The Family Place is located in the Sustainability District at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
The Family Place is located in the Sustainability District at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
The Family Place is located in the Sustainability District at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
The Family Place is located in the Sustainability District at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

New indoor children's venue The Family Place opens at Expo 2020 Dubai


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

As Expo 2020 Dubai nears to an end, the weather is heating up, so the team have created a new indoor entertainment area for children called The Family Place.

The venue opened on Saturday and is located next to Al Forsan Park. It features a family-friendly cafe and activities for youngsters.

These include Maker Racer for children aged 7 to 14, where they can build their own mini car from natural and recycled materials, then play with it on jump tracks, while a leaderboard keeps score of players' best times.

  • A child plays at a fountain by the UK Pavilion. All Photos: Expo 2020 Dubai
    A child plays at a fountain by the UK Pavilion. All Photos: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Visitors inside Al Wasl Plaza during events held in the run up to UAE Rare Disease Day. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Visitors inside Al Wasl Plaza during events held in the run up to UAE Rare Disease Day. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • The Expo has reported record visitors numbers in recent days, as school trips resume and more countries ease travel restrictions. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    The Expo has reported record visitors numbers in recent days, as school trips resume and more countries ease travel restrictions. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Visitors on Ghaf Avenue at the Expo site. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Visitors on Ghaf Avenue at the Expo site. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • People take photos at Surreal - The Water Feature.
    People take photos at Surreal - The Water Feature.
  • Visitors take in the scenes at the world's fair.
    Visitors take in the scenes at the world's fair.
  • Some of the exhibits inside the Bahrain Pavilion.
    Some of the exhibits inside the Bahrain Pavilion.
  • Al Wasl Plaza is considered a must-see for many visitors.
    Al Wasl Plaza is considered a must-see for many visitors.
  • Visitors outside the Switzerland Pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Visitors outside the Switzerland Pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • People wait to enter the Saudi Arabia Pavilion.
    People wait to enter the Saudi Arabia Pavilion.

There's also The Story Place, where stories are brought to life through animated presentations in Arabic and English, with tales linked to Expo's main themes: opportunity, mobility and sustainability. Craft activities inspired by the stories also take place after the show is over.

“The Family Place has been designed with the needs of the families visiting Expo 2020 in mind," said John Bull, director of the Sustainability Pavilion. "Children will love our imaginative and playful experiences, all designed carefully to encourage creative thinking. And parents will enjoy the chance to grab a coffee and healthy snack in an environment where children are free to express themselves.”

Children can enjoy activities at The Family Place. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
Children can enjoy activities at The Family Place. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

Nearby Al Forsan is another great and shaded spot to head with the children in the final weeks of Expo 2020 Dubai, which ends on March 31. Here you'll find The Desert Farm, a dedicated space where children can learn about the different kind of plants that thrive in the desert as well as how scientists are trying to turn deserts into farmland in an attempt to fight deforestation.

The Desert Farm is located near Latifa’s Adventures playground, a space-themed park that features a replica of the UAE's Hope Probe.

Over in the Opportunity District there's Hammour House, a community art project that invites young visitors to discover life underwater while drawing inspiration from the One Thousand and One Nights story of Abdullah the Fisherman and Abdullah the Merman.

It's also where visitors will find the Luxembourg Pavilion, which has a giant slide for children and big kids alike to enjoy.

Updated: March 07, 2022, 1:24 PM