Winter camps for kids in the UAE

Address Hotels and Resorts
Bash boredom this school holiday by signing up the kiddos to the Qix Club camp at either Address Dubai Mall or Address Boulevard. The hotel’s kids club is going all out to keep your little ones entertained with cookery and stocking design sessions, arts and crafts, mask decorating, balloon bending lessons, face painting and T-Shirt colouring. And when it comes to getting them excited about learning, they can partake in an array of invigorating dice, memory and fix-me games. If that wasn’t enough, there is also a scavenger hunt and plenty of outdoor Olympic-style sports activities to ensure the kids are kept energised and engaged throughout the day. Phew!
Dhs150 (for one day), Dhs600 (for one week). Sun Dec 15-Sun Jan 5 (excluding Tue Dec24, Wed Dec 25 and Thu Dec 26), 10am-4pm. Address Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai or Address Boulevard, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Dubai, email kidsclub.dubaimall@theaddress.com (04 438 8034).

Air Maniax
Dubai’s largest indoor inflatable park will be just the ticket for high-energy kids and tots. An awesome place for kids to not only have fun and burn off some energy, but to get fit as well. The range of high-octane activities give little ones the opportunity to run and jump in a safe, supervised environment, but in addition there will be educational activities and friendly competitions on offer for them to get stuck into. Plus, food and snacks are included in the price – so no lunchbox prep require parents!
Dhs190 (one session per day for one day) Dhs750 (one session per day for a week). Sun Dec 15-Thu Jan 2, 8am-1pm & 1pm-6pm. Air Maniax, Al Quoz Area 1, Dubai, www.airmaniax.com (04 348 8981).

Aventura
It’s a hugely popular destination with all the family, so no little one is going to turn down the opportunity to attend a camp at Aventura. Cool campers can look forward to loads of physical activities, strategic thinking and character building in the form of zip lining, orienteering and survival skills such as learning how to use a compass, build a shelter, preserve water, learn about the natural environment and loads more. AAn added bonus is that all snacks and lunch, plus unlimited water are all included in the price.
Dhs200 (for one day), Dhs350 (for two days), Dhs699 (for one week). Sun Dec 15-Thu Dec 19; Sun Jan 5-Thu Jan 9, 9am-5pm. Mushrif Park, Dubai, www.aventuraparks.com (056 887 1687).

Bath Rugby Camp
Bath Rugby is running an international camp for the first time ever – and it’s taking place right here in Dubai. The five-day camp is taking place at Nord Anglia School from Sunday December 15 between 9am and 2pm, and is open to boys and girls from the under seven age group right up to under 16s.

But it’s not just expert training on offer, campers will get the chance to chat with their rugby heroes during a special Q&A session. A real highlight of the week-long course.

Bath Rugby players Sam Underhill, Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Ruaridh McConnochie and South African flanker, and member of the 2020 World Cup winning team, Francious Louw, will all be joining a video call on Wednesday December 18 during which little fans will be able to ask any burning questions they may have for these sporting legends. Get ready to be star struck.

Kids can sign up for one, three or five days of the camp.

Scrum on down and give it a try!
Dhs250 (one day), Dhs725 (three days), Dhs1,150 (five days). Sun Dec 15-Thu Dec 19, 9am-2pm. Nord Anglia International School, Dubai, email camps@jlf.ae (058 589 3032).

Diverse
Diverse is hosting a camp for little luvvies at their HQ in Al Quoz. The performing arts academy is inviting children aged five to 14 to sign up for a theatrical camp that will include singing and dancing to all the festive classics at the Diverse Christmas Cracker camp. Budding actors will also get the opportunity to reenact some of the most iconic scenes from some of the well-loved holiday movies.

And once the little stage stars have rehearsed to perfection, the five-day-long course culminates with a holly jolly performance for all the proud parents to watch. So get ready to deck the halls kiddos.
Dhs954 (non-Diverse students), Dhs840 (Diverse students plus five percent -sibling discount). Kids five-14. Sun Dec 15-Thu Dec 19 9am-3pm. Diverse Studios – Entrance A (Studio M1, M2, M3, M5 & M6), The Curve Building, off Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, email info@diversechoreography.com (04 330 7338).

