If you’ve just had a baby and are looking for ideas on where to get out of the house, keep your little one entertained and socialise with other new parents at the same time, you’ll be amazed at the wide range of options available to you in the city.
1. Baby Arabia
If you’re keen for your kids to get a head start and learn a language from an early age, then check out Baby Arabia. A new concept designed for the UAE’s unique multicultural society offers the chance to learn Arabic from the age of ten months and up through the use of music, interactive games, stories and games. French and Spanish options are also available.
Location various across Dubai Cost Dhs75 per trial class, Dhs750 per term for parent/caretaker and child programme (10 months to four years) Timings varies by location – mornings and afternoons Phone 050 624 7263
Named ‘Best Music Class’ by New York Magazine 2010, Songs for Seeds encourages kids to sing and dance and offers the chance to experiment and play with instruments including guitar, drums, piano and accordion alongside a live three piece band. Music and language from new countries around the world are experienced each week along with many more surprises including magic to practice numbers and counting and more. Suitable for babies up to five years.
Location apple seeds Dubai, Gold and Diamond Park, Building 6, Space 3, Al Quoz
Cost Dhs150 per trial / drop in class for non members. Membership packages start from 1530 for 12 weeks Timings Monday at 10:30am, Tuesday at 11:30am & 3pm, Wednesday at 9:30am, and Saturday at 10:05am Phone 04 380 6064
Take some time out to relax from the working week and bond in this unique opportunity to see the world from your child’s eyes – learn to look inside yourselves, identify feelings and discover what makes you happy through meditation and talking to each other about the events in your lives. Suitable for one to five year olds.
Location Kidzventure Kids Club at Double Tree by Hilton Jumeirah (JBR - The Walk in the Dubai Marina the Abu Dhabi end) Cost Dhs70 per class Timings 10.30am every Saturday Phone 052 276 8237
Little kids just love to get messy and now with this new class from Le Petit Palais, you don’t need to worry about the mess or having to clear up at home! The class involves one hour of structured messy play with new ‘messy’ items added each week, sing-a-long time and a final splash around in Le Petit Palais paddling pool to wash away the mess afterwards!
Location Le Petit Palais, 2nd Level, Galeries Lafayette, Dubai Mall Cost Dhs80 per child, advance booking required Timings every Sunday from September onwards 10.30am to 11.30am Phone 04 382 7333 Ext. 2754
Wiggle Giggle Together is designed especially with parents of more than one at home in mind, so those juggling two kids can come along and join the fun. Offering a combination of Wee Wiggle Giggle and Run, Wiggle, Paint and Giggle classes a range of activities are designed for different ages and stages of development, all with only one grown up needed. Suitable for kids aged six months to three years.
Location Kidville Mirdif, Kidville JBR & Kidville Jumeirah Cost Dhs1895 per semester (16 weeks) Timings vary according to location Phone Kidville JBR: 04 440 1220; Kidville Mirdif: 04 236 3648; Kidville Jumeirah: 04 394 6066
Not strictly a class, but if you’re just looking for an excuse to get together with other mums and dads while you let the kids do their own thing, check out the Expat Woman Mums and Tots meets. Offering ExpatBumps & Babes coffee mornings for pregnant ladies and kids under 12 months, ExpatMums & Tots – Boddlers for mums with active babies 18 months and under or ExpatMums and Tots meets for those with kids under the age of four, they’ve got a meet for just about everyone.
Location ExpatBumps & Babes - Costa Coffee Marina Walk; Boddlers - Fun City Ibn Battuta; ExpatMums & Tots – Fun City Ibn Battuta Cost ExpatBumps & Babes free, ExpatMums & Tots and Boddlers have a nominal charge Timings ExpatBumps & Babes Thursdays and Mondays 10am to 12pm, Boddlers Wednesdays 10am to 12pm, ExpatMums & Tots Sundays 10am to 12pm
7. Tiny Tykes
Lead your kids through a variety of exercises, stretches, songs and dances, balance and agility skills, introductory tumbling and much more in this programme that adds to your little ones physical and cognitive development and aims to help them discover their natural abilities. Suitable for six to 13 months.
Location Jumeirah - Villa 18a, Street 35, Off Al Wasl Road opp Eppco and behind Boxpark (between interchange 1 and 2) and Barsha - 2nd floor Lulu Hypermarket Building, Al Barsha 1 Cost Dhs125 (plus one time Dhs250 membership fee which includes a welcome pack with t-shirt, water bottle, CD and membership card. This provides membership to over 230 gyms worldwide) Timings check website for latest details Phone 04 394 3962
A popular music and movement class, Boogie Babies incorporates Educational Kinesiology which teaches specific movements of the body that have been shown to improve mind function. Bond with your little one at the same time as focusing on growth, fine motor skills and having lots of fun. Suitable for babies and toddlers of all ages.
Location Kids Zone (Green Community), Polo Club (Arabian Ranches), Favourite Things (Marina Mall), Caboodle (Dubai Mall), Kids Jungle (Dubai Silicon Oasis) Cost Dhs780 per term (12 classes) Timings vary according to location Phone 050 884 1966
Get creative and sporty with this 90 minute combo class for kids aged from 18 months to two and a half. The class works to explore your child’s creative side with watercolours, oil pastels, spin art and more, then as the paint dries the kids swap art for the sport of the week in apple CORE training! Kids can get their hands on golf clubs, balance beams, football and lots more with this unique combination class.
Location apple seeds Dubai, Gold and Diamond Park, Building 6, Space 3, Al Quoz
Cost Dhs200 per trial class / non members drop in rate, membership packages start from Dhs2370 for 12 weeks Timings Wednesday at 10:30am Phone 04 380 6064
10. BuggEFit
An exercise class for mums with your little one in tow, making good use of the buggy as resistance. Make friends and tone up the wobbly bits hit worst by pregnancy and birth – including the back, abs and pelvic floor. Classes run indoors during the hot weather and outside in the fresh air of the park during the cooler months from October to May. Suitable for mums six weeks post partum or ten weeks for c-section mums.
Location Cheeky Monkeys Barsha, Barsha Park, Jumeirah Park Cost Dhs60 per class, Dhs550 for 10 Timings Sunday 9.15 to 10.15am Cheeky Monkeys Barsha, check website for up to date details on outdoor classes – Sunday 9am to 10am in Barsha Park and Tuesday 9am to 10am in Jumeirah Park are proposed Phone 055 811 9120 / 050 659 4376
