New kids' activities in Dubai for November

Tried and Tested: Caboodle Pamper & Play
When Caboodle, a brand new play centre and kiddies’ pampering centre opened in the heart of the Dubai Mall, Time Out Kids just had to go and check it out. Located next to Galeries Lafayette on the second floor of the mall, it’s been created by the same people who created Sister’s beauty salon, so expect the same clean lines and attention to detail as this mums’ favourite.

At the entrance, mums and dads (and kids who can tear themselves away from the play area) can sit back with a brew at the café, which serves a healthy menu, plus Maison Sucre cupcakes and gelato. There’s a mini play area right next to the café, where parents can keep a watchful eye over the little ones, while at the back of the facility, there’s a larger area complete with dressing up, a mini train, play house, colouring and crafting activities, a daily learning hour, and even a movie projector and bean bags for kid-friendly film sessions at 1pm and 9pm each day.

But what really caught our mini-critic’s eye was the spa and salon. Designed for both kids and mums to enjoy, it’s got enough girly touches without putting off the boys having their hair cut (the TV screens in the mirrors are a genius touch to keep wriggling kids occupied while the hairdresser does their thing). For mums wanting a spot of pampering while the kids play in the activity centre, there’s a suitably grown up menu of blow dries and mani pedis to choose from, with lush products such as Cowshed and Scotch (washed down with a coffee and cupcake of course), while little princesses can also take their pick from a wide range of treatments using kid-safe products, including mummy and me mani-pedis, and the ‘Dolled Up’ package, which includes a doll that gets the same pampering treatment as its new owner.

With party packages and memberships available too, we reckon that one of Caboodle’s biggest draws is set to be the ‘drop and shop’ facility, which is priced at Dhs85 for one hour of play that’s supervised by the inhouse carers.
Dhs50 for first hour, Dhs20 for subsequent hour. Dhs85, Drop and Shop, over-2s only. Caboodle Pamper & Play, Dubai Mall, www.caboodle.ae (04 325 3367).