Making a plan for the family this summer? Look no further. Here are ten fun activities across the UAE to keep the whole gang happy.
Try a sports camp
Dubai’s Elite Sports Academy is offering a range of holiday camps at eight venues to keep kids aged from four to 14 years old active during July and August. From football, hockey and tennis to dodgeball, basketball, cricket and more, all kids participate in at least six sports daily with their own age group in an air-conditioned sports hall.
From Dhs672 per week. July 7-August 29. Daily, 8.30am-3.30pm(full day) or 8.30am-noon or noon-3.30pm. Various locations including Dubai Sports City and Arabian Ranches, www.elitesports.ae (05 554 59176).
Thai tots
Introduce your mini-me to Asian food at Fuchsia Urban Thai, chicken satay and green curry.
Mains from Dhs25. Open daily 11am-midnight. Various locations including Business Bay (04 425 3080) and Barsha Heights (04 361 7117).
Meet some new critters
There’s a new multi-species exhibit at The Green Planet, where some of Australia’s animals have arrived in City Walk, including a Goanna lizard, snake-neck turtles and wallabies. Plus you can get a new season pass for Dhs265 for kids and Dhs295 for adults.
Open daily 10am-7pm. City Walk, Al Safa Street, Dubai (04 317 3999).
Get creative
Have a budding thespian in your family? The Courtyard Playhouse has launched a storytelling camp, that is based around books by Julia Donaldson including The Gruffalo and Zog.
O From Dhs1,100. Sun-Thu 9am-noon. Jun 30-Jul 18. The Courtyard Playhouse, Al Quoz, Dubai (050 781 2269).
Make a splash
The Splash ’n’ Party summer camp offers a range of water-based activities for kids of all ages from canoeing to snorkelling along with indoor games like table tennis, air hockey, robotics and dance mania. There’s also a new zipline.
Dhs499 (per week). Daily 9am-2pm. Jul 7-Aug 29. Al Safa 2, Jumeirah, Dubai (04 388 3008).
Sports mad
Dwight School is hosting its first summer camp, offering multi-sports activities for kids aged four to 11 years old, from football, gymnastics, dancing and dodgeball to cricket, water sports and obstacle courses, coordinated by coaches from Infinite Sports.
Dhs250 (1 day), Dhs650 (3 days),Dhs900 (5 days). Kids aged 4-11. Daily 9am-2pm. Until August 29. Barsha South, Dubai, www.infinitesportsuae.com (050 432 3589).
Play the Turtlecard
Interested in an app that will save you time and money? TurtleCard allows you to browse kids activities all over Dubai by category, activity, age, distance and date – and book at the click of a button. From ballet, chess and music lessons to KidZania, swimming, football, tennis, robotics and more, the app offers discounts for members on a range of credit plans.
From Dhs179. www.turtlecard.ae (050 137 5766).
Healthy eats
If you’re watching what your family eats, Brambles Café has launched a Lil’ Brambinos’ menu, offering a wholesome selection of nutritious meals for kids up to 12 years old. Dishes include chicken pasta, teriyaki chicken or peanut butter and apple pizza (plus a grilled cheese sarnie for a treat). Save cash by opting for the kids’ combos, where you’ll get a main, side and drink for just Dhs35.
Dhs35. Sun-Thu 6.30am-7.30pm, Fri-Sat 6.30am-5pm. Metro Central Hotel, Barsha Heights, Dubai (04 452 9529).
Get free kids’ club access
Fancy a day out with all the family, that will cool you down not stress you out? Guests at Jumeirah Saadiyat Island can now enjoy complimentary access to a kids club where supervised activities for children up to 12 years old include beach and water sports, arts, crafts and educational sessions on conservation and marine biology.
Free for kids under 12. Ongoing. Jumeirah Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi(02 811 5888).
Yoga for little ones
It’s never too early to teach kids about wellness, correct? Inner Seed’s summer camps offer a range of nutrition talks, yoga and exercise classes for your family.
From Dhs155 per day. Sun-Thu 8.30am-2pm. July 7-11 & July 14-18. The Studio, Villa 42 along Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi (02 621 0000).
