Khaleej Times

Loads of fun at waterparks

- Text by Saman Haziq Photos by Ryan Lim saman@khaleejtim­es.com

It is quite the task to get children away from electronic gadgets like smartphone­s, TVs and iPads. The best way to deal with the situation would be help them get more enjoyable entertainm­ent — outdoors. With the weather cooling off, children are keen to step outside and what better place to take them than to waterparks?

While outdoor sports make them sweat, water activities fill them with energy and revitalise the soul. Tapping into the potential, and to double the fun for children, aquatic clubs offer swimming coaching, ride-races, expert slide tips and learning activities like compact jumps, freezetags, diving and recovery, brick retrieval, item collection etc.

Playing in water is fun and when there are other kids around, it gets even better. Watersport­s releases energy, develops motor skills in children, builds their communicat­ion abilities while stimulatin­g creativity and imaginatio­n. It increases children’s ability to concentrat­e and also encourages critical social skills like cooperatio­n and sharing. Young ones also learn to work with other children.

“I have realised that kids receive numerous health and cognitive benefits while they frolic in the water. In fact, with more children being drawn to live sedentary lives at earlier ages, such water activities are a great way to counter the unhealthy effects of busy schedules and inactive lifestyles, said an excited parent at a water park in Abu Dhabi.

“I have witnessed how waterplay can help children develop healthy skills and habits that will benefit them. Interactin­g with so many kids, understand­ing the instructio­n of trainers and following them helps to form positive communicat­ion and cooperatio­n abilities,” he said.

“Children often play with wood, dirt, sand and rocks, but water offers them endless opportunit­ies for physical experiment­s and discovery,” said another parent.

While water rides offers many benefits for children, it is also important not to leave them unattended during their time there. Most water theme parks in the UAE have trainers who always keep an eye out for your kids. They are in safe hands.

 ??  ?? THEME PARKS INSPIRE... Waterpark activities help young ones release energy, develop motor skills, improve communicat­ion abilities and stimulate their creativity and imaginatio­n.
THEME PARKS INSPIRE... Waterpark activities help young ones release energy, develop motor skills, improve communicat­ion abilities and stimulate their creativity and imaginatio­n.
 ??  ?? MAKING A SPLASH... Water rides are a source of fun and promote an active lifestyle among kids.
MAKING A SPLASH... Water rides are a source of fun and promote an active lifestyle among kids.
 ??  ?? TIPS AND TRICKS... Children learn the basics on how to slide and ride safely from a lifeguard.
TIPS AND TRICKS... Children learn the basics on how to slide and ride safely from a lifeguard.
 ??  ?? DOING IT RIGHT... Playing in water help kids develop healthy habits that will benefit them in future.
DOING IT RIGHT... Playing in water help kids develop healthy habits that will benefit them in future.
 ??  ?? FLOAT SAFELY... A state-of-the-art pool ready for the kids enjoy water activities.
FLOAT SAFELY... A state-of-the-art pool ready for the kids enjoy water activities.
 ??  ?? FOLLOW THE LEADER... Trainer lifeguards help kids through the slide and teach them safety tips.
FOLLOW THE LEADER... Trainer lifeguards help kids through the slide and teach them safety tips.
 ??  ?? WET AND WILD... Activities at water parks include freeze tags, races, compact jumps and more.
WET AND WILD... Activities at water parks include freeze tags, races, compact jumps and more.
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