The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi unveiles an interactive new kids zone – Bella and Rio’s playground

Al Qana

UAE, Abu Dhabi; 05 July 2022: The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi (TNA), the Middle East's largest aquarium, today unveiled its latest technological addition, an interactive kids zone titled Bella and Rio’s Playground. The new playground was named after aquarium’s beloved Hyacinth Macaws, Bella and Rio, and is designed to enhance the experience of every visitor. Bella and Rio’s Playground, which is located in the Flooded Forest, is officially open to the public free of charge.

Launched right in time for the summer holidays, the Bella and Rio zone, is a place where kids will learn and discover fun and exciting facts about animals and the rainforest while playing a plethora of exciting games. The National Aquarium’s dedication to educating today’s children through interactive learning was an inspiration for curating the exciting yet informative games in this zone. The new kidzone will have every young one excited and enthralled, with a range of entertaining and engaging activities, such as coloring your favorite animal in unique and creative ways and watching it come to life on an animated wall display. In addition, children can safely engage with these displays to learn more about the inhabitants of the Flooded Forest (Hyacinth Macaws, Anteaters, Monitor Lizards, and Capybaras etc) by physically interacting with their own artwork.

Not to forget, the kids zone is not the only technology advanced interactive zone in the aquarium; children also get the chance to video map their own volcano, interact with the plankton, meet Khalid - the pearl diver persona, play with the ice-age interactive, learn through touch screens and signage guides, which has more than 4 different languages and experience 3D cladding on walls.

Paul Hamilton, General Manager TNA , commented saying, “At The National Aquarium, we are always looking to develop new and exciting ways to educate young visitors on the everyday lives of our residents, and the Bella and Rio kidzone does just that with its fresh and engaging activities. The aquarium has always been envisioned as a wonderland for families to come and explore, enjoy, and engage their curiosity and we are even more certain that the launch of Bella and Rio’s playground will contribute to our success and growth as it serves as a hub of learning and laughter within The National Aquarium.”

TNA is home to 46,000 animals which are spread across 11 zones; the Flooded Forest Zone which embraces Bella and Rio’s Playground emphasizes the important role that rainforests play in the global ecosystem. More than 8,000 rainforest creatures exist within this space, including magnificent free-roaming birds that fly around but don’t go near guests, an unfathomable 115-kilogram python, and of course, the colour-popping Hyacinth Macaws, Bella and Rio.