With schools off for two weeks and international travel limited, many parents will find themselves staying in the UAE with hours to fill this spring break. There are plenty of ways to pack the schedule with old favourites and new adventures you can enjoy with the whole family.
From feeding penguins at the zoo and hiking to 8,000-year-old ruins, to showing off your Fortnite skills and visiting a working honeybee farm, here are nine things to do that are educational, entertaining and all but guarantee happy and worn-out children (and mums and dads) by the end of the day.
1. Mleiha Archaeological Centre, Sharjah
A day spent at Mleiha in the heart of the Sharjah desert is something children and adults of all ages will enjoy. Step back in time to learn about the settlers in the region during the Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Bronze, Iron, pre-Islamic, Islamic and modern ages.
With plenty of discoveries to engage enquiring young minds, there are also a host of activities to be enjoyed at an extra cost. Book a self-drive buggy tour across the rocky dunes or try the ArchaeoMOG tour, in which guests are taken to a variety of locations – such as the Valley of the Caves and old quarries – in a specially designed Unimog vehicle.
Plus, there’s the Survive the Sands experience, in which you’ll learn techniques from expert guides about surviving in the inhospitable desert, including how to source water, and the Jebel Buhais Trek, on which you can enjoy sunset views from a 2,000-year-old Iron Age fort and visit an 8,000-year-old Stone Age necropolis.
Tickets are Dh25 per adult, Dh15 for children aged 10 and below, free for children under the age of 3, Dh55 for a family ticket (two adults and three children). Additional excursions cost extra and require pre-booking; 050 210 3780, discovermleiha.ae
2. Al Ain Zoo
Established in 1968 by Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, one of the main reasons Al Ain Zoo has remained a favourite wildlife destination in the UAE is because animals are given plenty of roaming space, plus there are plenty of paths and trails to disappear down.
Home to many varieties of flamingo, there are also eagles, owls, emus and ostriches to be admired. For children who love big mammals, there are African wolves, western lowland gorillas, jaguars, chimpanzees and more. There are also Nile crocodiles you don’t want to get too close to.
Hire a bike and hit the trail around the zoo to take in an array of experiences, such as feeding the penguins, the cheetah run and reptile encounters.
Entry is Dh31.50 for adults, Dh10.50 for children aged 3 to 12, children under 3 free; Nahyan the First Street, Shiab Al Ashkhar, Al Ain; 800 555, alainzoo.ae
3. Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi
For the whole of the spring holiday, from Friday to Saturday, April 10, Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi is where children can meet some of their favourite cartoon characters in real life. They'll have the chance to meet Fred and Barney from The Flintstones, Scooby and Shaggy from Scooby Doo – Scooby Snacks at the ready! – as well as that battling cat and mouse duo, Tom and Jerry.
A host of live shows will feature the likes of George and Astro Jetson from the cartoon favourite The Jetsons. Enjoy arts and crafts at the Bistro Le Pew Patio from 1pm to 5pm daily, where children can take home their Tom and Jerry canvases.
There’s also a treasure hunt with plenty of prizes to be won, as well as more than 29 rides and experiences to enjoy for the whole family.
Day tickets are Dh295. Open daily from 11am-7pm; Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; 600 511 115, wbworldabudhabi.com
4. Arabia’s Wildlife Centre, Sharjah
With a number of different attractions, this is one of the best value-for-money days out in the UAE, and is suitable for all ages. A showcase for the indigenous animals found on the Arabian Peninsula, check out saw-scaled vipers, puff adders and Arabian cobras in their natural habitats. A mountain-themed indoor aviary is home to a number of birds and small mammals, while the nocturnal zone houses foxes, mongooses, honey badgers, hedgehogs and more.
The spacious enclosures outside are home to hamadryas baboons, cheetahs, Arabian wolves, striped hyena and Arabian leopards.
On the vast site is also a museum focusing on an array of child-friendly exhibits, including dinosaur bones and fossils, an underwater-themed room and science experiments.
Plus, there’s a beautiful and serene Islamic garden to enjoy, with plenty of flowers and herbs being grown.
Finish off the day with a visit to the farm, where you’re encouraged to grab handfuls of hay and feed the animals, including donkeys, sheep and hens.
Entry is Dh15 for adults, Dh5 for children aged 12 to 16, children under 12 free, cash only; Al Dhaid Road, Interchange 9, Sharjah; 06 531 1501, epaashj.ae
5. Dreamland Aqua Park, Umm Al Quwain
The largest water park in the UAE has been a family favourite since it opened in 1997. Set within landscaped gardens, the park has more than 30 slides, rides and attractions, including the super-fast kamikaze, the total darkness of the black hole and the twisting dragons for thrill-seekers.
The family raft ride and rafting river gives you a chance to enjoy your water fun together. For those with younger children, or parents looking to relax, the dream stream and dead sea are perfect options.
For little ones, there’s the aqua play area and the pool game, whereby children are challenged to make it past a host of inflatable obstacles.
There’s also the option to camp overnight at the park, with waterside camping in the onsite cabanas, which includes two full days' access to the park.
One-day entry is Dh160 for adults above 120 centimetres, Dh100 for children between 80cm-120cm, children under 80cm free, additional costs for overnight camping; open 10am-6pm; Al Shebeakah, Umm Al Quwain; 06 768 1888, dreamlanduae.com
6. Dubai EStars Gaming Tournament, Dubai World Trade Centre
If you have any gaming fans in your house, the Dubai EStars two-week live gaming tournament at Dubai World Trade Centre will be their destination of choice for the coming fortnight. And, coincidentally, Fortnite is one of the games they'll be playing, as children aged 12 and over are invited to show off their talents in an array of battles at all skill levels.
