Friends,

If you're like me, you've been looking at your phone way too much.

Scrolling the news. Refreshing social media. Checking what happened, where it happened, and whether anything changed.

Part of my brain knows this isn’t healthy.

The other part says: I need to know.

But at some point, you look up and realize something else:

The kids are still here.
They’re still bored.
And spring break came earlier than expected.

Schools are now closed through March 22.

Which means parents across the UAE are asking the exact same question:

Ok… now what?

This week’s newsletter isn’t about pretending everything is normal.

It’s about giving you actual options — places that are open, camps that are running, free things to do, and simple ways to survive spring break when none of us planned for it.

Let’s get into it.

“Are indoor play areas open?”
Yes. Most indoor attractions and play areas are operating normally.

“Is Dubai Mall safe to visit?”
Dubai Mall is open with full retail, dining, the aquarium, ice rink, and cinemas. Each family will decide their own comfort level.

“What can we do close to home?”
Parks, beaches, malls — and a few surprisingly good free options below.

“Are any camps running?”
Yes, many. I’ve listed 8 below.

“Can I fly my drone?”
No. The UAE has banned all drones and light-sport aircraft at the moment. Penalties are serious.

Aquaventure Waterpark + Lost Chambers Aquarium

FREE for residents (March 10–22)

One of the best deals we've seen in years.

• Up to 4 free tickets per booking
• Reserve your specific date online
• You’ll enter a credit card, but won’t be charged

Expect:

• 105+ slides
• 1km private beach
• Lost Chambers Aquarium (65,000 marine animals)

Best weather days: March 13–18.

Book here.

Dubai Miracle Garden

Free entry for UAE residents (March)

150+ million flowers. Kids usually love it more than adults.

📍 Dubailand, Al Barsha South
Bring your Emirates ID

Check it out.

Expo City Spring Camp (March 9–20)
Nature activities and creative workshops. Terra Spaces, Expo City.

Ski Dubai Camp (March 9–20)
Ages 4–12. Snow park, penguins, cinema, lunch included.

Al Habtoor Grand Camp (March 9–22)
Sports, swimming, workshops. AED165–185/day.

OliOli "Journey to the Jurassic" (March 9–20)
Dinosaur-themed learning and science experiments.

BOUNCE Holiday Camp (March 9–20)
Trampolining, parkour, freestyle skills.

Loco Bear Camp (March 9–20)
Laser tag, climbing, ninja courses, arcade.

Parkour DXB Camp (March 9–20)
Movement and confidence through parkour.

STEM Camp – Pure Minds Academy (March 9–18)
Coding, robotics, engineering challenges.

Free & Outdoor

Indoor Options

And yes, all major malls remain open.

Still closed for now:

Always check the venue's social media before heading out.

Restaurants and cafes remain fully open.

If you're ordering delivery, let’s say through Keeta, Careem, Noon, and others:

Google Maps isn’t working properly in the UAE right now.

Delivery drivers are navigating without the map system they rely on.

If someone calls lost or arrives late:

Be patient.
Give landmarks.
Answer the phone.

A little kindness goes a long way.

Worth Watching

The Wild Robot — Ages 6+. One of the best animated films in years.

The LEGO Movie — Still perfect.

Bluey — 7-minute episodes, parents don’t hate - well, might enjoy ;)

Matilda (1996) — Classic Roald Dahl magic.

Avatar: The Last Airbender — Incredible storytelling for ages 8+, and for adults. Yes, I loved it!

Bluey is on Disney+, while others you can stream on Netflix.

Activities That Actually Work

• Build an indoor obstacle course (my kid does something called marble run all the time)
• Cook real food together (be careful)
• Fort building
• Unstructured art time (if you have toddlers, allow them to go crazy on the walls)
• Minecraft
• Learn something weird on YouTube (origami, card tricks, beatboxing)

You're aiming for survival with occasional joy, not Pinterest perfection.

Schools are scheduled to reopen March 23.

That could change.

But I’ll keep sending what’s useful—whether that’s updates, activities for kids, or ways to stay sane at home.

Know a parent trying to survive this unexpected spring break?

Forward them this email.

If someone forwarded it to you, you can subscribe here:
Join for free

Also — thank you to readers Carla, Vysali, Roshan, Anhsu, and Arezoo who wrote in.

I read every message. It means a lot.

And if you ever have tips, questions, or things other parents should know about — just reply.

This newsletter is better when it’s a conversation.

This isn't the spring break any of us planned.

Some of you are making the best of it.
Some of you are barely holding on.
Some of you are doing both in the same hour.

That's normal.

Take the kids to the free waterpark.

Order pizza three nights in a row.

Go to the beach at sunset.

Stay home in pajamas all day.

There’s no perfect way to do this.

Just your way.

I’m here to help.

— Parves
Goo Goo Gang

P.S. If this helped even a little, hit reply. I read every response.

If you think it would help others, forward the email to another parent. That’s how this community grows.

We’re all figuring this out together.