Summer holidays can be fun and relaxing but at the same it can be very daunting for parents. The prospect of filling the season with engaging activities to keep the kids entertained and the ‘I’m boreds’ at a minimum can be little challenging.
While the temperatures hitting the 40s in Dubai may get truly scorching, it should not be your main concern. From the best summer camps and water sports to indoor summer activities, we’ve put together some ideas on how to keep your kids moving and be creative during this summer.
| Best Summer Camps in Dubai | Dubai Indoor Summer activities | At-home DIY summer activities |
| Aventura | Oli Oli | Make ice-cream |
| The Green Planet Summer Camp | Mercato Mall | Science experiments |
| EMAAR Entertainment Summer camps | Indoor Petting Zoo, Dubai Festival Plaza | Play water balloons |
| Hamilton Aquatics | Kidzania | Creative Painting |
| Huna Aquatics | Bake Together | |
| Woo-Hoo | Play board games | |
| Set up a treasure hunt |
Best Summer Camps in Dubai
Aventura
An adventurous summer camp at the Largest Adventure Zipline park in the Middle East? Yeah, you do it right! The Aventura Life Skills Holiday Camp is a haven for all adrenalin junkies. It is specially designed for kids aged 5-12 years.
Aventura indoor summer camp will last for eight weeks in summer with exciting themes such as Under the Sea, Lost in Space, Jurassic Week, Forest Life, Forensics Week, Camp Olympics and more. All camps include elements of science, art and physical activities as well as nature and sustainability.
- Dates: July 10th – August 18th
- Location: Mushrif Park
- Timings: 9:00 AM – 2:15 PM
- Cost: Dhs725 per week, Dhs35 per hour for extended hours.
Museum of the Future
The Museum of the Future is hosting an unforgettable summer camp for kids between the ages of six and 13. From July 17 to August 10, Monday through Thursday, children will engage in a range of captivating experiences and enjoyable activities centered around four exciting themes: space exploration, sustainability and ecology, happiness and wellbeing, and technology.
Located in the financial district of Dubai, the Museum of the Future has three main elements: green hill, building, and void. The green hill represents the earth, while the gleaming, futuristic oval building symbolizes humankind. The structure’s void signifies innovation. The Museum explores how society could evolve in the coming decades using science and technology.
Museum of the Future, Dubai. July 17 to August 10, Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 3.30pm. Dhs1,299 per week. museumofthefuture.ae
The Green Planet Summer Camp
The Green Planet is Dubai’s indoor tropical rainforest and has more than 3000 plants and animals.
The Green Planet is bringing back the ‘Summer Camp in the Rainforest’ running throughout the summer season. The eco-based camp starts from 10th July and runs until August 24th, hosted from Monday to Thursday for children between 5 to 12 years of age. There will be nature-inspired fun activities, animal interactions, sustainable-themed explorations of the bio-dome, treasure hunts and surprises galore.
- Cost: 4 days at AED 650 or for a daily price of AED 200. You can also add on a packed lunch for Dhs40 per day or Dhs160 a week.
- Timing: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Mon – Thur
- Location: City Walk – Al Wasl – Dubai
Dubai Mall Summer Camp
Embarking on an exciting journey, the Dubai Mall Summer Camp invites children aged 3 to 14 to four days of thrilling and educational activities.
Taking place every Monday to Thursday from July 3 until August 31, this camp offers an array of captivating experiences. Kids can wander into wonder and witness marine life at its best at the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, step into a world of fun and learning at KidZania, experience the magic of movies at Reel Cinemas, glide on ice at Dubai Ice Rink, enjoy thrilling games at PlayDXB and reach new heights at the world’s tallest building At the Top, Burj Khalifa. The Dubai Mall Summer Camp offers two distinct programs: one tailored for children aged three to six, where adult supervision is required, and another designed for seven to 14-year-olds, both led by the highly skilled team of Dubai Mall Summer Camp.
Monday to Thursday from 9:00AM – 3:00PM; Dhs799 (four days including lunch), Dhs699 (four days without lunch). Jul 3 – Aug 31. Book here.
