CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES
animals at al ain Zoo
The garden city’s zoo has nicely positioned itself as a safari park in recent years. Head here to see lions, hippos, oryx and giraffes.
Al Ain Zoo, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, daily 9am to 8pm, Dhs30. Tel. (03) 7992000. Taxi: Al Ain Zoo. alainzoo.ae
Teach children yoga
YogaOne, a new studio in the capital, holds children’s classes that focus on relaxing and forging a love of yoga as opposed to working on tough asanas.
Al Dhabi Compound, Salam Street, Abu Dhabi, Dhs50. Tel: (055) 7164845. Taxi: near Al Seef Village Mall. yoganone.ae
Visit a farm
Meet the animals at Bahya Sanctuary during the second Saturday of every month. The farm has seven dogs, two ponies, five donkeys and three porcupines.
Bahya Sanctuary, Al Bahya, Abu Dhabi, 3pm to 5pm, free. Tel: (056) 6127914. Taxi: Al Bahya. facebook.com/ BahyaSanctuary
Meet bears and tigers
Emirates Park Zoo is home to two white tigers, a 300kg Siberian bear, lions and cheetahs. The park also uses ‘misting’ tech to lower temperatures during summer.
Emirates Park Zoo, Al Bahia, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Wed 9am to 8pm, Thur to Sat 9am to 9pm, Dhs25. Tel: (02) 5633100. Taxi: Emirates Park Zoo. emiratesparkzoo.com
Be a bowling kingpin
The lanes at Zayed Sports City come with a pedigree – they hosted the 1994, 2014 and 2015 World Bowling Championships.
Zayed Sports City, Al Madina Al Riyadiya, Abu Dhabi, daily 9am to 1am, Dhs15. Tel: (02) 4034200. Taxi: Sports City. zsc.ae
Explore a retro park
Hili Fun City has been open since 1985 and is still a family favourite – and it’s dirt cheap. Inside you’ll find merry-gorounds and bumper cars.
Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Mon to Thur 4pm to 10pm, Fri and Sat noon to 10pm, Dhs30 Mon and Tue. Tel: (03) 7845542. Taxi: near Hili Mall. hilifuncity.ae
go for a splash
Lazy rivers, a waterslide park, a balloon station and a surf machine (for under-11s) await at Murjan Splash Park.
Khalifa Park, Abu Dhabi, daily 11am to 6pm, Dhs45. Tel: (052) 4085232. Taxi: Khalifa Park. murjansplashpark.weebly.com
Train an aqua baby
Abu Dhabi’s The Room fitness club holds baby swimming lessons at the Hiltonia Beach Club for a bargain Dhs45.
Hilton Abu Dhabi, Al Khubeirah, Abu Dhabi, Dhs45. Tel: (02) 6924203. Taxi: Hilton Corniche. abudhabi. hilton.com, theroom.ae