Welcome to all new members of the gang!
Does it feel like the months just flew by? It’s been a while since the family and I stayed over during the summer. 12 days left till school comes back full force! That’s it. And you know what, after all the drama we’ve had, I’m hoping it gets back to full peak Dubai traffic 🙂 I know, I know…I might regret asking for this
This week we have a proper summer send-off at Expo City, free Bambi at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sonic live, puppet shows with free popcorn, and a nocturnal animal exhibit in Abu Dhabi closing for good. Plus something new launching Sunday…read on to know more.
HERO EVENT
Terra — Back to School Party. Expo City, Dubai. Saturday 22 + Sunday 23 August, 10am–6pm. AED 50 adults. Kids under 12 free.
This is the summer send-off. Two days: Ocean Scavenger Hunt, LEGO robotics, Magic Phil comedy magic show at 2:30pm (AED 25 add-on), guided ocean tours every hour, slime making, nature sensory trays, storytelling, and instrument sessions. Metro-accessible from Expo Station on the Red Line. Book at visitterra.ae.
MINT Market is also running across both days inside Terra — UAE brands, kids' toys, creative workshops. It could be a solid backup as a back-to-school shopping run if you need one.
HAPPENING THIS WEEK
➤ Flaky Pastry — Free Magnum Croissants Birthday Tour. Thu 20 Aug: Downtown Dubai. Fri 21 Aug: Galleria Mall, Abu Dhabi. 4–8pm, free while stocks last.
It's their fourth birthday. Two stops left before it's done. Go.
➤ Curious Roots — Sensory Morning. Thursday 20 August, 10–11:30am. AED 70. Ages 1–5. Sanderson's Café, Sustainable City, Dubai. Nature sensory play with real materials. 15% off the café menu for attending families. Book via link in bio — spots fill fast. @curiousroots.ae
➤ Wonders of the Night — National Aquarium Abu Dhabi. Closing this week. Al Qana, Abu Dhabi. The UAE desert nocturnal exhibit — scorpions, geckos, owls, nocturnal mammals — is ending for good. Check thenationalaquarium.ae for the exact final day before making the drive.
➤ Green Planet — World Photography Day. August 19–23. Kids under 10 free. City Walk, Dubai. Visit, photograph your best moments, tag @thegreenplanetdubai on Instagram to win prizes. Good reason to finally go if you haven't.
➤ MINT Market x Spinneys — Layan Community. 20 + 27 August, 2–9pm. Free entry. UAE homegrown brands — fashion, accessories, bags, kids' toys. If you’re in that side of town, what’s stopping you from hangin’ out for a bit.
➤ Ripe Market — The Roast by Bubbalicious. Sunday 23 August, 1–5pm. Free entry. The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina. Local makers, jewellery, kids' fashion, food, candles, accessories. An easy Sunday afternoon that doesn't require a plan.
SHOWS AND PERFORMANCES
➤ Les Marionnettes. Sunset Mall, Jumeirah 3. AED 150/child, one adult free. Ages 2–8. Free popcorn for every child. Four shows across three days. Fri 21: Lion Heart storytelling with Rachelle at 4:30pm. Sat 22: Big Nelly at 11am + Aladdin puppet show at 5pm. Sun 23: Different Together at 11am + Little Red Riding Hood at 5pm. Book at lesmarionnettes.net.
➤ Ready Steady Go — Sonic the Hedgehog. Sport Society, Mirdiff. Saturday 22 August, 6pm. AED 249/child. Ages 3–8. Very few spots left. Meet Sonic and Amy, face painting, obstacle course, bubble show, and a full lineup of games. WhatsApp +971 50 274 8622 to book.
➤ The Fixies Show — Mohammed Bin Rashid Library. Friday 21 + Saturday 22 August, 5pm. Ticketed at Virgin Megastore. Ages 3–10. The animated characters live on stage, two nights running. Book here.
➤ Only on Sundaes — The Guild Dubai. Launching Sunday 23 August. Every Sunday, 9am–7pm. New concept and looks like a fun one: Nitro Sundae Bar from 12pm (nitrogen ice cream made in front of you), Little Explorers Kids Club for younger kids, and an Arcade Club for teens — PlayStation, air hockey, arcade games. Parents sit down for a Sunday roast while the kids play (they can eat too, of course) Check The Guild for reservations.
ARTS AND WORKSHOPS
➤ Woodish Café — Kids Mask Making Workshop. Sunday 23 August, 12:30pm. AED 120/child, all materials included. Ages 4–7. JVC, Dubai. Limited spots — DM @woodish.dxb to book.
➤ Blumi Café — Creative Workshops. Sunday 23 August from 2:30pm. AED 130–180/session. Al Quoz, Dubai. Go nuts with shell galleries, 3D lemon texture art, candle making, oyster shell painting, blueberry art. Good for teens, older kids, and parents who like to dabble in the arts as well. DM to book: +971 555 872 989.
➤ RoboLand — Squish Lab NeeDoh Edition. Times Square Center, Dubai. Open daily. Ages 4+.Build your own bulldozer, complete the NeeDoh Bot Challenge, play in all permanent galleries, take home a NeeDoh Cube. What in the world is a NeeDoh?! One child + one adult per pass. Book here.