Dubai Performing Arts
Let your little performers aged between four and 13, join the fun at Dubai Performing Arts where Christmas is the focus of the week-long camp. Suitably titled T’was the Night Before Christmas, budding actors, singers and dancers will be able to unleash their talent as they work on putting together a fun festive performance that mums and dads can go along to see on the final day. As well as performing, campers will be able to get creative in some arts and crafts sessions, making reindeer ears, snowmen and loads more. There is also a ten percent discount for siblings.
Dhs750 (per child for the week). Sun Dec 15-ThuDec 19, 9am-2.30pm. Dubai British School, Jumeirah Park, Dubai, email info@dubaiperformingarts.com (056 173 7545).

Emirates Palace
This action-packed camp at Emirates Palace’s Kid’s Club is suitable for kids between five and 12 and allows them to indulge in a huge range of high-adrenalin activities like water sports and Zumba to less active experiences like cooking and kite-making. Drop little ones off for a day, or sign them up for the whole week. Sign up in advance for a lower rate, but you can still walk-in on the day if you’re holiday plans are more last-minute. Plus there is a 20 percent discount available for siblings.
From Dhs275 (for one day), from Dhs1,225 (for one week). Emirates Palace Beach Club, Abu Dhabi, email beachclub@emiratespalace.ae (02 690 7311).

Emirates Park Zoo Winter Camp
Let the little animal lovers hang out with furry friends and creepy crawlies this Christmas holidays at Emirates Park Zoo where heaps of educational sessions will be taking place. As well as a tour of the zoo – and a chance to get up close and personal with its exotic residents – little nature fans will be able to get stuck into a heap of animal-focused activities including building a bird nest, digging for treasure, rhythm of Africa and a magic show. Plus, there are also plenty of energetic sessions for more adventurous campers like the Formula Z Driving School, mini cowboy camel, horse and pony riding, swimming and the epic Zoo Zip and Climb that allows kids to soar above the petting zoo and exotic birds’ area. Oh and they can also make Poo Paper, which is recycled paper made out of elephant dung – what little one won’t love that?
Dhs160 (for one day), Dhs800 (for one week), Dhs1,280 (for two weeks). Aimed at kids aged four-14. Sun Dec 15- Thu Dec 26, 8.30am-1.30pm. Emirates Park Zoo, 12th Street, Abu Dhabi www.emiratesparkzooandresort.com (02 501 0000).

Grand Hyatt Dubai
Head to this luxurious hotel near to the Dubai Creek, where the popular Kidz Club is hosting a camp that will be fun for kids between five and 12. The camp promises a week of fun and games including arts and craft sessions, cooking activities and outdoor excursions in the resort’s lush gardens. Little campers can also choose from a range of outdoor sports and can make a splash in the kids’ pool. And best of all, with lunch included in the price, it’s hassle-free for mums and dads.
Dhs350 (for one day), Dhs1,100 (for one week), Sun Dec 15-Thu Dec 19, 9.30am-4pm. Grand Hyatt Dubai, near Wafi Mall, Dubai, email kidsclub.grandhyattdubai@hyatt.com (04 317 2449).

It’s Just Cricket
Little ones love cricket? They can improve their skills with the help of the expert coaches at the It’s Just Cricket winter camp. Held at GEMS Wellington Academy, little cricketers can sign up for a whole week of camp to really fine tune their bowling, batting and fielding skills.
Dhs450 (per child). Sun Dec15-Thu Dec 19, 8.30am-12.30pm. GEMS Wellington Academy, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, email info@itsjustcricket.com (052 938 6707).

Tashkeel Winter Camp
Sign your pre-teen and teen artists up for a series of creative workshops. Aimed at kids between 12 and 14, the workshops, which are led by locally-based practicing artists and designers, are focused on intersectional learning and include making clay tiles, candleholder creating and silk screen printing.
Dhs290 (per day kids 12-14). Sun Dec 15-Thu Dec 19, various timings. House 10, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Dubai, www.tashkeel.org (04 336 3313).

My Sports Academy
My Sports Academy is running its popular Black and Yellow camp this winter. Two weeks of high activity fun for sporty kids, little ones can participate in one sport or sample all four. The sports on offer are swimming, football, netball and triathlon. Plus a cool Games Zone allows the kids to enjoy some downtime as they chill out and chat to their friends between sessions. Whether your little people are advanced athletes looking to improve their technique and performance, or total beginners, they will have so much fun at this awesome camp.
Dhs200 (for one day), Dhs500 (for one week). Sun Dec15-Thu Dec 19; Sun Dec 29-Thu Dec Jan 2 (excluding Wed Jan 1). The English College, Al Safa 1, Dubai, www.mysportsacademydubai.com.