McDonald’s
This summer, McDonald’s UAE is reintroducing its incredibly popular Mini Crew Camp. Running from July 10 to August 23, children aged five to ten will have the opportunity to attend.
Through this camp, kids will learn the basics of working at a McDonald’s restaurant including on-floor training, burger and ice cream making in addition to learning the fundamentals on the importance of sharing and taking care of the environment. They can also unleash their creativity, forge new friendships, and have a hands-on experience crafting their beloved McDonald’s meals from the ground up.
Dhs100 (per day). Jul 10-Jul 12, Jul 24-Jul 26, Jul 31 -Aug 2, Aug 7 – Aug 9, Aug 14-Aug 16, Aug 21-Aug 23. 11am-2pm or 3pm-6pm. Al Bustan Centre, Jumeirah Beach, Spinneys, Al Karama, Lulu Village, Muhaisnah.
Huna Aquatics
Huna Aquatics is the perfect combination of summer camp and field trips. ‘The action-packed summer camp run by Huna Aquatics allows kids to enjoy a trip to Wild Wadi and the Jumeirah turtle sanctuary, water sports and games, arts and crafts, board games, gaming, dance, swimming lessons, cooking classes, movies, LEGO, plus plenty of time to play on the jungle gym and trampoline.
Age Groups: 4 to 13 years old
Dates: July 10th – Aug 26th; Mon – Fri.
Timing: 9:00AM – 1:30PM
Cost: Regular Price: AED 550 per week, Daily: AED 149
Locations: Circle Mall, JVC. Lunch will be provided daily at LOUI Restaurant and Dice Cafe.
Woo-Hoo
This summer camp will take your curious little one to travel around the world in just forty days. Woohoo! The world tour begins from North America, followed by Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, South America, Central America, and end in the Islands. Your kids can explore iconic landmarks like Notre Dame, Ancient Rome and The Pyramids by engaging in hands-on activities and learning bits of information about each place they virtually visit.
Age Group: 4 – 9 years old
Dates: 3rd July – 25th August
Cost: From AED 990 per week | AED 35 per meal (They offer sibling discounts)
Timings: 08:30AM – 01:30PM; Read here.
OliOli
Oli Oli, meaning ‘Joy’ in Hawaiian, is an experiential interactive play museum located in Al Quoz. It features eight galleries and more than 40 exhibits spread across two floors inspired by the work of leading educators, artists and developments psychologists. Oli Oli encourages kids to learn with play at these dedicated spaces: Air Gallery, Water Gallery, Incredi-Balls, Creative Lab, Future Park, Toshi’s Nets, Mission Oli Oli, Toddler Gallery and Cars & Ramps.
OliOli’s summer camp offers a thrilling getaway for children aged 4 to 10 who crave action and excitement. With four captivating themes to choose from, including Jurrasic Blast for dinosaur enthusiasts, Cosmic Blast for intergalactic adventures, Mess Blast for creative mess-makers, and Tinker Blast for skill-building enthusiasts, there’s something to suit every child’s interests. The summer camps at OliOli provide three daily schedules—morning, afternoon, and all day.
OliOli, July 3 to August 25. Morning camp 9.30am to 1.30pm. Ages four to 10 years old. Weekly rate Dhs1,090. Tel:(0)47027300. olioli.ae
Expo City
From July 10 to August 18, Expo City Dubai will be the venue for an exciting summer camp catering to children aged 5 to 11.
Nestled within the Terra: The Sustainability Pavilion, this camp promises a delightful blend of comic book creation, water-based fun, and engaging hands-on activities covering various themes such as sports, robotics, creativity, art, health, and wellness, as well as ‘Terranauts: Survivor Skills’. Running from Monday to Friday, the camp’s operating hours are from 9 a.m. until 2.30 p.m., with convenient options available for early drop-off and late pick-up.
