Category: Fun

Other than getting into kites, I recently purchased an air rifle as well. I wasn’t sure if expats could own one or if you needed some sort of license, but it turns out there are no such rules. Anyone can buy and own an air rifle in Kuwait, which is great.

After doing a bit of online research, I decided I wanted a rifle from the German brand Weihrauch. They’re regarded as making some of the best air rifles out there, and the company has been around for over 125 years. A quick Google search didn’t turn up any local results, so I decided to track down all the air rifle shops in Kuwait and check them one by one. Here are the shops I found:

@nayshangungallery
@camouflage_kwt
@gannas_alrheeb
@albowardi_hunting
@negochi.kt
@alhadaf_kw
@alkhudari_guns
@alsabihkw
@rammaiq8
@alsayyad_q8
@logistic.systems (they sell real guns only I think)
@khaleelalmuzayensonsco
@almejren_airguns

The only store that actually had a functioning website was Camouflage. The rest just have Instagram accounts, and most don’t really show what brands they carry. Eventually, I found out that Negochi carries the Weihrauch brand, but they only had one model available, the HW80. It was around double the budget I originally had in mind for an air rifle, but after doing a lot of online research and realizing this rifle would likely last me a lifetime if taken care of, I decided to pull the plug and buy it.

The buying experience, unfortunately, wasn’t that great. I love Negochi and I’ve posted about them multiple times before, but the salesperson I dealt with wasn’t very good. The first time I visited, there was a knowledgeable sales guy who walked me through the rifles. When I went back to actually buy it, he wasn’t there and I had to deal with someone else, who I now realized didn’t really know what he was doing.

He recommended I get one of the heaviest pellets they had, which were 13.43gr. My fault for not researching it beforehand, but it turns out that weight is too heavy for my rifle and not recommended (more on that in a bit). I then went down to their rifle range in the basement to tune the iron sights myself. The salesperson insisted on coming along to help, which was fine since I figured it might be useful if I had any questions.

So I started firing pellets and adjusting the iron sights, but my accuracy circle was pretty large. Tuning was taking a long time because just when I’d get close to the bullseye and think it was dialed in, the next shot would land noticeably outside the center.

At that point, the employee wanted to take over and try himself. I figured maybe my eyesight wasn’t great and he’d have better luck, but he struggled as well. He ended up hogging the rifle while trying to tune the sights, and it started taking way longer than it should have.

Then, at one point, he decided to tighten the bolts on my rifle because he thought they might be loose. He used the wrong size screwdriver and applied more force than he should have, which ended up damaging two of the screws. I didn’t complain or say anything. Maybe I should have, but since I let him take over, I felt partly it was my fault. It’s a small thing, just screws, but it still bothered me because it’s a brand new and expensive rifle and I hadn’t even left the store yet.

Long story short, once I got home I realized the heavy pellets he recommended were likely the cause of the problem we were having. Using heavy pellets can create a wide accuracy spread and make tuning difficult. I should have been using lighter pellets instead, ones which are much better suited for my rifle.

I decided to complain to management and ask them to either order replacement screws or at least swap the pellets for the correct ones. I messaged them on Instagram, but even though they saw my messages, they didn’t reply. I then found their WhatsApp number and tried there as well, but again, no response.

Eventually, I figured maybe they didn’t speak English, so I used Google Translate to message them asking if they were ignoring me. A few minutes later, someone finally called. It was the shop, and specifically the cashier I had purchased the rifle from. I’m not sure if he’s also the manager, but I decided not to complain to him about the issue. Since I’ll likely be going back to the store for other things and the shooting range, I didn’t want to create any unnecessary issues or drama, so I just dropped it.

So yeah, overall it wasn’t a great experience.

On the bright side, the good news is that you don’t need a license or to be Kuwaiti to buy an air rifle, or even a bow, in Kuwait.

One odd thing I discovered now is that I won’t be able to order accessories online. Both MyUS and Shop&Ship refuse to ship anything related to guns, and that includes things like carrying bags, scopes, and other gun accessories. Which is kind of weird. I get restricting the rifle itself, but not being able to order a rifle bag feels a bit extreme, since the bag isn’t exactly the dangerous part. Oh well.

Over the weekend I went on a desert trip with some friends and decided to bring a kite along, which turned out to be the best idea. I hadn’t flown a kite since I was a kid, probably back in the 80s, and I didn’t even own one until a couple of days before the trip. Now I own three.

The idea of getting a kite came up because a friend was worried it was going to be windy in the desert, so I started thinking about how we could actually take advantage of that. My first thought was to get a kite for the kids, but once I found out no one was bringing their kids, I figured I’d just get one for the adults instead.

