Bouncy castles, candy floss stations, mini cooking classes… who said brunch was just for grown-ups?

1. Eat. Play. Brunch at Olea

Olea at Kempinski Hotel have just launched their brand new family-friendly ‘Eat. Play. Brunch’ on a Friday. Not just a standard afternoon brunch; you can get breakfast in the morning from 10am to 1pm, followed by a brunch from 1pm to 5pm, from Dhs345 for the house package with dedicated play areas for the kids. In the lunch buffet you’ll get to graze on international dishes from a live BBQ, pasta and risotto cooked to order and fresh salads, whilst the kids play to their hearts’ content at the dedicated LEGO or American Girl play areas as well as a trip to Magic Planet with two free games.

Price: Breakfast, 3 hour brunch, access to Magic Planet and two free games, Dhs245 soft drinks, Dhs345, 50 per cent discount for kids ages 5-12, children under 5 eat free.

Olea, Kempinski Mall of the Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, Fridays, 10am to 5pm. Tel: (04) 409 5999. kempinski.com

ALSO READ: 17 family-friendly indoor activities in Dubai to try

2. Family Fiesta Brunch at The World Eatery

Family bingo and fun games are all in order for the whole tribe to get involved in at The World Eatery’s fun brunch. The big ones can graze on delicious plates like miso & ginger glazed salmon, beef bresaola carpaccio or BBQ chicken bombs every Saturday from 12.30pm to 4pm whilst the kids get their hands dirty with some fun activities in the kids’ club. You even get beach access for the day, too.

Price: Dhs315 soft drinks, Dhs420 free-flowing house drinks, Dhs105 for children aged 6 to 12, under 6 dine free.

The World Eatery, Sofitel The Palm, Palm Jumeriah, Dubai, 12.30pm to 4pm, Saturdays. Tel: (04) 455 5656. sofitel-dubai-thepalm.com

3. Al Dana at Crowne Plaza

Can’t decide which cuisine you fancy? Have it all at Al Dana’s brand new Friday brunch, which launches on Friday, October 11. With everything from a roast dinner with all the trimmings to sushi and maki, pizza and Moroccan tagine-style dishes, you’re sure to find  The kids will have a dedicated area to play with face-painting and fun dessert stations with waffles, pancakes, doughnuts and a colourful decorate-your-own-ice-cream station.

Price: From Dhs145 adults, Dhs72.50 for children aged 6 to 12, under 6 dine free.

Al Dana, Crowne Plaza Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 1pm to 4pm, every Friday from October 11. Tel: (800) 27 69 62. facebook.com/CrownePlazaDXB

4. Flow Kitchen at Fairmont The Palm

Fancy some epic views and oh-so-relaxing al fresco dining whilst the kids run around? Flow Kitchen does a ‘weekend family lunch’ on Fridays and Saturdays from 12.30pm to 3.30pm where you can graze from a international buffet featuring Middle Eastern, Indian, Asian and Mediterranean cuisine alongside a fresh juice station and homemade ice cream to keep the little ones happy. It’s priced at Dhs180 per person, not inclusive of alcoholic beverages.

Price: Dhs180 unlimited buffet and soft drinks

Flow Kitchen, Fairmont The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, Fridays and Saturdays, 12.30pm to 1.30pm, Dhs180 soft drinks only. Tel: (04) 457 3457. fairmont.com

5. Mazina at Address Dubai Marina

Missing your family BBQ’s from home? Mazina do an all-ages-welcome BBQ brunch each Friday with fresh-off-the-grill sausages, steaks, seafood and other arrays of your favourite treats to dig into. The real child-friendly fun happens on a Saturday at their Culinary High Seas Adventure brunch, priced the same, with prizes available for the best dressed pirate or mermaid with rotating activities each week including pizza making, cupcake decorating, sandwich making, cupcake decorating or sandwich making – great to keep the little ones entertained.

Price: Dhs325 soft drinks, Dhs450 house drinks with free flow and bubbly, 50 per cent off for children aged 6 to 11, under 5’s dine free.

Mazina, Address Dubai Marina, Dubai, Fridays, 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Tel: (04) 888 3444. addresshotels.com

6. Pik Nik at The Westin Mina Seyahi

You can choose a blanket, table or beanbag, grab your hamper, and relax on the grass with nibbles, barbecue food and drinks at this brunch. There’s a bouncy castle and games, plus live music and entertainment that will even wow the grown-ups.

Price: Dhs250 per food basket (for two adults and two kids with water), Dhs799 with a basket, bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne, bottle holder and water. Other hot dishes on offer from the food trucks will cost you extra.

