The Dubai Fitness Challenge is in full swing, and organisers are making sure pint-sized residents get in on the fun. Running until November 18, children will be spoiled for choice thanks to the huge range of free sports and fitness activities on offer.
Here are 30 must-try experiences to check out in the coming weeks:
1. Ninja Warrior Course
What: Available at all five Weekend Fitness Carnivals, this 14-element obstacle course is suitable for children and adults alike. Athletes will have to overcome numerous challenges, including the ‘Sea of Swings’, ‘Floating Bridge’ and ‘Warped Wall’.
Where & when: Safa Park, 20-21 October; Kite Beach, 27-28 October; Skydive Dubai, 3-4 November; Burj Park, 10-11 November; Dubai Festival City, 17-18 November.
2. Assault Course
What: An army-style assault course for kids, complete with monkey bars, crawl tubes, plank chains and other obstacles.
Where & when: Safa Park, 20-21 October; Kite Beach, 27-28 October; Skydive Dubai, 3-4 November; Burj Park, 10-11 November; Dubai Festival City, 17-18 November.
3. Parkour
What: These courses let you run and jump across soft obstacles, trying out the dare-devil moves that you may have seen on YouTube.
Where & when: Safa Park, 20-21 October; Skydive Dubai, 3-4 November; Dubai Festival City, 17-18 November.
4. BMX
What: These special ramps can be used not just for BMX, but also skateboarding and any other more adventurous sport.
Where & when: Safa Park, 20-21 October; Skydive Dubai, 3-4 November; Dubai Festival City, 17-18 November.
5. Inflatables
What: A range of inflatables will be available at all Dubai Fitness Challenge locations for kids to have fun and keep active at the same time.
Where & when: Safa Park, 20-21 October; Kite Beach, 27-28 October; Skydive Dubai, 3-4 November; Burj Park, 10-11 November; Dubai Festival City, 17-18 November.
6. Kids Fitness Fusion
What: A combination of Zumba, Body Pump, Body Combat and HIIT, this is perfect for kids with a lot of energy to build their strength while having fun with friends. Try at any one of the five Weekend FitnessCarnivals.
Where & when: Safa Park, 20-21 October; Kite Beach, 27-28 October; Skydive Dubai, 3-4 November; Burj Park, 10-11 November; Dubai Festival City, 17-18 November.
7. Born to Move
What: These classes with Les Mills combine a motivating mix of movements appropriate for all ages, from toddlers to teens. Complete with backing music, these classes will be packed with fun.
Where & when: Safa Park, 20-21 October; Kite Beach, 27-28 October; Skydive Dubai, 3-4 November; Burj Park, 10-11 November; Dubai Festival City, 17-18 November.
8. Climbing
What: Mobile climbing walls will be available at multiple locations for kids of all ages to have a go and build their strength.
Where & when: Safa Park, 20-21 October; Skydive Dubai, 3-4 November; Dubai Festival City, 17-18 November.
9. Beach Games
What: If your kids are football, cricket or volleyball mad and love the beach, get them out to try their hand at the beach version of these classic sports. There’ll be professionals hosting classes to help them hone their skills.
Where & when: Safa Park, 20-21October; Kite Beach, 27-28 October.
10. Football
What: In a city that loves all things football, it’s only fitting that kids can enjoy a kick-about at DFC’s mini football pitches.
Where & when: Safa Park, 20-21October; Kite Beach, 27-28 October.
11. Football Freestylers
What: This world-class show is sure to be a hit with kids who love football. It’s entirely choreographed to music, making it highly energetic and full of entertainment from start to finish.
Where & when: Safa Park, 20-21 October; Dubai Festival City, 17-18 November.
12. Trampoline Parks
What: Kids will be able to bounce to their hearts’ content at DFC’s trampolining facilities, plus there’ll be the chance to try some more acrobatic moves.
Where & when: Safa Park, 20-21 October; Dubai Festival City, 17-18 November.
13. Horse Hopper Zones
What: Featuring bouncy inflatable horses perfect for toddlers, these fun-filled zones will be placed all over Safa Park for your little ones to enjoy.
Where & when: Safa Park, 20-21 October.
