TimeOut Dubai Kids – June 2019

Indoor fun

Time Out UAE Kids June 2019 19

Mattel Play! Town

OliOli

O From Dhs149. Open Sat-Wed 10am-10pm; Thu-Fri

10am-midnight. Various locations including Level 1,

City Centre Mirdif, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road

(04 231 6289).

Mattel Play! Town

Younger kids and kids at heart will find

themselves at this Meraas destination, which

is a world of its own, tucked away within City

Walk. Designed for kids aged two to ten years

old, the play centre is based on popular TV

characters that children know and love –

including Barney, Thomas & Friends, Fireman

Sam and Bob the Builder.

Little ones play at five themed zones,

immersing themselves into their worlds,

meeting their friends and improving their

social skills all along. Mattel Play! Town also

houses its very own healthy café, and a big toy

store for some extra fun.

O Dhs59. Open, Sat-Wed 9am-8pm, Thu 9am-10pm,

Fri 10am-10pm. City Walk, Al Safa Street

(04 317 3999).

Museum of Illusions

It’s not only about the Instagram stories, you

know, there’s so much to learn at the Museum

of Illusions. Located in Al Seef, kids can

enjoy a unique visual, educational and tactile

experience at this venue.

The Dubai edition is the largest within the

world’s fastest growing museum chain and

houses exhibits such as the famed Ames

room where guests shrink or grow depending

on their position in the exhibit, as well as the

Vortex Tunnel, a rotating cylinder that tricks

the brain into thinking the ground underfoot

is shifting. How do they do it? That’s for you to

find out.

O Dhs70 (adults), Dhs50 (kids), Dhs205 (family).

Al Seef, Dubai Creek, museumofillusions.ae

(04 371 3999).

OliOli

When you think of a kids’ museum, you think

art installations and a “don’t touch” sign, but

OliOli encourages kids to play and explore

as much as they would like to. The Al Quoz

centre embraces the concept of positive play,

empowering kids’ imagination through an

interactive showcase of experiences, designed

to stimulate a child’s body and mind.

Made up of “galleries” including Future

Park, Toshi’s Nets, Water and Toddlers, each

one is a space of its own, with different

elements where kids can roam unbound

making their own stories along the way. The

museum has also become a Dubai favourite

for events involving kids because of its

flexibility and ample size.

O From Dhs120 per child, Dhs40 per adult, free (kids

aged zero to 11). Open Sat-Wed 9am-7pm, Thu-Fri

9am-9pm. 4th Street, Al Quoz, olioli.ae (04 702 7300).

Playdates

This neighbourhood soft play centre is geared

towards holistic development. Playdates is a

Palm Jumeirah kids’ haven, with a baby zone

for under-threes, and plenty of play for kids

aged six months to six years old as well.

A shiny indoor maze and gym will give tiny

ones the opportunity to move around a bit,

and a pretend city creates a world within.

O Dhs65 for non-members (kids aged six months to

three years old, per hour), Dhs75 (kids aged four-six

years old). Open Sun-Thu 9.30am-10pm; Fri-Sat

9am-10pm. Golden Mile 1, Palm Jumeirah, playdates.ae

(800 75293).

Ripe Market

Yes, it’s still on, but has moved indoors for

now. There’s something so very chill about

picking out fresh fruit and veggies on a

relaxing Friday morning, but you won’t get to

do it. Why? Because the kids will be dragging

you everywhere at Ripe.

From science workshops and petting

zoos to LEGO robots, the ever-popular

market always knows how to keep the kids

entertained while you stock up on pantry

essentials such as eggs, local honey, dates,

coconut oil, tea, coffee and superfoods. The

Ripe Market is a full-on family day out, so

don’t be fooled by the market vibes – there’s

plenty for the kids to do too.

O Free entry. Fri 5pm-midnight. Dubai Festival City,

ripeme.com.

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