Keeping busy doesn’t need to mean throwing heaps of money at activities and experiences this summer – there are some awesome offers out there whether you’re looking to eat out, staycation or keep the kids happy and we’ve put together a few of our faves for you to work through. Enjoy, mamas!

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Another term has come to an end (sob, they are growing up too soon) and the kids are on a two month long summer break (help and yay), but lucky for you, mama, there’s no chance for anyone to get bored over the hols! From awesome summer camps to water parks, outdoor and indoor fun to indoor birthday parties and even some fabulous holiday and staycation deals for family bonding (some of them don’t even require flights!), check out all the fun things you and your littles could indulge in this summer. There’s literally something for everyone.

Camps:

Whether you’re staying in town this summer or just looking for ways to entertain the kiddos for a week or two then look no further Mamas, as we’ve got the low-down on some of the best summer camps in the city. From getting stuck into arts and crafts to playing football all day on air conditioned pitches, learning to dive to water play with a difference – camps these days are so amazing that we wish we could join!

Things to do to keep sporty and active little people busy:

Got energetic kids, mama? We’ve you covered when the great outdoors is out of bounds. Save your home and your sanity (the sofa won’t handle anymore bouncing about and frankly neither will you) by checking out our list of 12 places to keep sporty and active little people busy when the usual beach/park/pool routine is on hold.

Non Soft-Play fun indoor:

When the sun is too hot and the good old boardgames won’t cut it anymore, you need some full proof entertainment ideas to burn those bottomless energy reserves. These fun Indoor (Non Soft-Play) Fun In The UAE, a Sassy Mama’s Guide require zero screen time and sure to see through those ‘stay indoor’ kind of days.

A Fun Indoor Art Activity To Keep Your Kids Busy & Having Fun:

Many of us don’t have the time to plan these activities or don’t have the expertise, knowledge or imagination for what’s most suited for the kids – and this is where Victoria can help. IDK Little Miracles is a new monthly service set up and you’ll be guided on how to have fun with your little ones and how to create time for the most important part of your life, your family. Four planned activities at just AED 90. Read all about it here.

Fun out of the Sun:

Listen here, mama. There’s absolutely no need to panic – or to suddenly promote hours of screen time every day. Yes schools are out and yes it’s very hot and yes it will continue to be very hot for a good few months now BUT the good news is that there are absolutely loads of fun things for kids to do in Dubai even when parks and beaches and outdoor play is limited. And they don’t all cost a fortune either (honestly!). For full run down on summer fun check out – 21 of Our Favourite Things To Do With Kids in Dubai Over The Summer or A-Z Guide To Surviving Summer With Kids In Dubai – the only alphabet you will need to perfect over school holidays. Missing outdoors? then you might find a thing or three here – Where To Get Your Dose Of Nature in Dubai When Temperatures Soar.

Splash, Slide and Swim:

From splash pads to full on water slides, lazy rivers to in-water lounges and even an indoor water play space for when you really can’t handle the outdoors, here are 4 watery spots to add to your list of must visits this summer. Also check out our guide guide to best places for the fam to get all washed up together whether you’re skidding down a waterslide or catching some waves at a water sports lesson. Even better, a few hours or a day-cation at one of Dubai’s fabulous hotels, mamas? From pools with slides to pools with views, we’ve found 14 of the best for cooling off and having a swimmingly good time, mamas.

Psst… heard of Privilee? This membership not only gives you unlimited access to some of the UAE’s best beach clubs and lush pools but also kids clubs, spa deals and loads more – all for a very reasonable price – and there’s no catch (honestly), just sign up, pay your subscription and start flexing that card! And here are our top 5 family friendly Privilee pools. 

Lets Talk Screen Time:

Whether you’re trying to fill up those hours (in between camps and indoor play fun), you’re facing a mammoth journey and need to keep the kids distracted and entertained or you’ll need to rely on the iPad as an occasional babysitter this summer just to get some peace and quiet – these new apps are not only fun but also a good way to keep the brain cells engaged when school’s out! And here our Singapore Editor explains how she’s achieved near-sainthood in her house with Daniel Tiger. 

psssst… mama, in need of some serious down time with Netflix?! (we hear you), here are some of the ‘Best Binge-Worthy Netflix Shows‘ to watch this summer. Plus, a mandatory mama viewing: ‘The Letdown’ on Netflix (if there is one show you watch this summer, let it be this). And a cheeky little guide for the littles too – top 10 Netflix picks for kids.

