UAE Spring Break 2021: The Best Holiday Camps for kids in Dubai

The UAE’s Spring Break is upon us, which means parents are looking at either two or three weeks’ of school-free time during which kids need to be kept occupied. But fear not - here’s our round-up of the best camps to keep kids engaged and entertained over the school vacation…

DIG IT SPRING CAMP: From creative workshops to games and dancing and accessory-making, kids will be making friends and digging away the Spring Break boredom while learning and growing in a safe and comfortable environment at construction-themed indoor play area Dig It in Springs Souk. Little ones will also get a chance to wind down with a movie at Reel Cinemas, located next door to Dig It. DETAILS: For kids from the age of 3 years, March 28-April 15, 9am – 1pm, Dh170 per day or Dh650 per week. Digitdubai.com.

BOUNCE HOLIDAY CAMP: From trampoline technique, to parkour and free-running tips and tricks, the Bounce holiday camp offers children the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities while taking their freestyle moves to the next level. At Dh190 per day or Dh750 per week, this includes dedicated hosts, games, Ninja Squad training, lunch and more. DETAILS: 28 March to 15 April, times vary depending on Bounce venue, available at all UAE venues including Al Quoz Dubai, Dubai Festival City and Abu Dhabi. Dh 190 per day, Dh750 per week, 10% sibling discount available, call 04 321 1400 or visit https://bounce.ae/.

THE DUBAI MALL SPRING CAMP: This supervised educational four-day ‘camp’ concept will allow kids to experience a whole range of Dubai’s most iconic kids’ attractions. The four-day programme starts on March 28th and ends on April 7th and will see KidZania chaperones taking children to enjoy a glass-bottom boat ride, Behind-the-Scenes Tour and fish feeding at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo; skating at Dubai Ice Rink, sightseeing at At The Top observation deck on top of the Burj Khalifa (where they’ll also get a special souvenir), as well as play time at indoor edutainment park KidZania. Additionally, participants will gain access to VR Park and also receive a ticket to catch a movie at Reel Cinemas. DETAILS: For kids age 3-12, Dh399 per child with lunch, Dh319 without lunch for four days of special activities from 28 March to 7 April, 9am to 3pm, Sunday to Wednesday, chaperoned by KidZania employees. Parents can register at any of the participating outlets.

JUNIOR GOLF CAMP AT DUBAI CREEK ACADEMIES: Little golfers can perfect their putt at this three-day camp, supervised by a team of golfing experts. Suitable for all levels, kids will learn all about short, middle-distance and long game between 29 to 31 March or 5 to 7 April. DETAILS: From 29 to 31 March and from 5-7 April, 9am-12pm, Dh650 for three days, 04 205 4666, golf.academy@hyatt.com.

AVENTURA PARK NATURE CAMP: Based in aerial ropes park Aventura in Mushrif Park’s ghaf tree forest, this camp immerses children in nature, teaching them survival techniques, social and teamwork skills, and how to think out of the box. Designed specifically for children between six to 14 years old and running from Sunday March 28 until mid-April, it’s packed with activities to teach strategic thinking, and essential outdoor skills, the camp is open for enrollment now. Whether it’s exploring nature, learning survival skills, building, DETAILS: March 28-April 15, 9am-6pm, Dh200 for a day pass, Dh350 for two days, and Dh699 weekly, www.aventuraparks.com, +971 52 178 7616.

OLIOLI’S DESIGNER’S DEN: Taking place within the OliOli’s immersive children’s museum, this camp is dedicated to non-screen-based game building, where children will experience a whole new level of fun and learning. During the weeklong camp, children will be developing skills such as woodworking, design, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering amongst others. DETAILS: 28 March – 8 April 2021, 9am-1pm, two groups of 4-6 years and 7-10 years, Dh1,090 per week (Dh990 if registered before 18 March), Dh890 sibling discount if registered before 18 March, 04 702 7300, OliOli.ae.

