- Watch a camel race together: Winters in Dubai are earmarked for camel racing, a favorite pastime of the residents. Catch the fast-paced action on the tracks of Dubai Camel Racing Club in Al Marmoom with the juniors. Lots of noise and thrill guaranteed.
- Cook, craft & create: ‘Tis the season, after all. Dedicate one day to Pinterest and gather all the inspiration you need to cook up Christmas delicacies and/or make ornaments for that tree in your living room.
- Cycle away: Bored of Al Barsha Pond Park already? Consider heading to Al Qudra Cycling track for a change. Both for professionals and novices, this conveniently located track promises views of the glorious sunrise and sunset for adults, and that of exciting wildlife for the minis.
- Write a letter: Blame it on the several gadgets at their disposal; kids don’t write letters anymore. Spend some time writing a letter to a special friend or a favorite cousin. Make it a point to mail the letter to complete the loop.
- Visit the souks: Skip the malls this season and tick-off the must see places of old Dubai. Children of all ages would love a cheap and cheerful abra ride across the creek. Take a tour of the Spice & Gold Souk, even if you do not wish to buy anything.
- Popcorn & Movie Day/Night: Home Alone. Ice Age. Frozen. Happy Feet. March of the Penguins. Pajamas. Blanket. Popcorn. Hot Chocolate. Get the drift?
- Day trip to Ras Al Khor Sanctuary: Between the months of October and March, Ras Al Khor is home to over 30,000 birds from Asian and African countries. I smell a breakfast date with pink flamingos this winter, do you?
- Sort & donate: Make use of your free time to sort out old toys, books and clothes. In keeping with the spirit of the season, donate them to the needy in the UAE. The Al Noor Special Needs Training Centre in Al Barsha is a good place to start.
- Hop on the metro: It’s cheap, it’s smart, you avoid traffic, you can go (almost) anywhere AND there’s a separate class for women and kids: what’s not to love? Besides, they would love a panaromic view of the city.
- Plan your next vacation: Make use of this downtime to plan your next vacation. Browse magazines and visit websites together. Involve kids in the decision-making so they look forward to the next break as much as you!