Healthy, Happy Kids
Homework, routine, playdates – the afternoons can get a little same/same for the kiddos. Get them feeling active and inspired with a few of the coolest ways to spend those after school – pre-bedtime hours…
If there isn’t room for any more sport in your kiddos life or if they’re just not that into squads and teams and all that stuff then how about stimulating those brain cells and firing up imaginations at WOW kids – a new concept that provides an interactive and futuristic way for the littles to be creative! Want to know more? Well, in a nutshell, these guys use advanced technologies and cutting-edge tools to allow kids learn the basics of robotics, electronics and engineering in a fun way, by experimenting and experiencing new generation toys and games. Perfect for ages 4 and up, WOW kids is all about helping kids become creators of innovation while exploring creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking – becoming immersed in their own virtual space. Let them see their fish and sea creatures come to life in the WOW Aquarium, or perhaps they’re more into the EXO PLANET futuristic space forest, a journey through theatre and story-telling at WOW Theatre or putting together their own digital story, coding, robotics or augmented reality? The opportunities are endless. Sign them up for a workshop and tap into all that brainpower, mamas!
WOW Kids, The Mall (opposite Jumeirah Beach Hotel)
www.wowkids.ae
One of the best workouts available in the city is now offering a mini version of their fab health and exercise programme for kids aged 7 – 14, combining a positive awareness of food and eating well (without any of the boring ‘eat only broccoli type stuff) plus fitness activities and circuit training. Your kids will be there for plenty of fun but will also be educated in how to eat well for life but in a totally friendly way. Sound good? We think so. Next step is to get them to make some of that healthy food for the fam at home…
Little Circuit Factory, Arcadia Preparatory School, JVT
Various times available including a Friday 8.45am slot for parents to be able to drop off and go exercise themselves!
AED 70 per session or AED 500 per month of unlimited sessions
Visit www.facebook.com/circuitfactory
Got horse mad kiddos at home, mamas? Whether they’ve been in the saddle before or they’re keen to give it a go, introduce them to the equine world at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club or at Desert Palm where everything from gentle 5 minute pony rides on a lead-rein to riding lessons are available depending on age and ability. A great way to be surrounded by nature, in the fresh air and seeing the world in between 2 ears – just be prepared for ‘I want a pony’ next time birthdays come around…’
Pony rides at Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club start at AED 35 for 5 minutes and at Desert Palm they start at AED 25 for 5 minutes.
Riding lessons are available for over 5’s.
For prices and information visit www.poloclubdubai.com or www.desertpalmllc.com
Little dudes and dudettes (over the age of 4) are encouraged to hang out and have fun on wheels at this awesome little spot just off Kite Beach – and while there are designated hours for children (mornings usually), there’s no harm in going along to see if it’s quiet and then getting stuck in if it’s safe to do so. Built by skaters, for skaters, X Dubai is a shaded skate park with grassy areas and benches for non-participants to lounge on and watch (the kids love doing this too if they don’t fancy a go). Bring 2-wheeled scooters, skate boards or BMX bikes and navigate 29 obstacles including a mini bowl, crater, street elements and more (basically lots of ramps and hills and things to whizz up and down!). Helmets are available onsite and are obligatory – so if you don’t own then you can borrow/rent. Work up a sweat and then cross the road for a dip in the sea. Perfect.
With 3 huge trampoline parks dotted around Dubai now, there’s plenty of opportunity for the kids to jump off some of that excess energy! From Bounce in Al Quoz – complete with over 100 trampolines, a free-jumping area, dodgeball court, giant inflatable airbag and more to Flip Out Dubai where obstacles, mini-foam pits, double-decker trampolines and loads of other cool stuff awaits. And for Mirdif mamas, Jump Boxx’s playground of over 120 interconnected trampolines, dedicated toddler areas and soon-to-open soft play space will keep all your brood very happy! Each of the trampoline parks have designated times for kids or ‘free-jump’ sessions where the whole fam can get involved. For something a little smaller – give al fresco jumping on Kite Beach a go – there are trampolines set up just near the café area, simply pay-up and let loose!