The Westin Mina Seyahi, Dubai Marina, Sat 12pm to 5pm. Tel: (04) 399 7373. westinminaseyahi.com

7. Festa Italiana at Positano

Tuck into real Italian fare at this Sunday night feast at Positano in the JW Marriott Marquis. Expect plenty of quality seafood and signature pizzas, while little ones will love the handmade pasta cooked to order. After all that pizza, guests can explore the dessert room – be sure to sample the homemade gelato.

Price: Dhs180 with soft drinks, Dhs295 with select house drinks, Dhs365 with sparkling and Italian aperitif cocktails, under-10s free.

JW Marriott Marquis, Dubai, Business Bay, Sun 6pm to midnight. Tel: (04) 414 3000. jwmarriottmarquisdubailife.com

8. Art of Brunch at The Fountain

Choose from a selection of street food stations, or take your pick from the open kitchen – but make sure you save room for the tasty desserts. The Kids Paradise section is where your little ones can eat, drink and play under supervision with activities such as painting, video games and more.

Price: Dhs209 with soft drinks, Dhs309 with house drinks, under-16s half price, under-12s free.

Movenpick Hotel, Oud Metha, Bur Dubai, Fri noon to 4pm. Tel: (04) 336 6000. movenpick.com

9. Friday Family Brunch at Al Bahou

A cheese section in the Grand Hall for the big people and a movie theatre for the little people. Sound good? This Friday brunch is a truly family-friendly event, with entertainment for children, plus cuisines ranging from Italian to Chinese. Children score their own area with films, face painting, a bouncy castle and interactive activities.

Price: Dhs295 with soft beverages, Dhs395 with unlimited selected house beverages, Dhs630 with selected house beverages and French bubbly, Dhs150 for children between 6 and 12, under-6s free.

Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, Ibn Battuta, Jebel Ali, Fri 12.30pm to 4pm. Tel: (04) 444 5613. movenpick.com

10. Bubbalicious at The Westin Mina Seyahi

One of the city’s most popular brunches, Bubbalicious is consistently packed, with Dubai dwellers booking for a fun afternoon of feasting and partying. Families can get their kicks too, with a children’s corner inside plus an outdoor area, as well as a kids’ menu. There’s something for everyone, with five-star dishes, live music and plenty to keep little ones busy. It’s hosted at the newly-revamped Mina’s Kitchen which is the perfect relaxed environment to brunch with the family.

Price: Dhs450 with soft drinks, Dhs550 with house drinks, Dhs695 with bubbly, Dhs95 under-12s, under-6s free.

Mina’s Kitchen, The Westin Mina Seyahi, Dubai Marina, Fri 1pm to 4pm. Tel: (04) 511 7373. westinminaseyahi.com

11. Bread Street Brunch at Bread Street Kitchen

Don’t fancy the usual buffet? At Bread Street Kitchen, you’ll get massive sharing platters of starters, main courses and desserts. Expect classic British dishes, from fish ‘n’ chips to toffee pudding from desserts. There are dedicated kids’ activities, such as a mini cooking class, and they get supervised access to The Lost Chambers Aquarium, too.

Price: Dhs240 with soft drinks, Dhs355 with house drinks, Dhs105 for children.

Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Fri 12.30pm to 4pm. Tel: (04) 426 2000. atlantisthepalm.com

12. Lapita’s Family Daycation Brunch

Located in Dubai Parks and Resorts, the Polynesian-themed Lapita Hotel have rebranded their family-friendly Friday lunch. Named Maui, for Dhs99 per person, you’ll get access to the lagoon pool, the lazy river, kids pool and splash park. There’s loads of entertainment on all day including a golden coconut treasure hunt, limbo, face painting and more. The Dhs99 is redeemable on food and drinks too.

Price: Dhs99 minimum spend.

Dubai Parks and Resorts, E11 Abu Dhabi-Dubai, Fri 10am to 6pm. Tel: (04) 810 9421. marriott.com

13. Cartoon Brunch at the Movenpick

Be transported into a world of animation as you and your family indulge in nostalgic foods surrounded by cartoon characters. There’s a dedicated children’s area with a ‘power bites’ buffet, face painting, films and other activities to keep them entertained.

Price: Dhs179 with soft drinks, Dhs289 with house drinks, under-12s half price, under-6s free.

Movenpick Hotel, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Fri 12.30pm to 4pm. Tel: (04) 438 0000. movenpick.com

14. Yalumba at Le Meridien

A buffet of international dishes is served at this hotel near the airport, and it’s got a reputation for being a lively affair during brunch on a Friday. Saturdays though are all about family. There’s fun and games for little ones in the designated kids’ corner, with staff on hand to entertain them while you tuck into your food. There’s also a special kids’ buffet.

Price: Dhs119 with soft drinks, under-12s free.

Le Meridien, Garhoud, Sat 12.30pm to 3pm. Tel: (04) 702 2455. yalumbadubai.com

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