When we arrived in Bahrain three years ago, I diligently set about checking out all the local malls with play areas and discovering everything you could do with toddlers. It was not an altruistic activity. I had a four-year-old and two two-year-olds and it was July in Bahrain. It was highly motivated by sanity-seeking desperation.

And I quickly learned that there was always a new mall or play area or trampoline park to explore. I also learned that they come and go.

Here are two key things I have learned about entertaining children in Bahrain:

1. Every single mall has a play area for kids; sometimes more than one.

2. Malls come and go, so don’t get attached.

So, I quickly realized it was not worth me updating the mall posts because if anybody read them a year later, things would inevitably have changed.

Just know that all malls offer something for kids. Some are more affordable than others. Some are cleaner and better maintained than others. It depends what your needs are, so go check them out and see for yourself.

I will add, at the time of this writing, in Fall 2019, some of our favorites include:

IKEA - I can’t tell you how delighted my husband and I were when our youngest was finally tall enough to enjoy IKEA‘s Smalland. There may have been some thick soles and hair fluffing, but it was worth it. And it’s FREE!

YaSalam on Budaiya Highway - there’s a fun climbing structure on the second floor. Grabbing dinner and playtime is a treat for the whole family. And the play area is FREE!

McDonald’s in Tubli and on Budaiya Highway - my kids only eat french fries here, but there are nice climbing structures for them to enjoy as well.

PirateLand - has affordable “happy hours“ starting at 10 AM and unlimited time in the climbing structure. One added thing, they do not allow men in the climbing area.

Kids Palace - there are a few around, but there’s one in Atrium Mall that my kids love and my husband calls “the loud play area.” There’s also an interactive play area and a trampoline park. All on the top floor by the movie theater.

Yellow Submarine in Saar Mall - great fun for kids, but one of the more expensive ones and you pay by the hour. Also, on weekends they have a minimum of two hours which can be extremely expensive if you have more than one child.

Do note that all of them require socks (and no shoes). For a while, Fun City play areas (there are a few around), were requiring that you buy THEIR socks. And even when I came back with their socks they wanted me to buy another three pairs. Needless to say, I protested vociferously and yet it was the last time we’ve been to any Fun City.

Bottom line, go explore. Malls are being built every day on every corner (it seems). So, check them out and share around. Let’s help keep parents and kids happy.