هل لديكم قسم الأطفال؟

You can drop this phrase the moment you walk into a large department store. It is short, punchy, and gets straight to the point. You do not need a long preamble. Just catch the eye of a shop assistant and ask. If you want to be extra polite, you can add لو سمحت (law samaht) which means 'excuse me' or 'please' at the beginning. It works perfectly in spoken Arabic, especially in Egyptian or Levantine dialects.

Use this when you are overwhelmed in a massive mall like the Mall of the Emirates or Cairo Festival City. It is also great for restaurants. Many Middle Eastern eateries have a 'kids' corner' or a 'family section.' If your toddlers are starting to get restless, this phrase is your emergency exit to a play area. You can also use it when texting a business on WhatsApp to check their facilities before you arrive.

Do not use this in a very formal government office or a high-level business meeting. It would sound quite confusing unless you are literally discussing childcare services. Also, avoid using it in tiny 'hole-in-the-wall' shops where the entire store is only one room. It might come off as a bit sarcastic if the shop clearly doesn't have 'sections.'

Family is the absolute center of social life in Arab culture. Because of this, businesses go out of their way to be 'family-friendly.' It is very common to find elaborate play areas inside malls or even pharmacies. Asking for the children's section is not just about shopping; it is about finding the space where your family is most welcome. In many places, the 'Family Section' in a restaurant is a place of comfort and privacy.

If you are in a more formal mood, you might say هل يوجد قسم للأطفال؟ (Hal yujad qism lil-atfal?). If you are specifically looking for clothes, you could say فين ملابس الأطفال؟ (Fein malabis al-atfal?) which means 'Where are the kids' clothes?'. In some regions, you might hear عندكم (Indakum) instead of عندكو, but the meaning remains exactly the same. It is all about that local flavor!