Festival of Schools: a Full Day Out in Al Safa!
The Festival of Schools will see four fantastic Dubai schools play host to some very special family events. Tickets are free (and booking fast!) so be sure to secure yours asap! Read on for our best ideas on how to plan a complete day out in the Safa area of Dubai, including your visit to the Festival of Schools at Safa British School.
BOOK NOW! Safa British School, Friday 5th November, 9am-12pm
BOOK NOW! GEMS FirstPoint School, Saturday 13th November, 9am-12pm
BOOK NOW! Arcadia School, Saturday 20th November, 9am - 1pm
BOOK NOW! Victory Heights Primary School, Saturday 27th November, 9am - 3pm
Getting There - Safa British School
The Al Safa area is situated right in the heart of Dubai, within striking distance of the E11 Sheikh Zayed Road (exit 47, towards Safa Park/D69). The school has ample parking, having cleverly incorporated an underground car park in the design of the brand-new, purpose-built campus.
If you plan to come by metro, the nearest station is the Al Safa metro station. We would advise taking a taxi from the metro to the school (RTA taxis are usually in plentiful supply, just outside). For those who prefer to take the journey by bus, nearby Safa Park is well served by several routes. Plan your journey with the RTA journey planner.
Breakfast in Style
Described by many as Dubai’s most ‘instagrammable café’ Vibe UAE is a fantastic nearby breakfast spot for families headed to Safa British School. Prepare for your visit to the Festival of Schools with a delicious coffee, ultra-healthy family breakfast and a few smiling shots on the ‘Gram! Don’t forget to tag @whichschooladvisor, @schoolscompared and use #festivalofschoolsUAE to get your shots seen!
9am – 12pm, Safa British School, the Festival of Schools
The Highlights
Visit the Festival of Schools at Safa British School for a journey like no other. A journey full of laughter, fun and surprises! The super team at Safa have put together six brilliant activities to give Festival goers taste of life in one of Dubai’s most friendly and community orientated schools. Activities include:
1. Be an animal keeper
2. Be creative with arts and crafts
3. Be a chef and make a cookies
4. Be a scientist and work with gravity
5. Be a book worm and complete a quiz
6. Be a designer and create an outfit for the “trashion” show
Each of the Festival activities will run at 30 minute intervals throughout the morning. Activities 1-5 can be completed in any order, just follow the footprints dotted around the school to show you the way. As you move through the activities, you will collect cardboard, foil, plastic bottles, bubble wrap tissue and newspaper…all to be reused in Safa’s totally sustainable “Trashion Show”! Don’t forget to get your Festival passport stamped at each stop along the way.
Alongside the activities, there will be games, face paints, music making and bouncy castles to keep everyone entertained. Don’t worry mums and dads, there will be plenty of coffee available to keep you energised!
Time to Refuel: Lunch!
The Al Safa area is home to two unique local eateries. Just a couple of minutes walk from Safa British School lies the hidden gem that is Alpys Café. From salads to tex mex and a great value children’s menu, Alpys Café will make a great post Festival pit stop.
What’s more, anyone presenting a Festival of Schools passport (issued on entry to the event) will be entitled to 20% off the entire Alpys Cafe menu (1-5pm, Friday 5th November only).
For families with young children with energy still to burn, we recommend Adventure Parx on the Al Wasl road, a clever concept that combines great food with an incredible array of children’s climbing and play activities. Parents can relax in the Parx Café, while children burn off the excess energy supervised by trained and helpful staff.
Plan your afternoon – the Great Outdoors
Safa Park is one of Dubai’s oldest and best parks for families with children of all ages and lies less than five minutes drive from Safa British School. The park is bordered by Dubai Canal, which makes for a great afternoon stroll. If you’re feeling particularly energetic, why not pick up a Careem Bike and cycle along the canal to Downtown for a spot of shopping? It’s a surprisingly easy route with some great views and photo opportunities along the way. Alternatively, set your bike in the direction of Jumeirah and follow the canal for a few minutes before hitting beautiful Jumeirah beach for the afternoon.
Plan your afternoon – Indoor Options
On the opposite side of the E11 road from Safa British School lies Al Quoz, home to Dubai’s best trampoline and parkour centre, Street Maniax and (a short hop away) the biggest inflatables we have ever seen at Air Maniax.
Visit either centre and present your Festival of Schools passport for 20% off premium tickets (2-6pm, Friday 5th November). If you don’t make it down to Street Maniax or Air Maniax on the day, you can still use your Festival passport for 20% off premium admission Sunday-Wednesday through the month of November.
If trampolining and Parkour are not quite your style, spend your post Festival afternoon at the one and only Oli Oli, Dubai's "First Experiential Play Park" also located in Al Quoz. Designed to "inspire positive play", Oli Oli is a two storey venue featuring some of the most innovative and creative play experiences your children are likely to come across - anywhere in the UAE!
Families attending the Festival of Schools can use their Festival passport for 20% general admission tickets at Oli Oli. Advance booking is mandatory, phone: 04-7027300. Valid for redemption in November only. Public holidays not included.
Visitors must present the passport at the reception desk to apply the discount.
Are you a Safa local? Have we missed any hotspots visiting families should know about? Would your venue like to offer a discount to families visiting the Festival of Schools? Drop us a line and let us know – [email protected]
