Mleiha National Park unveils workshops for children

Mleiha National Park, the premier destination for history, nature and adventure in the Emirate of Sharjah, is offering an exciting lineup of educational workshops designed to engage curious young minds.

Set against the backdrop of the region’s rich archaeological and natural heritage, these interactive programmes offer children a unique opportunity to explore the wonders of the desert, uncover ancient history, and gaze into the cosmos.

Located just over an hour’s drive from Sharjah city, Mleiha National Park sits at the centre of the Paleolandscape of Faya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The park’s educational offerings aim to foster a deep connection between the younger generation and the natural world, blending hands-on learning with unforgettable outdoor experiences.

“The desert has an intimate connection with Arabia, and Mleiha National Park captures its majestic charm,” said Omar Jasim Al Ali, Manager of Mleiha and Strategic Projects. “Our goal is to offer visitors, both children and adults, to Mleiha National Park an authentic connection to the desert. Here, history, nature, and adventure converge to create moments that resonate deeply with every one. Our curated experiences go beyond the ordinary, inviting young people to explore, learn and relax in a setting like no other.”

The educational workshops cater to children aged five and above, offering a diverse range of activities spanning ecology, palaeontology, astronomy, and archaeology.

The Flora and Fauna Workshop, an hour long experience, immerses children in the vibrant biodiversity of the arid landscape.

Participants learn about the indigenous plants and animals of Mleiha through engaging activities and a guided tour of the local ecosystem,

Transporting visitors back over seventy million years as the region covers even older geological histories; to when the area was covered by a prehistoric sea, the Fossil Fun Expeditions offer hands-on geological adventures in two tiers. The Standard Expedition, lasting approximately one hour, allows children to examine real fossils from Mleiha National Park and create their own cast to take home.

The Premium Expedition, spanning one-and-a-half to two hours, takes young palaeontologists on a field visit through ancient seabeds and Earth’s upper mantle, reading the history of the planet inscribed in the rocks.

For space enthusiasts, the two to three-hour Space Camp invites children to explore the solar system, impact cratering, a hands-on comet workshop and guided stargazing under Mleiha’s clear skies. Meanwhile, the Sounds of the Past workshop allows children to step back thousands of years to learn the art of flint knapping, visiting the very sites where ancient ancestors crafted their stone tools.

For a full day of immersive learning, the Standard Educational Package combines a guided museum tour, a brief visual presentation by the education team, the Flora and Fauna workshop, Flint Knapping, Fossil Fun and Sand Table Excavation, and a site visit to Faya Mountain.

Families and schools are invited to book these enriching experiences and inspire the next generation of explorers, scientists, and historians.

Mleiha National Park, situated within the Core Zone of the UNESCO-recognised Faya Paleolandscape, is one of the UAE’s premier desert heritage and adventure destinations, serving as a model of conservation and sustainable tourism.

Just over an hour from both Sharjah and Dubai, it offers archaeological sites, desert ecosystems, immersive cultural and nature-based experiences, and astronomy programs, all set within a serene natural landscape.

In December 2025, Mleiha National Park witnessed one of the year’s most spectacular night-sky events at the Geminids Meteor Shower Experience, at the Mleiha Panoramic Lounge, a private area within the desert .

With minimal moonlight expected the desert skies over Mleiha, which is renowned for very low light pollution and clear horizons, delivered ideal conditions, with up to 100 meteors per hour anticipated at peak.