It’s amazing to me that in this day and age of seriously hi-tech gadgets, computers and kids toys that do pretty much everything but clean their room for them, Lego Duplo is as popular as ever. But it thrills me. It doesn’t light up. It doesn’t make a sound. And it doesn’t require batteries. Yet it mesmerises the tiniest of tots through to the biggest of children (I won’t name names but I know grown men still addicted to the stuff). That it, quite simply, encourages the use of one’s imagination makes it one of the longest-standing, best loved toys on the market, and with good reason. As a (fairly new) parent I have caught myself, at times, gasping in horror as I witness my daughter idly flicking through pictures on an iPhone, loading movies on Netflix with absolute ease and informing me, albeit rather helpfully, that “Daddy’s iPad needs charging.” She isn’t even three years of age yet. We always limit the time she spends in front of a monitor of any kind but, the truth is, we live in a material world and we are material parents. I spend all day writing at a laptop and she sees me doing that so, to her, it’s a normal device for entertainment, work and daily life.

So it was with immense relief, and a lot of pleasure, that I recently had the joy of visiting Legoland with Lola to attend a Lego Duplo World of Play event. The entrance of Legoland seemed like a sort of handmade altar to those gorgeous, primary coloured bricks, and I was instantly transported back to being a child myself. Lola had a ball and it was with a sense of wonderment that I watched her spend hours creating tower blocks of colour, zooming hand-crafted “birds” and “airplanes” (there was a vague resemblance), even pretending to make ice-cream with the other children present at the event. Nothing required plugging in, required charging or had a volume switch and that simply thrilled me. Lego Duplo has been popular for decades and it’s wonderful to see that, no matter what advances are made, or the ages of the other children playing, that it still brings them together in such an instantaneous way, despite competing with some seriously high tech toys for attention.

That we were surrounded in some places by the most impressive Lego creations I have ever seen (think giant pirate ships, sharks and submarines), didn’t seem to faze Lola. She pointed to them and commented on them being “beautiful,” but she was far more interested in trying her own hand at creating something herself. The other children there ranged in age from tiny babies barely sitting up (though they were clearly enjoying practicing their grip on blocks of Lego Duplo) to bigger children who competed (in the nicest way possible) over who could build the highest tower before it fell over, unable to withstand normal gravitational rules and slippery carpet. The benefits to children’s dexterity and the way in which these instantly recognisable little blocks help to bring children together are without doubt. But the joy I witnessed amongst the children, and the obvious exhaustion experienced by my own child after a day of serious fun, was what made it such a great experience. We’ve not had Lego Duplo in our house before now, but something tells me that visits to Legoland and box sets to be enjoyed at home will be requested on a daily basis from here on out.

That we were surrounded in some places by the most impressive Lego creations I have ever seen (think giant pirate ships, sharks and submarines), didn’t seem to faze Lola. She pointed to them and commented on them being “beautiful,” but she was far more interested in trying her own hand at creating something herself. The other children there ranged in age from tiny babies barely sitting up (though they were clearly enjoying practicing their grip on blocks of Lego Duplo) to bigger children who competed (in the nicest way possible) over who could build the highest tower before it fell over, unable to withstand normal gravitational rules and slippery carpet. The benefits to children’s dexterity and the way in which these instantly recognisable little blocks help to bring children together are without doubt. But the joy I witnessed amongst the children, and the obvious exhaustion experienced by my own child after a day of serious fun, was what made it such a great experience. We’ve not had Lego Duplo in our house before now, but something tells me that visits to Legoland and box sets to be enjoyed at home will be requested on a daily basis from here on out.

Dubai gets an awful lot of coverage as being the most family-friendly of the United Arab Emirates and no one doubts the insane levels of luxury that can be found once off the plane, but Abu Dhabi shouldn’t be overlooked when heading into the Arabian Gulf. It might not have the reputation for hotels, kids’ activities and swimming pools that Dubai boasts, but it has plenty to offer and its latest opening gives one more reason than ever to try it on for size.

Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas’ newest Abu Dhabi island hideaway, Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort is now open and it’s fabulous. An amazing blend of rustic luxury set within Abu Dhabi’s natural expanse and free-roaming wildlife, it is located at the edge of the Arabian Gulf on the idyllic Sir Bani Yas Island.

Now, taking the kids and heading into the heart of a 4,100 hectare Arabian Wildlife Park may not sound all that appealing but the properties are perfect and welcome children aged 12 and up. You will all adore the free roaming animals that gently pad the local environ, the breathtaking landscapes, and the excitement that comes with being somewhere so utterly removed from all you know. You will arrive in a 4×4 land cruiser after being collected from the airport and find the most beautiful desert savannah retreat in which to unwind. (The journey time is about 90 minutes long but giraffes can be spotted along the way so you’ll all be entranced). You will come face to face with nature from the moment you wake up in the morning but don’t be alarmed – the wildlife referred to tends to be gazelles and pretty birds that often roam onto front porches at breakfast time.

Each of the 30 villas are unique from one another and feature their own plunge pool, so you’ll keep cool no matter what the temperatures, and the two bedroom villas are particularly well suited to families. The extremely elegant properties feature traditional thatched roofing, authentic African artwork and local, ethnic prints and have been thoughtfully developed for minimal environmental impact. After an afternoon exploring, the villas make inviting respites in which to relax:  each have a freestyle bronze bathtub and the bay window seat provides a cosy space from which to watch the savannah come to life around the villa.

