Think big, play bigger: Mission Play! by Mattel invites families to experience the power of play

UAE, January 2025

To celebrate International Playdate Day this January, Mission Play! by Mattel is hosting a new series of interactive activities designed to bring children and parents together through creativity, movement, and self-expression. Taking place from January 22 to 25 (Thursday to Sunday),  families visiting the multi zone attraction will experience three new limited time playdate activities. These will be integrated across the attractions existing zones; Hot Wheels, Barbie and MEGA, offering collaborative building, physical exploration, and creative expression across the four days.  

The experiences are inspired by Mattel’s Shape of Play study, which highlights how different types of play support children’s emotional, social, and cognitive development. The insights from the research are brought to life through hands-on activities that encourage families to experience the benefits of play in simple, engaging ways while offering fresh ways to connect and create together.

• Mega Maker – Build the skyline: Children get to work together on a large-scale collaborative build inspired by Abu Dhabi skyline creating an evolving cityscape throughout the day. The activity fosters teamwork, imagination, and problem-solving, with each child contributing their own ideas and structures to a shared creation.
• Hot Wheels –  Stunt City: Designed around movement and experimentation, this high-energy zone challenges children to race remote-controlled Hot Wheels cars, test speed and direction, and drive across a shared painted canvas. Through physical play and trial-and-error, children create a collective artwork that reflects energy, creativity, and exploration.
• Barbie You Can Be Anything – Artist Studio: The guided painting session invites parents and children to create custom artwork side by side using canvases and art materials. The experience focuses on self-expression, confidence, and creativity, motivating families to slow down and enjoy making something together.

As an added feature, the all-day play pass includes additional Play Day activities, and the first 30 visitors between 5pm and 8pm each day will receive a complimentary toy with the purchase of a Mission: Play! by Mattel card.

Through these new activities, Mission Play! by Mattel continues to celebrate play not as a break from learning but as a meaningful way for children to explore the world, build confidence, and connect with those around them.