Last weekend, myself with Master Z and a group of ten other beautiful Mummy Bloggers along with their tots, headed down to Dubai Mall to enjoy a Mummy & Toddler Play Date of EPIC proportions. The day was planned out to start at the Dubai Ice Rink with a skating session, followed by a quick lunch/ refuel at the Dubai Mall Food Court, and ending with fun activities in KidZania.

Dubai Ice Rink

It was the first time on the ice for Master Z and myself (slipping on the icy streets during Winter in England doesn’t count!) and I was rather apprehensive. I didn’t know how Master Z would take to the ice, balance himself, deal with slips but worst of all I dreaded the feeling of helplessness of not being able to come to his rescue when I myself was in the danger of taking a tumble by moving even the slightest.

Having passed by the Dubai Ice Rink to admire the skaters every time we visited Dubai Mall, he was so excited to enter there himself. Much to my amazement, the boy couldn’t stop smiling and braving skating on his own only a few minutes in to the session. He absolutely loved skating, so much so that he was still pretending to do it when we got home.

The coaches did such a great job with the kids, giving them attention and encouragement through out. Master Z did take a tumble near the end of the session but was soon laughing when one of the coaches made a snowball “ice cream” to lift his spirits. I loved that the coaches encouraged the children to skate, dance and move around all on their own, whilst also giving them super fast rides after perching them on the Penguin Skating Aids.

I myself, enjoyed the session just as much as Master Z, though I know I look like a ten year old with my safety helmet and Snowman Skating Aid in the photo above. But I couldn’t care less, because I had such a fun time. I managed to do a few rounds of the rink and was definitely gaining more confidence with each one. I also didn’t fall at all, so I guess that helped keep me feeling rather positive about the entire experience!

You and your child can enjoy the “Ice Tots” session too for only AED 90 per carer/child duo!

“ICE TOTS: These sessions run every Monday from 10am until 12pm. Qualified coaches lead the fun with a 30-minute lesson and afterwards you get the chance to practice and put your new skills to the test. Helmets and our special penguin-shaped skating aids are provided for beginners. “

I am pretty sure we will be back so Master Z can show off his skills to his Daddy! I would highly recommend this not just for a weekend activity but Birthday Parties and other celebrations too! Head on over to their website to check out their latest promotions!

KidZania

After a quick bite, we all headed down to KidZania, “an interactive edutainment centre, where children can experience over 80 role-playing professions in a replica of a real city”. Again, since this was my first time, I was overwhelmed with the size of this children’s city and so impressed with the attention given to detail.

We first headed to the Fly Dubai aeroplane where the children could pretend to be passengers or captains using the flight simulators. Master Z enjoyed this a lot because it brought back memories of our recent trip to India, so he insisted on pulling the tray table down to enjoy an in-flight meal!

We then headed to some Arts and Crafts activities such as colouring paper and even illustrated walls using colourful crayons! Thankfully, he did not insist on continuing this behaviour once we got back home. Phew!  It was a great way to get their creative juices flowing.

We ended our time in KidZania with a ride around the streets in a bright red Fire Truck. This ended the play date on a high note for sure!

Whilst walking through Kidzania, I was amazed to see the activities and endless opportunities for imagination to blossom. KidZania is designed for kids between the ages of 4-16, and so though Master Z is still a little too young to fully enjoy the city, it is great for older children in allowing them to be independent and enhance team building skills.

“KidZania: Provides children and their parents a safe, unique and very realistic educational environment that allows kids to do what comes naturally to them; role-playing by mimicking activities done by adults in real life.”

Note: This post is written in collaboration with Emaar Entertainment, who invited us down to enjoy the services mentioned above. However, all views and opinions are honest and solely my own.