5 Family-Friendly Activities in Doha for Half-Term

Staying put in Doha for half term? Here are some suggestions for you to enjoy

Posted on

17 October 2019

| Last updated on 17 October 2019

by Christine Sperr

Family-friendly half term activities in Doha, Qatar

The mid-term break has arrived in Qatar!

School's out - temporarily - which means most families are taking the opportunity to have a trip abroad or staycation. But if you're staying put for half term this week (like we are!), you're probably searching for inspiration on things to do with the kids...

From kayaking to a date festival, there's plenty happening around Doha right now that are both family and kid-friendly.

So take this week-off school as an opportunity to get out and explore! Here are 5 of the best activities to enjoy this half-term in Doha with the kids...

1. Asia Night Market at Aspire Park

Location: Aspire Park
Dates: 17th October - 16th November
Timings: 5 pm - 12 pm (midnight)
Entry Fee: Free

Aspire Park will transform itself into a vibrant, colorful Asian Market. More than 30 restaurants will showcase cuisines including Korean, Thai, Filipino, Indian, Pakistani and Arabic.

Additional outlets and kiosks will be offering a variety of desserts, ice cream, and the immensely popular bubble tea drink. There will also many products for you to shop in the bazaar. After shopping and dining, ensure to enjoy one of the various cultural performances delivered by various school and community groups.

2. Local Date Exhibition at Souq Waqif

Location: Souq Waqif
Dates: 16th - 26th October, 2019
Timings: 3 pm - 10 pm daily
Entry Fee: Free

For all things dates, don’t miss the Local Date Exhibition at Souq Wafiq. This traditional exhibition is aimed at promoting home-grown products by providing local producers with a platform to market their goods.

Along with an extensive selection of fresh dates, the exhibition will offer products made from dates such as chocolate-covered dates, date balls, date paste, and date syrup. If you are looking for a special gift, lovely gift boxes containing dried and preserved dates in different varieties are available.

Pictured: Souq Waqif, Doha

3. Gulf Architecture Month at Qatar National Library

Location: Qatar National Library, Education City
Dates: 10th October - 31st October, 2019
Timings: Saturday to Thursday, 8 am - 8 pm and Fridays, 4 pm to 8 pm
Entry Fee: Open event so RSVP is not required

A series of public talks, a conference and an exhibition will examine the architectural heritage of Qatar and the Gulf at Qatar National Library throughout October. The collaborative undertaking between Qatar’s architectural community and Liverpool University’s School of Architecture aims to establish a digital repository of historical photographs, films, and audio recordings, drawings, maps and 3D digital content on the traditional architecture of Qatar and the Gulf region, with accompanying the research.

Throughout the conference, researchers, academics, architects, students, and the general public will have the opportunity to engage with more than 30 distinguished local and international speakers and panelists from academia and the private sector. To learn more about the project click here.

4. Sunset Mangrove Kayaking

Location: Al Thakira to Purple Island
Tour Operators: 365 Adventures, Ecoventure, Aqua Sports

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy all that nature has to offer. Nestled along the coast near Al Khor Al Thakira is a vast, lush mangrove forest. The area supports a diverse array of birdlife dotted amongst the beautiful greenery. Suitable for families of all ages and abilities enjoy an easy paddle through the network of channels that have been carved out by tidal flows.

There are various sports and adventure companies that offer guided tours. These packages include kayaking fundamentals & safety instruction, kayaking equipment (life-jackets, paddles, kayaks) and guided tour with a guide certified in lifeguard rescue.

Image credit: Ecoventure

5. World SKB 2019 / Motul Qatar Round

Location: Losail International Circuit
Dates: 24th October - 26th October, 2019
Timings: First race starts at 3:15 pm on Thursday 24th October
Entry Fee: Tickets start at $17

2019 has been an action-packed year in motorsports of racing loaded with drama and unpredictable outcomes. For enthusiasts, the 2019 season finale promises to be an unmissable event. The WorldSBK Qatar Round will be held at nighttime with the light of hundreds of floodlights illuminating the track and setting a dazzling atmosphere for the ultimate battles of the year.

For the first time in Qatar, fans will be able to enjoy the WorldSBK “triple treat”, and with the battle for the third position in the standings still open in the top class, big fights are expected in all the three WorldSBK races scheduled for the weekend.

For a full schedule of events, click here - or book your tickets by clicking here.