On your bike kiddos! While navigating the streets of Dubai on 2 wheels may be a little terrifying, there are plenty of places to get in the saddle safely – all you need is a bike, a helmet (safety first, mamas) and a sense of adventure! Our current fave? Getting out on the canal where there are designated cycle tracks snaking alongside the sparkly water and even across some of the bridges. While most of the parks in Dubai don’t allow bikes, Barsha Pond Park has separate jogging/cycling tracks (plus plenty of opportunities to stop and play at the awesome play facilities) and Al Mushrif Park near Mirdif has a 5km cycle track that loops in and out of the grounds. Or how about biking around a race-track? Every Wednesday night from 6pm – 9pm Dubai autodrome in Motor City opens its track for non-motorised fun –meaning runners, roller bladers and cyclists can get out there under the floodlights – the perfect way to tire out your people before bed?! And then of course there’s the bike track near Meydan – a cycle park including an 850 metre children’s proficiency course and track for kids aged 4 – 14 complete with street signs, speed bumps and roundabouts to teach your littles all about road safety. The children’s playground and views across Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa are the icing on the cake.
There’s nothing we love more than getting the kids outdoors – so the new Aventura Adventure Park in Mushrif Park is at the top of our ‘must do’ list this month. We guarantee this is going to be a big hit with every little adventurer (and their mamas too) – ziplining, tree-surfing and rope climbing within a natural ghaf tree forest. With over 80 exhilarating challenges across 5 different levels both up high and in between the trees, your little ones can be conquering the forest and reconnecting with nature after a day at their desk. See you up there!
Book ahead of time at www.aventura.ae
No we don’t mean small squares of chocolate cake or those dam-building creatures but rather the scout groups for girls and boys, first set up by a British Army officer many years ago – and now offering kids of all nationalities and all around the world a fabulous community to be part of. Not sure what we’re talking about? Well, in a nutshell – these are organised groups which help kids become useful citizens (yes, really), through regular meetings, fun, games and camps where they’re set specific tasks and learn a variety of skills (from building camp fires to making a decent cup of tea!)plus celebrate the amazing cultural differences that make Dubai such a special place. Little boys (aged 5-7) start as beavers, graduate to cubs and finish off as scouts (aged 14) while the girls begin as Rainbows, move onto Brownies and graduate as Guides. The perfect way to set the kiddos up with a whole heap of must-have skills – the only problem lies in trying to secure a spot – unsurprisingly there are waiting lists to join…
If a little zen is called for after school then get your kids into GroovyKids yoga with Dani at The Surf Café – the perfect way to release any stress and energy in a fun way that also promotes healthy bodies and minds. Little yogis of all ages will be taken through movements and poses named after things in nature and developed to promote strength, flexibility and coordination with plenty of fun as part of the package! Dani will have her little students balancing, moving and focusing before ending the class with stillness (that we hope helps promote awesome sleep!). And while the kids are bending and flexing? Mama can enjoy a coffee at the Surf Café. Perfect.
Ever been to Kite Beach and seen a group of kids having a complete blast on the sand and in the water? Pirates Surf Rescue is all about having fun, getting fit and learning about water safety too– we just wish we could get involved too! Available for kids aged 8-18 years, this watersports programme incorporates everything from fly boarding to surfing as well as first aid and ocean conservation – but mainly it’s about fun and teamwork and empowering children. We love. Taught by a dedicated team all coordinated by the amazing Candy (one of our Sassiest Mamas 2016), Pirates Surf Rescue quite often has a waiting list so get in there quick if your little nippers are keen.
For info please call Call 055 527 8931 or visit www.facebook.com/PiratesSurfDubai
Psst..coming soon…our fave watersports center, Fahrenheit Beach Sports love seeing kids having fun, getting ‘stoked’ and enjoying the ocean so they’ve made a division specifically for them called Grom Squad Arabia. A “grommet” or “Grom” is slang for small child in surf speak an
d in this division you’ll see the best range of kids & teens specific activities. Watch this space!
Featured image via Pinterest
