Firstly, welcome to the new members of the gang!

After days of feeling that the war might boil over, we've reached a ceasefire. It's tenuous—comes from humans, after all—but let's take it.

Marcus Aurelius said it this way: "You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." Whatever's happening in the world, we've got to keep our minds strong and make the decisions that work for our families.

For those of us staying in the UAE, life goes on. With that in mind, here's what's in store for the kids and families this week.

Oh, and there’s more rain on its way…

Primark opens City Centre Mirdif — Wednesday, April 9. The second UAE store, after the launch of the Dubai Mall, where queues still go strong. Jeans from Dhs50, kids' sets from Dhs40, beauty from Dhs5. The third store is set to open at the Mall of Emirates in May. If you missed the Dubai Mall chaos or couldn't face those queues, this is your chance.

Saturdays at the House — Saturday, April 11, 8:30am-12pm, House of Arts, Expo City, Dubai. Hands-on creative activities for ages 4-7 and 8-12, led by artists and facilitators. Art, wellness, music. Not drop-in chaos—this is curated programming that encourages exploration and creative expression. Family program designed to actually nurture curiosity.

Abu Dhabi International Book Fair — April 11-20, ADNEC. Over 1,000 publishers, author signings, kids' workshops, and cultural pavilions. Opens 10am daily. Free entry for kids under 12. This happens once a year, and it's massive—drive down, spend a few hours, let kids see what books look like when they're not on screens.

Train With Dubai Police at Dubai Autodrome — FREE track nights for running, cycling, rollerblading. 7pm-10pm. Registration is required but completely free. Bootcamp sessions at 6:30pm and 7:30pm. World-class racing circuit, traffic-free, trained marshals, and medical services on site. If your kid needs to burn energy on wheels or feet, this is it.

Sushi Art JBR — Kids under 10 eat free through April with a paying adult. JBR location. Signature rolls, soy sauce, the works.

Wild Paint House — Al Quoz. Splat, swing, spin, pour, or graffiti paint sessions. Neon classes under UV lights. Book for 1 person or a group of 4. Your kids will get messy. That's the point. I’ve done this, pretty fun.

Burj Khalifa UAE Residents — Dhs99 for levels 124 & 125 throughout April. Code SAVE100 at checkout.

LionHeart Sports Academy — Multiple locations. Football, basketball, gymnastics, swimming, tennis, and athletics. Ages 3+. Professional coaching, skill-building focus. Not summer camp energy—this is structured training for kids who want to learn technique. Trial sessions available.

Dubai International Art Centre — Jumeirah 1. Painting, drawing, sculpting, pottery. Ages 4+. Structured classes, not just arts-and-crafts chaos. Also runs wood- and stone-carving for more advanced kids. It’s a non-profit, has been around since 1976, and knows what they're doing.

Black Bunny — Al Quoz…again. Over 45 arcade games, VR zones, bowling, trampolines, and go-karts. Massive indoor entertainment complex. For kids who need variety and constant stimulation. Pricing varies by activity.

Yas Waterworld — Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Just opened 11 new attractions on April 4. Matamir's Drop is the UAE's tallest waterslide—over 40 meters high, 233-meter course. Also new: free-fall racing slide, dueling mat racer, jump platforms. 70+ attractions total now. Drive to Abu Dhabi if you haven't been recently—this is a big expansion.

Lush UAE Free Workshops — Through April 30 at various stores. After-school activities: Knot Wrap games, product-making, and plant potting. Have you ever passed by a Lush store… it smells heavenly.

#thekidSpace — Palm Jumeirah, Creek Harbour. Coding and robotics classes. Professional instructors, structured curriculum. Ages vary by program—check website for details.

Physical Skill Sports — Home-based or location-based coaching across Dubai. Cycling, swimming, roller skating, football, kickboxing, and kids' fitness. Coaches come to you. Flexible scheduling, professional training. Good for parents who can't commit to fixed-location classes.

The Mud House Studio — More Al Quoz. Ceramics and pottery. Kids learn slab, coil, and pinch techniques, decorate, and apply glazes. From Dhs210. Leave work to fire in the kiln, return in two weeks to paint it.

The Noodle House — Multiple locations. Kids under 10 eat FREE with an adult meal on Friday.

Cultural Foundation Children's Art Centre — Abu Dhabi. Ages 5-14. Classes in arts, crafts, and music. On a monthly basis. Run by Abu Dhabi Department of Culture & Tourism. Professional instruction.

Five Iron Golf — Westin Mina Seyahi. Unlimited FREE mini-golf through April 30.

Well, I hope you found something here.

I love feedback, for good or for worse, so please write it in!

Till next week. Stay safe.

— Parves

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