Years of Culture
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2025/01/15
Located in Al Bidda park, Dadu Gardens is a vibrant educational space from Qatar Museums, specially designed for children under the age of 12. Divided into distinct areas for play and education, the gardens foster creativity and curiosity through hands-on learning experiences with a focus on nature and sustainability.
Originally opened ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Dadu Gardens received rave reviews, welcoming thousands of enthusiastic visitors during a landmark year for the country. The gardens then re-opened to much acclaim, in the International Zone of Expo 2023 Doha and will re-open to the public once again on the 15th December 2024.
Among the upcoming museums currently being developed in Doha, the first-of-its-kind Dadu Children’s Museum is an important part of the Qatar National Vision 2030. Created specifically for children under the age of 12, the new cutting-edge museum will offer a diverse range of exhibits and activities aimed at sparking curiosity, exploration, and imagination.
From immersive science and technology displays to interactive art installations and cultural workshops, Dadu Gardens Children's Museum will provide an inclusive and accessible environment where children play while discovering the world around them in a fun and engaging way.
Other must-visit cultural institutions in Qatar for families with children include the Qatar National Library and Museum of Islamic Art.
The stunning Dadu Museum building by Dutch architects UNStudio will take the form of a circle of cube-like structures set around a central covered foyer. The unique interconnected blocks will evoke the building blocks of learning, and the museum will house galleries, restaurants, cafes and activity spaces.
The designs for Dadu Children’s Museum were unveiled in 2023 during the Venice Architecture Biennale, to much acclaim from the design community.
The name Dadu was chosen to embody the values of the museum. Dadu means "play" in Arabic. It is connected to similar words such as dada, meaning fun, and dwady, which describes swings as well as the footprints and traces left by children during play.
The word Dadu often appears in classic Arabic poetry and as a name for the museum, highlights the universal importance of play during childhood, throughout history. Read more about the concept and meaning of Dadu here.
With its commitment to experiential learning and innovative activities and events, Dadu Museum is set to become a treasured cultural institution in Qatar when it opens. In the meantime, visitors can already enjoy a fantastic day out at Dadu Gardens, which gives a taste of more to come.
On the decision to launch the Dadu Gardens some years ahead of the official museum opening, Dadu Children's Museum Director Essa Al Mannai said “Our mission to nurture children's creativity, imagination, and love of learning is too important to wait until we open our doors.”
Dadu Gardens features nine different areas, each created to facilitate learning through nature and play. The Edible Garden and Garden Atelier offer hands-on gardening and cooking workshops for little ones.
With raised beds and examples of urban farming, the Community Garden teaches kids about growing and using fresh produce, while the Permaculture Showcase promotes sustainable farming practices (and will eventually evolve into Doha’s first City Centre Food Forest).
Kashta encourages nature exploration through mud kitchens and sensory play, and the Amphitheatre serves as a versatile performance space for families. Al Marj (the meadows) is a future playground that for now is used as a fun social gathering space.
Finally, the Events Plateau and Promise Plaza host various group activities, with panoramic views of the city and contemporary art installations.
Dadu Gardens are laid out to maximise exploration and offer a variety of educational workshops and experiences for families in Doha. The gardens provide a flexible environment that adapts to seasonal changes and events in Qatar.
Recent activities organised by Qatar Museums during Expo 2023 Doha have included learning about sustainability and recycling, worm ecosystems and creating art from natural materials.
A specially commissioned public art installation was also unveiled during the inauguration of Dadu Gardens. The Promise by renowned US based artist KAWS depicts a parent and child captivated by the globe, symbolising themes of care, protection, and hope for the future.
Known for his iconic figures and bold visual language, KAWS combines pop culture elements with emotional depth in The Promise, making it a striking addition to Qatar’s cultural landscape and inviting viewers to reflect on connections across generations.
Dadu Gardens will open from 4pm to 8pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Dadu Gardens can easily be reached by car, with the Wadi Al Sail South Car Park nearby. If travelling to Dadu Gardens by metro, the nearest station is Corniche station, on the Red line (take Exit no 3, for Al Bidda Park).
Families planning their visit to Dadu Gardens should note that every adult must be accompanied by a child under 12 years. Children should be accompanied by an adult above 18 years. Young people aged between 12 and 18 years old are also welcome to visit, when accompanied by both.
Tickets for Dadu Gardens cost QAR 15 and can be booked online via Qatar Museums.
Find out about upcoming events in Qatar as part of a packed events programme in Doha for Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture.
