Schools will soon be over and like many mothers out there, we have been scouting around for things to do with our children through summer. Physical activities are a must for children but there’s only that much swimming one can do. While there are many camps and courses available in the UAE for children of all ages and that suit every possible budget, we have shortlisted a few you can enrol your children in or participate in with them.
WHAT TO DO
Homa Vafaie Farley, Mirdiff, Dubai
Activities: Art, pottery and ceramics private workshop where children of age 5 and above can create a wide variety of objects using clay such as ceramic tiles, vase, cups, pinch pots, animals and jewellery.
When: Until August 30, 11am–12.30pm and 3pm–4.30pm.
Price: Single session Dh150, four sessions Dh550 and eight sessions Dh1,000, inclusive of all materials.
Contact: 050-5581584; homafarley.com
Modhesh World, Dubai
Activities: Children and teenagers learn about Emirati culture and traditions at Dubai World Trade Centre.
When: Until August 20
Price: Dh15, children aged below three enter free.
Contact: 600-555559; modheshworld.com
Alliance Française, Oud Metha, Dubai
Activities: Children from 7 to 10 can learn French or enrol in play games, make useful handicrafts, watch movies (French with English subtitles) and enjoy storytelling sessions.
When: From June 29 to July 29, 9am-1.30pm
Price: Dh1,350 for French lessons and Dh2,000 for French and other activities.
Contact: 04-3358712; afdubai.org
Art*ry, Al Quoz, Dubai
Activities: Drawing and painting classes for children 5 and above, and woodcut, clay modelling, watercolour, acrylic and oil painting for children 11 and above. Art education classes with established artists on introduction and techniques of using each medium are also available for older children and parents.
When: From July 1 to August 31, 10am-8pm.
Price: On request.
Contact: 050-2849396 or 04-3804801; artrygroup.org
Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah
Activities: treasure hunts, arts and crafts, games, dancing, singing,volleyball and football and a fully equipped games room. Also horse riding lessons, archery and water sports such as jet skiing to parasailing
When: 9am to 6pm
Price: On request
Call: 07-2035555
Dubai International Art Centre, Jumeirah 1, Dubai
Activities: Drawing, painting, cooking, glass painting, clay modelling, sculpture, making felt toys, découpage, jewellery and more for children 4 and above and adults.
Price: On request.
When: From June 22 to August 31.
Contact: 04-3444398; artdubai.com
Kidzania, Dubai
Activities: Hotel housekeeping and hotel management with Rotana group of hotels at the edutainment centre, Kidzania. Children aged 4 to 16 participate in three 20-minute role-playing activities as a receptionist, restaurant officer and as housekeepers.
Price: On request.
Call: 04-4485222
Pascal Tepper, Media City, Dubai
Activities: Baking classes for children.
When: Friday, 12.30pm.
Price: Dh69 for children and Dh99 for adults.
Contact: 04-4542408; pascaltepperfrenchbakery.com
Jazz@PizzaExpress, Cluster A Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Activities: Children learn to make pizzas. From rolling the dough, to using toppings, children do everything on their own. They can either immediately consume it or take it back home. At the end of the class, each child gets a chef hat and a pizzamaker certificate.
Price: Dh55 per child.
Contact: 04-4416342
Dance and Theatre
James & Alex Dance Studios, Media City
Activities: Ballet mixed with fun and games every week for children from 3 to 7 years. Seven to 14 year olds can learn team skills and dance routines as they become a part of an all-singing, all-dancing and all-drama play performance.
When: From June 29 to August 31.
Price: For 3-7 year olds Dh500 per week and 7-14 year olds Dh700 per week.
Contact: 04-4470773; jamesandalex.com
Sharmila Dance Classes, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates
Activities: Seven years old and above learn a blend of hip-hop, funk, lyrical and contemporary dance forms and various levels of classical ballet.
When: Through July and August.
Price: Dh60 per class.
