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.
Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar
Every child deserves the opportunity to develop and fulfil their individual potential. Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar provides cutting-edge child development surroundings and resources to help children and their families thrive.
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 mission to nurture children's creativity, imagination, and love of learning is too important to wait until we open our doors. We feel we are needed at this time to support families, and to connect people and ideas despite being physically apart. “Essa Al Mannai, Director, Dadu, Children's Museum of Qatar
Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar, encourages all types of play to support and enhance children's learning.
Children can get involved in activities to help equip them with the skills to set and achieve their own learning journey.
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, Eni, ExxonMobil, IntesaSanpaolo, Ooredoo, Schlumberger, and Shell.
Dadu Founding Family
Activity Booklets
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Moon Tracker
We all like the bright moon but not many know the different phases of the moon. Did you know the shape of the moon marks the start of Ramadan for Muslims across the world? The sighting on the crescent moon shows which day Muslim begin fasting from. Download “Moon Tracker” developed by Dadu team, and help your children learn how the moon changes over time.
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My Ramadan Calendar
Ramadan is a time where families gather and bond together. Celebrate with your little ones and congratulate them on their fasting achievements no matter how small – be proud and let them see it. Download “My Ramadan Calendar” and invite your child to track their progress.
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Storyboard
People use storyboards to outline their stories in a simple linear sequence. Storyboards are used in filmmaking, animations, theatre, books and more to allow the creator to organise the plot and present them in an orderly manner. This technique merges both creative and imaginative thinking with organisational and communication skills. Use the storyboards in the activity booklet to kick off your own storytelling adventure!
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Create your own Super Character
Characters are people who do the things in a story. The ‘Who’ of a story. So how do we create interesting and memorable characters? Good storytellers put in a lot of thinking into developing backgrounds for their characters that explain why they act the way they do in a story. Use this worksheet to conceptualise and describe your unique super characters.
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Flipbook Animation
Animations create an illusion of movement by quickly flipping through a series of similar images that change ever so slightly from one page to the next. Because the pictures flash through so quickly, your brain fills in the gaps and blends the pictures together to interpret motion. Make your own flipbook using the templates here to explore different tricks animators use to create your own animations too.
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Bird Feeder and Spotting Guide
In this activity we are going to care for nature by using biodegradable food waste to make a bird feeder and fill it with seeds for birds. Caring for animals strengthens our bond with nature and helps to build empathy, a key skill of emotional intelligence.
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How do plants absorb water?
In this activity we will be putting on our lab coats and setting up an experiment to learn how plants absorb water. Using different coloured water, we will be able to visibly see how plants ‘drink’ water. Use the activity sheets provided in the booklet to record your hypothesis and track changes in the experiment.
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Rocky Desert in a Box
In this activity, we will be making a desert in a box, but not just any desert. We will be making our own “Rocky Desert,” and learning about this ecosystem type that is specific to Qatar. Use the cut-outs in this booklet to compose your desert landscape whilst exploring the different plant and animal life unique to the rocky desert.
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Garangao Workshop: Palm Weaving
We are going to create a small medal using a natural material, the palm frond. This material was used by people in the gulf for a long time to create many items. For example dinner tables, wicker hand fans, baskets, and many more useful household items. Learning traditional crafting skills are a fun hands-on way of exploring and learning a country’s history and heritage. Craft is about connection – to nature, to place and to culture. Introducing such skills to future generations plays an important part in cultural preservation.
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Kindness Rocks
In this activity we will be making Kindness Rocks. Kindness is something all of us are capable of, whatever age, whatever situation we are in. Sometimes it is easier to be kind than other times. Practicing kindness when it is easy, makes it a habit and prepares you to still be kind when it’s difficult to. We hope that it may lift someone’s spirits and make a positive difference to their day, no matter how big or small.
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How To Make Your Own Fossil
Be a palaeontologist for the day and uncover the fossils hidden beneath Qatar’s surface! Fossils contain prints, or impressions, of plants or animals from long ago. The plant or animal lands in mud or sand and makes an impression. Over time, it disappears, leaving the impression. The mud or sand hardens into rock, and an impression fossil remains. For this activity, we will be making our own impression fossils out of salt dough. These fossils are inspired by the ones we find in the Qatari desert, such as fish and dugong bones.
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Turtle-hatching Activity
In this activity, you will learn more about the hawksbill turtle that comes to Fuwairit Beach every year to lay their eggs and the threats that they face. Through hands-on craft, children will also learn about parts of a turtle as well as some of their unique features. Here at Dadu, we encourage a conservation ethos with a “head and heart and hand” approach, building a love for Qatar’s wonderful natural heritage, connecting children with nature, and encouraging children to take action to protect it.
What's On for Families and Children
Families and children
Exhibition
Pipilotti Rist: Your Brain to Me, My Brain to You
Until 15 July 2023
National Museum of Qatar
Families and children
Tour
Library Tour
Daily
Museum of Islamic Art (MIA)
Families and children
Activity
Saturday Colouring in the Library
First Saturday of every month
Museum of Islamic Art (MIA)
Families and children
Tour
Family guided tour
On select days
Families and children
Activity
Family Day – Hajj
Saturday, 17 June 2023
Museum of Islamic Art (MIA)
Families and children
Tour
Family Exploration Journey
Saturday, 17 June 2023
Families and children
Story Time
Planet Kids Club
Tuesday, 27 June 2023
