Firstly, welcome to the new members of the gang!
Well, schools are still online. On Monday night, the Ministry announced that distance learning would be extended until April 17th.
Now, some of us are still in Dubai, so we get to log in from our bedrooms. Some of us have traveled, so we're logging in from different time zones. Weird times.
Someone said this is the “new normal.”
I caught myself agreeing for a second.
Then I thought — no. I don’t want this to be normal.
Anyway, Easter is on Sunday too.
Let’s jump right in.
If you do nothing else this week:
Sheikh Zayed Festival — Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. Ends Sunday, April 5, and it's worth the drive. It's massive, and it's free. Just look at the website! You've got cultural pavilions from around the world, rides for the kids, live performances, and food stalls everywhere. Fireworks go off at 9:30pm every night. If you've been putting it off, this is your last weekend. Park, walk around, let the kids run. It's one of those rare things where "free" doesn't mean "small."
DAZ Festival — Al Jahili Park, Al Ain. Runs April 3-12. 10 days of outdoor adventure: obstacle courses, zip lines (one for kids, one for adults), climbing walls, laser tag, carnival rides, petting zoo with Al Ain Zoo (rabbits, turtles, owls, snakes, pony rides), arcade games, sand play zones, art workshops. Maya the Bee performs on stage on April 3, 5, 10, and 12. Food vendors from Amsterdam, Japan, and more. Weekday tickets: AED25; weekend tickets: AED35 (kids 5-12 always FREE). About 90 minutes from Dubai/Abu Dhabi.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie — already out in IMAX across the UAE. Yoshi + Rosalina = a big space adventure. If your kids have been waiting for this, you know.
Let's see how the rest of the week stacks out:
THURSDAY, APRIL 2
Eat at Hyperama (Al Quoz) — South African restaurant with a kids' play area inside. Flame-grilled steaks, bunny chows, slap chips, the whole thing. Your kids eat, play in the indoor area, and you enjoy your meal. The play area isn’t huge, but it was good enough for my rascals.
Move like a TotalNinja (Silicon Central Mall) — Large inflatable obstacle course. Warped Wall, Wipeout, Strike Arena, Dodge Attack. Come for open play or wait until Friday for Toddler Takeover. 0-3-year-olds have their own mini play area, while the 4+ and adults can smash through the regular course.
Fig Picking at Wadi Al Amardi Farm (Al Khawaneej) — 20 minutes from most of Dubai, it feels like you've left the city. Animals (sheep, goats, bunnies, camels, deer, ostrich), a fresh produce shop, a playground, and a cafe. Fig picking season. Entry between AED20-30.
FRIDAY, APRIL 3
OliOli (Al Quoz) — 40+ hands-on exhibits across 8 galleries. Water Gallery, Air Gallery, art workshops. Built for kids to touch everything. AED69 toddlers, AED139 kids 2-16.
Museum of the Future - Children's World — ages 3-10. "Future Heroes" missions, build-and-design challenges, urgent missions with time limits. Separate ticketing from the main museum.
Brunch and Cake — If you haven’t been, the food’s pretty good. Kids under 12 eat FREE through April 30 when an adult orders from the main menu. All branches.
SATURDAY, APRIL 4
Barkfest — Barasti Beach, Dubai Marina, 1-9pm. Even if you don't have a dog, it's a beach festival with kids' activities and a relaxed vibe. Off-leash zones for dogs (separated by size), foam pawty area, dog show (Happiest Dog, Fluffiest Floof, Best Beach Style), kids' play area, beach access, and floating platforms in the sea. First 100 dogs through the gate get a gift. If you're bringing a dog, you'll need vaccination records (a pet passport or a VacciCheck certificate).
Swingers (Bluewaters) — Family-friendly FREE crazy mini golf if you pre-book online. If you’re not into golf, erm, there’s food and DJs. By the way, unlimited free golf - play as many rounds as you want.
SUNDAY, APRIL 5 (EASTER)
Easter Sunday. (Orthodox Easter is next week, April 12.)
Easter-specific events:
Boo Boo Laand (Dubai Mall) — "Eggstravagant Easter" event. Egg hunts, painting workshops, bunny meet-and-greet.
IMG Worlds — Dino-Egg hunt. Plus, there’s a Buy 1, Get 1 FREE offer going on.
Ribambelle (Bluewaters) — Easter party (250 AED). Egg hunts, egg painting, creative workshops and festive treats.
Easter brunches: Jones the Grocer (egg hunts at the Palm), Topgolf (free gameplay with roast orders), McGettigan's (Kids roast is 79 AED), Emirates Golf Club (Alice in Wonderland theme).
Or, if you'd like to skip Easter entirely, a couple of options:
And two options for next week…
MONDAY–WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6-8
Louvre Abu Dhabi Children's Museum — free for under 18s. If you have the time, this is a great place to visit. Art at child's eye level, hands-on workshops, and interactive exhibits. Open Tue-Sun, 10am - midnight.
Mohammed bin Rashid Library (Dubai Creek) — seven floors, free entry, and a lot of quiet. Remind your kids that there’s something called books 😀
That's the week.
FOR THE COMMUNITY:
Many small businesses are struggling right now. If you run one, or know one — a cafe, a play space, a kids' activity center, anything that could use some love — and you want to reach a few thousand parents in Dubai, reply to this email. Include the business name, location, website, and other details. I'll feature them in next week's newsletter. No charge.
That’s it then. Unless you want to watch the new Harry Potter teaser…
Hope you found something useful here.
Till next week. Stay safe.
— Parves
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