Taking the party indoors:

Got a birthday party to plan mamas? Check out our pick of the best places to book up a summer birthday party indoors and you can guarantee your birthday boy or girl the best day ever. And if you want to stay on trend then check out tips by Aisha Leitner, founder of fabulous party concert store Party Camel where she shares with us themes and accessories that are trending for kids birthday party planners this year. Oh, how could we forget the cake – here are the best places to have your cake (and eat it) in Dubai. Lastly if you’re looking to earn maximum mama points from the birthday boy/girl, who can’t stop saying – it was the best party ever, then plan A Game Van Party For Kids. Or if you simply want to host the party from comfort of your home, then here are some simple party food ideas for kids you may want to refer to. Have a good one, mamas!

Summer travel:

Looking at getting away to somewhere cooler and perhaps even somewhere exotic. Well, mamas look no further…here are our recommendations on where to go this summer as a family. Also, check out tips on what and how to pack smart for summer holidays.

Staying back? then you may want to break up the summer months with a staycation (or two) then you may want to check out  some of these fabulous travel offers in the UAE to make the most of, mamas! And a little guide on what to pack for your weekend vaycay, mamas!

Travel is the best time to catch up on reading – Novelist Lisa Beazley’s take on the best beach books to pack in your bag this summer… wherever your travels may take you!

Adventures and Once-in-a-lifetime Experiences:

Whether you’re new to Dubai, you know you won’t be in the desert for much longer, you want to buy someone the ULTIMATE gift or you want to get out there and have some fun, here are some of our favourites to add to your bucket list and ‘must-do’ things in Dubai, mamas!

Thank us later, happy summer hols, mama…Stay Sassy!

The post Happy End of Term! Here’s Everything You Need To Know For The Best Summer appeared first on Sassy Mama.

Your bags are packed…you’re ready to go…

But wait.

Before you John Denver your way to the airport, pause for a minute and think: did you make the necessary arrangements to make sure that your home will be as you left it when you return? The UAE offers some unique challenges because of the scorching summer heat and infamously high humidity. Heat plus humidity equals a disaster-in-waiting for your home unless you take the proper steps beforehand.

mrUsta is an online marketplace that offers a full list of service providers across the UAE – so there’s not need to shop around! Simply post the job you want doing and all of the relevant companies will quote to do the work – plus you can check out their ratings and testimonials. Genius!

Here’s a brief checklist on what mrUsta suggests you do before you take your break:

Air conditioning

Under absolutely no circumstances should you shut your AC off during your absence. Even though your air conditioning does take up a significant percentage of your monthly DEWA bill, you’ll want to leave it on while you’re gone. Keeping it at 25 degrees is more than suffice; it’ll ensure that there is a consistent flow of cool air to keep undesirables like mold (which can also be dangerous if you’re allergic) from making your home their home.

So it’s highly advisable to get your ACs checked and your ductwork cleaned before you leave on your vacation. mrUsta has plenty of service providers that do both, so post your job here or here to get the work done.

Water heater

Your water is one of those home appliances you take for granted. When it works – all is good. When it fails, panic ensues. Although you won’t need to leave it on for the summer, it is highly recommended that you have it inspected before you leave. Failing water heaters are the number one reason for home flooding in the UAE.

More likely than not, you probably have an Ariston brand heater – you can easily have it checked out by Ariston themselves with favorable terms through mrUsta here.

Pest control

Cockroaches love the heat (YUK!). And you know what they love more than the summer? Your home – especially when you’re gone. Take advantage of your time away, when both your family and pets are out of the house, to get some general pest control done. You don’t really want to come home to a bunch of insects getting too comfortable on your couch feeding off your crumbs.

The great thing in the UAE is that pest control service providers are highly regulated. They must provide you with a six-month warranty, and the chemicals they use must be odorless and safe for children. Save yourself some time and book your pest control services through mrUsta.

Deep cleaning

Speaking of crumbs, it may be a good time to look at some deep cleaning for your home. You want to come back to your home as you left it – dust-free and spic and span clean. Deep cleaning will also keep your home bug and mold (and fungus) free. Your toilets are also a great incubator for bacteria and other nasties – you want those as well as your bathroom cleaned real well before departing.

