The thing about festive seasons is that they put us in that celebratory mood; to eat, drink, party, visit people, to have a memorable and good time. Festive seasons come with memories you’ll always play in your head, making you smile.

Abuja as you already know is the capital city of Nigeria and you expect nothing less when it comes to visiting places, hanging out with family and creating memories. With your kids at home for the holiday and you are looking for ways to engage them, Gruvcity seeks to help you explore your city. We have your family in mind and look to recommend places that you could spend time with them as you bond and create memories.  

In no particular order of preference, here are five places you could visit to have a memorable experience.

National Children’s Park and Zoo

National Children's Parks and Zoo
National Childrens’ Park and Zoo, Abuja

Instead of sitting at home eating, drinking and watching movies, why not get your family to the zoo and see the animals instead. There’s this feeling you get when you are seeing the animals in real life and not behind the screen. These animals in their natural glory provide fun and education at the same time.

Giraffe at the National Park and Zoo.
Giraffe at the National Park and Zoo. Photo credit: hotels.ng

By observing the animals, you get to understand what you see on the animal channel. You can also be a narrator to your family or friends, this helps in the bonding process as a group, especially when you have kids, and the looks on their faces as they see these animals.

Lions at the National Park and Zoo
Lions at the National Park and Zoo, Abuja. Photo credit: Theeaglesonline

After the sights, there’s a park there where you can have a picnic together, sharing and eating together the food you brought with you. You can also share some of those foods with the animals there. There’s also a playground for kids and a small football pitch if you love to play football.

Central Park

Just like its name has defined its location, this park is located in the central business district of the city. Central Park is one place that will get you value for time spent. This place has an alluring scenery coupled with a scintillating garden that can cater to receptions and is packed with engaging activities to keep the family entertained.

These activities include go-karting; this is like a mini-race where you can compete alongside other family members, friends or even other fun-seekers, not with your legs but with the go-kart (a vehicle like a low car with no roof or door used for racing). Another activity is the paintballing where you are kitted like armed men and shoot with the paintball guns like soldiers going for warfare.

By the side is the restaurant to attend to your cravings; providing you with spicy and tasty meals, which I feel will be the icing on the cake in the day’s events.

Magic Land (Wonderland) Amusement Park

Magic Land
Magic Land. Photo credit: Afrotourism

This Nigerian version of Disney Land was opened in 2007 and has since then offered premium fun and amusement to the populace. Prided to be the first amusement park in Nigeria, this amusement park has lots to offer in terms of the range of fun activities and games.

Magic Land Roller Coaster
Magic Land Roller Coaster. Photo credit: The Nation Newspaper

These activities range from the rides in the roller coaster, bumper car to the flying tower, bouncy castle, the carousel, the arcade games amongst others. These leave you with an array of choices to pick from because I bet you, you and your family and pals may not be able to engage in all this in a day.

Wonderland Amusement Park
Wonderland Amusement Park. Photo credit: travellovesme

Magic land is located at Constitution Avenue close to the National Stadium and the city gate. There is something for everyone at Magic Land, old or young. Make sure you have your smartphones fully charged because such memories need to be captured and re-lived.

Wonderland Park, Abuja
Wonderland Park. Photo credit: jumiafoods

Jabi Boat Club

Jabi Boat Club
Jabi Boat Club. Photo credit: SalmahXO

If you are not from a riverine area and have not used a boat or a canoe before, this would be an opportunity for you to do so when you visit the Jabi Boat Club. The Jabi Boat Club situated at Jabi Lake in Abuja has a variety of water-themed activity that will appeal to an adventurous fun seeker.

Jabi Boat Club
Jabi Boat Club. Photo credit: Vectatravel blog

They boast of a variety of luxury boats such as the Pedalo (Paddleboat), Jet Skis and the speed boats with which you can use to race with your companion or other fun-seekers in the club.

Lady riding a jet ski
Lady riding a jet ski. Photo credit: Twitter
Jabi Boat Club
Jabi Boat Club. Photo credit: jabiboatclub.net

National Park

The festive seasons are also holiday seasons, most especially the Christmas holiday. Instead of travelling this holiday, why not go camping? Yes! Camping and what better place could you wish to go camping in Abuja if not the National park Abuja located at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Expressway and adjacent to the military prayer ground.

Families camping at the National Park
Families camping at the National Park. Photo credit: nationalparkservice.org

Camping to an extent is alien to us here in this part of the world, it, however, could be something you incorporate into your family’s tradition. The National Park, apart from offering camping services, is also home to some friendly wild animals such as porcupines, ostriches, duikers, parrots and peacocks, which will spice up your camping activities as you bond with your family.

National Parks Service
National Parks Service

The park also possesses interesting sites of attraction such as cultural, historical and archaeological sites. This I know, is a full dose of fun, leisure and education. You would have done justice to the holiday when you pay a visit to this place.         

This festive season, let your choice of celebration change, make new memories with friends and families by treating them to this array of activities in any of the above-mentioned venues and I bet you it would be the best treat ever. 

Author

Scott Eboh is a graduate with a B.Sc Ed degree in Physics and currently works as a teacher. In his leisure time, he engages in creative writing, reading and interacting. Scott is an easy going, fun-loving fellow who loves to see people happy. He also enjoys making comedy skits. Know more about Scott by following him on Facebook and Instagram.