Dubai: Mum and baby classes that happen on a weekend

Bonding with your baby through a shared group activity or while learning a new skill at a parent and child class is one of the greatest joys of parenting – but one that often seems to be reserved only for mums and dads who are able to dedicate time during weekdays. This can mean that, come the weekend, working parents are left without any options. So we’ve rounded up some of Dubai’s best parent-and-child classes where you can bond and play with your little one on the weekend…

ZUMBINI WITH RO ON SATURDAYS: These super fun, active group sessions for babies aged 0-4 years and their parents combine music, dance, and educational tools for 45 minutes of bonding, learning and fun. Led by Dubai-based mum Romi Arou, Zumbini is the official program from dance fitness brand Zumba, adapted for babies and their mums, dads or other caregivers to have a fun, sociable time where children are free to express themselves through music and dance in a safe and friendly environment – and adults can even get a little work out too. Based at Kids HQ in Al Barsha, 30 minutes of free soft play time is also included. DETAILS: Dh60 for a trial session, Dh120 per class or Dh760 for a package of 8 (get a Dh100 discount if you enrol same day as your trial), including take home Zumbini Songbook, Music code with all original songs and Zumbini doll, plus 30 minutes of free play at Kids HQ afterwards. Classes held at 9.30am on Saturdays as well as on Sundays at 9.30am, Mondays at 3.45pm and Tuesdays at 9am, at Kids HQ in Al Barsha, contact @zumbiniwithro on Instagram, 0558817191, mumbiniuae@gmail.com.

MUCKY PUPS MESSY PLAY WITH KATIE JANE DUBAI ON SATURDAYS: Katie Jane Dubai are the child-led play experts for babies aged 0-4 in Dubai and hold a range of baby classes, from sign language for babies to Nature Nook outdoor play classes. But it’s the Mucky Pups sessions that also happen on a weekend – a combination of circle time group singing, painting activities and messy play with different, taste-safe materials every week. DETAILS: Saturdays 9.30-10.30am, 6-week term that works out to be Dh95 per class, Kids HQ Al Barsha, KatieJaneDubai.com.

BABY SENSORY AND TODDLER SENSE CLASSES ON FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS: Baby Sensory offers weekly classes for babies aged 0-13 months, accompanied by parents (or caregivers), that are a mixture of singing, actions, exploration and sensory stimulation through a range of different props and materials. The program, designed 10 years ago in UK, dovetails into the British Early Years curriculum, and introduces activities that stimulate baby’s learning and development, while enabling parents (or caregivers) to strengthen their parenting skills. Meanwhile Toddler Sense classes are the step up for tots up to 3 years, and combined structured group activities with lots of exploratory play. DETAILS: Multiple morning sessions on Fridays at Zabeel House in The Greens, and Saturday sessions from 9.30am in Business Bay, Dh100 per class, 10% discount when booking a pack of 10 sessions, see Babysensory.ae.

MINI ATHLETICS ON FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS: These friendly, fun athletics classes are packed full of brilliant things to get 2-7 year olds moving and active, alongside their parents, while also developing young children's skills for listening, counting, colour recognition, understanding instructions, sharing, using their imagination, supporting others, working as team and competing. DETAILS: Split into different age groups (Didee Athletes aged 2-3.5 years and Little Athletes aged 3.5-5 years), they are held on both Fridays and Saturdays at various locations around Dubai. Sessions cost from Dh75-Dh95 per class, with a free taster session available, Miniathletics.com.

SWIMMING WONDERS BABY SWIM CLASSES ON FRIDAYS: Did you know even tiny babies are capable of learning to swim and enjoy the water? Baby swimming is one of the most rewarding activities parents chose to do with their babies; it is a great way of bonding whilst giving the opportunity to learn life-long skills. Swimming Wonders teaches parents to teach their babies to swim, using voice commands to instruct babies to respond to directions. DETAILS: Multiple classes held on Fridays at various locations around Dubai, half-hour weekly classes happen on a termly basis Dh525 for 5 weeks or Dh1,155 for 11 weeks. Swimmingwonders.com.

baby mama classes