Child unfriendly

Ask many people with children why they moved to Dubai and they will tell you it is a great place to raise a family. Low crime, good weather, large suburban houses, etc. What is not often mentioned are the lack of child-friendly activities - and especially the huge lack in places catering to both children and adults. There are almost no places where adults can go to enjoy good adult food in a good atmosphere where children can also enjoy good children's food in a fun atmosphere.

Sure, there are a wealth of pizza places and family eateries such as Chillies and TGIFridays, but where is the adult food? Where are the eateries with simple, well-cooked food and some open places for kids to roam when they get bored of sitting. If you are looking for grown-up food, your options are limited.

Caribou café has perhaps the best child-friendly atmosphere, people parked in the corners all day trying to do work using the wi-fi notwithstanding. Most caribou have toys and carpeted corners where kids can play out of the way of other customers. Limetree café is also a good place to take children, although on the weekends it can sometimes seem as though the clientele is comprised entirely of children. And that is about it.

And of course there are the prices. Try taking a family of four out to brunch and you may break the bank. All you can eat and drink is not much good if the kids get bored after you've eaten a few bites and demand to go.

Where are the magaicians, the paper covered tables with crayons in cups, menus with adult fare as well as pizza and pasta - and children's prices? And although there are a few parks and outdoor play areas, the majority of these do not have food available - making picnics in the park a strictly do it yourself event. Where are the ice cream and fresh juice sellers on the beach, the kebab stands or pretzel vendors, the hands on science museums, the petting farms, the wildlife at dusk tours of the parks?

Dubai can become a great place for kids, but until there are more places where people go to do more things with young children, Dubai is going to be more of an adults first kind of place.

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Child unfriendly
Posted by CarolineT, Dubai, UAE on Saturday 10 November 2007 at 14:00 UAE time

It's not only families with young children who suffer. What about those with pre teens and teens. Eating might be fine, but what can they do apart from hang around the malls all weekend? the odd movie is suitable, and some are in to sports activities, but parents are always required as the taxi driver. Oh, and not all of us can afford to visit Wild Wadi - and the soon-to-be Dubailand every weekend!

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