Features 17 specialised zones catering to families and children of different age groups

August 15, 2004 - With just two weeks to go before the end of Dubai Summer Surprises, its main attraction, the Modhesh Fun City, still continues to receive thousands of families and children, who have loads of entertainment to educational  activities to choose from.

Children, accompanied by their families, enter Modhesh Fun City daily at 10:00am, and straightaway disperse into the 17 specialised zones that have been set up at the East Hall of the Dubai Airport Expo, the venue of this fantasyland for children of different age groups. The zones and events include workshops, competitions and the exciting plays held on the Modesh Fun City stage, by far the biggest attraction.

Laila Al Jassim, Manager of Modhesh Fun City, said: "The presence of large numbers of visitors reflects the increasing popularity of Modhesh Fun City. We are confident that by the time the DSS comes to an end, more and more children would have visited Modhesh Fun City before they bid farewell to a long summer vacation".

She added: "The number of visitors to Modhesh Fun City is set to reach its highest this year, as we expect more families and children from within the UAE, and from neighbouring countries and different nationalities to make many trips to this showpiece event of DSS. So far, Modhesh Fun City has received 255,000 visitors during the past eight weeks".

Modhesh Fun City covers an area of 12,000 square metres in its 17 zones, each of which will capture the attention of children, teaching them a range of new skills. This year, the Fun City also includes a quiet area dedicated to families.

This year, Modhesh Fun City takes care of the entire family through a general approach, and has added special activities for youngsters above the age of 15. Among the new zones on offer at the Modhesh Fun City is Spacetoon's Zomoruda Planet, where little girls can enjoy games and workshops that will be organised by the popular television channel.

Modhesh Tech Zone, the new zone at the Modhesh Fun City, will capture the best of network games, mini golf, Q-Bowling and play stations in addition to weekly championships and competitions.

One of the new zones that have been added this year is the Modhesh Children's Salon, where rooms are dedicated to hair styling and cutting, fun face painting and accessories. The zone is aimed at giving the children a funky pretty look.

The City also has a Family Zone set in an ambient setting of relaxation and fun. A Stage Area within the Family Zone will host a range of shows and a big television will screen favourite programmes.

The children will be able to allocate their time at the different zones, depending on their liking and interest. Some of these are the large Sports Zone that includes fields where football, trampoline, bungee jumping, climbing, shooter and 'Electric Bull' competitions and weekly championships will be held.

The Entertainment Zone will feature electronic games suitable to all age groups. A Play Area has been dedicated to safely designed Inflatables -- an attraction for children up to the age group of seven. As for children who are creatively inclined, the Arts and Crafts Zone can indulge them with facilities that hone their painting, drawing and their artistic skills.

Adventures and challenges on the Race Track will be a joy for young masters at the Let's and Go Cars Zone, where children can race their very own cars and learn them to assemble too. Weekly competitions will be held at the Zone.

Modhesh Fun City's offers an E-Challenge Zone as well as the Internet Zone. During the entire period of Dubai Summer Surprises, the Dubai e-Government will be running the e-championship for two age-groups - 18 years and below, and 19 years and above.

The Lego Zone is another hot favourite for children who wish to engage their minds in constructing and creating objects with Lego bricks.

A Modhesh Studio with Spacetoon characters will be equipped with audio-visual equipment. Here, the kids can have their voices recorded in a cartoon clip with their favourite characters from Spacetoon with the help of digital imaging technology. This zone will also allow the children to take their pictures with Modhesh and other cartoon characters from Spacetoon.

Other activities on offer at the Modhesh Fun City include a Fun Fair, which has been set up in close coordination with Freij Entertainment, as also a Gifts Zone. The Fun City also encompasses a Souvenirs Zone, which will showcase a variety of products for children to buy their own keep-sake of Modhesh. Those items were created because kids love Modhesh and they are interested to possess the souvenirs, reflecting the fun and excitement at the Modhesh Fun City. Some of those souvenirs include stationery in different colours and shape, T-shirts, caps and others.

Modhesh Fun City also has a supermarket that will sell candies, drinks and nutritious and tasty meals. Additionally, the Information Desk at the Modhesh Fun City will provide information brochures to the Fun City visitors. Just outside the City's entrance, children can also enjoy rides on horses, llamas, ponies and camels.

The Modhesh Fun City will open daily during DSS from 10am to 10pm and on Fridays from 3pm to 10pm. The entrance tickets are Dh5 for kids and Dh10 for adults.

Dubai Summer Surprises 2004 is currently in the penultimate theme week,  the Back-2-School Surprises organised by the Department of Economic Development from August 12-18, and ends with the Colour Surprises by the Department of Health and Medical Sciences from August 19-27, 2004.

-Ends-

For further information, please contact
Hessah Sultan Aurbaya,
Corporate Communication Coordinator,
Dubai Summer Surprises
Tel: +971-4-202 0510;
Fax: +971-4-222 1110
Email: haurbaya@mydsf.gov.ae

© Press Release 2004