I did a bit of quick research and found someone in Kuwait selling Prism kites. They looked great and he had a wide range of options to choose from. I ended up going with the Zenith 7, one of the larger single line kites. The reviews were very positive, and the kite itself is pretty big, spanning over 2 meters wide, which I thought was very cool.

Flying the kite was surprisingly a lot of fun. There was no cellphone reception in the desert and it was really quiet, just dunes and nothing else, so flying the kite felt kind of therapeutic. It might not look that fun when you’re watching from the side, but when you’re actually flying it, it really is in its own way.

Whenever I handed the kite over to someone, they instantly understood why it felt so relaxing. That’s what convinced me to buy two more kites, a slightly smaller Zenith 5 and a different style kite, a two line foil kite. That way next time we can fly multiple kites at the same time.

If you’re thinking of getting a kite, they’re not that expensive and you can fly them almost anywhere, not just in the desert. The Gulf Road walkway would be a great spot, and even parks work well. It gives you something to do other than just sitting on a bench and watching people go by.

The guy I bought my kites from has a pretty good selection on his website which you can check by clicking here.

When I was in Japan last month, one of the things that caught my attention were the Gashapon machines, which were basically everywhere. Gashapon machines (also called gacha) are toy vending machines that dispense cylindrical capsules with a small toy inside. Each machine usually focuses on a specific theme, and within that theme there are variations. The capsules are blind boxes, so you won’t know which variation you’re getting until you open it.

In Japan the machines were everywhere, and you’d just look for one that had something you related to or wanted. For example, I spent most of my trip looking for a machine that dispensed Land Cruiser toy cars, while my wife was after the Polly Pocket machines trying to collect the different variations.

When I got back to Kuwait, I thought it would be fun to bring gacha here, and while talking to the owner of the Korean restaurant Sinjeon Topokki, she told me about @gacha.vault, a local business that had already done exactly that.

Gacha Vault was started by Naser Aljutaili after a trip to Japan in 2023. He and his daughters went crazy for the gacha machines, and once he returned to Kuwait he decided he had to bring that experience back and he did. He’s installed the machines in various places around Kuwait and built a pretty solid fanbase. The toys in the machines get swapped out once or twice a month, or sooner if a collection sells out. They import their high-quality gachas from Japanese brands like Bandai and Takara Tomy, so their selection is similar to what you’d find in Japan right now.

Their machines are currently available at the following places:

Cozy Den – Qurain Market
Game Store – Al Kout Mall
Good Game – Sanabel Tower
Meme Curry – Mall 30
Meme Curry – Avenues Mall
Meme Curry – The View

They’re also going to be in more locations soon since they recently partnered with a big brand (he didn’t tell me which one). They also pop-up at different comic cons and events.

The machines are fun and an easy way to experience a bit of Japan in Kuwait so if you spot one, try it out.

SuperPark Arena, the newest and 5th SuperPark in Kuwait, just opened and it’s the 3rd branch of SuperPark inside The Avenues Mall. It’s located right next to KidZania and above the Souk entrance. SuperPark is a Finnish brand having branches in 12 countries.

This new branch has a bunch of new attractions including:

• Pedal Car Track: Drive a car with pedals like bicycles
• Flying Fox / Zipline: Fly through the air indoors!
• Skate & Scoot: The only indoor skatepark in Kuwait for Skateboards and Scooters.
• Soccer Court: A big indoor football playground.
• Super Arena: An interactive video-game room with motion-based multiplayer games.

In addition to the above there is also a separate toddlers area for safety, and a dedicated premium birthday room for celebrations.

You can either get a 1-hour or 2-hour pass, and that gives you access to all the activities and games inside. It’s fun for all ages, including kids, teens, adults and parents.

Location: Avenues Mall, Phase 3, Level 1 (next to KidZania)
Opening Hours: 10AM to 10PM on weekdays, 10AM to 11PM on weekends

SuperPark now has five locations in Kuwait:
– SuperPark Arena (Avenues, above Souk) (recently open)
– SuperPark Kuwait (Avenues, Gate 16)
– SuperPark KidsZone (Avenues Forum Basement, Gate 27)
– SuperPark Jahra (Al Mekhiyal Complex)
– SuperPark Siddeeq (Siddeeq Co-op)

For more info head to @superparkkw

If you’ve driven by the Kuwait Towers over the past couple of months, you might have noticed a huge funnel-like structure towering over Bay Zero. Yesterday, I got early access to check it out before the grand opening this weekend.

