Children’s play areas that are now open in UAE

Family entertainment spaces are reopening with a number of safety precautions in place

A staff member sterilises the facilities at OliOli. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Cleaning Legos at OliOli. Children are given a bucket to use which is then cleaned before the next child can use it. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Toshi's Net gallery is a trampoline-style playground at OliOli. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The net gallery at OliOli undergoes sterilisation. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A child takes part in a water activity at the OliOli summer camp. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The summer camp is currently operating at 30 per cent capacity. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The future park at the summer camp. Chris Whiteoak / The National

An OliOli instructor guides children through the summer camp. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Face masks are currently a must for children and members of staff. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A staff member checks temperatures at OliOli. Chris Whiteoak / The National

After months of closures, family entertainment spaces and children’s soft play areas are reopening, with fun new offers and safety precautions in place. Looking for a little downtime as the little ones enjoy themselves? Here’s what you need to know:

Cheeky Monkeys

For those aged 1 to 8

The edutainment kids play area has reopened six of its Dubai branches, so children can enjoy its numerous features, which include a 280-square-metre play structure (for those over the age of 4), life-size playhouse and more. Branches also feature arts and crafts stations and an indoor play park, so little ones can let their imaginations run free.

Safety precautions being taken:

The facility is currently operating at 30 per cent capacity, so it is best to call ahead or make bookings online. Guests can also message on social media to fast track entry and reserve a table.

Other than that, Cheeky Monkeys has full time sanitisation officers in place to disinfect the facility. Toilets are disinfected every time they are used.

Staff are mandated to wear masks, with some also wearing face shields. Temperatures will be checked on entry, and hands and shoes have to be sanitised upon entry.

Contactless payment is encouraged, and sanitisation stations have been placed throughout the facility.

Cheeky Monkeys has partnered with Prime Medical to instal UV LED lighting with Germicidal Bulbs, designed to kill bacteria and germs. The UV smart lights are turned on automatically when Cheeky Monkeys is not operating at night. The company has also invested in sanitisation guns, cold fogger machines and UV wand lighting to better sanitise its facilities.

As an extra precaution, the ball pits and Monkey Market are closed and building bricks have been removed.

Branches currently open: In Dubai: JBR, Arabian Branches, Al Barsha, Palm Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai and J3 Mall; 043850875; visit www.cheekymonkeys.com

Fun City

For those aged 1 to 12

Popular children’s play area Fun City has reopened several of its branches across the UAE, giving little ones access to its soft play areas, video games and other attractions.

Safety precautions being taken:

Dedicated entry and exit points for all guests, health screening protocols for fever detection before entry, frequent fever screening for all staff members, and mandatory face masks. There is also enhanced store cleaning and fumigation on a regular basis.

All “top-ups” can be done online and contactless payments are accepted. In a bid to further minimise touch points, there are no paper tickets – e-tickets will be directly loaded onto a card.

Branches currently open in Dubai: Oasis Mall, Mercato Mall, Ibn Battuta Mall, Century Mall; In Sharjah: Safeer Mall; In Ajman: Safeer Mall. All branches in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Fujairah are currently not open. 

For more information, visit www.funcity.ae or email [e-mail]. 

Fun Block

For those aged: 1 to 12

A Landmark Leisure brand, Fun City has reopened it's doors in Dubai and Sharjah, complete with climbing walls, trampolines, and a focus on active play for children.

Safety precautions being taken:

Dedicated entry and exit points for all guests, health screening protocols for fever detection before entry, frequent fever screening for all staff members, and mandatory face masks. There is also enhanced store cleaning and fumigation on a regular basis.

Branches currently open in Dubai: First Avenue Mall, Motor City, Arabian Centre; In Sharjah: Oasis Mall; www.funblock.ae

Fun Ville

For those aged: 1 to 12

This play area, which reopened to the public at the end of June, features a number of family-friendly activities from bumper cars to a "happy swing" for little ones.

Safety precautions being taken:

Dedicated entry and exit points for all guests, health screening protocols for fever detection before entry, frequent fever screening for all staff members, and mandatory face masks. There is also enhanced store cleaning and fumigation on a regular basis.

Branches currently open: Al Hamra Mall, Ras Al Khaimah; 054 581 3372; www.funvillearabia.com

KidZania

For those aged: 1 to 16

The sprawling indoor play area within The Dubai Mall is currently open, but operating at a reduced capacity. Thinking of letting the children have some fun while you catch up on chores or shopping in the mall? Here’s a look at changes you can expect at the entertainment centre.

