): The Park Market (Fri–Sat, 4:00–10:00 PM, Umm Al Emarat Park, Abu Dhabi). Free kids' craft workshops both nights, plus a pop-up science lab on Saturday.
Lakeside Evening (Free): Music by the Lagoon (Fri–Sat, 4:00–10:00 PM, Lagoon Walk, Ras Al Khaimah). Free live acoustic music and food stalls right along the water (Free)
Organic Farm Day: Emirates Bio Farm (Daily 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Al Ain). Tractor rides, vegetable picking, and farm-fresh dining (AED 50 weekdays, AED 75 Saturdays) (More)
EARLY CHILDHOOD WEEK (STARTS MONDAY)
Running Nov 16–22, the UAE’s first national Early Childhood Week brings 300+ free events across all seven emirates. Three key highlights to put on your radar:
Sharjah Early Childhood City (Free): (Nov 17–19, University City | Ages 1–7). A massive, free interactive mini-city designed entirely for toddlers and early primary kids. Expect hands-on sensory stations, interactive storytelling, motor-skill play zones, and early childhood developmental workshops. (More)
Knots of Creativity (Free): (Wed Nov 18, 4–9 PM, CLYMB™ Yas Island). Hands-on craft workshop for motor skills. (More)
Register for the Dama (Free): (Fri Nov 20, 4–7 PM, Al Ain Zoo). Family art workshop for the endangered gazelle. (More)
ETCETERA
Nov 13 | Kid Bosses: Tinipreneurs Market (d3, 3:30–6:30 PM). A market run entirely by young kid entrepreneurs.
Nov 14–15 & 21–22 | Chocolate Elves: Mirzam Advent Workshops (AED 135). Kids build their own custom countdown calendar.
Nov 15 | Free Kid Theatre: The Hive Winter Theatre Festival opens with Room on the Broom.
Nov 21 | Dog Parade: Dubai Miracle Garden is hosting a 3K dog walk and pet costume parade.
Nov 18–21 | Robot Battles: Dubai Future Week features live prototype floors and battle-bot demos.
Nov 21 | Youth Bike Races: L'Etape Dubai Juniors (8:00–11:00 AM, The Gate, DIFC).
Nov 26–29 | Character Fest: Mansour Festival at Yas Gateway Park North, Abu Dhabi.
Through Dec 31 | Free Glitter & Crafts: Lush at Dubai Hills Mall launched a Christmas pop-up with free bath bomb coloring and eco-glitter stations.
Weekend Hikes: For an easy nature walk with strollers or young kids, check out Wadi Shees in Khorfakkan.
How about some Baby Camel Hugs
That’s it, folks. Drop me a line if you have an event for the newsletter or just want to say hi—I read everything.
Have a great weekend,
Parves
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