The large funnel is a new water slide that’s part of Bay Zero’s new Thrill Zone. The Thrill Zone features around eight different water slides, including this funnel, which the manufacturer calls “The Abyss.” It’s the largest funnel slide in the industry and looks super iconic, especially with its vibrant colors. The entire zone is very colorful, and all the slides look epic. Oh, and I have to mention, even though the slides look big from the main road, it’s only when you get up close that you realize just how gigantic they actually are. They’re seriously HUGE!

If I’m not mistaken, the new Thrill Zone was created by White Water, since the water slides at Bay Zero look very similar to their previous projects. White Water is the world’s largest designer and manufacturer of water parks, and they’re also behind Qatar’s Meryal Waterpark, which broke the record for the tallest water slide in the world.

When I visited, workers were still busy finishing up the landscaping around the new rides, but everything will be ready and open to the public from this Thursday, April 24. On April 25, there will also be a special event featuring a concert by @sonsofyusuf.

The new Thrill Zone doesn’t require a separate ticket, the standard park entry gives you access to all the new slides. If you want to stay updated on the opening, or need info like opening hours and ticket prices, just head over to their account @bayzerokw.

Cozmo has been around since 2003, and a lot of people might not know this, but it was actually created by the son of the Showbiz owner. Cozmo has always been ahead of its time, constantly shaping the entertainment scene with new and exciting experiences, from arcades to bowling and more.

Although Cozmo was initially known mainly as a bowling spot, it has since expanded to include a wide range of activities. Cozmo now has 12 branches across Kuwait, and the group includes three different brands:

Cozmo: The classic Cozmo experience we all know, designed for gamers of all ages and suitable for the whole family.

Cozmo Black: Their new and exclusive brand catering to a more sophisticated audience, offering more advanced gaming experiences and high-end entertainment. This venue is adults only.

Kidzone: Tailored specifically for kids, Kidzone is a more whimsical brand featuring playgrounds and soft play areas.

Cozmo is constantly expanding with new locations and recently started rolling out a new look with the first one having just opened in Jahra. They have 50% off all the games there every day right now if you want to check it out.

What’s great about Cozmo is that you can load your card with any package amount, get a bonus to use on all games, and keep the balance for your next visit. For example, pay 30KD and get a 30KD bonus. And for an exclusive February offer: pay 50KD and get a 75KD bonus.

No matter what kind of vibe you’re looking for, whether it’s a casual game night, a high-energy arcade session, or a fun day out with the family, Cozmo has it. For more info check out their accounts @cozmogroup, @cozmo.black and @kidzonekuwait

Gamzland is a new indoor amusement park that is opening at HOMZ Mall in Dhajeej next month. This is going to be the largest indoor amusement park in Kuwait and will have entertainment experiences for families and adventure lovers of all ages.

The official opening is on December 15, 2024 and will include special giveaways. So mark your calendars from now if you don’t want to miss this celebration.

If you want to stay posted on the opening event, follow @gamzlandkw

Khiran is booming, with more people living there and commuting to the city. Life has also become much more convenient with the addition of Al Khiran Mall, which has brought various brands and services to the area. Beyond shopping, they’ve introduced family entertainment with four key concepts: Fun Tiki, The Court, Jump, and Wonder Zone.

Fun Tiki is an indoor family entertainment center with a curated selection of rides, attractions, and arcade games. Exclusive to Al Khiran Mall are the Mega Mix, a high-adrenaline ride with rapid spins and twists, and Party Dance, a family-friendly, lively experience. Other standout rides include their unique bumper cars that move forward, twist, or pivot instantly for a more dynamic and thrilling ride. Lastly, the Zero Gravity ride, offering the thrill of weightlessness with 360-degree spins at super-high speeds.

The Court is a new experience in Kuwait, designed for sports lovers of all ages. This multi-activity space lets you play basketball, handball, and football simultaneously, with a bouncy twist. Featuring an innovative target system on a safe, padded court, it’s perfect for both individual and group play. The Court fosters active competition in a fun, inclusive environment for families and friends.

Jump is a cutting-edge indoor inflatable park designed to spark imagination and fuel fun for children, with towering slides, obstacle courses, and bouncing adventures.

Lastly, Wonder Zone is a whimsical soft-play area offering a safe, fun environment for little ones. With attractions like slides, trampolines, cannonball games, rainbow jumping nets, and an interactive AR experience, it provides a stimulating adventure that helps develop motor skills.

Together, these four unique concepts create an entertainment experience that makes the trip to Khiran well worth it. For more info, head over to @funtiki.kw and @wonderzone.kw

Blastoff Events, the same company that brought Bassem Youssef to Kuwait, is now bringing the popular show Peter Pan on Ice next month.

