School’s out for summer and the little ones are bound to drive you round the bend. Whether they’re sports fans, future engineers, or crafty creators, the capital’s slew of summer camps feature a variety of ways to keep the rugrats entertained all summer long
Sports and beyond
Zayed Sports City’s summer camp, which bills itself as the longest programme in the city, is perfect for working parents or those looking to keep the tykes out of their hair. The third edition offers weekly camps with daily rates. Activities range from active to pensive, with ice skating, bowling, table tennis, songs, dance parties and movies all on the agenda. The sports complex’s camp proves popular, so be sure to book in advance. Offering both spring and summer camps every year, parents rate the staff’s professionalism and quality of activities highly, and continue to bring their little ones back for more. This year’s summer camp will be held from 3rd to 28th August from 8.30am to 5.30pm on weekdays. Rates start at AED 250 per day, inclusive of lunch, snack and activities. AED 800 per week when booked before 26th June or AED 900. For more information, call: 02 403 4200
Make a Splash
If the wee ones are eager to make a splash this summer, sign them up for Sheraton Abu Dhabi’s summer camp. A range of activities including table tennis, treasure hunts, water polo, banana boat rides and sand castle construction will make for an unforgettable summer break. Meanwhile, parents can enjoy complimentary use of the gym and resort without a chiding child. One parent or guardian per child. Daily, weekly and monthly options are available between June and August. The daily fee is AED 125 including a healthy lunch. From 9.30am to 2pm. To book your space, call: 02 697 0272
Quest for the best
If your little ones are brimming with fanciful ideas, it’s time to put their imagination to good use. The Little Gym’s Super Kids’ Quest Summer Camp takes the tykes on a three-hour adventure, based on exciting missions to be completed. Each day focuses on a new storyline from ‘Gerty, The Good Mannered Gorilla’ to ‘The Race to Outer Space!’ that incorporates key skills from teamwork to cognitive development. Children aged three to ten are welcome to join the camp, which runs from 1pm to 4pm, Monday to Thursday. There will also be a two-hour after-iftar session from 9pm to 11pm on select days. AED 250 per day, AED 850 per week or AED 3,000 for a month of unlimited sessions. From 30th June to 28th August. To book, e-mail: [email protected]
Summer around the world
Travel the globe with Sesame Street Private Nursery’s ‘Summer around the world’ camp. Each week, the wee ones will focus on a different country, pinpointing it on the map, learning words from the language, enjoying traditional music and dance, cooking authentic food and creating arts and crafts based on landmarks and celebrations. Weekly camps run from 8th to 22nd June. Little ones will travel to Brazil, where they’ll join in a samba parade; Germany for a child-friendly Grimms’ fairy tale; and Italy to bake pizza. Each day’s activities start from 8am to 2.30pm with non-stop activities to keep the excitement going. Children do not have to be registered with the nursery to join. The camp welcomes children from 18-months to five-years-old. AED 1,000 per week. To register or find out more, call: 02 448 8424
It’s TECHtastic
Whizz kids will love this lab-based camp, offered by the world’s leading technology-based curriculum provider, Computer Explorers. The organisation’s ‘Fungineering’ camp will teach techy tykes engineering, computer programming, mathematics and more as they build their own robotic creation, learn the art of app development and even film their own clay animation series! Free exploration time will give the little ones a chance to explore the lab’s facilities. Camp TECHtastic is available for children aged six to 12 and 11 to 15. The first cycle begins 29th June from 9am to noon. AED 1,600. Held at Little World Discovery Center, Nation Galleria, Corniche. To register, e-mail: [email protected]
Discover summer
Little World UAE presents its Little Discovery Camp. Combining education with entertainment, the camp allows little ones from five to ten-years-old to experiment, discover, engineer and challenge themselves through two months of hands-on activities and play-based explorations in the centre’s discovery zones. Engineering enthusiasts can keep their hands busy designing and constructing their own recycling car or don a lab coat to test water surface tension. Future marine biologists will enjoy examining fish morphology while budding archaeologists can uncover fossils. From 29th June to 28th August, 9.30am to 12.30pm. AED 240 per day, AED 1,000 per week. Campers must register at least one week in advance. To book, e-mail: [email protected]
Emirates Kindercare
Here’s one for the tiny tots. Keep the wee ones entertained at Emirates Kindercare Nursery’s summer camp where children aged two to five can enjoy a slew of indoor and outdoor activities. From days dedicated to ice cream, rainbows, magic and bubbles to ballet classes, a prehistoric adventure, Qur’an studies and even Ramadan and Eid celebrations, your little ones will have plenty to look forward to. AED 312 per week, AED 1,250 per month. From 15th June to 28th August at 8.30am to 3.30pm, and 8.30am to 2.30pm during Ramadan. For more information, call: 02 681 9371
Let’s Go Yoga
Whether your little ones need help focusing or just need a change of pace, kids yoga is worth a go. Helping to build concentration, coordination and strength, these fun sessions will boost their patience, self-confidence and teamwork. Local yoga company, Let’s Go Yoga, begins its Tuesday sessions for three to five-year-old mini-yogis from 24th June at Kool Kidz in World Trade Centre Mall. Children aged six to eleven-years-old can take part every Tuesday at Barefoot Creative Play at Capital Plaza Towers next to Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche. Not convinced? Head to Kool Kidz on 8th June at 3.45pm for a trial session. Spaces are limited so advanced registration is essential. To find out more, email: [email protected] or call: 050 349 2336.
A potty summer
If you’ve got a creative kiddie, put their artistic talents to good use at this pottery and ceramics summer camp. Professional potter and children’s charmer, Homa Farley, offers the little ones a chance to express themselves all summer with a series of classes including drawing and sketching, ceramic tile design, making pinch pots and beads and spinning pots on the pottery wheel. For children five-years-old and up. Running from 15th June to 30th August. 11am to 1pm and 4.30pm to 6.30pm. AED 150 per session, AED 550 for four sessions, AED 1,000 for eight. Advanced booking required. For more information, call: 02 666 7079
Kool Kidz
Beat the heat and stay cool at the Kool Summer Camp where the tykes can enjoy a range of exciting activities, arts and crafts, free play in the edutainment zones, jewellery making, karaoke, dance and much more. Papa Murphy’s Pizza gets busy in the kitchen with mini-chefs while local company, Ball Skills, will host special sporting activities. Kool Kidz’s camp starts 29th June for children aged three to eight. 9am to 1.30pm. AED 175 per day including lunch or AED 800 per week. For more information, call: 02 677 0954
School of smiles
Giggles School announces its ‘Happy Kids’ camp during July and August for children aged six to 13. The school’s summer series will keep the little ones entertained with games, performing arts, karate, health and nutrition, aerobics, basketball and more. For more information, call: 056 388 6338
Sowing seeds of summer
British Orchard Nursery’s summer camp helps address parents’ concerns for their children over the summer. Providing children with plenty of exercise in their spacious indoor gym, the little ones can make good use of the shaded gym equipment, while also taking part in stories, cookery classes, interactive computer activities and more. For more information, call: 02 443 9892
Rachael Peacock
