Spring is in the air! Head to the great outdoors for some fresh air and fun as Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) unveils a host of exciting and safe spring break activities for children and families, already underway at across four family-friendly destinations in Sharjah.

Keeping the health and safety of the children paramount, and in adherence to all precautionary COVID-19 protocols enforced in the UAE, Shurooq has designed a range of creative activities, both paid and free-to-attend sessions, to keep kids engaged throughout the annual spring break.

Until April 10, four of Shurooq’s leisure and entertainment destinations including Al Qasba, Al Majaz Waterfront, Khorfakkan Beach and Al Montazah Parks, will welcome children and families with an exciting range of workshops and fun activities that stimulate the imagination and nurture creativity.

Announcing the launch of the spring campaign across four destinations, Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, COO of Shurooq, said: “In line with its commitment to delivering quality experiences for all visitors, tourists, and residents in Sharjah and across the UAE, Shurooq is launching a series of spring break activities for children and families in strictly safe and secure environments. We are keenly monitoring the pandemic situation, and to ensure the health and safety of everyone on our premises, all activities will be held in full adherence to the health and safety protocols followed in the UAE.”

He added: “To maintain healthy environments to reduce risk of COVID-19, sanitisation measures implemented at each of the venues will be of the highest hygiene standards. A dedicated team will work round-the-clock to ensure that safety measures are implemented across the venues efficiently. In addition, all children’s facilities and play areas will be sanitised on an hourly and daily basis.”

All precautionary steps followed at the four destinations will be highlighted through signages with security personnel assigned to monitor visitors and control crowds. Social distancing stickers and face masks signs will be put up across all destinations. Visitors will also have easy access to hand sanitisers across all facilities including restaurants, food stations, and play areas.

Destinations and Activities

Across its leisure destinations, Shurooq has collaborated with a host of creative partners to design workshops, competitions, and several hands-on activities to enrich the learning experiences of the young ones and adults alike. These activities are aimed at fostering new skills and enhancing creativity and problem-solving skills.

Al Qasba

In partnership with Fun Robotics, Shurooq offers two interactive robotics workshops for kids aged 6 to 9 and 10 to 15 from 6:30pm – 7:30pm to strengthen children’s understanding of STEM disciplines and explore new programming options.

Shurooq’s collaboration with Engulf Art, an art consultancy and creative agency, aims to develop the creative capacities of children aged 6 and upwards through 10 sessions of four artistic workshops starting from 5:00pm and 7:00pm. These include ‘Painterly Floral Bottles’ where participants create custom painted bottles; ‘Hand Embroidery on Masks’ that introduces fundamental techniques of basic stitches; ‘DIY Spring Floral Box’, a fun woodland themed art class; and ‘3D Floral paper art’.

For kids and adults looking for a fun way to learn about the history of cocoa beans, experiment with making chocolate and gain valuable tips on decorating their chocolate creations, the two-hour ‘Chocolate Flavored Paths’, which starts from 5:00pm, is the right place to be. Or if artisanal Italian pizza is what gets you excited, head to Mangiare from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, an Italian restaurant located at Al Qasba, for an interactive pizza making workshop for kids and adults.

All classic car lovers can look forward to a display of a set of Classic Mini Cars on April 3 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm, hosted by Sharjah Old Cars Club.

Look out for giveaways and goodie bags, and special offers from Etisalat at 5:00pm – 10:00pm at its promotion stand where hands-on activities for the young ones will be conducted.

Life Pharmacy will be at Al Qasba from 5:00pm to 10:00pm to promote awareness of healthy lifestyles, exercise, and good nutrition to ensure the overall wellbeing of communities.

In addition, the various dining outlets at Al Qasba will offer attractive promotions throughout the 10-day event including ‘Buy One Get One’ offers.

Al Majaz Waterfront

At this iconic leisure destination overlooking the Khaled Lagoon, children can engage in several skill-based games, and partake in competitive games to win attractive prizes from 4:00 – 11:00 pm.

Flying kites is a healthy way to bond for the whole family and parents can experience the joy of watching their children’s faces light up as they learn to control a kite as it sways back and forth with the wind.

Children can also learn unique animal behaviour at the petting zoo and enjoy the pony rides at the destination from 4:00 – 8:00 pm.

Al Montazah Parks

At this amazing destination Amusement and waterpark there will be roaming entertainment, with shows taking place every hour from 6:00pm until 8:00pm, which includes a six-member Circus Carnival ‘Extravaganza’, Choco Loco Pudding Crew in fancy outfits and on stilts, LOL Dolls Characters, and F&B mascots.

From handcrafted custom jewellery, rugs and carpets to artisan soaps, home décor, accessories, designer frames, candles, and indoor and outdoor plants, the Spring Market at this leisure and entertainment destination will offer a unique shopping experience for families, along with innovative street food carts.

Kids workshops featuring several hands-on craft activities are open daily from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. A petting zoo and photo zones are the other attractions here.

Khorfakkan Beach

Stilt walkers in attractive flower costumes will parade the walkways of the venue while the Sadaf Kids Area will host several workshops for the little ones from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pmevery Saturday. At the Coffee Art and Tea Leaves workshop, which kicks off at 5:00pm, participants can design cartoon characters or other creative figures with coffee beans and tea leaves.

‘Kids Lunchbox’ workshop for the 4-12 age group will enable children to stir up quick and nutritious meals for lunch at 6:00pm while ‘Jelly Belly’ is all about creating colourful wibbly-wobbly recipes including festive jelly slice, jelly boats and fruit jelly starting from 5:00pm.

The Sadaf Kids Area will also host a workshop to raise awareness of children on the benefits of fruits and vegetables and encourage conversations about healthy lifestyles, this workshop starts at 6:00 pm.

Finally, Shurooq will be curating an insightful exhibition in collaboration with Sharjah International Marine Sports Club. The free-to-attend exhibition will run daily from 4pm – 8pm.