Children's summer camps in Dubai
Our pals at Good magazine have a guide to summer camps in Dubai including Top Chef Summer Camp, Bounce Tramp Camp and more.
Staying in town this summer? With school out, temperatures soaring, and play date options thin on the ground, summer camps are the easy way to keep the little ones active and entertained throughout the hotter months. We’ve rounded up some of the best camps in July and August – and to be honest, some of them are making us we were kids again…
For bookworms
Julia Donaldson Summer Camp
Are your children enchanted by tales of The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom, and The Stick Man? This Julia Donaldson themed camp will introduce children between 4 and 7 years old to a new book from the brilliant author every day, with storytelling, poetry, puppetry, crafts, drama, role-play, face painting, games, and much more.
Dates: 5-9 July / 12-17 July.
Times: Sun-Thurs, 10am-1pm or 2pm-5pm.
Location: The Courthouse Playhouse Theatre, Al Quoz 1
Price: Dhs1,000 per week.
To book: Helena@courtyardplayhouse.com
For performers
Kids’ Theatre Works Summer Drama Camps
Children will be given a theme for a group performance on the first day of this drama-themed summer camp, but it will be up to them to put a unique spin on it. The camp will encourage children to listen to each other and build on ideas – and parents will be invited to see them on stage at the end of the week.
Dates: 5-9 July / 12-16 July / 16-20 August / 23-27 August.
Times: Sun-Thurs, 9am-1pm for 3-4 years, 9am-2pm for 5-6 years, 9am-3pm for 7-14 years.
Location: DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates and Centre for Musical Arts, Gold & Diamond Park, Sheikh Zayed Road.
Price: Dhs900 per week (one-off fee of Dhs150 payment applies to new students).
To book: Register online at kidstheatreworks.com
For imaginative kids
Le Petit Palais Summer Camp
Kids between 3 and 10 years old can join this summer camp, located in a play area designed like a mini French village. With plenty of time to play and explore, organised activities will include art and crafts, learning, competitions, mad science, drama, and dance.
Dates: Weekly until 28 August.
Times: Sun-Thurs, 10am-3pm.
Location: Le Petit Palais, Galeries Lafayette Dubai, 2nd Floor, Dubai Mall.
Price: Dhs650 per week or Dhs140 per day.
To book: (04) 3827333 ext 2754. info@lepetitpalaisdubai.com
For tots
Apple seeds Summer Camp
Now in its fourth year, apple seeds Summer Camp is suitable for children between 2 and 5 years old, who will be happily entertained by an award-winning programme that combines educational themes, creative projects, and social freedom.
Dates: Weekly until 27 August.
Times: Sun-Thurs, 9.15am-11.15am (optional Arabic until 12.15) for 2-early 3 year olds. 9.15am-12.15pm (optional Arabic until 1.15pm) for late 3-5 year olds.
Location: apple seeds Dubai, Gold & Diamond Park.
Ages: 2-5 years old.
Price: Two days Dhs342 (members) or Dhs380 (non members), three days Dhs513/Dhs270, five days Dhs855/Dhs950.
To book: (04) 3806064. hello@appleseedsdubai.com
For science lovers
Mad Science Summer Camp at Atlantis The Palm
Atlantis The Palm is teaming up with Dubai company Mad Science for a summer camp filled with colourful chemistry experiments and noisy reactions. Suitable for little scientists between 3 and 12 years old, kids will have so much fun that they won’t even know they are learning.
Dates: 12-16 July / 2-6 August / 16-20 August.
Times: 9am-5pm.
Location: Atlantis, The Palm
Price: Dhs2,100 per week.
To book: (04) 4261387. kidsclub@atlantisthepalm.com
For little chefs
Top Chef Summer Camp
Held at Top Chef Cooking Studio on Beach Road, this summer camp will teach children between 7 and 12 years old how to cook a basic meal that they will be able to recreate at home. It’s not all cooking though, as art and crafts and yoga sessions are also included.
Dates: Sun-Thurs, weekly from 12 July to 20 August.
Times: Sun-Thurs, 9am – 1.30pm.
Location: Beach Road, Jumeirah 1.
Price: Dhs1,200 per week.
To book: (04) 3855781
For active kids
BOUNCE Tramp Camp
Active kids can burn off energy while having lots of fun at this summer camp, located at BOUNCE trampoline park in Al Quoz. Aimed at children 6 years and above, there will be organised games, races and free jumping throughout the morning, with food included.
Dates: From 19 July.
Times: Sun-Wed, 8.45am-12pm.
Location: Bounce, Al Quoz.
Price: Dhs180 per child.
To book: bounce.ae/trampcamp
For thrill seekers
Kartdrome Camp
Suitable for children between 7 and 15 years old, Kardrome Summer Camp will fill their days with high adrenaline activities, including go-karting, laser tag, simulators, PlayStation tournaments, and exciting team games.
Dates: Weekly until 3 September.
Times: 9am-1pm.
Location: MotorCity.
Price: Dhs995 per week.
To book: (050) 4294860. info@gulfstarsports
For budding ballerinas
James & Alex Dance Studios Kids Summer Ballet Camp
Book little ballerinas into this weekly summer camp for 3 to 7 years olds where they will learn the fundamentals of ballet, along with aspects of stage and costume design, before performing for parents at the end of the week.
Dates: Weekly until 28 August.
Times: 9am-1pm.
Location: Concord Tower, Media City.
Price: Dhs500 per week.
To book: (04) 4470773
For artsy kids
DUCTAC’s ‘imagine’ summer art camp
We often find ourselves amazed at children’s crazy imaginations, which is why DUCTAC’s 2015 summer camp is designed to nourish and nurture campers’ creativity from ages 5 to 11 through physical, creative and intellectual exercises over six weeks. They can expect drama games, yoga, dance, printmaking, sculpture, painting and more.
Dates: Weekly until 6 August (may change depending on Ramadan dates).
Times: Sun-Thurs, 9.30am-1.30pm.
Location: DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates.
Price: Dhs900 per week, with discounts available for additional weeks.
To book: (04) 3414777. artsreception@ductac.org
For technical whizz kids
Tiny Feet Summer Camp
Held at the UAE’s first technologically-enhanced nursery, children between 6 months and 6 years will be introduced to information technology in a fun, educational way. Expect interactive floors, gesture-based walls, interactive tables, multi-touch screens and augmented reality animations. The camp will also involve art, science, gardening, aqua play, and lots more.
Dates: Sun-Thurs, until 31 August.
Times: Sun-Thurs, 8am-1pm, 1pm-5.30pm, or 8am-5.30pm.
Location: Tiny Feet Nursery, Villa 8, Anyar Street, Umm Suqeim 3.
Price: Dhs350 per week for mornings, Dhs280 for afternoons, and Dhs630 for full days. Discounts for longer bookings.
To book: (04) 3809919. info@tinyfeetnurseries.com
