Little masterchef
Nurture your child’s passion for the culinary arts with a set of cooking sessions headed by the Dubai-based chefs Hadrien Villedieu and Alexandre Szkaradkiewicz at the Top Chef Cooking Studio in Dubai.
The studio runs Mini Chef classes for children (7-12) where they are taught to bake and create simple desserts. The chefs may challenge the more advanced students to make some savoury dishes as well. A single session until September costs Dh180 for a one-and-a-half-hour class. Discounts are available for five or 10 classes booked together. Gifts vouchers can be purchased on www.topchefdubai.com. Classes are held on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 3.30pm to 5pm. Call 04 385 5781.
Read and learn
Broaden your kids’ understanding of Islam with the storybook 365 Days with the Prophet Muhammad (Goodword Kids New Delhi). The book has a colourful chronological account of the daily adventures and teachings of the Prophet Mohammed, supported with illustrated maps for context; Dh120. Available at bookshops across the UAE but hurry – stocks are fast depleting.
Snap this up
Selfies on Instagram and “I’m on a holiday” photographs – kids are already at it on their smartphones. What about channelling their photographic skills with a point-and-shoot? The Nikon Coolpix L29 has a 16.1 megapixel CCD sensor and a 5x optical zoom lens. Features include a smart portrait system, motion-blur reduction and HD video recording facility. The camera is priced at Dh249 and is available in black and silver at Grand Stores.
Game on
Fifa 14 for PS4, PS3 and Xbox consoles is what every kid has been eyeing for a while. Virgin Megastore lists it as the hottest game of the moment. The current version has an added Pure Shot feature, a ball-physics system that enhances the already highly realistic experience. Dh299 for PS4; Dh269 for PS3.
Musician in the making
The English rock 'n' roll legend Joe Brown once said the ukulele is a very forgiving instrument – anybody can learn to play a couple of tunes in a few hours. We take his word for it and suggest getting your kid started on this Hawaiian-inspired stringed instrument. A beginners' instrument created by the Belgian company Stagg can be purchased from the Brooklyn Melodies Music Centre in Dubai for Dh175; call 04 288 8951. The Rhythm Music Centre in Abu Dhabi offers 30 to 60-minute lessons from Dh80. Visit www.rhythmmusiccentre.ae or call 02 622 6206.
For the DIY kind
Berlin Boom Box, a mobile speaker for iPods and smartphones, is shaped like a 1980s boombox and has to be built from scratch. The DIY kit, created by the Berlin-based designer Axel Pfaender, comes with a sturdy cardboard case, knobs, amplifiers and speakers, making it a fun project to put together. Bonus: it is eco-friendly, too. Dh349 Visit www.wamli.com/shop/berlin-boombox-brown and www.berlinboombox.com.
Camelicious treats
Don't go the predictable route for treats. Shake it up a bit with some camel-milk chocolates this Eid. Camel milk is known to be abundant in vitamin C, iron and B vitamins, so you'll be looking out for their health at the same time. The chocolatier Al Nassma in The Dubai Mall sells chocolate bars, squares and camel shaped pieces. The whole-milk, moulded chocolate camels will prove a bigger hit with younger kids. Dh59 for 130gms; Dh169 for 730 gms. Call 04 223 9289 or visit www.al-nasma.com.
The write way
Set about improving their handwriting and calligraphy skills. Culture and Co, the French bookstore and arts-and-crafts shop in Dubai, has a calligraphy set for kids above the age of 8. A pen with five nibs and a bottle of ink are packed in a classic, natural-pine box. Dh85; call 04 357 3603 or order online from www.culturecodubai.net.
Their first tablet
This nifty little InnoTab 3s Wi-Fi Learning Tablet is a good way to introduce kids to technology. The mini computer can send and receive texts to and from smartphones, provide access to games, e-books, videos and music, offers kid-safe browsing and has a 180-degree rotating camera. Dh499 at Toys "R" Us UAE stores, or visit www.toysrusuae.com.
aahmed@thenational.ae