Contact: Emma at 050-8581083; or write to emmaadmin@sharmiladance.com
DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates
Activities: A backstage course designed to teach children, 14 and above, the basic elements of stage production — from lighting and sound to scenery rigging, fly systems and more.
When: From June 29 to August 14, 10am–1pm.
Price: Dh900 per week.
Contact: 04-3414777; ductac.org
Mall of the Emirates, Mirdif City Centre, Deira City Centre, Dubai
Activities: Play Live Monopoly, draw life-size chance cards or stay behind bars in a real life 3D jail and win instant prizes when you land on anyone else’s property. The player with the most points wins Dh500 at each mall. A total of Dh7,83,000 will be given away. The event is open to children of all ages who can throw a dice. Souvenirs such as photo opportunities with Mr Monopoly and a Monopoly-themed manicure for ladies will also be held.
When: Until June 26. Saturday–Wednesday noon-10pm; Thursday noon-midnight.
Price: Shoppers need to spend Dh300 to qualify.
Contact: Facebook.com/MalloftheEmirates, Facebook.com/DeiraCityCentre, or Facebook.com/MirdifCityCentre
Dubai Sports World, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai
Activities: “All Sports All Summer” training camp, where children of all ages can play a wide range of sports such as football, volleyball, basketball, tennis and cricket, to name a few, along with more than 1,120 hours of free badminton time.
When: Until August 30.
Price: On request.
Contact: 04-3064000; dubaisportsworld.ae
The Beach opposite Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai
Activities: Cool off with friends and family at this outdoor leisure and entertainment destination which has a supervised Kids Splash Pad, Kids Play Area, Stand Up Paddleboarding and a Waterpark.
When: Open throughout summer.
Timing: Weekdays 9am-6pm and weekends 9am-8pm.
Price: Dh50 per hour for children, Dh60 per hour for adults and Dh195 daily for both children and adults.
Contact: thebeach.ae
Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal, Abu Dhabi
Activities: The Ritz Kids Club is offering indoor and outdoor activities supervised by professionals, including henna design classes for children from 4 to 12 years.
Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel, Abu Dhabi
Activities: Full sporting facilities and martial arts. Water sports, arts and crafts, cultural events, competitions and accompanied recreational trips around the emirates for 5 to 13 years old.
When: From August 11 to September 5, 9am-2pm.
Price: Dh1,000 per child for a week, Dh2,000 for two weeks, Dh2,500 for three weeks and Dh3,000 for the entire duration.
Contact: 02-4415900
Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Activities: An array of activities at the Kids Playground, the Musical Water Fountains along the promenade, movie screenings, water sports and more.
When: Till September.
Price: On Request.
Contact: 02-6575460; cnmarinas.com
Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah
Activities: Treasure hunts, arts and crafts, games, dancing, singing, volleyball and football and a fully equipped games room. Also horse riding lessons, archery and water sports such as jet skiing and parasailing.
When: 9am-6pm.
Price: On request.
Contact: 07-2035555
Coral Beach Resort, Sharjah
Activities: Children between 4 and 11 can engage in fun-filled learning with daily activities such as creative arts and craft workshops, fitness programmes, excursions and educational trips including a visit to a chocolate factory.
When: From June 29 to July 28, 9am-2pm
Price: Dh1,500 per child inclusive of breakfast, lunch and refreshments.
Contact: 06-5229999;
hmhhotelgroup.com/coralbeachresortsharjah
RAK Mall, Ras Al Khaimah
Activities: Enjoy kart racing at Go-K, the Middle East’s first-ever in-mall karting circuit (minimum height 1.25m).
When: Weekdays 10am-11pm; weekends till midnight.
Ramadan timings: Weekdays 7pm-1am; weekends till 2am.
Price: Dh30 for five minutes, Dh50 for ten minutes.
Contact: 050-5395870; Facebook.com/gokrakmall
THINGS TO WATCH
The Jamjar, Al Quoz, Dubai
What: Loco’motion Community Cinema will be screening educational and family-themed films.
