What are the Dadu Gardens?
The Dadu Gardens are the outdoor gallery of the museum. Spanning 14,500sqm, they wrap around the eastern façade of the museum building.
A dense hedge separates the gardens from neighbouring Al Bidda Park, providing a secure perimeter and peace of mind to families. The Dadu Gardens use the power of authentic play and engagement with nature to support children’s development.
Nature play fosters love for nature which leads to wanting to take care of the environment while supporting their physical, cognitive, social and emotional development.
Can you profile the ideal visitor: who should visit the gardens?
The Dadu Gardens welcome visitors 0 – 11 years old with their families and carers. All activities are designed for children within this age group, or for supporting youth and adults working with, or caring for children of this age.
As a result, entry into the gardens is unique but in line with children’s museums across the world. Every adult must be accompanied by a child under 11 years, and children need to be accompanied by an adult above 18 years; youth between 12 and 18 are welcome to visit when accompanied by both.
Independent adult visitors may visit the space for professional reasons, for example other museum professionals or teachers carrying out pre-visits. Visitors must register and apply for our visitor badge identifying them as professional visitors.
How did the idea of the gardens come about?
At Dadu, play is central to all learning and expression.
The gardens were designed to provide a range of activities, from physical to creative play, narrative play and more. There are spaces for running and splashing; spaces for performances and for adventure.
The design of the gardens deliberately steered away from the design of fixed playgrounds, instead opting for a more flexible environment that allows for events and activities to respond to the seasons and events in Qatar.
If you had to highlight three standout features of the gardens, what would they be and why?
Permaculture Showcase
The Permaculture Showcase is the beginning of what will eventually become Doha’s first City Centre Food Forest. This area is dedicated to showcasing permaculture (sustainable and self-sufficient agriculture) in action.
Repeat visitors will see this plot of land transform through permaculture principles to eventually become a food forest.
Edible Garden
The Edible Garden is where children and families are invited to be gardeners and tend to plants. Children prepare the soil, plant seeds, tend to crops, while engaging with permaculture practices like companion planting and composting.
Garden Atelier
The Garden Atelier is an indoor/outdoor kitchen space that supports workshops for adults, families and children. Visitors can select ingredients locally grown from the garden and use them to create their dishes.
The kitchen’s activities promote sustainable practices with a dedicated composting area to promote zero-waste initiatives. Visitors will enjoy the farm-to-table practices of collecting, cooking and enjoying freshly prepared meals.
