There are more than just sand castles and swingsets waiting for kids on vacation

Cairo is a kid-friendly city, with facilities catering to children nearly everywhere.

Ceramic Café has been very popular in recent years. At the Café, children (and their parents) make objects from clay, using colors and different tools to create anything from elephants to mugs. These are then placed in a kiln and can be picked up a few days later for proud display in your living room or office. Ceramic Café has two branches, one in Heliopolis (Tel: +2 (02) 241-7603) and the other in Mohandiseen (Tel: +2 (02) 3303-8696).

To satisfy the budding artist, take the children out to Fagnoon Art School, where they can take part in a wide variety of activities, including painting, pottery, carpentry, iron bending and silk panting. Kids literally go wild painting tables, chairs, benches and anything that falls under their brush-armed hands. Learning to sew clothes for dolls and work the pottery wheels is not just fun but also educational. Fagnoon Art School Saqqara Road, Sabil Umm Hashim, 12 kilometers east of Al-Haram St Tel: +2 (02) 3815-1633.

Greenery and fresh air are a weekend remedy for the city-based child. Although there aren’t many green sights in Cairo, there are a few public parks worth seeing. Giza’s Sun Bird Culture Gardens is a good place for children to learn about native Egyptian vegetables, fruits and trees, while petting animals, weaving baskets and stuffing their mouths with fresh fetir. It is located at 25 Mansouriya Road, about 4 kilometers past the sign for Kerdasa Giza (Tel: +2 (02) 2795-4817), and is open by appointment. Al-Azhar Park is a great location for a picnic lunch, while you might even like the Giza Zoo and its resident animals. Al Azhar Park Salah Salem Rd, Azhar Tel: +2 (02) 2510-36868. Giza Zoo Mourad St, Giza Tel: +2 (02) 3570-8895.

Although it is hard to entice kids to learn outside school, a fun way of presenting information may do the trick. The Suzanne Mubarak Science Exploration Center is unique in its presentation of scientific concepts in an alternative way. One display shows how the ear works, another how babies are born. Try out a fun blood pump to show the strength of the heart’s muscle for a combination of fun and learning. The center covers a wide range of subjects, including a display of different mirrors and optical illusions, prehistoric Egypt, dinosaurs, geological features of Egypt, outer space, a rainforest hall and Islamic Egypt. While your kids enjoy their time here, one thing you might enjoy is the planetarium. Entrance is free and adults should present ID at the gate. Open every day from 9am–7pm at Al-Wafa and Al-Safa wal Marwa streets, Hadayek El-Kobba Tel: +2 (02) 2259-7277/2256-6035.

Another popular destination is the Pharaonic Village, showing how ancient Egyptians lived, from their homes, tools and daily activities to epics, legends and stories of the Gods. Also popular is the photography booth, where children can dress up in Pharaonic costumes and have their picture taken with different backgrounds. The 30-minute boat trip in the canal is also good fun. Pharaonic Village 3 Al-Bahr Al-Azam St. Tel: +2 (02) 3571-8675/6/7 open 9am–6pm LE 35 for Egyptians, LE 100 for foreigners.

The Suzanne Mubarak Children’s Museum is another good location for children to learn about the different areas of Egypt, as well as Ancient Egypt, all in an interactive setting. Suzanne Mubarak Children’s Museum 34 Abu Bakr El-Siddiq St., Heliopolis Tel: +2 (02) 649-9915.

For a day in the sun, try a day use where your child can enjoy the water and you can work on a tan. The Marriott has an amusement park throughout the summer as well as brunch on Fridays with specific themes to entertain kids. InterContinental CityStars has face painting with live entertainment and a children’s corner at its weekend brunches. A favorite for both kids and family is JW Marriott’s artificial beach, fully equipped with waves, sand and water slides. Check out our section on day uses for more info.

It’s rare to find a child who doesn’t enjoy amusement parks, no matter how much they’re secretly terrified. Dream Park has held the title of ultimate amusement park for a while now and offers a wide range of games for different ages. Make sure to take spare clothes for the water games. Dream Park Wahaat Rd., Sixth of October City Tel: +2 (02) 3855-3191/19355.

The National Circus is a favorite with all children, featuring clowns, acrobats and everything in between. Shows are held daily from 8 to 10:30pm, except on Wednesdays and tickets range from LE 10 to 30. The National Circus El Nil St, Agouza Tel: +2 (02) 3347-0612. Another idea is the Cairo Puppet Theater, where they can watch old-time favorite Arabic stories. The Cairo Puppet Theater 8 Markaz El Maalomat Hay El Wozaraa, Sheraton-Cairo Tel: +2 (02) 2268-5241.

Out of Cairo

If you’re in Alexandria, one main attraction is the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, which has many activities for entertainment and education. The Alexploratorium offers a hands-on science facility to educate both children and adults about different topics ranging from physics to astronomy and the science practiced by Ancient Egyptians. Aside from the main exhibition space there are also workshops, multimedia and exhibitions offering a more practical experience to engage the children. The library also has one of the best planetariums in Egypt. The fees are LE 4 for adults and LE 1 for children. Bibliotheca Alexandrina El Shatby, Alexandria Tel: +20 (3) 483-9999.

For a weekend treat, head out to the beaches of Ain Sokhna. Aside from swimming and the usual beach activities while you cultivate a tan, the kids are bound to enjoy themselves on the swings and play area. On the way there, two kilometers after the toll station on Ain Sokhna Road, stop by the Petrified Forest where you can see the wildlife of a protected area covered with rare trees and plants, especially its abundance of acacia trees. Porto Sokhna Kilometer 75, Suez-Hurghada Rd Tel: +2 (012) 343-4005.

Sharm El-Sheikh is an attraction for all ages. Almost all hotels in Sharm offer a kids corner with buffets, pools and playgrounds. Aside from water activities, including banana boats, glass-bottom boats, parasailing and snorkeling, one thing your kids have to try is the Ghibli raceway go-kart center. While minors enjoy the small track, you can race on a 220 meter course and arrange tournaments with friends. Children wear helmets to keep safe and the track is equipped with shock absorbers. Ghibli Raceway International: Airport Rd, Naama Bay Tel: (069) 360-3939. Check our section on Sharm for more details on activities including the newly opened Aqua Park and dolphin shows.

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