Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar

We support all children, including those with special education needs and disabilities, to learn through play, have fun and bond with family and friends. We do this while nurturing them to be the future leaders and caretakers of Qatar, in line with the goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Behind the Name

Dadu means "play" in Arabic. The word is associated with other words like dada, or fun, and dwady, which refers both to swings and to the footmarks left behind from swinging and other marks of play that children leave behind in their environments. Carvings on stones offer some of the oldest proof of the fact that play is a natural instinct in children and has always been an essential part of childhood.

We at Dadu invite children to leave their mark while playing and look forward to being part of children’s journey in learning through play.

A Museum in the Making

Under development by Qatar Museums, Dadu will strive to enrich the lives of our children and their families by providing an unparalleled space for learning through open-ended play, exploration and experimentation.

A variety of stimulating, interactive and accessible indoor and outdoor experiences will offer families opportunities to play and learn together. Families are the threads of our community’s fabric – the tighter our weave, the stronger we are.

Although our doors are not yet open, we are already engaging our community in Qatar, from family events with our allied organisations to Museums in Residence programmes in schools around Doha.

Our new museum is designed to nurture, challenge and inspire children and families, fueling their creativity, encouraging empathy and instilling a sense of social responsibility. We are proud to create Dadu to advance the goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030 for human, social, economic and environmental development.

Our Approach

We take a broadly constructivist approach to learning, starting from the position that each learner is unique. Learning outcomes are developed and delivered while taking into account different learning styles and differing developmental stages. Children are encouraged to go on a learning journey that is both challenging and within reach.

Our playful approach creates a sense of delight and uses all types of play – pretend, dramatic, constructive, multisensory and social play to support children's learning.

We encourage children to become investigators and creators, not just passive recipients of knowledge, and inspire and equip them with the skills to set and achieve their own learning journey.

We strive to achieve the highest standards of accessibility and inclusivity. We plan for maximum access for those with special needs – children and accompanying family members – and minimal separation between all visitors, regardless of abilities.

Dadu Gardens

The Dadu Gardens are the green lungs of the Children's Museum. Conceptualized as 'living classrooms', they use nature-driven interactive play to nurture cognitive and emotional development in children. Spanning 14,500 square metres, they welcome visitors up to 11 years old with their families and carers. Visitors can plant herbs and fruits, observe them growing and use the resulting produce in their recipes. The space includes a community garden, an amphitheatre and a sculpture plaza, amongst other exciting features.

Building Dadu
Construction of Dadu: Qatar Children’s Museum is being facilitated through unprecedented collaboration between Qatar’s public and private sectors. Donors making contributions of 3.65 million riyals or more become  members of The Dadu Founding Family, a group that currently includes:  HH Emir Tamim bin Hamad, bin Khalifa Al Thani, Awkaf (Ministry of Endowments & Islamic Affairs), Baladna, Baladya (Ministry of Municipality), ConocoPhillips, Dogus, Eni, ExxonMobil, IntesaSanpaolo, Ooredoo, SLB, Shell, and TotalEnergies.