Tons of stuff to do, and plenty of places to go around here in slightly cooler Dubai. No complaining about what to do. There’s art, monster trucks, and quite a bit of free events, shows, and movies.

So let’s get to it!

Swan Lake by the Hungarian National Ballet (along with their own Orchestra)
When: Sept 25-28 (multiple shows; family-friendly times this weekend)
Where: Dubai Opera, Dubai
Why go: “Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake stands as the most loved and mesmerizing of classical ballets — an enduring masterpiece of music and movement. This emotionally charged tale of Prince Siegfried and a cursed Swan Princess continues to captivate audiences more than a century after its creation.” Only for ages 6+. Sadly, no toddlers (I’m sure you know why)
(Tickets) 240-720 aed

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live — Glow Party
When: Sept 27, 28 (morning and evening shows)
Where: Etihad Arena (Yas Island, Abu Dhabi)
Why go: Monster trucks, fire-breathing cars, and jaw-dropping entertainment.
(Tickets) 160-820 aed

Sunday Funday — Vibrant Art with Oil Pastel
When: Sept 28, 10am-12pm
Where: Al Safa Art and Design Library
Why go: If you’ve ever thought your child has something of an artistic streak, this one’s for you. In this hands-on workshop, young artists will explore the world of oil pastels to create bold, vibrant artworks. Participants will learn blending techniques, layering, and how to use color creatively to bring their drawings to life. No prior experience needed – just imagination and a love for color! Ages 7-12 years.
(Tickets) 125 aed

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) 125-1000 aed

Gabby’s Dollhouse — The Movie
When: Ongoing, Releasing Sept 25
Where: Movies near you!
Why go: A DreamWorks Animation creation, Gabby sets off on an adventure through the real world to get the Gabby Cats back together and save the dollhouse before it’s too late. Sounds exciting, for the appropriate kids, of course :)
(Vox Cinema Tickets)

Last chance to go to Expo City for FREE!
When: until Sept 30
Where: Expo City
Why go: Enjoy family adventures at Terra, Alif, and Vision with fun and educational activities! Free for Children under 12.
(Tickets)

Community day — for all families. FREE!
When: Sept 27
Where: Al Jalila Cultural Center for Children
Why go: 21 sessions across a variety of creative disciplines. Highlights include ‘Musical Theatre & Acting,’ where participants will build acting, vocal, and movement skills, and ‘Creative Painting,’ which introduces the fundamentals of drawing. Additional theatre-focused activities will cover costume design, puppet-making, pottery, and stage performance.
(More Info)

Street Fest 2025. FREE!
When: Sept 15–Oct 9, between 2:45pm and 7:15pm
Where: Dubai Hills Mall
Why go: A rotating schedule of acts, including street performers, musicians, artists, and themed shows. Visitors can expect to see caricaturists, clowns, mimes, cellists, harpists, singer-guitarists, and theatrical characters throughout the mall’s main areas.
(More Info and Schedule)

KidZania - 50% Off
When: Till Sept 30
Where: Dubai Mall
Why go: Little ones explore a world of possibilities as they role-play real-life professions in a fun, interactive city designed to inspire, educate, and entertain.
(Tickets) 99 aed

Enlightened Kids. FREE!
When: Sept 28, 4 pm
Where: Raja Yoga Center
Why go: Kids will become adults. What better time than now to help individuals think about and reflect on different values and the practical implications of expressing them in relation to themselves, others, the community, and the world at large. Best for children 6-12 years old.
(Register for Free)

Wavehouse
When: Every day
Where: Atlantis The Palm
Why go: Sunshine & Slushies. Burgers & Bowling!
(More Info)

Anise - Saturday Family Brunch
When: Sept 27, 1pm - 4pm
Where: The Intercontinental at Dubai Festival City
Why go: Enjoy an abundance of sumptuous flavours from around the world with dishes served à la minute from eight live cooking stations complemented with live entertainment. Children below 6 eat FREE! Between 6-12 it’s 120 aed.
(More Info)

Dubai Maternity Leaves: Some companies are offering significant benefits to attract/retain employees - especially Emirati talent. “DP World, one of the UAE’s biggest global players, has introduced 100-day maternity leave, revamped paternity leave systems, and family support groups led by employees. The company is also planning to open nurseries across several workplaces”.

Childhood plastic exposure could be fueling obesity, infertility, and asthma. Uff. There's growing evidence of how plastics affect us, especially the young. It’s time to examine your household, habits, and shopping choices carefully. “A sweeping review from NYU Langone Health reveals that everyday exposure to plastics—especially during childhood—poses lasting risks for heart disease, infertility, asthma, and even brain development issues. These chemicals, found in packaging, cosmetics, and common household items, can disrupt hormones, ignite chronic inflammation, and lower IQ.”

Interesting piece on how the pandemic affected children — surprisingly in some cases, positively (more parent time)

Here’s what’s bubbling up in forums and local blogs:

“What are some family-friendly activities in Dubai for kids under 6?” Top replies:

One mom noted, “The Aquarium is a lot bigger than it looks from the outside — plan 2-3 hours there.”

“Dubai on a budget advice” threads summed up ideas like:

That’s all folks. Would love it if you could share this newsletter with other parents, friends and family. And, of course, let me know in the comments, or via email, what you think of the newsletter. Happy to get feedback!

Till next week,

Parves