Half-term camps are filling up, the weather's starting to turn, and you know the kids will be asking, ‘What do we do next week?’

Let’s find out.

Dubai Parks & Resorts Reopens
MOTIONGATE, LEGOLAND Dubai and Real Madrid World are all back after the summer break. The obvious headline this week. Wed 7 Oct, from AED 25, ages - all.

Night at the Chocolate Factory — Mirzam Chocolate Makers, Al Quoz
A torchlit treasure hunt through a blacked-out factory — stamp coins, dig for buried loot, chase glow-in-the-dark trails. Spots are limited.
Oct 3, 4, 10 & 11, AED 25 per explorer, ages 4+.

Little Dahlings Storytime — Courtyard Playhouse, Al Quoz
Roald Dahl-inspired improv theatre where the kids help shape the story as it goes. Two shows Saturday. Sat 10 Oct, 11am & 2pm, AED 75 per session, ages 3 onward.

Speedy Comics: Come Play! at Times Square Center is a free pop-culture weekend — Pokémon and One Piece tournaments, retro arcade games, cosplay. Oct 10–11, FREE.

Frightober at Ski Dubai runs all month — spooky surprises and chilling adventures on the slopes. Oct 9–31, from AED 65.

Splash Park — Sheikha Fatima Park, Abu Dhabi
Water play for toddlers, back for the weekend. The easiest "yes" on this list if you've got a 2-year-old and no plan. Fri–Sun, 4–10pm, FREE. (More)

Ghost Suncatchers — Strawberry Fields, Al Serkal Avenue
Second entry in their October-themed series — a Halloween craft session for the very young. Sat 10 Oct, ages 2–6. (More)

Junior Chefs, Season 2 — Mercato Mall, Jumeirah
A new hands-on cooking session every day, split by age group — one track for toddlers, one for school-age kids. Free, walk-in, no booking needed. Also works well as a weekday drop-in for homeschoolers. Through Oct 18, FREE, ages 2–14, first come first served.(More)

Fun in Theatre Camp — Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children
Drama games, puppet-making, arts and crafts, ending in a performance for parents.
12–16 Oct, ages 4–6. Places limited; call 04 515 5955. AJCC also has a lot of other goodies happening this month- choir classes, cooking, public speaking, and lots more. Check their October program.

Bee Scientist Morning — Terra, Expo City Dubai
Hands-on intro to bees — pollination, hive life, a live observation hive, lunch included. A good weekday field-trip option if you homeschool and your kid's into science. Sat 10 Oct, AED 500. (More)

Ghost Mode: On — 961 Bey, World Trade Center
A Halloween party built specifically for the too-old-for-trick-or-treating crowd. Rare to see something aimed this precisely at older teens. 30 Oct, 7–10:30pm, AED 100 cash only, ages 14–18. DM or call +971 50 932 5222

Yas Marina Racing Academy — Yas Marina Circuit
Five days of karting, simulators and real circuit work, for the kid who's obsessed with anything that goes fast. 12–16 Oct, AED 1,495, ages 11–15. Spots limited.

Short + Sweet Comedy Junior Finale — Pepperoni Comedy Club
UAE-based comedians aged 12–18 competing for the Junior Champion title.
Sat 10 Oct, from AED 120.

Tashkeel Weekday Workshops
Young-artist sessions that run on weekdays — chenille sculptures, resin keychains, block printing. A solid pick if you homeschool and want a standing weekly art slot.
Oct 12, 15 & 16.

Superhero Creation Camp — Abu Dhabi Children's Library
Kids imagine, write, draw and build their own hero — it does look like you’ll have to go to the library to register. 12–15 Oct, 9am–2pm, AED 500, ages 4–14.

Spartan Race for Kids at Al Ain Zoo is an actual 1–3km obstacle course, mud included. Sat 10 Oct, AED 110.

In case you missed it last week: if your kid is into Michael Jackson, Diverse Performing Arts' Thriller-themed singing, dancing and acting camp will be of interest. Or at the other end of the spectrum, you have and woo-hoo!'s Whimsical Week science-and-creativity camp across Al Quoz and Festival City the same dates (12–16 Oct)

Cinema Under the Stars is back at JLT Park, Cluster Q — free outdoor Saturday movie nights running every week through January. This week it's The Garfield Movie. Bring a mat. Sat 10 Oct, 7:30pm, FREE. (More)

The Martian Movie Night at the SEE Institute, Sustainable City pairs a screening with an expert panel, space trivia, a planting activity and telescope observations. Sat 10 Oct, 5–9pm. (More)

The Crystal Planet is now in UAE cinemas — an animated space adventure voiced by Jeremy Irons and Vanessa Redgrave, with an original Halle Bailey song. Showtimes

Anime Film Week at Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation runs Oct 14–18, with Ghibli classics all week and closing with a live musical performance of the soundtracks on the 17th. (More)

Umm Al Emarat Park Outdoor Cinema in Abu Dhabi runs movies on the big screen in the park, families on blankets under the stars, every Friday to Sunday, 6–9pm. They also other cool things for kids, BOUNCE is back, animal barns, and Markets featuring local businesses and food (More)

This always gets full: The Harmony MVMNT Halloween Edition is a free community singing event — great songs, big harmonies, open to all. Free but limited spots, so register early. Oct 24, 4–7:30pm

SCHLiNGEL Abu Dhabi's children's film festival runs Oct 21–24 at the Cultural Foundation — six films spanning ages 6+ to 12+.

The Royal Pet Festival brings dog and cat shows, agility and K9 demos to Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Oct 10–11, AED 15–135.

TODA's "Beyond Limits" illusion show runs weekends through Oct 24 at Madinat Jumeirah, from AED 159.

Time Square Center FREE events (Arte and Ripe Market) and a tinipreneurs bootcamp (ages 8-12)

After-hours trampoline party at Bounce, Oct 30

Further out: the Sharjah Animation & Comics Conference lands Oct 22–25 in Aljada, the Baby & Kids Expo runs Oct 22–24 at Dubai Exhibition Centre, and the Stories of Our Determination short film competition for anyone (including students) closes Oct 25.

That's your week. Parks, racing, or chocolate factory — pick one. And if you’re a parent with a teenager, let them have their Halloween party in peace ;)

— Parves

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