Dhs165 (one day), Dhs735 (1 week), Dhs1980 (3 weeks), Dhs3465 (6 weeks), Dhs60 (early drop-off or late pick up per day), Dhs275 (early drop-off or late pick up per week), Dhs100 for extra late pick up). July 10 – Aug 18.
Dubai Indoor Summer activities
Mercato Mall
This Italian-themed mall is hosting various exciting family experiences this summer during the Dubai Summer Surprises festival. Kids and adults can enjoy their incredible circus, magic show, kids workshop and roaming performances promising families a spectacular time at the venue. The circus shows changes upon every two weeks such as Mongolian, European, Russian etc.
What’s more, everyone’s favorite slide is back at the mall where you can slide again and again. Don’t forget to carry your socks before leaving from home.
Location: Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 1
Cost: Free
Indoor Petting Zoo, Dubai Festival Plaza
If your little ones love pets, head to Festival Plaza, Jebel Ali where a fun pet festival is taking place. As a part of Dubai Summer Surprises, it will run throughout July.
Every Saturday and Sunday, from 10am to 6pm, you will find a number of animals including red foot tortoises, snakes, rabbits, a goat, hamsters, guinea pigs, a hedgehog and a friendly iguana at the indoor petting zoo. There will also be a number of colorful birds present including a South American blue and gold macaw parrot, an Indian ring-necked parrot and budgies.
Spend 20AED anywhere in the mall and use your receipt as entry to the indoor zoo.
Kidzania
Kidzania in Dubai Mall is a 7,000 square meter city of fun with over 40 activities for children aged 4 to 16 years. Children can tackle real-life scenarios like adults, role-play different jobs like pilots, firefighters, doctors, and even actors. They can also earn special ‘Kidzania’ currency.
- Ticket Price: Starts from AED 80
- Timings: 10AM to 10PM
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At-home DIY summer activities
Assuming most of us can’t afford to send our kids to summer camp all summer long. Instead, you can create your own summertime magic by hosting your very own DIY summer activities at home, as few shared below:
Make ice-cream
Every kid loves ice-cream. Instead of buying it, making ice-cream is a great activity to do in the summer with your kids. Making a basic vanilla or chocolate ice cream is easy and delicious. You can also try making different flavours like mango strawberry or watermelon sorbet.
Science experiments
Cure the curiosity of your little ones with some interesting science experiments. Although it can be a little messy, it will be really exciting for kids of all ages.
Some of the popular science experiments carried out at home are walking water experiment, Baking Soda volcano experiment, dancing spaghetti experiment etc.
Play water balloons
Water balloon games can be old-fashioned, yet they bring out the greatest joys on hot summer days. If just tossing them isn’t enough to get your kids laughing, there are various other water balloon games like water balloon spoon race, water balloon squat relay, water balloon dodge ball, water balloon piñatas and water balloon painting.
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Creative Painting
How about adding a new approach to artistic expression? You can dust off the normal paint brushes and encourage your kids to get creative. Instead of brushes, grab a new tool to craft your designs. Hands, feet and fingers are fun ways to paint. Make them also paint with a sponge, paint roller, eye droppers, soda bottle, fork, blow painting with straws and of course vegetables like ladies finger, onion, beetroot etc.
Another very vibrant creative painting technique which every kid will love it is painting with ice cubes. Just freeze some cubes of paint of your favorite colors or a drop of red or yellow food colorings with water and place a short popsicle stick into beach ice cube mold. Once froze, pull on the sticks to remove from the tray. Kids can hold the wooden sticks to paint with and the fun can begin. I bet this ice painting activity will be a hit among the kids. Try it, you can thank me later!
Bake Together
Baking can encourage your child to be creative and boost their math skills by reading quantities, doubling or halving ingredients, arithmetic and ratios. It also increases critical thinking skills such as following directions and attending to precision. Ask them questions like how much flour, how much sugar, how long does it take etc while baking.
Play board games
Play board games like Monopoly, Game of Life, Scrabble, etc with your kids and watch the time fly.
Set up a treasure hunt
Set up a treasure hunt for the kids with a fun prize at the end. It will definitely keep them busy for a while.