With mrUsta, it’s also easy to book cleaning services. Just go here.

Little knick-knacks here and there

How long you been putting off hanging a painting? Or changing lightbulbs that are just beyond your reach? Or maybe hang your new curtains?

There is no better time than now to get these small jobs done around the house because it is practically GUARANTEED you won’t get them done after you get back (you know – post-vacation blues and all).

Get yourself a handyman and sort these things out!

You’ll need to pack a few things before you leave – your clothes, your toothbrush; other toiletries. But wouldn’t it be great if you also packed a peace of mind? Only then can you have the vacation you know you deserve. So just follow the helpful guideline above, and vacation like you’ve never vacationed before!

The post Summer travels: is your home ready for your trip? appeared first on Sassy Mama.

It happens to the best of us. Toddler tantrums can spring up on us parents at any given time, but when it happens to be during a long haul flight back to the home country, it seems to be ten times worse. Having travelled with my two and half year old toddler a couple of times, both on long and short haul flights, I have tried and tested out means of ensuring travel to be a bearable, if not an enjoyable experience. Here’s a few tips that may help avoid those angry tears and monstrous meltdowns:

1. Book a flight that works around your toddler’s schedule

Before you even get on that flight, start your day right by booking a flight time that suits your child’s routine. This may mean catching a flight later in the day, so that your toddler wakes up at their normal time in the morning and potentially falls asleep for their nap during the flight. “Potentially” of course. Or, it may mean catching a flight in the middle of the night so your toddler sleeps through the entire thing and is fresh and awake upon landing at your destination. Either way, you know your child best, so plan according to that.

Read more: Family Travel Tips: How To Get Over That Dreaded Jet Lag

2. Small packaged Gifts

If sleep is short-lived or worse – nowhere to be seen, pack a few small cheap toys in sparkling gift wrapper and offer one at every hour of the flight. The excitement it will create in your toddler will be tenfold, especially as they rip open their presents, and it will keep you sane for a few more minutes. Gifts can range from toy cars, sticker books to play dough. From personal experience though, avoid bouncy balls as part of your travel gift hamper at all cost. Those things cause as much havoc as a tornado.

3. In Flight Entertainment

What else is the “digital nanny” there for if not to entertain your child? Whether it is the beloved iPad or the in-flight tv screen with endless episodes of Bob the Builder, they’ve got your back, and there is nothing to feel guilty about. Also, the headphones are a great source of entertainment in themselves!

Read more: You’ll Never Fly the Same Again: Introducing Fly-Tot, the Travel Life Saver

4. Food

Though flights provide plenty of options and special meals for the tots, there is no harm in taking their favourite snacks, both healthy and not so healthy. Be sure to keep them hydrated by giving them lots of water during the flight too.

Read more: Mindful Eating for Mamas

5. Comfortable Clothing

Comfort is key, and this means tracksuits are a god send for both your child and yourself. You can always pack an extra pair of “nice” clothes to change in to after landing so the grandparents don’t think your child is a complete tramp. During the flight, make sure your child is at their optimum temperature so they do not get fussy. Since it gets rather chilly in flights, be sure to pack an extra jumper and a pair of socks.

Read more: How to Holiday With the Kids

6. Don’t be shy or sorry

Perhaps the most important of all tips to ensure a smooth flight is this. Don’t shy away from asking for help, or accepting it too. It will make things much easier, and most flight attendants and other fellow travellers will be happy to help. However, in the case that your toddler does end up being upset, do not be apologetic or take heed of any “looks” around you. You do your thing, mama, and concentrate on the needs of your child.

Read more: 7 Tips for Long Haul Flights with Your Little People

How do you cope with travelling on flights with a toddler? Are there any tips you would like to share that have worked for you? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below!

The post Travelling With Kids: How to Avoid Toddler Tantrums While Flying appeared first on Sassy Mama.

