From free creative workshops to new experiences, here’s what to plan and book this April for you and your family
If you’re looking for ways to fill the weekends (and a few weekday afternoons), April is quietly packed with strong options.
Think free creative workshops, outdoor cinema, Easter baking sessions, and even breakfast with butterflies.
Some are walk-in. Some need booking. A few will fill quickly.
Here is our ultimate guide to the best family events and activities to book in Abu Dhabi in April.
Caboodle Easter Cupcake Decorating
14 April, Galleria Mall
If you want something structured that will definitely keep younger children engaged, this is a safe bet. This 90-minute decorating session is designed for ages 4–8, with plenty of colour, icing and hands-on fun from start to finish.
It leans into the messy, creative side of things, which is exactly why it works. Children decorate, experiment and, inevitably, taste-test along the way. Anything that survives goes home with them.
Runs 3pm-4.30pm and is best booked in advance.
AED 250. For more information, visit caboodle.ae
World Art Day Workshops
15 April, Cultural Foundation, Al Hosn
One of the easiest wins this month, and it’s completely free. To mark World Art Day, the Cultural Foundation is hosting a full day of hands-on workshops for families.
This is all about making and doing, not just watching. Children (and parents) can move between creative stations, experimenting with materials and ideas in a relaxed, open setting.
The standout is “Where Memory Crinkles”, where you bring an A4-sized printed photo or a personal memory and reinterpret it as textured foil artwork – simple, tactile and surprisingly meaningful.
There’s no booking, but that also means the best sessions will fill first. Go early.
Free. For more information, visit abudhabiculture.ae
You might also like: The best things to do this weekend in Abu Dhabi
Jones the Grocer Gingerbread Workshop
18 April, Khalidiyah & Al Raha locations
A great Easter activity that does exactly what it promises. Children build and decorate their own Easter gingerbread house in a simple, interactive session.
It’s led by in-store teams, so there’s enough structure to keep things moving without it feeling rigid, ideal for younger children.
And if you want to turn it into a full morning out, Jones’ all-you-can-eat breakfast is back. Running daily from 8am-11.30am (some locations until 12pm), it’s priced at AED 89 for adults and AED 49 for juniors.
A good option when you want good food and low stress.
AED 149. For more information, visit jonesthegrocer.com
Movie Nights Under the Stars
17 – 19 April, Sheikha Fatima Park
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Three nights, three great family films and a genuinely good atmosphere to match. This is more than just a screening; it’s an easy, low-effort evening out with the kids.
Alongside the movies, there’s a pop-up market, arts and crafts, plus popcorn and cotton candy on site.
Films:
• Finding Nemo (17 April)
• How to Train Your Dragon (18 April)
• Ratatouille (19 April)
Screenings run 7.30pm-9pm. Seating is first-come, first-served, so arriving early makes a difference. Bring a mat or blanket for comfort.
Free. Advance registration recommended. For bookings, call 058 155 3363 / 058 570 8026
Urban Market
5pm-11pm, 17 – 19 April, Manarat Al Saadiyat
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This is a market with real energy. Over three evenings, Manarat’s outdoor plaza fills with thrift, vintage and streetwear vendors from across the region, alongside food, live DJs and a steady flow of people.
Running 5pm-11pm daily, it works best as an early-evening wander. Arrive, browse, grab something to eat, and enjoy the entertainment.
AED 15. For more information, visit urbanmarketconcept.com
Butterfly Garden Breakfast in the Dome
Daily, Al Qana
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A beautiful way to start the day, and one children won’t forget. This curated breakfast takes place inside a private dome while butterflies fly freely around you, with the garden closed to the public.
Sessions run daily from 7.30am-8.45am, when the setting is at its calmest. Each dome hosts just one table (4–6 guests), creating a quiet, intimate experience that feels entirely your own.
Beyond the butterflies, children will love spotting the resident animals, including sloths and tamandua in the American Dome, and a Palawan bearcat and giant squirrels in the Asian Dome.
At AED 299 per person, it’s not an everyday value, but for something genuinely memorable, or a special occasion, it’s one of the most unique family experiences in Abu Dhabi right now.
AED 299 per person. For bookings, visit breakfast.butterflygardensabudhabi.com
Save this before you book; the best ones will fill quickly.
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