14. Bubble Soccer
What: A twist on the traditional game of football, this new sport involves players bouncing and rolling across the pitch in an inflatable ‘bubble’ while trying to score goals.
Where & when: Safa Park, 20-21 October.
15. Kayaking and Canoeing
What: Get out onto the water with these special classes aimed at kids.
Where & when: Kite Beach, 27-28 October; Skydive Dubai, 3-4 November.
16. Stand Up Paddleboarding
What: Stand up paddleboarding will be one of the many sports available during DFC, with Adventure HQ offering lessons specifically for children.
Where & when: Kite Beach, 27-28 October; Dubai Festival City, 17-18 November.
17. Gymnastics
What: Children will learn to balance on beams, use their strength when they vault and lift, and swing and move their bodies in new and fun ways.
Where & when: Kite Beach, 27-28 October; Dubai Festival City, 17-18 November.
18. Kitesurfing
What: A cross between wakeboarding and kite flying, kitesurfing has long been a popular extreme watersport in Dubai, and at DFC kids will have the chance to try their hand at this exciting sport, aided by the professional surfers at DUKITE.
Where & when: Kite Beach, 27-28 October.
19. Salsa
What: This classic Latin dance isn’t just for couples; you can get your kids to join in, too, thanks to dance classes with Arthur Murray.
Where & when: Kite Beach, 27-28 October.
20. Frisbee
What: No longer just a game with flying discs to keep you entertained at the beach, Frisbee is now a fully-fledged sport complete with teams and rules. Kids can get involved in a game of Ultimate Frisbee.
Where & when: Kite Beach, 27-28 October.
21. Animal Flow
What: This innovative fitness programme combines movement with elements from various bodyweight-training disciplines to create a fun, challenging workout for the whole family.
Where & when: Kite Beach, 27-28 October.
22. Frescobol
What: This popular paddle-and-ball sport can be played pretty much anywhere, builds quicker reflexes and improves concentration, coordination and physical strength. Oh, and it’s really fun, too!
Where & when: Kite Beach, 27-28 October.
23. Bossaball
What: The perfect family game, Bossaball involves two teams and combines elements of volleyball, football and gymnastics with music. It’s played on an inflatable court featuring a trampoline on each side of a central net.
Where & when: Kite Beach, 27-28 October.
24. Breakletics
What: These classes promise fun for everyone, featuring a revolutionary and highly effective workout that’s a mashup of fitness and breakdance. It’s so simple, everyone can do it.
Where & when: Dubai Festival City, 17-18 November.
25. Pound
What: A great workout for kids aged six and above, Pound uses lightly-weighted drumsticks called Ripstix to create resistance as you drum along to the beat of different music genres.
Where & when: Dubai Festival City, 17-18 November.
26. Sunset Yoga
What: The perfect way to introduce kids to yoga, these sessions have the added benefit of a beautiful sunset to help aspiring yogis unwind and relax.
Where & when: Dubai Festival City, 17-18 November.
27. Mountain Biking in Hatta
What: Take your kids for a mountain biking session in the mountains around Hatta. It’s the perfect opportunity to engage in physical exercise and spend quality time together as a family.
Where & when: Hatta, throughout DFC – check the DFC website for exact timings.
28. Kayaking in Hatta
What: Hatta Dam is perfect for kayaking, and the rugged mountain scenery makes for a dramatic backdrop as you glide through the calm turquoise water.
Where & when: Hatta Dam, throughout DFC – check the DFC website for exact timings.
29. Superhero Walkathon
What: Inject some cosplay into your exercise and don your best superhero outfit for this fun-filled event that promises to transform the city into a scene straight out of a comic book. The 3.2 km route will lead you through the streets of Dubai Marina – in the company of Batman, Superman, Spiderman and co.
Where & when: Dubai Marina, 3 November, 2-4pm.
30. Mums and Strollers Walkathon
What: So your kid’s still too young to walk? No problem! Parents (not just mums) are invited to bring their little ones and their strollers to this casual, sociable event taking place in the leafy surrounds of Mamzar Park.
Where & when: Mamzar Park, 7 November, 9.30-11.30am.
Want more Dubai Fitness Challenge action? Here’s a line-up of awesome free events for adults!