On June 21st we celebrate the dads, husbands and granddads in our lives and show just how much we appreciate them. We’re looking at great ways to spend some time bonding with daddy over the weekend (since Father’s Day falls on a Sunday this year) and even some cute crafts to give dad – or to snap a shot of to granddad back home.
1. Learn To Kickflip Down At XDubai Skatepark
Dubai’s hotspot for skaters. It’s all about ‘ollies’, ‘kickflips’ and ‘ramps at the largest skate park in the GCC. Beginners can ride the low profile skate plaza with unique street elements and transition flow areas while more advanced skaters have the central space of the plaza which has obstacles including ledges, banks, steps, vert wall, rails and a pole jam. There’s also a mini bowl and a pro bowl.
The park is open during 3 different sessions:
Session 1 — 08:00-11:30
Session 2 — 15:00-18:30
Session 3 — 19:00-21:00
Only children 4yrs+ can enter
Off Kite Beach, Standard Ticket AED 45, Spectator Ticket AED 25, more info
2. Race It Out Over At Dubai Kartdrome
Pull on a helmet and buckle up for a racing experience you won’t forget with Kartdrome at the Dubai Autodrome. The outdoor area of the venue has re-opened and is equipped with all the necessary kit and safety equipment, so your boys and girls can whip around the track like David Schumacher.
They’re only open to guests who own their own race suit and helmets but also have limited helmets and suits for sale at reception for those of you that would like purchase your own.
Children below 13 years and adults over 59 are currently not allowed to enter
Dubai Autodrome, Motor City, daily 2:30pm-8:30pm, AED 137 for 15min, more info
3. Spend The Day Under The Sun At Kite Beach
Head out to Kite Beach where you and your little ones can enjoy taking a dip in the deep blue and even skip, stroll or run along the community beach’s running tracks or boardwalk.
Restrictions may apply such as no use of playgrounds
Umm Suqeim 1, Jumeirah Beach Road, daily from 6am, free entry, more info
4. Explore The Al Madam Ghost Village
Take a trip to the abandoned village in Al Madam. See if the rumours are true for yourself that an evil force was supposedly responsible for driving the residents away. Alongside the unwelcome sand storms and fierce winds that are slowly swallowing the abandoned place. Better yet, forget the creepy rumours and enjoy the massive outdoor spaces that are the perfect opportunity for 4×4 drifting and sand-duning.
Although the history of Al Madam is quite vague, one thing that’s for certain is that the abandoned buildings have laid for over a decade, consisting of a handful of beautiful houses that were constructed between the 1970s and 1980s. Also, the noticeably impressive mosque that overlooks the entire town gives the town a unique feel.
Al Madam, Sharjah, accessible throughout the day, free entry, more info
5. Ride The Desert At The Al Qudra Cycle Track
Ditch your stationary bike at home and head to the open road for a socially distanced bike ride at the Al Qudra Cycle Track. The track, located around 30 minutes from the centre of Dubai, stretches across 86km with unparalleled desert views.
If you’re looking to rent your bikes, worry not because Trek Bicycle Store (directly at the Al Qudra Cycle Track) is thoroughly washing and sanitizing bikes and helmets before and after each use. They also have a strict ‘no mask, no gloves, no service policy’. Customers must practice social distancing by cycling in groups of no more than three at a time. Hand sanitiser should be used at all times.
Currently, only people 16yrs+ can rent bikes
Al Qudra, open from early morning, bike rentals from AED 50, more info
6. Make It A Thrilling Day At Ski Dubai
Make your way to Ski Dubai and enjoy activities like the Slide Hill, Tubing Run, Tobogganing, Bobsled, Snow Plough & Snow Bumpers. You can also enjoy the thrill of a giant zorb ball ride! Take to the slopes or just play in the snow. Afterwards, go and say hello to the Ski Dubai penguins!
Children below 13yrs and adults above 60 are currently not allowed to enter
Mall of the Emirates, daily from 10am, pass from AED 190, more info
7. Relax And Play Down By Al Sufouh Beach
Spend the day with your family away from the crowds, in a raw natural setting at Al Sufouh Public Beach. Not only will your kids be ecstatic that they’re going to spend the day frolicking about in the sand and sea, but finding the beach’s location will be an adventure in itself.
