Nestled on the lovely Gulf water and surrounded by gorgeous white-washed, Islamic-themed buildings, Katara is the perfect place for a family-friendly day or evening out. It may seem that Katara doesn’t have many activities, but families still love strolling through the beautiful cultural village. During the day, Katara’s passages and walkways are abuzz with people from all cultures and backgrounds. In the evenings, kids will love running through the sleepy, empty passages. And with so many delicious food choices, the only difficulty in finding a restaurant will be deciding which one to try first.Things to doEnjoy a strollKatara is a…
Author: Doha Family
Buying local food products is becoming more popular these days. With growing concerns about climate change and the effects of global warming, this trend isn’t just a temporary fad. Locally grown products are usually less expensive and better for our environment than those flown in from other countries. Currently, there are approximately 1,300 farms registered with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment’s (MME) Agricultural Affairs Department, but less than seven percent of these farms are commercial businesses.Larger and more established farms such as Al Sulaiteen Industrial Complex (SAIC), AGRICO and The Global Farm for Agricultural Supplies produce the lion’s share…
Healthy store-bought snacks to save timeAs parents, we want to provide the best for our children and the school lunch box is no exception. Healthy, child-friendly options are now more important than ever with the global rise of childhood diabetes and obesity. Of course, fresh fruit and vegetables are always the best choices, but sometimes a “grab and go” snack can be perfect when you’ve run out of ideas or when fresh food is unavailable.Among the aisles of highly tempting, over-processed and calorific snacks, healthy options can seem limited. We’ve searched the supermarkets for some of the best lunch-box snacks around town. Our criteria…
Toy clutter, it’s a problem all parents face. From the toddler years when blocks, push toys, and board books seem to be scattered down the hallway to the school-age years where kids collect tinyLEGOs, matchbox cars, and Barbie dolls, clutter remains an ongoing issue. Toy rotation is one way to fight this problem. Step 1: GatherIn the main play area, gather all the toys to the centre of the room. You are making a bigger mess at first, but this will help you get organised in the long run. “It may be best to start this process when the kids…
Liz McColgan is an Olympic runner that needs little introduction inside her native Britain. In 2014, Liz moved to Qatar where she coaches her daughter, Eilish—also an elite runner—from afar, We caught up with the mother-daughter pair to learn about their relationship on and off the track.When not coaching expat kids in Al Sadd or leading adult running groups around the Pearl, Liz works on Eilish’s training plan. Though Eilish is based in Manchester, she dutifully sends her mother details from her daily training regimen, with Liz offering feedback from Doha. It’s going to be a busy year for the…
Community, commitment and cultureAs a parent, you are keen to get your child involved in after-school clubs and activities to keep them busy, make them happy and help them develop interests and skills outside of the classroom. Clubs also foster a child’s sense of commitment and willingness to participate in local communities. Sports organisations and clubs get the most publicity, but if you are looking for a well-rounded community club, joining one of the scouting groups in Doha could be ideal for your child. British Scouting OverseasEnglish-speaking boys and girls ages six to 18 years from all backgrounds are welcome…
From celebrity chef outposts to cheap, cheerful cafés and global brands, Qatar offers a dizzying array of international cuisines—and the options are expanding daily. Perhaps then, it’s no surprise that the traditional cuisine of Qatar can be overlooked in favour of more well-known options. But this enigmatic cuisine offers a glimpse of the nation’s fleeting past and its bright, exciting future.Qatari cuisine is a blend of bold flavours with wholesome, natural ingredients. Fragrantly spiced stews, curries and casseroles reflect the easy and earthy style of one-pot cooking, hearty cooking styles and uncomplicated methods. Khaled Al Rayes, Qatari cook and founder…
We polled more than 500 mums and mums-to-be about their pregnancy and birth within the last three years. Here is what they had to say about their experiences in Qatar:AgeYounger than 18: <1%18-24: 8%25-34: 74%35-44: 17%Older than 44: <1%Number of children57% are first-time mothers43% already have at least one childOf those who had already given birth…4.3% were premature (before 36 weeks and 6 days)30.9% were early term (between 37 weeks 0 days and 38 weeks 6 days)54.3% were full term (between 39 weeks 0 days and 40 weeks 6 days)9.1% were late term (between 41 weeks 0 days and 41…
While obtaining a private vehicle driving license in Qatar has numerous steps and processes, renewing your Qatari driving license is simple and swift. If you need to replace a lost or damaged license, the process is the same.Driving licenses for non-Qatari residents are valid for five years and cost QR 250. They can be renewed up to six months before their expiry date. To renew your license, you will need to do the following:Pay your traffic violationsBefore you renew, make sure your traffic violations are paid. You can pay them in person at the Traffic Department or one of the Ministry…
Planning on bringing your furry loved one with you to Doha? You can hire a pet relocator or you can do it yourself. Here’s how.When relocating to Qatar, there are numerous things to consider before you decide to bring your pet. Is the pet longhaired or will it possibly have difficulty coping with hot, humid weather? Is your pet a cold weather breed? Will there be adequate space in your home or yard? Is the pet a banned breed in Qatar? You can use a pet relocation service to import your pets, but if that isn’t in your budget or…