Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar has rolled out a learning and outreach initiative - ‘Dadu on Tour’ - to communities across Qatar. The initiative aims to give back to the community and grow a diverse audience base and will be launching ‘Play, Learn, Explore’ activation, one of ‘Dadu on Tour’ activities, at Al Owaina Family Park, Al-Wakrah, from 15 January to 4 February, 2023 in collaboration with the Municipality of Al Wakrah.
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. Inspired by Qatar’s creative and upcoming generation who are full of untapped potential, Dadu on Tour aims to reach out to communities beyond the city of Doha across Qatar, making it easier for the children in these communities and neighbouring areas to make gigantic strides in the field of academics, play, and art.
Over 7,000 visitors enjoyed Dadu’s Play, Learn, Explore at the Dadu Gardens during the FIFA World Cup 2022, and now the Dadu on Tour initiative takes this experience out to new audiences by removing the barriers of geography and transport.
Essa Al Mannai, Director of Dadu, said: “We are proud to present Dadu on Tour, the first of its kind that will connect with communities beyond Doha with Dadu. Our initiatives aim to support learning and family bonding through play that is rooted in local culture and values. We are grateful for the support of the Ministry and Municipality of Al-Wakrah for hosting the first ever Play, Learn, Explore outside of the Dadu Gardens.”
As part of the ‘Play, Learn, Explore’ activation, children can take part in the short following engaging activities including:
● Zesty Za’atar: Explore the ingredients of Za’atar and blend your own version of this classic Middle Eastern spice mixture.
● Story Picnic: Enjoy picnic baskets with a twist - a feast of books published by Qatar Museums and beautiful props to bring the stories to life.
● Kashta: Qatari Camping: Design and build your own tent to experience the Qatari way of camping.
● Wobble Workout: Practice balancing, stretching and exercising using the balance wobble board during a facilitator led workout session.
● Early Years Scavenger Bingo: Keep an eye out around the park for certain features of objects and flowers, like colours and shapes and cross them off your BINGO card.
● Blind Contour Drawing: In this drawing session with a difference, draw other people’s wonderful faces with fun and quirky lines. You will be amazed with your drawing outcome!
● Archaeology in the Sand: Dig through the sand to find and collect artefactual pieces. It's fun to get our hands dirty.
The activities are aimed at honing children’s physical and intellectual skills, such as problem solving, observation and reading skills, while building a deeper understanding of the lo cal culture, history and heritage.
Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar provides innovative spaces and resources for child development, so as to support the efforts of families and teachers in building a sustainable and prosperous future. The museum focuses on each child’s unique needs and development stage, using various forms of games aimed at stimulating learning.
Dadu Garden, home to the first Play, Learn, Explore, is currently developing new programs that will launch soon to the public with the Garden’s reopening.For more information please visit https://qm.org.qa/en/about-us/dadu-childrens-museum-qatar/
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About Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar
Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar, will provide a unique place for learning and growth through
inclusive, open-ended play, exploration, and experimentation. Through an oasis of stimulating,
interactive, and accessible indoor and outdoor experiences for families in the heart of Doha, Dadu will nurture children’s development, inspire their curiosity, encourage collaboration and dialogue, provide the tools to fuel creativity and instil a sense of social responsibility. Under development by Qatar Museums, the new institution is designed to challenge and inspire children and advance the Qatar National Vision 2030 for human, social, economic and environmental development. The Dadu Gardens, opened in 2022, lies adjacent to the future Dadu museum building in Al Bidda Park. Dadu also continues to engage the community in Qatar through programmes from family events with allied organizations to museum-in-residences in schools around Doha.Essa Al Mannai has served as the Museum’s director since 2019.
About Qatar Museums
Qatar Museums (QM), the nation's preeminent institution for art and culture, provides authentic and inspiring cultural experiences through a growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art installations, and programmes. QM preserves, restores, and expands the nation's cultural offerings and historical sites, sharing art and culture from Qatar, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region with the world and enriching the lives of citizens, residents, and visitors.
Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and led by its Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, QM has made Qatar a vibrant centre for the arts, culture, and education in the Middle East and beyond. QM is integral to the goal of developing an innovative, diverse, and progressive nation, bringing people together to ignite new thinking, spark critical cultural conversations, educate and encourage environmental stewardship and sustainable practices, and amplify the voices of Qatar's people. Since its founding in 2005, QM has overseen the Museum of Islamic Art and MIA Park, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Qatar, QM Gallery Al Riwaq, QM Gallery Katara, 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, and Dadu, Children's Museum of Qatar.
Through its newly created Creative Hub, QM also initiates and supports projects—such as the Fire Station Artist in Residence, the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival and the creative hub for innovation, fashion and design M7—that nurture artistic talent and create opportunities to build a strong and sustainable cultural infrastructure.
Animating everything that Qatar Museums does is an authentic connection to Qatar and its heritage, a steadfast commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, and a belief in creating value through invention.
Press Contacts:
Federica Zuccarini, Qatar Museums: fzuccarini@qm.org.qa +974 4402 8510
Lamis Nassar: lnasser@qm.org.qa +974 4452 5418