Produced by The Imperial Ice Stars and based on J.M. Barrie’s classic tale, Peter Pan on Ice transforms the familiar story into a mesmerizing experience with beautifully choreographed routines set to music. Intricate costumes, set designs, and lighting transport audiences to the magical world of Neverland. The show also incorporates aerial stunts, giving the illusion of flying, and features beloved characters like Peter Pan, Wendy, Captain Hook, and others.

Peter Pan on Ice will be taking place at JACC where an ice rink will be built specifically for this show. This will be the first time JACC hosts an ice show since it opened back in 2016 so it’s going to be a unique experience for Peter Pan fans.

There will be a total of 4 shows taking place:

13 September at 2:00pm
13 September at 6:00pm
14 September at 2:00pm
14 September at 6:00pm

This is an adventure for the whole family (ages 5+), with ticket prices starting at just 5 KD. To book, click here.

One of my favorite indoor activities with friends is mini-golf. It’s fun, it’s chill and it’s something we can do during the hot summer months. But, for some reason, the sport never caught on in Kuwait. I used to play mini-golf at Discovery Mall, but that place shut down years ago. For the longest time, there wasn’t any mini-golf in Kuwait until Venue 56 opened up.

Venue 56 is an adult arcade with lots of different entertainment options including mini-golf which is what I usually go for. Their golf course is one of a kind since it was designed specifically for them by a specialized UK-based company.

The owners of Venue 56 decided to open the arcade after noticing the lack of entertainment options for young adults to socialize. So, they decided to fill this gap by opening an arcade filled with a variety of social and electronic games not found anywhere else in Kuwait.

Other than mini-golf they also have racing simulators, interactive bowling with 3D projection, arcade games, VR games, tabletop games, and classics like billiards and darts.

Their prices are very reasonable, and they often have weekly offers, including a happy hour currently running throughout the summer from Monday to Thursday, where games are 30% off from 1 PM to 6 PM. They also have different packages for birthdays and team building corporate events.

Venue 56 is located in Salmiya, right across the street from Johnny Rockets (Google Maps). If you’d like to check them out, you can find them on Instagram at @venue56.kw

This is a collab I didn’t know I needed in my life. I was at The Avenues and noticed that Lush have a new line of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles soaps from bath bombs to shampoo bars and they look like a lot of fun. They also had a weird soft and icky feeling Krang shower jelly which I think was my favorite item followed by the pizza slices bath bombs.

This is an interesting and random project, BBT is opening a haunted house next month on the Gulf Road. The project is in collaboration with TEC and is located near where Jeans Grill used to be in Salmiya (the good old days).

The haunted house looks to be hospital themed which gave me Raccoon General Hospital vibes from Resident Evil. In addition to the haunted house there will also be a new BBT location right next to it.

Both the haunted house and the new BBT are expected to open mid next month. Tickets to the haunted house will be through the TEC app. If you want to check the place out it’s still under construction but here it is on Google Maps.

Earlier this year, I discovered the Sahara Golf Club driving range, and it turned into a fun outdoor activity that I enjoyed a couple of times with friends.

The driving range is located inside the golf course and you are driven to it on their golf carts. You don’t need to know how to play golf to be able to enjoy the driving range, it’s just an open area where you hit balls as far as you can. It’s a popular activity in the States and can be something you do alone or with a group of friends.

The cost for using the driving range is surprisingly affordable considering it’s at the Sahara Golf Club. For non-members, it’s 10KD for 2 hours and that includes 150 balls. If you don’t have a golf club, you can rent one for 3KD while an additional 150 balls are also 3KD.

The Sahara Golf Club is open daily from 5:30 AM, and the last check-in time for the driving range is 8 PM. To use the driving range just head to their golf shop or book ahead by calling them up on 22203410/11.

There is a basic dress code which I’ve shared above. They also offer lessons if you’re interested. At just 13KD, I think this is one of the most affordable and fun outdoor activities in Kuwait. Here is the link to their website.

Photo on top from @itsgee98

Turtle Park is a small artificial island on the Gulf Road located right behind Johnny Carino’s. It’s called Turtle Park on Google Maps because it has turtle sculptures scattered on it.

Unlike Duck Park which I posted about a couple of weeks ago and has real ducks, there are no real turtles in Turtle Park. It’s still really cute though.

This is a fun holiday experience for both adults and children, Spunsprinkles, the cotton candy experience store is now offering a gingerbread house decorating experience for the holidays.

If you haven’t been to their new location in 360 Mall yet, it’s pretty big with multiple cotton candy customizing stations as well as a small seating area.

The experience is around an hour long, costs 15KD and you need to pre-book it. If you’re interested book through spunsprinkles.com