ECOVENTURE: The hugely popular Ecoventure Holiday Programs based at Kings School Al Barsha and Nad Al Sheba are suitable for children aged from 3 years old to 18 years old. Their multi-activity program offers a wide range of pursuits – from climbing and archery, to pool games, kayaking, science experiments, performing arts, team-building challenges, sports and games, and much more. They also offer an engineering version of the holiday program called ETB, which is 50% multi-activities, and 50% engineering projects (for kids aged 5-12). DETAILS: 28 March – 8 April, 9am-2pm, Dh89 per week, plus Dh200 for 3pm pick-up, or Dh400 for 4pm pick-up. www.ecoventure.com.

LA LIGA ACADEMY FOOTBALL PROGRAM: Got a child who dreams of being a future footballer on your hands? LaLiga’s Spring High Performance Program at ISD Football in Dubai Sports City offers a mixture of training skills, games and matches, led by LaLiga’s UEFA-Pro certified football coach and Olympic-level Athletics coaches. Customized by age group, the program is designed to keep children active, improving their skills, stamina and strength, while building focus and leadership qualities on and off the pitch. DETAILS: March 28 – April 8, 9am-1pm (for under 6 to under 10 age groups), and 10am-1pm (for under 12 to under 18 age groups). Dh390 per day, Dh1,65 per week including lunch, Dh2,185 for two weeks including lunch, plus Dh300 for optional kit. Ae.laligacademy.com.

ELITE MULTISPORT AND FOOTBALL CAMPS: Sports coaching company Elite is offering its range of camps for Spring Break across several locations in Dubai. With six activities per day, from football and basketball to ninja squirrel games and hockey, there’s lots to keep kids active and energized over the Spring Break. DETAILS: For 4-14 yea olds, at multiple locations across Dubai including Horizon English School and JESS Arabian Ranches, 8.30am-3.30pm, Dh262.50 per day, Dh882 per week, 10% Early Bird discount if paid before 20 March, 20% sibling discount available, www.elitesports.ae.

FUN ROBOTICS CAMP: The first KHDA-approved Robotics club is offering both online and offline camps this Spring Break. For the in-person club, based in their premises off Sheikh Zayed Road in the Safa area near Al Mazaya, there’s a whole heap of coding, drone, AI and 3D modelling and printing fun to be had for your technological whiz kid. DETAILS: For ages 7-9 and ages 10 upwards, March 28 – April 8, 10am – 2.30pm, www.fun-robotics.com/camps

STREET MANIAX EASTER CAMP: Kids will be hopping with joy at the Street Maniax Easter camp, which is jam-packed with activities at the freestyle bouncing a parkour play park in Al Quoz. From the Ninja Warrior course, to the high-jump free-fall, parkour play and zip lining, there’s so much to keep children active, moving and away from screens. DETAILS: March 28 – April 8, Dh 599 per week, Dh150 per day, www.streetmaniax.com.

ISD ATHLETICS: Kids can improve their speed and agility with conditioning exercises, obstacle courses, sprints, throwing and jumping practice, weekly competitions and more, all led by ISD Athletics’ coach Andy Turner, a three-time medalist and Team GB Olympian, Commonwealth and European Champion. DETAILS: For ages 5-18 years old, 28 March – April 8, 9am – 12pm, Dh150 per day, Dh600 per week, Dh1,000 for two weeks, 15% off Early Bird offer, 058 285 8239.

AMBASSADOR INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY: With camps for Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary school children, this Spring camp offers great value, plus the option to include transport if you want. The Kindergarten camp will offer and range of sports, arts and crafts and role play activities designed to develop physical literacy, interpersonal and communication skills. Meanwhile the Primary and Secondary Camp will feature a range of sports – from tennis to yoga, cricket to martial arts - taught by qualified coaches, plus a range of music, STEAM, speech and drama and creative writing activities, as well as gaming and maths competitions. DETAILS: 25 March – 8 April, 9am-3pm, Dh800 per week or Dh1400 for two weeks, 10% sibling discount available, https://info.aiadubai.com/ambassador-international-spring-camps.

MPAC BASKETBALL: Running daily one-hour, two-hour and three-hour camps in the MPAC premises in Al Quoz, these are designed to really help improve all aspects of your child’s basketball game, boosting speed, agility, ball handling, and shooting techniques in kids aged 8-11 or 12-18. DETAILS: Dh499 for youth academy, Dh799 for skills camp, early bird discount available, timings vary, 043851777 / 0501429330, INFO@MPACSPORTS.COM.