Goo Goo Gang Guide 🐵

Hey Gang 👋

The weekend is peeking around the corner — and Dubai’s got everything from skating princesses to drama and jokes. This edition gives you choice — high-energy (Acquaventure), calm (mindful pilates), hands-on (STEM and pizza), and indoor air-con (snow in a mall). Pick your vibe, book early, bring snacks (always bring snacks), and remember to hydrate.

If you’re ready, let’s roll.

🎯 This Weekend’s Picks

Disney on Ice: Into the Magic
When: Sept 18–28 (multiple shows; family-friendly times this weekend)
Where: Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
Why go: Full-scale production with favourite characters (Anna, Elsa, Moana, Miguel). It’s crowd-pleasing, reliably calm for littles who love story + music, and makes a “special night out” without being a late theatre run.
(Tickets)

Kids Pizza Academy — Future Chef?
When: Ongoing
Where: Jumeirah Lake Towers
Why go: Why not?!
(Tickets)

Improvised Kids’ Storytime — Improv and Laughter
When: Saturday, Sept 21 — morning slot
Where: Courtyard Playhouse — Al Quoz / their listed venue page
Why go: Interactive improv where kids shout suggestions and actors build a story on the spot. Low cost, high laugh-rate, and brilliant for creative development & confidence. Perfect for ages ~3–9.
(Tickets)

Summer Wellness Weekends — Mindfulness
When: Sept 20
Where: Museum of the Future — Downtown Dubai
Why go: Family-friendly mindful movement, mat pilates, and guided breathing inside Dubai’s most photogenic dome — good for older kids/teens and parents who actually want to rest on a weekend. Mats provided; prebook seats.
(Tickets)

OliOli® — Brain Muscles
When: Daily (book required)
Where: OliOli Children’s Museum, Al Quoz
Why go: 45+ interactive galleries, soft-play, climbing nets and invention-focused exhibits. Standard Plus extends access so you don’t rush — excellent option for toddlers through early school age on a rainy/hot day.
(Tickets)

Pure Minds — STEM Saturday workshops
When: Saturday sessions (various times)
Where: Downtown Dubai (Pure Minds Academy)
Why go: Hands-on robotics, coding, and experiments for curious kids (4–14). Great way to convert “why” energy into maker confidence in 60–120 minute blocks. Book early — these fill fast.
(Tickets) 

Ski Dubai — Penguins and Snowmen
When: All weekend (book activities)
Where: Mall of the Emirates
Why go: Snow in the desert = guaranteed delight. Add-on experiences (penguin encounters, tobogganing) make for memorable family photos and are easy to time around naps.
(Tickets)

Aquaventure — Youth Programmes & Half-day Experiences
When: Everyday, Multiple sessions
Where: Aquaventure, Atlantis The Palm
Why go: Mix waterpark fun with structured youth-safety / skill coaching — a useful combo if you want kids to both splash and learn basic water skills. Good for confident swimmers.
(Tickets)

Picasso Artists — Art Workshops
When: Term registration open; courses start soon
Where: Dubai Times Square Center and Abu Dhabi Yas Mall
Why go: Structured courses for kids who want serious art time — portfolio-building, materials, and teacher-led projects. Great for sustained enrichment (not a one-off craft).
(Tickets)

Quick Picks & Indoor Escapes:

• Dubai Dolphinarium — rotating special offers & shows. Book early on show days.

• Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo — good for the really hot days; combo tickets available.

• Dubai Ice Rink — seasonal offers and family sessions.

• IMG World’s Ninth Anniversary — tons of deals, offers, and giveaways.

🔮 Further ahead — plan & book now

• Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live — Glow Party
  Sept 27 and 28 (morning and evening shows)
  Etihad Arena (Yas Island, Abu Dhabi) (Tickets)

• Cinderella — The Magical Pantomime 

  Dec 17–29, 2025

  Jumeirah Beach Hotel (book early) (Tickets)

• Spot’s Birthday Party (family show) 

  Nov 2, 2025 — Zabeel Theatre (great for toddlers) (Tickets)

• Dubai Fitness Challenge (30x30) — citywide wellness month

  1–30 Nov 2025 — great for family-friendly free events and kids’ activities (Link)

In the News 🌍

Global: For the first time, more children are obese than underweight.

UNICEF’s 2025 Child Nutrition Report — Feeding Profit — states that obesity among school-age children (5–19) now slightly surpasses underweight (9.4% vs 9.2% worldwide). The report attributes this to ultra-processed foods, aggressive marketing to kids, and poor food environments — and calls for policy changes like marketing restrictions and school food regulations.

Screen time for kids: evidence is unclear, but risks exist. A growing amount of research connects heavy screen use in early childhood to differences in brain white matter related to language and literacy, as well as poorer sleep, attention, and mental health markers in teens.

Other extensive studies find small or no effects on cognition — so nuance matters: type of content, co-viewing, and displacement of sleep or outdoor play are the main mediators. Practical advice for parents: favor active, co-viewed, educational screen time and protect sleep and outdoor time.

Eye health: more screen hours → higher myopia risk
More screentime scares: A large meta-analysis found that each extra hour of screen use is associated with a measurable rise in nearsightedness risk. Kids who spend 4+ hours/day on near work & screens are meaningfully higher risk. Experts stress more outdoor time and regular eye checks for kids.

LOCALLY:

KHDA: Calendars for most Dubai private schools for the 2025–26 academic year are out. If you plan weekend family trips, check term dates first :)

ICYMI: Back-to-school made easier: KHDA shares expert tips to boost children’s confidence and happiness

💬 From the Community

Here’s what we eavesdropped across socials:

“When holidaying in Dubai with family — what can you do with toddlers?” — top replies: Aquaventure, Museum of the Future, Miracle Garden, Dubai Mall Aquarium.

“Cheap weekend ideas with a two-year-old?” — common tips: story hours at public libraries, small mall playzones (less crowded malls: Mirdif City Centre, Mercato), sunset walks along the Dubai Water Canal (still hot though)

Blast from the past

More here.

Till next week,

Parves