This bay has stunning views of Burj Al Arab to your right and The Palm Jumeirah in front of you. Remember to pack everything you may need for your little ones because the beach doesn’t have any amenities or facilities – just the sand and beautiful sea!
Al Sufouh Beach (Black Palace Beach), daily from 6am, free entry, more info
8. Get Skating At Dubai Ice Rink
Head out for a day of frosty fun as you and your little ones try to master your moves on the ice. Join a public session if you’re just skating for fun, a freestyle session if you’re a more advanced skater and want to get some practice done – or you can even book a special Snowfall session where snowy white flakes fall gently around you as you skate.
Children below 12 and adults over 60 are currently now allowed to enter
The Dubai Mall, daily from 10am, AED 75 for a session, more info
9. Make A Bow Tie Pasta Father's Day Card
Use some of your cupboard pasta for something really nice for dad!
–WHAT YOU’LL NEED–
Bow tie (farfalle) pasta
Cardboard or thick cardstock
Acrylic paint
Paintbrush
Glue gun
Black marker
–STEP 1–
Dip the entire bow tie pasta into paint. Wait for it to dry and then decorate it with a paintbrush.
–STEP 2–
Secure the finished bow ties onto your cardboard with a glue gun.
–STEP 3–
Write your message with the black marker.
10. Craft A Monster Handprint Father's Day Card
Your little monsters will have a fun time making this super cute handprint card for their dad!
–WHAT YOU’LL NEED–
Coloured card stock
Googly eyes
Pom poms
Black marker
Glue
–STEP 1–
Fold your cardstock in half
–STEP 2–
Trace your child’s handprint with the wrist portion over your folded cardstock
–STEP 3–
Cut out the handprint and be sure to round the top part of the card when cutting out
–STEP 4–
Once you have your handprint cut out, place your googley eyes on the card. Use the marker to draw on a mouth and add teeth by cutting small white triangles out of paper.
–STEP 5–
Write your message inside
11. Make Your Own Best Dad Award Ribbon
Cute little craft that you can make with your littles for their number 1 dad! Click here to see images for the different steps.
–WHAT YOU’LL NEED–
2 sheets of red paper (or any other colour)
Yellow paper
Black marker
Scissors
Glue
–STEP 1–
Start by folding a sheet of paper in half (along the longer side)
This way the center will be marked. Now cut along the middle to get two long strips of paper.
–STEP 2–
Start folding the sheet of paper (the strip) making accordion folds all the way till the end. Do the same with the other strip of paper.
–STEP 3–
Push the “accordion” together (close it). Fold it in half. Glue together on one side. This will make the paper look like a fan.
–STEP 4–
At the bottom of the fan, the last two or three accordion folds will still be able to be stretched out. We don’t want that, so apply a small amount of glue at the centre to glue them together.
Repeat these steps with the other strip of paper.
–STEP 5–
Now you have two fans and you need to glue them together. Hold them together for a while for the glue to set.
–STEP 6–
Cut a circle out of yellow paper. It needs to be smaller than the award ribbon rosette.
Write what the award is for e.g. “Best Dad Award”.
–STEP 7–
Add glue at the back of the yellow circle and press it on to the rosette. Allow the glue to set.
–STEP 8–
Cut two ribbons out of red paper. Glue them on the back of the award ribbon rosette.
12. Create A Hands Down Best Dad Ever Father's Day Card
A cute and messy way to create a fun card for dad this year!
–WHAT YOU’LL NEED–
White paper (or cardstock)
Acrylic paint
Paintbrush
Black marker
–STEP 1–
Place your paper on the table
–STEP 2–
Dip the brush into your chosen colour paint and paint both of your child’s palms.
–STEP 3–
Let your child press their painted palms onto the center of the paper.
–STEP 4–
With the black marker, write “HANDS DOWN” above the handprint and “BEST DAD EVER” below.
–STEP 5–
Let the paint dry.
You can even frame your child’s artwork if you like.
— Want more ideas for what to do with the kids for Father’s Day? – Get Kidzapp now!
Images: Venue Website/Social
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