Exploring Bahrain's Youth: Their Favorite Pastimes And Hobbies

Bahrain is a popular tourist destination in the Arabian Gulf, attracting visitors with its modern Arab culture and historical sites. With a hot and dry climate, the country offers a range of indoor and outdoor activities for children, from amusement and water parks to cultural and educational experiences.

Amusement parks

Bahrain has a wide range of amusement parks that children can enjoy. One of the most notable is the Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park, which is the biggest themed water park in the country. The park offers 18 slides, including a family raft ride, a rain fortress, vertical drops, a pirate ship, and a lazy river for younger children. It is a great place to cool off during the hot summer months.

Another popular amusement park in Bahrain is Kids Kingdom, the number one theme park in the country. Children of all ages can enjoy indoor and outdoor games and excursions. There are also a variety of restaurants and cafes nearby, so parents can relax while their children play.

For those seeking a more educational experience, the Bahrain Science Centre offers a mix of entertainment and education. Kids can learn about science through arts and crafts workshops, storytelling, technical presentations, debates, and fish anatomy, among other activities.

In addition to these, there are several other amusement parks and water parks in Bahrain, such as Adhari Park, Waha Splashclub, and Wahooo! Waterpark, which is mostly indoors and located next to Al Seef Mall.

Lastly, for diving enthusiasts, Bahrain is also home to the world's largest underwater theme park, Dive Bahrain. This eco-friendly park spans an area of 100,000 square meters and features a sunken Boeing 747 as its centerpiece. The park offers a unique diving experience and provides a safe haven for coral reef growth and marine life.

Water parks

Bahrain has a range of water parks that children can enjoy. Here are some of the most notable ones:

The Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park

The Lost Paradise of Dilmun is the first outdoor water park in Bahrain and is the biggest in the country. It covers an area of 77,000 square meters and has over 18 slides and attractions, including a family raft ride, rain fortress, vertical drops, a pirate ship, and a lazy river for younger children. The park is themed around the ancient history of Bahrain, with unique stone sculptures and architecture that reflect the Dilmun period. It is a safe and secure place for children to enjoy, with lifeguards on duty at all times. The park also offers a variety of food options, including fresh juices and masala chai.

Wahooo! Waterpark

Wahooo! Waterpark is a mostly indoor water park located next to Al Seef Mall. It provides a comfortable and sunburn-free experience all year long.

Adhari Park

Adhari Park is an outdoor amusement park that offers a variety of rides and attractions for children. It is one of the cheapest amusement parks in Bahrain.

Museums and forts

Bahrain has a rich history and offers a variety of attractions for children and adults alike. Here is some information about the museums and forts in Bahrain that children may find interesting:

Bahrain Fort

Also known as Qal'at al-Bahrain or the Portuguese Fort, this archaeological site is located on the Bahrain island's northern seashore, near the capital, Manama. The fort stands as a "sentinel", offering a panoramic view of its surroundings. It is one of the most important historic political and military forts in the GCC region and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.

The fort has a long history, with the first Bahrain Fort built around three thousand years ago. The present structure dates from the 16th century when it was built by the Portuguese. Over time, the fort has been occupied by various civilisations, including the Kassites, Greeks, and Persians, leaving a wealth of archaeological findings that provide valuable insights into Bahrain's history.

The fort features impressive architecture, including a 12-metre-high mound, fortifications, and walls. The site also includes various areas such as necropolises, palaces, and a northern city wall. The fort is well-preserved and offers a glimpse into the country's ancient past.

Qal’at Al Bahrain Site Museum

Located across from the Bahrain Fort, this museum aims to preserve the ancient historic features of the site and document the different archaeological periods through the artefacts discovered there. The collection is organised into five different historical periods, each with its own gallery. The museum provides insight into the rich history of the fort and the ancient civilisations that occupied it.

Bahrain National Museum

The Bahrain National Museum is the oldest and largest public museum in Bahrain. It offers a journey through the country's history, showcasing archaeological artefacts from the ancient Dilmun civilisation, traditional handicrafts, Islamic manuscripts, and specimens of native flora and fauna. Among the highlights are an early burial mound and a tableau depicting Bahrain as a Dilmun paradise from the Epic of Gilgamesh. The museum also has a caferteria, an educational hall, and a gift shop.