It’s that time of year again…where we all think about escaping the sauna (Dubai summer) and head on our summer hols – usually back to our home countries to enjoy a cooler climate, long evenings and that outdoorsy lifestyle. But for a lot of us – in particular those of us who are from Northern Hemisphere countries whose summer is – lets just say – quite temperamental at the best of times (I’m looking at you Ireland and the UK in particular!!) the whole packing situation is a minefield to say the least. For those of you lucky to be going ‘home’ to countries where more than likely – summer means actual ‘summer’ – you’re sorted! Just pack what you wear here on a day-to-day basis in Dubai and you’re good to go! But for the rest of us going to much cooler (emphasis on the ‘much’ here!) – the fact that the majority of our wardrobes in Dubai cater for desert temperatures, it leaves us wondering, what the hell we pack, buy and need!

I myself will be heading home to Ireland for a couple of months with the family and because I’m back and forth quite a bit now, I actually have a wardrobe at home to cater for my cold little body which finds it difficult to acclimatise back to Irish weather every summer as I basically have sand in my veins now! When I say a wardrobe, it mainly consists of coats, jackets, cardigans, all types of knits, boots and Christmas jumpers! So it’s basically a winter wardrobe – which I turn into a summer wardrobe every year!

So I’m going to let you in on a secret – when it comes to packing for the summer – LAYERS, LAYERS, and LAYERS! Put it this way, layering is now your best friend! Think vest tops, t-shirts, denim shirts, long-sleeve shirts, cardigans, jump-suits, light scarf, midi-length dresses, couple pair of jeans, trainers, flat sandals, light ankle boots, light summer jackets (khaki ones are great), blazers, cropped trousers and midi-skirts. Cardigans in particular are probably my favourite item to travel with and have everywhere I go. They have a multitude of uses and one of the most versatile items of clothing you can own especially for summer in cooler climates.

Depending on the weather (where I’m from – its usually four seasons in one day) by layering you are prepared for all eventualities. Remember also, to try and keep your wardrobe for your destination a similar colour palette. This makes pairing options a lot simpler plus if you purchase additional items whilst on holiday, it’s always easier to buy knowing what you have with you and what will go with your holiday wardrobe.

Put it this way – for traveling home to summers which are cool and rainy – just pack some items from your Dubai winter wardrobe.

Top Tip: If you do require more wardrobe basics plus pieces which will keep you warm, dry and prepared for a colder climate – buy online in advance and get them sent to the address which you will be staying at for your holidays. It just means, it’s less for you to pack and they are waiting for you when you arrive.

Scroll through the gallery for items that I feel serve a good purpose when ‘summering’ in a colder climate and which you probably already have in your Dubai winter wardrobe here – plus if not – are easily available in most online retailers.

The post Going ‘Home’ For The Summer? Here’s What to Pack appeared first on Sassy Mama.

CONFESSION: I hated going home for the summer last year. Don’t get me wrong – I love my friends, I love my family (some days I can even bear my in-laws!) and I love my hometown. Last year, I was so excited to get back I was on countdown for the whole of May and June. But when I got there, I spent so much time travelling the length and breadth of the country and feeling obliged to say yes to every invitation that by the time I got back to Dubai I was overtired, overweight and hungover. This year, a little braver, a little wiser – I’m ready to go again – but there are three things I’m going to do differently:

1. If you build it, they will come – last year my brother refused to come and see me because it was a two hour drive from his house to London and he thought his kids would be tired. Instead, despite having travelled 7,000 kilometres from Dubai, I rolled my eyes and we drove to them instead. This year, if people want to see me, they can come to me. Or not.
2. The great outdoors – come hell or high water, I’m throwing the little one (and the big ones) outside. Last year, there were a lot of complaints about it being too cold or too wet and there was the distraction of shopping at a discount instead. But face it, wherever you are in the world is likely to be colder than it is in Dubai right now so why not make the most of it? Get the kids into rambling, plan an early morning park trip or just walk down to the shops. And revel in the fact you can do it without burning to a crisp.
3. Two to tango – when you’re at home there can be a tendency to totally ignore your other half in favour of seeing family and friends – last year I hardly saw mine in the three weeks he visited because we were so booked up. This year, I’m bribing a helpful grandparent/friend/neighbour/complete random to babysit the kiddos for one night so that we can go out on our own. Because one of the things I miss most about my own country is being in it with him. Safe travels, mamas…

The post Home Is Where The Heart Is…So Why Is Going ‘Back’ For The Holidays So Hard?   appeared first on Sassy Mama.