When: July and August.
Price: Free.
Contact: 04-3417303; thejamjardubai.com; facebook.com/thejamjardubai; facebook.com/locomotionuae
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, Dubai Mall, Dubai
What: Weighing in at 750kg, King Croc — one of the world’s largest reptiles — has arrived in Dubai all the way from Australia along with his female companion of 20 years.
When: Ongoing.
Price: Dh70.
Contact: 04-4485200; thedubaiaquarium.com
Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
What: Maksim Surov, the 27-year-old star of Russia’s acclaimed Bolshoi Ballet will be the Prince in Cinderella performed by The Royal Moscow Ballet with a cast and artistic and technical supporting crew of over 70, including 33 dancers and 30 members of the The Royal Moscow Orchestra. When: Until August 31.
Price: Tickets from Dh199
Contact: TIXBOX.com
What: An original masterpiece by 20th century Spanish surrealist painter Salvador Dali will make its first public appearance in the Middle East as a backdrop to the 90 minutes La Verità contemporary circus.
When: From August 21 to 31.
Price: Dh250.
Contact: TIXBOX.com
Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi
What: Watch Freej live in Abood’s Dream — a locally-produced cartoon which focuses on the hilarious antics of the main character Abood.
When: From July 31 to August 2.
What: Popular Bollywood’s singer Sunidhi Chauhan will serenade you with her lyrical voice.
When: August 15, 7.30pm.
Price: Dh100-395
Contact: ticketmaster.ae
What: World-renowned illusionist and endurance artist, David Blaine enthralls.
When: August 21-23.
Price: From Dh295.
Contact: thinkflash.ae
Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
What: A History of the World in 100 Objects,a groundbreaking exhibition capturing a history of the world through a vivid display of compelling objects.
When: Till August 1.
Price: Free entry.
Contact: 02-657 5800; or write to manaratalsaadiyat@tcaabudhabi.ae
FOR THE LITTLE ONES
Kid’s Club
Sinbad’s Kids Club, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah
Activities: Mini Waterpark, wall climbing area and sandpit, interactive gaming stations and soft play area for children. On arrival, children meet a team of trained professionals and are put into groups based on their age. They become sailors, stewards, captains or pirates.
When: 8am-10pm everyday.
Price: Sinbad’s Kids Club is free to all children staying at the resort for one zone (4 hours) per day. External guests, pay Dh250 per day.
Contact: 055-2211058; or write to JZSsinbadkidsclub@jumeirah.com
Little Explorers at City Centre Mirdif
Activities: Multiple activities that encourage learning through playing will be tailored. Face painting, dance lessons, magic tricks, puppet show and storytelling are a part of the package.
When: Starts June 29, 9am-2pm
Price: Single session Dh140, week package Dh500
Contact: theplaymania.com/little-explorers
Favourite Things, Dubai Marina Mall
Activities: Teach your child, aged between 2 and 4 years, flower pot decoration, painting and about farm animals. Puppet shows during snack time is also a highlight.
When: June 22 to September 4, 9.30am-1.30pm.
Price: Dh600 (one week, non-members).
Contact: 04-4341984
Kids Theatre Works Summer Drama Camp, Ductac, Mall Of The Emirates
Activities: For children between 3-6 years, drama, art, singing and dancing is taught. They create their own show at the end of each week.
When: It will run weekly — Sunday to Thursday 9am-1pm — from June 29 to July 17 and August 17 to August 31.
Price: Dh950 per week (new students need to also pay Dh100 registration).
Contact: 050-1585653
Martial Arts, football and gymnastics
Dubai Repton School and Jebel Ali Primary School
Activities: For children above 3 years, here is a chance to learn the basics of taekwondo, football, dance and crafts.
When: It will run weekly — Sunday to Thursday 9am-2.30pm — from June 29 to August 28.
Price: Dh750 per week (new students need to also pay Dh100 registration).
Contact: 050-4294860