Beit Al Quran

Beit Al Quran, or the House of the Quran, is a museum dedicated to Islamic heritage and the study of the Holy Quran. The building is modelled after the 12th-century Al Khamis Mosque and features engraved Quranic verses and a slender minaret. The museum houses a collection of Qurans, antique manuscripts, and a stunning display of calligraphy. It provides insight into Islamic art and the Kufic script.

Other Museums

Bahrain also offers a variety of other museums that may be of interest to children, including the Busaad Art Gallery, the Bahrain Military Museum, the Oil Museum and first oil well, the Museum of Pearl Diving, the Mohammed Bin Faris House of Sout Music, the Shaikh Ebrahim Center, and the Abdullah Al Zayed House for Bahraini Press Heritage. These museums showcase a range of artistic, cultural, and historical exhibits that provide a well-rounded understanding of Bahrain's diverse heritage.

Outdoor activities

Bahrain is a small but diverse nation with a rich history, modern attractions, and a vibrant culture. Here are some outdoor activities that children in Bahrain can enjoy:

Amusement and Water Parks

Bahrain is known for its amusement and water parks, which offer a wide range of rides, games, and entertainment for all ages. Adhari Park, for instance, features electric rides, amusement rides, jumping games, interactive shows, and attractions like flying chairs, climbing and descending rides, bumper cars, water games, bowling, and video games. The Lost Paradise of Dilmun, the largest water park in Bahrain, offers 18 slides, a dedicated pool for children, and games like the Tots Pool and Pirate's Palace. Wahooo! Water Park, on the other hand, is mostly indoors, providing a great option to beat the heat.

Nature and Wildlife

For children who love nature and wildlife, Bahrain has several options. Al Areen Wildlife Park is a conservation park that houses thousands of plant and animal species in a semi-natural habitat. It's a great place to see pink flamingos, Arabian Leopards, and Oryx. Additionally, the country's main islands offer exotic desert cities and famous dive sites to explore. Birdwatching, diving, and horse riding are also popular outdoor activities.

Historical Sites and Museums

Bahrain has a rich history, with influences from various civilisations over the centuries. The Qal'at al-Bahrain Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a 3000-year-old structure that houses hundreds of artefacts. The Bahrain National Museum takes visitors through nine halls, displaying historical artefacts and providing educational insights into the country's past, including the Dilmun civilisation. The Bahrain Fort, a defensive fort built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, and the Qal'at Al Bahrain Museum next to it, are also worth visiting.

Sports and Adventure

Competitive driving is a popular sport in Bahrain, and the Bahrain International Circuit offers go-karting for children as young as seven. The country also has golf courses like the Wee Monty course at the Royal Golf Club, where children can learn the basics of the sport. For a more adventurous experience, the Adventure Hub offers physical challenges and games such as caving and wall climbing.

Creative classes

Artzania

Artzania is a play space with an arts and crafts focus that is located in Ramli Mall. The children's imagination is a gift, and every activity is designed to inspire little minds by giving them the chance to explore, discover new things, and develop creative skills. Through arts and crafts, children will be able to learn self-expression, independence, and confidence.

Studio Ceramics

Studio Ceramics is a hub of creativity enjoyed by youngsters and arty adults alike. This Seef-based art studio offers ceramic painting, clay building, ornament decorating, and more crafty projects than you can imagine. Kids can join in on lessons and creative sessions or just go wild and let their imagination spill out on a stock cupboard full of ready-made ceramics and other materials.

Build-A-Bear Workshop

The genius of the Build-A-Bear Workshop chain is that it makes a trip to the toy store into a major event. While parents stand on the sidelines looking baffled by the devotion, there is no denying the smiles on little faces. Located in the City Centre Bahrain, Seef, children can build their own teddy bears and form a tighter bond with their new furry friends.

Bahrain Science Centre

Bahrain Science Centre is the perfect mix of entertainment and education. Kids can learn all about science with arts and crafts workshops, storytelling, technical presentations, debates, fish anatomy, and much more. They will be so lost in the scientific world that they will forget they are learning.

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