Activity centre
Fun City
One of the larger activity centres in the city, with a rickety looking shark roller coaster and an extremely popular dodgem cars facility.
Open Sun-Wed 10am-10:30pm; Thu 10am-midnight; Fri 1pm-midnight; Sat 10am-11pm. Marina Mall, Ras Al Akhdar, www.funcity.ae (02 681 5527).
Fun Zone
Not one of the more wholesome kids’ zones, feeling more like a den of vice with its dark corners and neon lights.
Open daily 10am-1am. Al Mariah Mall, Al Markaziyah (050 792 1860).
Hili Fun city
This park now has a total of 31 attractions, ranging from thrilling rides for teenagers and young adults, to fun family rollercoaster’s and gentle rides for the little ones, as well as an amphitheatre and a 3D Action Cinema.
Al Ain (03 784 5542).
Kidoos
Shoe-horned into a third floor corner, this isn’t big on choice. The climbing wall is extremely popular, however.
Open daily 10am-10pm. Abu Dhabi Mall, Tourist Club Area (02 645 9070).
Sparky’s
A veritable theme park within a shopping centre, this is among the better cared-for activity zones within the city. Roller coasters and ice rinks aplenty.
Open Sat-Thu 10am-midnight; Fri 1pm-midnight. Khalidiyah Mall (02 635 4316).
Wanasa Land
Another excellent facility, with plenty of action, from a kind of Strike Zone to roller coasters to kids’ hair salons. A strict ‘no bachelor’ policy makes it a more family-friendly zone than most.
Open daily 10am-midnight. Al Wahda Mall, www.wanasaland.com (02 443 7654).
Whiz Kidz
Skill Development A range of activities are on offer, including drawing, painting, arithmetic training, calligraphy, public speaking and etiquette.
Jumbo Electronics building, Defence Road, Al Markaziyah, Closed for Ramadan (02 641 7450).
Antenatal courses
Cryo-Save
Free Antenatal Sessions on Cord Blood Stem Cell Banking. Private presentations in English and Arabic available.
Open Sun-Fri 9am-5pm. www.cryo-save.com (050 445 2066).
Arts and crafts
Abu Dhabi Pottery
Catering to children aged five and over. Homa, the teacher, is great with the kids. Dhs200-360 per month for four sessions, plus a clay, glazing and firing fee.
Open Sun 10.30am-11.30am, 4.30pm-5.30pm; Mon 4.30pm-5.30pm, 6pm-7.30pm. 16th Street, Khalidiya Gardens, Al Khalidiyah, www.abudhabi pottery.com (02 666 7079).
Dance
Expressions of Dance & Drama
Ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre, hip hop and drama at an affordable price per term.
Open Sun-Thu 9am-1pm, 2.30pm-5.30pm. ADCB Building, Al Muroor, www.expressions-dance.net (02 448 2778).
Turning Pointe
RAD ballet, hip hop, a glee club (TP Glee) and street jazz in Al Raha and on the island for children aged three and over.
www.turningpointe.ae (800 32623).
Etiquette
Etiquette House
Improve the social skills of your little one. Five two-hour children’s protocol classes with Jasmin Dibsi.
(050 612 7443).
Football
Abu Dhabi Auskick
Fun activities for boys and girls aged four-12 and their parents based on Australian Rules Football.
Open Fri 10am-11am. Al Karamah (050 811 9749).
Abu Dhabi Football Academy
Football (soccer) classes for children aged four and above.
arious venues, Al Ghazal Golf Club, British School Al Khubairat, Gems American Academy, Aldar Academies Pearl Primary School, www.esportsdubai.com (050 286 1041).
Manchester United Soccer Schools
Open to children aged seven-16 who want to develop skills on and off the pitch.
Dhs1,650 for 10 weeks. Sat-Tue. The Dome@Rawdhat, Airport Road, Abu Dhabi, www.manutdsoccerschools.ae (02 449 8480).
Golf
Abu Dhabi Golf Club
ADGC ensures children aren’t left out of the fairway action.
Call for the latest kidtastic offers. Daily 6am-midnight. Junior lessons Thu 3pm-4pm. Dhs35 (non-members), Dhs20 (members). Sas Al Nakhl, www.adgolfclub.com (02 558 8990).
Junior Academy Programme
The Abu Dhabi City Golf Club offers a junior programme. Great for making new friends and getting some much-needed fresh air.
Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Al Mushrif, www.adcitygolf.ae (02 445 9600).
Horse riding
Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club
The Equestrian Club offers the usual riding lessons, but is also keen to nurture in its young riders a love for the animals that this centre regularly saves.
Private lessons Sat-Thu 7am-10am. Group lessons Sat-Wed 4.30pm-8.30pm. Near Immigration Office, Al Mushrif, www.adec-web.com (02 445 5500).
Languages
French Alliance
Children can learn French in a fun way. All levels of certified classes. Free access to a library for learners and preferential rates on all activities.
Near Choithram supermarket, Al Khalidiyah, www.af-aboudabi.net (02 666 6232).
Martial arts
Abu Dhabi Combat Club
Judo and jiu-jitsu for younger children and kick-boxing lessons for kids in their mid-teens.
Phone for details. Dhs150 per month. Near Immigration Office, Al Mushrif (02 443 0355).
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort
Karate classes for all levels and all abilities.
Corniche Road East, Al Markaziyah (02 697 0272).
Music
International Music Institute
Tuition in piano, woodwind, brass, strings and drums. Exams are conducted by the Associate Board of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM).
Open daily 9am-noon, 3pm-8.30pm. Bin Halyal building, Zayed the 1st Street, Al Khalidiyah (02 621 1949).
Nurseries & playgroups
Jigsaw Nursery & Crèche
A nursery and crèche that follows a British and Australian curriculum, and offers a creative learning environment.
Dhs900 per month and Dhs25 per hour for crèche club. Al Rowdah, www.jigsaw-nursery.com (02 445 5222).
Party supplies
Party Centre
The biggest party supply store in the Middle East, with more than 15,000 exciting items, including the largest selection of balloons, party supplies, accessories, costumes, and decorations for children and adults – a must visit.
Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri 2pm-11pm. Al Raha Mall, Al Raha Beach, www.mypartycentre.com (02 556 5563).
Sailing
Abu Dhabi International Sailing School
The school is part of Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club. The focus is on sailing lessons for children over eight – they must be good swimmers.
Lessons from Dhs180 for two-and-a-half hours and from Dhs900 for eight lessons. Open daily 9am-3pm. Opposite Marina Mall, next to Havana Café, Ras Al Akhdar (02 681 3446).
Sports club
Abu Dhabi Country Club
Taekwondo, swimming, tennis and a basketball team are all available for kids to try.
19th Street – Al Saada Street, Al Mushrif, www.adhfc.com (02 657 7777).
Swimming
Le Méridien Abu Dhabi
Swimming lessons in a popular, scenic location. Get the kids learning while you head off to the Eden Spa.
Open daily 8am-9pm. Electra Street, Tourist Club Area, www.abudhabi.lemeridien.com (050 782 1337).
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort
Swimming lessons with a qualified swimming instructor. Group and individual sessions are available.
Corniche Road East, Al Markaziyah (02 697 0272).
Toys
Journey Toys
An online toy store that aims to encourage learning through play. Toys are suitable for newborns through to tweens, and meet US safety standards.
Delivery on the island of Abu Dhabi is free. www.journeytoys.ae. Arabic: 050 443 3509; English: 050 622 6105.
