12 summer camps in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for children to try

School’s almost out for the summer and, if you’re looking for ways to keep your tots active, you’re in luck. A number of venues in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have launched summer camps to keep children entertained. From sports to arts and crafts, here are some camps that will keep them busy while developing new skills along the way. Whether you’re looking to help children learn new skills or tire them out, Bounce’s holiday camp may be your best bet. Open to adventure enthusiasts 2 years and above, the sessions will help them take their freestyle to the next level, under the supervision of experts. There will be games, parkour training and lunch at the half-day camp that runs from Sundays to Thursdays, with daily and weekly packages available. Sunday, July 4 to Thursday, August 26; timings differ according to location; Dh190 for daily sessions and Dh750 for weekly; Bounce Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Al Quoz and Dubai Festival City; bounce.ae/holiday-camp The outdoor adventure hub on Hudayriyat Island comprises four parks, and children aged 6 and above can get access to all of them through its five-day summer camp. Running on weekdays, the camp will include indoor and outdoor activities including zip lining, boatbuilding, sensory games, and arts and crafts. There will be also be the chance to compete in a parkour competition. July 4 to Thursday, August 5; 8.30am to 2pm; Dh220 for a daily pass and Dh799 for a weekly, with sibling tickets available for Dh659; Hudayriyat Island; 02 691 0302; circuitxuae.com The hotel has teamed up with The Pro Kids Sport club management to bring back its Emirates Palace Kids Camp. Open to those aged 3 to 14 years, the camp includes swimming, kickboxing, wakeboarding and Zumba classes, with the option to sign up for individual days or weekly packages. Parents are invited to experience an introduction class for Dh150, with packages available thereafter. July 4 to August 26; 8.30am to 3.30pm; Dh275 for a daily pass and Dh1,255 for a weekly, with a 20 per cent discount for siblings; Corniche Road; 02 690 7311; mandarinoriental.com It's all about fitness and creativity at Erth Abu Dhabi (previously Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel), which has launched a camp by Etizan Fitness with an array of sports and recreational programmes. Available for children between 3 to 14 years, from Sundays to Thursdays, activities on offer include swimming, water polo, basketball, football, fitness, martial arts, gymnastics and aqua gym, as well as colouring and art sessions. Packages with and without meals are available. Until August 26; 9am to 2pm; prices range from Dh450 to Dh3,400 depending on duration and meals provided; Khor Al Maqta, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Road; 02 497 5229; etizan.ae The language centre has camps for both native and non-native French speakers. If you want your child to pick up a new language over the summer holidays, you can sign them up for the weekly camps with different themes. The sessions will include a one-and-a-half hour daily French class, arts and crafts activities, and time in the library. July 4 to Thursday, July 29; Dh1,075 per week for ages 4 to 6, from 9am to 1pm; Dh1,620 for ages 7 to 9, from 9am to 3pm; Oud Mehta and Knowledge Park; 04 244 6563; afdubai.org/camp The artistic hub will host daily and weekly classes to foster creative learning. With themes such as “The Art of Explosions and Eruptions”, “The History of the Universe” and “Mysteries of the Natural World”, each week is designed to be different yet fun and informative. Daily sessions include a blend of games, art and science, and children between the ages of 4 and 12 are welcome (they are divided into four groups, on the basis of age). Until August 26; 9.30am to 1pm; Dh294 for a daily class, Dh1,260 for a weekly pass; Wisdom Warehouse, Al Quoz; 04 333 3464; alserkal.online/event/wisdom-warehouse-summer-camp Emaar Entertainment’s Dig It has launched five-day summer camps where children between the ages of 3 and 10 can play, learn and stay active. There will be workshops on games, dance and accessory making at these half-day sessions that encourage children to develop their teamwork and social skills, and make new friends. July 4 to August 26; 9am to 1pm; Dh170 for daily classes or Dh650 for a week; The Springs Souk; 04 438 4479; digitdubai.com The popular gym chain will be launching summer camps in three locations – The Lakes, The Springs and Mudon – to keep those between the ages of 4 and 12 active. Some activities to keep them busy include tennis, splash sessions, Xfit Kids, football, Zumba, dodgeball and boxing. The classes will take place Sunday to Thursday from 8.30am to 1pm, with daily and weekly packages available. Sunday, July 11 to August 26; 8.30am to 1pm; Dh150 per day or Dh665 for five days; uae.fitnessfirstme.com The popular “play museum” has launched two experiences to keep children entertained this summer. The Discoverer’s Camp will take place in the morning and follows a time travel theme, taking them on a journey to explore the pre-historic, modern and future eras, complete with hands-on activities and challenges. The Adventurer’s Camp will be over afternoons and will focus on active play and experiments with unique themes for each day: Science Sundays, Messy Mondays, Tech Tuesdays, Wacky Wednesdays and Treasure Hunt Thursdays are designed to sharpen imaginations. There are a number of timing and price options, with discounts for siblings, as well as longer durations. The camps are open to children aged 4 to 11, and divided into groups according to age. July 4 to August 26; morning, afternoon and all-day sessions available; Discoverer’s Camp is priced at Dh1,090 per week and Adventurer’s Camp is Dh790 per week, the full day camp is Dh1,650 per week; Al Quoz; 04 702 7300; olioli.ae The restaurant is offering parents some much-needed respite by teaming up with Sharm Circus School to launch circus-themed summer camps. Running Sunday to Thursday, parents of children between the ages of 4 and 7 can book either one, three or five-day packages. There are 20 slots available each week, with the morning classes including activities such as children’s yoga, arts and crafts, ribbon dancing and more. July 4 to Thursday, July 15; 8.30am to 2pm; Dh300 for a day, Dh435 for three days and Dh950 for five days; The Lakes; 04 454 2638; reformsocialgrill.ae If you’ve been wanting to introduce your children to the best The Dubai Mall has to offer, here’s your chance. The mall’s summer camp gives them access to its many attractions, from the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo (where they can enjoy a glass bottom boat ride, a behind-the-scenes tour and engage in fish feeding), to the Dubai Ice Rink, KidZania and the VR Park. It also includes a ticket to a movie at Reel Cinemas and At The Top Burj Khalifa experience, complete with a souvenir from the gift shop. Tickets can be bought at any of The Dubai Mall attractions. Sunday, June 20 to Wednesday, August 25; Dh599 for a four-day camp; thedubaimall.com This one is for all little zoologists and animal-lovers. The indoor tropical rainforest has launched a summer camp to let those between the ages of 5 and 12 get up close to nature. Activities include animal encounters, bio-dome explorations, nature-inspired arts and crafts, and scavenger and treasure hunts within the tropical environment. Children will also be involved with various planting sessions to nurture their green thumbs. Sessions take place from Sunday to Wednesday, and packages are available with and without meals. July 4 to Wednesday, August 18; 9am to 2pm; Dh225 per day or Dh750 per week; City Walk; 800 7699; dxbvenues.com/en/camps/summer-camp-2021

12 summer camps in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for children to try

Whether it’s teaching them new skills or keeping them active, these fun programmes have it covered