Play is the highest form of research
Albert Einstein
There are so many fantastic indoor activity centres in Dubai, allowing the children to burn off energy on any day of the year. But, I’m used to an outdoor lifestyle and I do love to get them outside, running and scooting in a less structured environment, where they can make up their own games and play freely. Obviously there are a few months of the year when this just is not possible, when it’s too hot to take even a few steps outside. The rest of the year, we’re up and out early in the morning, and enjoy the lack of humdity and the lack of people too.
The Block attracted my attention as a large outdoor space, running alongside the water of the Creek in Dubai Design District. Opened in 2018, and accessible by water taxi, it is an imaginatively designed well-shaded area which has plenty of natural materials in its structures. It also made use of the recent extensive construction work on the canal, recycling 27 tonnes of concrete to build its walls and ramps.
It will appeal to children, like mine, who are no longer kept entertained for long on a simple swing and slide. There are wooden climbing frames, tunnels and swings but also an outdoor gym, several climbing walls and a skate park.
On a bright Friday morning, we arrived as a group charity walk was finishing and were gifted with bottles and t-shirts, before having the park almost exclusively to ourselves.
There are a few food shacks in the park, but if all this activity has worked up a real thirst and appetite, then the cafes and restaurants of the Design Quarter are an easy walk away.
DubaiSwan 