FREE CINEMA
➤ Louvre Abu Dhabi — Art in Motion: Bambi. Saturday 22 August, 6pm. Free. Advance reservation required. Free family film screenings at the Louvre Abu Dhabi auditorium. This week: Bambi. Next Saturday 29 August: The Lion King. Reserve at louvreabudhabi.ae.
➤ Cinemini — Cinema Akil, Alserkal Avenue. Free. Register before going.
Smurfs: The Lost Village this Saturday, 22 August. Angry Birds on Saturday 29 August. Must register at cinemaakil.com.
FOR THE TEENS
➤ Scorpion Club — 40% off all games. Valid until 28 August. Reef Residence, JVC, Dubai. Show the post at reception: 40% off bowling, billiards, arcade games, darts. Bring a crew. @scorpionclubdxb
➤ Al Dhaid Wildlife Museum — Sharjah. Kids go free. Adults AED 10. Open regularly — check website for hours. Interactive exhibits on Arabian desert wildlife, reptiles, birds, insects. One of the most underrated spaces in the UAE. Worth the drive for curious teens.
FOR THE LITTLE ONES
➤ Lana Lusa — Kids Cooking Atelier. Every Tuesday, 4pm. AED 95/session or AED 300/month. Four Seasons Private Residences, Dubai Water Canal + SO/ Uptown Dubai. @lanalusadxb
Cafes where the kids play and you get your coffee: Unicorn Café (Dubai Marina) · Jaii Café (Dubai Creek Harbour) · Café Confetti (JLT) · Benny Mack's (Town Square) · Angel Cakes (Dubai Hills) · Shvili (Dubai Festival City) · Mint Concept (City Walk) · Organic Foods & Café (Cityland Mall) · The Coterie (Ibn Battuta Mall). No entry fees to play.
FOR THE PARENTS (why not?!)
➤ QuizBiz — Aprons & Hammers Beach House, Palm Jumeirah. Saturday 22 August, 7:30pm. Free entry. SpeedQuizzing and music bingo on the Palm. First place wins brunch for four at Aprons & Hammers (dang!). Second place: Sunday roast for two. Happy hour runs throughout with 30% off drinks.
➤ The Big Bolt Hole Quiz — Bolt Hole, Villanova. Thursday 27 August, 7:30–9:30pm. Free entry. Free parking. Dogs welcome. Fast-paced trivia and music bingo in a neighbourhood setting. If you want a Thursday evening that's fun…you know what to do
THE SPLURGE
➤ Dinner with the Penguins — Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates. AED 300/person. Book in advance. Long coat, trousers, and gloves. Private dining room at -4°C. Three-course meal, two drinks, rescued penguins running around you. Booked months ahead. One of those things you talk about for years. Book via Ski Dubai.
SOMETHING DIFFERENT
➤ Fur & Fun — Indoor Pet Community Event. Sunday 23 August, 10am–10pm. Free to attend. Al Quoz, Dubai. Full-day indoor pet event — shopping, games, community. Big dogs 10am–2pm, small dogs 3pm–7pm, all dogs 7pm onwards. Good for families with dogs and kids who love them. RSVP via @furrariuae.
IN THE KNOW
Etihad Rail now has rental cars at Abu Dhabi and Fujairah stations. From AED 80/day. No deposit, fuel included, 60km allowance. Hatchbacks to Nissan Patrols, walk-in bookings available. The "what do we do when we get there" problem is now solved.
PLANNING AHEAD
Kidz Factory — Neon Splatter Bash. Friday 28 August, 2–4pm. AED 99/child. Neon splatter bear, water gun wall, neon dance party, free popcorn. Pre-book: 052 978 5982.
Tini-preneurs Market — PAUS Club, Umm Al Sheif. Saturday 29 August, 10am–1pm or 3pm–6pm. Ages 5+. Kids showcase and sell what they've made. Part of PAUS Club's Block Party. Register via @tini.events.
Bubble Planet — Al Ain. From 28 August to 7 November. Giant bubbles, immersive rooms. bubble-planet.com/al-ain
TODA — Sergey Vorontsov Magic Show. From Saturday 5 September, 4pm + 7pm. Souk Madinat Jumeirah. 85 minutes. Merlin Award-winning illusionist. Book at toda.ae.
Jameel Arts Centre — The Making Mind. Starting September. Register by 4 September. Creative program for children 6–12 by designer Carla Baz. Friday afternoons, small groups, limited places. Register at jameelartscentre.org.
Arabian Wanderers — Milky Way Stargazing. September 5 + 12. Very few spots. 4x4, bonfire, BBQ, guided telescopes, Milky Way with the naked eye. DM @arabian.wanderers to book.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Growtopia Future Food Lab — Waterfront Market, Deira. Free. Daily 2–10pm until August 31. Last two weeks.
Dubai Sports World — DWTC. Free gym and jogging track, daily 8am–midnight. Closes August 25. One week left.
Modesh World — DWTC. Free entry, daily entertainment. Closes August 25.
Free bowling at BrewDog Bluewaters. Book a table, get free duckpin bowling. This summer. Bluewaters Island.
Make this week a good one.
See you next week,
Parves
PS: Write to me — I read and reply to everything.
