Tribune News Network
Doha
Children’s Museum of Qatar, ‘Dadu’, has announced the reopening of the Dadu Gardens, located at Al Bidda Park, in the heart of the International Zone at the Expo 2023 Doha, cementing its status as a beacon of education and fun for children aged under 12 years, along with their families and caregivers.
Under the theme ‘Gardens’ Adventures’, Dadu Gardens, which has been operational for a year, is set to offer a range of activities and programmes designed to engage and educate children, fostering their development through play and interaction with nature. It will remain in Al Bidda Park beyond the duration of Expo 2023 Doha.
As the first-of-its-kind publicly funded national entity in Qatar, Dadu aims to make the local community feel empowered through its collective contributions towards enriching the cultural, environmental and social ecosystems in the country. Spanning an impressive 14,500 square metres, the Dadu Gardens serves as an outdoor gallery and living classroom of the museum.
Essa Al Mannai, director of Dadu, said, "We are delighted to reopen Dadu Gardens , at its permanent location in Al Bidda Park, and to welcome children and their families to explore and learn through a range of hands-on experiences and activities. The Dadu Gardens Adventures puts in its core the same values as the Expo 2023 Doha, highlighting sustainability, the green economy, healthy habits, and the environment.”
The construction of Dadu is being facilitated through unprecedented collaboration between Qatar’s public and private sectors. Donors making contributions of QR3.65 million or more become members of The Dadu Founding Family, a group that currently includes: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Ministry of Endowments & Islamic Affairs, Baladna, ConocoPhillips, DAAM, ENI, ExxonMobil, Intesa Sanpaolo, Ministry of Municipality, Ooredoo, Shell, SLB, Total Energies, Supernova and Uniqlo. In addition, Rumailah Group has donated two six-seater golf carts for the Gardens Adventures at Dadu.
Dadu Gardens has been distinctly designed to cater to children aged under 12 years, offering a diverse range of activities that encompass physical play, creative exploration, narrative adventures, and more. It uses the power of authentic play and engagement with nature to support children’s development. As such, Dadu Gardens feature nine distinct facilities where activities and programming are scheduled to take place: 1. Edible Garden, 2. Garden Atelier, 3. Community Garden, 4. Permaculture Showcase, 5. Kashta, 6. Amphitheatre, 7. Events Plateau, 8. The Promise Plaza, and 9. Al Marj.
The gardens will also feature monthly themes, including Dadu Children Month (November), and Heritage and Culture (December), as well as special events to keep visitors engaged and excited. Dadu Gardens will be open to the public during on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 4pm to 8pm.
To ensure a safe and optimal environment for play, Dadu Gardens also follow a unique entry policy: every adult must be accompanied by a child under 12 years, while children need to be accompanied by an adult above 18 years. Youth between 12 and 18 are welcome to visit when accompanied by both. To register for the Gardens’ Adventures, visit https://qm.org.qa/tickets/select-tickets/