Safety precautions being taken:

Mandatory temperature checks, face masks and hand sanitisation upon entry. A distance of two metres must be maintained and stickers have been placed on the ground to indicate where one must stand while queuing.

Online ticket purchase is encouraged and contactless payment is required. Only disposable cutlery is used at food and beverage outlets, and disinfection and sanitation routines have been implemented at all touchpoints.

Branches currently open: The Dubai Mall; visit www.dubai.kidzania.com/en-ae

Magic Planet

Family entertainment centre Magic Planet has attractions for all age groups, from video games to rides, simulators and more.

Safety precautions being taken:

Mandatory face masks for guests and masks and gloves for employees. Guests must maintain physical distancing, with signs and safety ambassadors to guide them.

The number of lanes in Yalla! Bowling has been reduced and alternate seats will also be kept vacant in the bowling area and on certain rides to maintain a safe distance. Guests will be asked to use another game if the one beside them is in use.

To minimise social contact while queuing, the number of cashiers has been reduced and guests are encouraged to do online top-ups. Contactless payment is also provided and the top-up kiosks will be temporarily closed to reduce physical contact.

In addition, fogging machines are being used to disinfect large areas and staff are sanitising surfaces after every guest interaction. Washroom cubicle accessories are also disinfected after every use. Hand sanitiser is available for guests and employees with dispensers at entrances and at other locations.

Branches currently open: In Dubai: Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Shindaga, Burjuman and City Centre Me'aisem; In Sharjah: City Centre Sharjah, Matajer al Juraina, Matajer Al Mirgab; In Ajman: City Centre Ajman; in Ras Al Khaimah: Al Naeem Mall; www.magicplanetmena.com

OliOli

For those aged: 1 to 11

The interactive children’s play museum in Dubai is now open and it has launched a selfie wall attraction (where children can turn their selfies into artworks). Mandatory advance booking is required and the attraction is currently only operating its summer camp at 30 per cent capacity.

Meanwhile, for parents still not comfortable sending their children to public spaces, OliOli has “virtual summer adventures”, where children are sent a set of materials and tools, and can partake in a fun 90-minute Zoom session.

Safety precautions being taken:

OliOli has reduced its capacity to admit only six to eight children every 30 minutes (with a maximum stay of two hours). This ensures social distancing guidelines can be easily followed.

Temperature checks are conducted regularly, with the team being checked twice a day. Face masks are mandatory.

Touch-free sanitisers have been placed throughout the museum, and the facility is cleaned once every two hours. Online booking is mandatory.

OliOli also currently has a summer camp programme that takes in only six children per group and limits the number of groups to two. The camps are held in two separate rooms, which are not accessible to regular visitors. These rooms are sanitised several times a day by the housekeeping team.

There is a dedicated team for each camp – and that team does not have any other museum responsibilities, to avoid the risk of cross contamination.

 Al Quoz 1; 04 702 7300; www.olioli.ae

Splash n Party

For those aged: 1 to 12

If your little ones want to beat the summer heat, they can make a splash at this aqua park for children, with its two branches in Dubai now open.

Safety precautions being taken:

Mandatory temperature checks. Those with symptoms will be taken to an isolation zone. Guest and visitors with underlying medical conditions, respiratory illness or chronic diseases are not allowed in.
All guests have to wear a mask, including children, who can only remove them while playing or during swim time. Staff also wear masks or face shields.
Guests have to bring their own towels, and social distancing guidelines have to be followed at all times – even in the water. Children must be supervised by an adult to ensure they are following these guidelines.

Food and beverage outlets in the waterpark are open, with contactless payment encouraged. 
Branches currently open: Al Safa; Kite Beach; 04 388 3008; email [e-mail] or [e-mail]

Tridom

For those aged: 1 to 12

This children play area and indoor park has a number of rides, video games and a play zone to keep children entertained. It has even introduced "Funday Mondays" when blue swiper games are available for Dh1.

Safety precautions being taken:

Dedicated entry and exit points for all guests, health screening protocols for fever detection before entry, frequent fever screening for all staff members, and mandatory face masks. There is also enhanced store cleaning and fumigation on a regular basis.

Tridom, Manar Mall, Ras Al Khaimah; www.tridom.ae

Children's play areas in Abu Dhabi are currently closed.