From skydiving indoors to cooking, 10 exciting classes for kids and teens in the UAE

AN ACTIVE HOLIDAY: Why spend the days whiling away time when you can go out and have fun – and gain a new skill while you are at it? This summer UAE presents a host of ways, from getting a junior MBA to learning how to skydive, to keep kids away from boredom. It’s all about fun fun fun. Here are some action-packed options for the kids.

JOIN THE JUNIOR FLYING CLUB AT CLYMB: Kids can now learn how to skydive like pros – content in the knowledge that their adventure comes with a safety net; not only are the lessons indoors but also there are certified instructors guiding them at every jump. Kids will start their courses with a short training session where their instructors will demonstrate techniques, positions and hand signals, from the basics to the more advanced moves, used to communicate while skydiving. DETAILS: The Junior Flying Club pass can be used by kids aged 14 and below, and is valid for three months. It offers 20 flights – five each session – an instructor, flight gear rental as well as a personalised development plan. Dh1,999.

EARN A JUNIOR MBA WITH TEENEDGE: A new programme aims to teach kids real-world skills such as analysis, problem-solving, strategic thinking, persuasive communication and decision-making. Seasoned international business school faculty and UAE’s top C-level executives are turning to teaching these classes. The online programme has four modules: Teen CEO (entrepreneurship and decision-making skills), Teen CMO (data analytics and market positioning), Teen CTO (problem-solving with technology) and Teen COO (strategic planning, finance and logistics). DETAILS: The six-week course costs Dh2,900. Online sessions will run from 3pm to 5pm from Sunday to Thursday.

LEARN ZOOKEEPING AT THE GREEN PLANET: The bio-dome, home to a number of exotic animals including piranhas and a bearcat, is offering teens between 12 and 18 an internship opportunity. Participants can engage and gain a basic understanding on the importance of animal husbandry care, animal training, veterinary, nutrition, hygiene and exhibit requirements over 20 hours under the guidance of zookeepers. At the end of this period the kids will walk away with certificate and T-shirt. DETAILS: The programme costs Dh950 and runs for four hours from Sunday to Wednesday.

LEARN HOW TO COOK WITH TOP CHEF: Have a budding master chef on your hands? Here’s how to help your little one discover his/her passion. During the Mini Chef class – with between two and 10 kids – young cooks will learn how to make two simple sweet recipes and one smoothie or milkshake. DETAILS: 90-minute sessions for kid aged 6-12 cost Dh165.

VISIT APPLE: Encourage your little filmmaker while edutaining her too. Free modules that teach kids 8-12 how to make and edit short videos using Clips app on iPad are now being held in some stores in the city. DETAILS: Check out www.apple.com for details and to book slots.

IT’S STUNT TIME AT BOUNCE: Whether your kid is an enthusiastic jumper of trampolines or a cautious one, Bounce is offering courses perfect for him/her. The BOUNCE Freestyle Academy Ninja Squad and Flight Squad programmes teach those over eight years of age new tricks and parkour skills, while the beginner lessons focus on teaching kids how to launch themselves in a safe and controlled way. Those in the Intermediate programme will learn wall running and flips and the Advanced Class members will learn advanced flips and combinations and advanced wall running. If your tiny tot is intrigued, check out the Mini Bounce Squad and Bounce Squad, which are specialised programmes for children aged between two and seven years of age. DETAILS: Prices vary, call 04-3211-400 or visit www.bounce.ae.

MEET THE ANIMALS ON THE KIDS FARM AT DUBAI SAFARI PARK: Love animals? Here’s where you can meet, greet and pet some favorite farmyard ones, including cows, sheep, goats, ducks, chickens, donkeys, and ponies. Animals around include African love bird, Alexandrine parakeet, Amazon parrot, black hooded parrot, Budgie love bird, Eurasian bullfinch, Kockatiel, ducks and more. There are also plenty of other centric animal journeys to be had at the Safari Park that’s home to about 3,000 animals. DETAILS: Open from 9am-5pm, tickets start at Dh10 for kids; Dh25 for adults; kids under 3 go for free. Every day: From 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

SUMMER CAMP AT THE JAM JAR: A summer Camp in Al Serkal Avenue teaches kids aged 4-10 arts and crafts in a fun, interactive learning environment. Students will tackle a new project each day, working with various art techniques and mediums over a six-week period. A weekly Teen Art Mentorship programme is also in play for ages 11-18, where teenagers create one artwork over five days using acrylics and multimedia on canvas. Dh131.25 per day for the Summer camp; Teen Art Mentorship programme costs Dh798 for five days and runs from August: 1st-5th, August 15-19 and 22-26.

GO SWIMMING AT DEEP DIVE DUBAI: Here’s a chance to enjoy the world’s deepest diving pool with the whole family. This pool features a sunken city that divers of all levels can engage with and explore, complete with an abandoned streetscape and featuring a fully furnished apartment, garage, and arcade, amongst other surprises. DETAILS: Freediving, Snorkeling and Scuba Diving experiences and courses start from Dh400 per person. Located in Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, Deep Dive Dubai is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 12pm to 8pm.

CREATE YOUR OWN WORLD AT OLIOLI: When you head to the imagiNATION! installation, which is set up until August 31, you get to see the world through your child’s eyes. OliOli has transformed its creative lab into a cardboard city imagined by children where they can decorate their own city, explore the cardboard forest, star in their own TV show or even launch their own cardboard airliner. The installation comprises three spaces: Light boxes, a wall of light boxes where children can experiment with light and shadow; Living Room, where they can envision and bring to life backdrops ahead of their ‘TV Show’; and Maker Space, where they can create buildings, trees and even spaceships using cardboards. DETAILS: Tickets are Dh126 for a child and an adult. Timings: Sunday to Wednesday: 9am-6pm; Thursday and Saturday: 9am-7pm; and Friday: 9am-8pm.