Join a club
Opened January this year, the Abu Dhabi Country Club Sports School caters for children ages four-14. It offers varied classes including martial arts, ball games and dance. There’s also a kids’ fitness gym for 10-17-year-olds.
Open daily 7am-11pm. Dhs400 for one month (Dhs300 for members). Swimming lessons Dhs600 for one month (Dhs500 for members). All classes are open to both members and non-members. Contact 02 657 7765; www.adhfc.com
Boasting various sports and recreational facilities, including family-friendly options such as bowling, table tennis, billiards and paintball (call 050 745 4199 to book), the Armed Forces Officers’ Club will be open through the summer. The club has both indoor and outdoor football courts, as well as volleyball and tennis courts. There’s a play area for little ones and water slides for swimming pool fun.
Contact 02 441 5900 ext 5020
Do something different
To experience the thrill of skydiving without the need to jump out of an aeroplane, visit Spacewalk – the indoor skydiving facility at the Abu Dhabi Health and Fitness Centre. You’ll have as much fun laughing at your family having a go as you will actually doing it. Open from 9am-11pm to ages three and above, prices start from Dhs180 for two minutes.
Contact 02 657 7777 or 02 446 3653
Every Friday between 6.30pm and 8pm, members of The Club are invited to become human table football players at the Friday Family Foosball event. No this isn’t punishment for not paying their fees, but actually a fun alternative to football.
Contact 02 673 1111 to find out membership fees
If you have more than one child, we’re willing to put money on the chances you’ve had to pull them apart from a wrestling match more than a few times. Well if you take them along to the Abu Dhabi Wrestling Club, they can play fight to their hearts’ content and, best of all, it’s free! And forget about the violence (and spandex and silly masks) you see on TV; wrestling is a great way to get kids active and let their frustrations out in a safe environment.
Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Judo and Wrestling Hall, Sun & Tue 4pm-5pm, 6-11yrs; 5pm-6.30pm 12+ yrs; Thu 4pm-5.30pm 12+ yrs. Contact Ryan Sargeant 050 660 2818 / ryan.sargeant@adec.ac.ae or Calum McNeil 050 612 6014 / cmneil@emirates.net.ae
Get creative
Housed at the Al Hosn Fort & Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, the Talents and Creativity Centre offers classes in music, art and languages. The centre is for children aged six-15 and groups run on a monthly basis. This summer, classes will include drawing, languages, calligraphy, piano and many more. The centre has also teamed up with Summer in Abu Dhabi, with dedicated stalls including reading corners and a cultural heritage area.
Contact 02 657 6365; info@cultural.org.ae; www.adach.ae
Run by award-winning ceramic artist Homa Vafaie-Farley, Abu Dhabi Pottery caters to children aged five and above (and their parents) with regular workshops. Younger children are welcome for one-off sessions creating handprints in clay. The centre is highly popular, so classes must be booked in advance.
Classes daily at 10.30am and 4.30pm. Dhs85 for one session, Dhs280 for four. 16th street, next to Khalidiya Garden, Contact 02 666 7079; mail@abudhabipottery.com; www.abudhabipottery.com
Chill out
To really cool down this summer, visit the Olympic-sized Abu Dhabi Ice Rink at Zayed Sports City. Sessions last for two hours. Entry is Dhs5 and an extra Dhs20 for anyone skating. The rink is open seven days a week, but times and schedules vary so ring ahead on 02 444 8458. Marina Mall’s Snow World (02 681 8506) also boasts a rink, although slightly more pricey at Dhs40 for an hour.
Opening times are Sat-Thu 10am-10pm, Friday 11am-1pm
Get nocturnal
Head to the Garden City to experience animals like never before at the Al Ain Night Zoo. Open from 4pm to midnight daily, the zoo allows visitors the rare experience of seeing what its inhabitants get up to once the lights go out. The zoo boasts big cats, crocodiles, monkeys and many more animals, including those native to the UAE. Friday opening times are earlier (10am until midnight) for those who can’t stay up too late, or are afraid of the dark!
Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort (AWPR), follow signposts across Al Ain City. Dhs15 adults, Dhs5 children. Under threes go free. Contact 03 782 8188
Strike it lucky
With eight locations across the emirates (including the Abu Dhabi Mall), Bowling City offers billiards, arcades, karaoke, food, party venues and, of course, ten-pin bowling. To find your closest location, log on to www.bowling-city.com. Bowling lanes can also be found at the Abu Dhabi Health and Fitness Club (02 657 7777) and the Khalifa International Bowling Centre (02 403 4648)
Get your groove on
Summer in Abu Dhabi is hosting an attraction called ‘Dance-tricity’, where the dance floor captures the dancer’s energy and converts it into electricity, which is used to power the music and lighting. If this inspires you, check out these venues that hold dance classes all year round:
Emirates School of Ballet Prices start at Dhs500 (+ uniform) for a seasonal session (around two months).
Contact 02 667 6579
Talents and Creativity Centre Al Hosn Fort & Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation.
Contact 02 657 6365; info@cultural.org.ae; www.adach.ae
Abu Dhabi Country Club (ADCC) Sports School Dhs400 for one month of lessons (Dhs300 for members).
Contact 02 657 7765; www.adhfc.com