The event starts on Friday at Dubai World Trade Centre, with gamers playing Fortnite, Fifa 21 and Rocket League. The main gaming station will feature 200 consoles for the Fortnite competition on both XBox and PlayStation, with live commentary provided by Dubai EStars casters. The top three players' scores will be featured on the leaderboard.
There will also be a Hang Out arena, where gamers and spectators can compete in dance competitions with Dubai EStars cosplay characters, and play Fifa and Rocket League.
Prizes include a gold-plated PlayStation, limited-edition Nintendo Switch, Turtle Beach headsets, American Rag Cie vouchers, Xbox, PS5, hotel stays and more. The overall winner will scoop an academy spot in the Middle East’s pro gaming team, Galaxy Racer.
Tickets are Dh250 for standard entry, Dh350 for VIP; from March 26-April 10, 10am-8.30pm daily; Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai; dwtc.com
7. Shees Park, Khor Fakkan, Sharjah
With its mountain walkways and paths, not to mention the 25-metre-high waterfall and picturesque views, Shees Park is the ideal destination to walk, explore and picnic.
If you're looking to spend a relaxed morning or chilled evening with the family, the park, which opened in October 2020, has palm-tree shaded walkways, a children's play area with equipment for little ones and more adventurous teens, and 32 shaded areas for families. There's also a dedicated barbecue area.
Surrounded by mountains, the park is located on an area of 11,362 square metres, laid out across different levels accessible by stairways cut into the stone.
Entry is free; open daily, 8am-11pm;located near Wadi Shees in Khor Fakkan
8. Dubai Camel Farm, Dubai
Immerse yourself in all things dromedary-related with a delightful twist at Dubai Camel Farm. With an emphasis on the happiness and sheer joy camels can bring, parents and children can even indulge in some camel-hugging therapy – which we all need after the events of the past year.
Located in Dubai between Al Qudra and Al Ain road, and owned by a camel-loving French founder, the farm is all about family-friendly activities. There are camel rides as well as a petting zoo with goats, sheep, rabbits, chicken, deer, turkeys and pigeons. There's also the option of a half-day camel safari with Bedouin picnic. You can enjoy a guided tour of the farm and help feed the camels and other animals.
Entry is Dh40 per person, cash only, pre-booking required by telephone; open from October to May, Monday to Thursday, 2pm-5pm; Friday and Saturday 10am-5pm; located along E77 northbound, between D63-Al Qudra Rd and E66-Al Ain Rd; 050 485 7676, thecamelfarm.ae
9. Honeybee Garden and Discovery Centre at Hatta Honey, Dubai
No doubt you’ve popped one of their products into your trolley at the supermarket, whether it’s their wildflower, Samar or Ghaf honeys. But did you also know you could take your family to see honey being created at the source, at this super-fun and educational honeybee garden?
The whole family will get kitted out in protective clothing before watching an educational video about bees. You'll then take a tour of the bee garden and learn about the different types of honey, as well as see the different types of hives used. Children will leave with an in-depth knowledge about the vital part bees plays in the planet's ecosystem.
Entry is Dh50, pre-booking required online; open 9am-5pm daily; Al Fay Road, Hatta, Dubai; 056 499 6405, hattahoney.ae
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Read more:
Global Village 2021 to run until May: Dubai destination to stay open for two extra weeks
Inside Sharjah's new City Centre Al Zahia: 16-screen cinema, bowling alley and gaming centre
Dubai's Laguna Waterpark is bringing back its overnight camp
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THURSDAY'S FIXTURES
4pm Maratha Arabians v Northern Warriors
6.15pm Deccan Gladiators v Pune Devils
8.30pm Delhi Bulls v Bangla Tigers
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
FA CUP FINAL
Manchester City 6
(D Silva 26', Sterling 38', 81', 87', De Bruyne 61', Jesus 68')
Watford 0
Man of the match: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
THE%20FLASH
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Results
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ELECTION%20RESULTS
%3Cp%3EMacron%E2%80%99s%20Ensemble%20group%20won%20245%20seats.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20second-largest%20group%20in%20parliament%20is%20Nupes%2C%20a%20leftist%20coalition%20led%20by%20Jean-Luc%20Melenchon%2C%20which%20gets%20131%20lawmakers.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20far-right%20National%20Rally%20fared%20much%20better%20than%20expected%20with%2089%20seats.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20centre-right%20Republicans%20and%20their%20allies%20took%2061.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Januzaj's club record
Manchester United 50 appearances, 5 goals
Borussia Dortmund (loan) 6 appearances, 0 goals
Sunderland (loan) 25 appearances, 0 goals
Top financial tips for graduates
Araminta Robertson, of the Financially Mint blog, shares her financial advice for university leavers:
1. Build digital or technical skills: After graduation, people can find it extremely hard to find jobs. From programming to digital marketing, your early twenties are for building skills. Future employers will want people with tech skills.
2. Side hustle: At 16, I lived in a village and started teaching online, as well as doing work as a virtual assistant and marketer. There are six skills you can use online: translation; teaching; programming; digital marketing; design and writing. If you master two, you’ll always be able to make money.
3. Networking: Knowing how to make connections is extremely useful. Use LinkedIn to find people who have the job you want, connect and ask to meet for coffee. Ask how they did it and if they know anyone who can help you. I secured quite a few clients this way.
4. Pay yourself first: The minute you receive any income, put about 15 per cent aside into a savings account you won’t touch, to go towards your emergency fund or to start investing. I do 20 per cent. It helped me start saving immediately.
Changing visa rules
For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.
Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.
It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.
The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.
The first batch - 20 finalists for the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Distinction.- were awarded in January and more are expected to follow.