There are safari-style guided walks and drives in the protected nature reserve that are arranged by Anantara so you’ll be able to enjoy a close up with a breathtaking array of wildlife, some of which is endangered. More active as a family? Master the ancient Arabian sport of archery, kayak through lagoons and mangroves that are frequented by flamingos, and mountain bike across desert salt flats and undulating hinterlands if you want to. It is all here. If you fancy seeing the island and its inhabitants from the air, a seaplane can take you up to an impressive altitude from which to view it, while underwater lovers can snorkel the waters that lap the edge of Sir Bani Yas Island. If you love to horse ride en famille, Arabian horses reside at Sir Bani Yas Stables, which offers lessons in beautiful outdoor paddocks and a variety of riding packages, such as treks through the Wildlife Park or on the beach.

And if you want to simply fly and flop in truly unique surroundings there is, of course, a gorgeous swimming pool wrapped in loungers where you can sip a cocktail, read a book and work on your tan. A luxury, safari-style holiday with the children in Abu Dhabi might not spring to mind when booking your next vacation but it really is possible.

For more information on Anantara properties worldwide, click here.

Book a stay at Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort here.

Paris… the epitome of romance, of glamour, of fashion. Not exactly the first place you might associate with a toddler-friendly weekend away.

But after a trip with my own 19-month-old, I discovered that the French capital is actually a great place to holiday with kids.

Even after half a dozen pre-baby visits exploring the city, I got a completely new look at Paris – including an unexpectedly soft side to Parisians when confronted by a baby. Here are my top five spots to visit with a toddler.

The supercharged park

Carousels, crepes, farm animals, a puppet theatre and a playground – even the entry to the Jardin d’acclimatation is child heaven. We took the ‘petit train’, complete with buggy trailer, from Porte Maillot metro into the garden itself and, while my daughter was too young for most of the rides, there was still masses to entertain her.

The landmark

Looming over the skyline, the Eiffel Tower is the one landmark everyone associates with Paris. And while I knew she wouldn’t care about heading to the top yet – certainly not enough to bother pre-booking timed tickets – we couldn’t miss it out altogether. Armed with her Babar book featuring the tower, we walked to the Trocadero for the best real-life views across the river, then watched the fountains in the gardens below.

The mini zoo

Tucked away in the Jardin des Plantes, the Menagerie is another toddler-sized treasure. Small enough for short attention spans, she was so fascinated by the inhabitants of the monkey house that only the thought of brightly coloured parrots, flamingos, kangaroos and red pandas would tempt her away.

The accessible art

With all its fantastic museums and some great child-friendly activities and exhibitions, you needn’t pay a single entry fee to see some of the city’s most accessible art. In the square behind the Centre Pompidou – itself a great stop for slightly older kids – are the Stravinsky fountains, with bright bold sculptures. Adults can appreciate the designs based on the composer’s works; toddlers will love the primary colours and quirky shapes, as well as the water splashing around them.

The other waterfront

A walk along the Seine is one of Paris’ big pleasures, but head a little further out of the centre and you’ll find somewhere most tourists miss. The Canal St Martin is known as one of the city’s trendy areas, but it’s also home to a lot of families. So as you wander the waterfront with a buggy, you’ll not only feel like you’re experiencing real Parisian life, you could spot anything from a game of petanque to a tightrope walker on the way.

So, it won’t surprise you to learn that I’m not personally a rugby lover, but I am a fan of luxury hotels and anything that entertains and educates children. Which is why I thought the new “Rugbytots” program at The Residence Mauritius this summer was such a wonderful idea. From August 10th – 23rd, children aged from 2 – 7 years of age can learn basic rugby skills such as running with the ball, catching, kicking and passing. Parents can even join in with the weekly family session too and, being Mauritius, this can all be done in the glorious sunshine with movie set views to boot.

With over a kilometre of delicious white sand adjacent to the hotel and no less than ten acres of tropical gardens, The Residence Mauritius has been a firm favourite of luxury-loving families for years; such a verdant terrain makes it the perfect natural playground for the “Rugbytots” activities.

If rugby isn’t your kid’s thing, there are endless complimentary activities available through the hotel (tennis, scuba diving, kayaking and the like) as well as the Planter’s Kids Club, (where rugby lessons will continue throughout the rest of the summer, even after the specific Rugbytots classes have finished for the year). Set within those aforementioned tropical gardens, the Planter’s Kids’ Club is a gorgeous little property in its own right, (designed with an original sugar cane plantation in mind). Fully-supervised staff look after tots from the age of 3 all the way up to 12 there, arranging inspired and always age-appropriate activities, such as face painting, pony riding, glass-bottom boat tours and magical picnics.

And if, like me, you aren’t keen on partaking in rugby, you may prefer time spent in the stunning 600 meter squared Sanctuary spa while the kids are off having a ball of their own. If a sweet craving kicks in while poolside, you’ll love the sugary delights served up at the Gourmet Kiosk (popular, unsurprisingly, with children too), or if you have some time alone before the kids come home for the evening, grab a table in the gorgeous bar. There you’ll find an outdoor feel on the inside and double wide seats in which to enjoy a cocktail). With the Mauritian sunset outside and that warm, balmy air, you’ll be hard pushed to move for the rest of the night.

To book this hotel click here.