Navigating parenthood can be a whirlwind at the best of times. But smartphones have emerged as a useful tool to streamline daily routines, foster growth and enhance the overall parenting experience.
Here are seven UAE-founded apps that aim to help.
Hoopla
For: Promoting mental wellness
Founded by Jacqueline Perrottet, a mother of two girls aged five and seven, Hoopla provides a resource for parents to promote mental wellness in children aged three to eight. The platform offers interactive and engaging activities, from meditation and mindfulness exercises to songs and games. Each science-backed activity lasts less than five minutes and is linked to a specific purpose – from calming tantrums to improving sleep and fostering a strong parent-child bond. The app offers a seven-day free trial. After that, subscription costs Dh44.99 monthly or Dh149.99 annually.
Verity
For: Financial literacy, money management
Verity allows parents to manage their children's allowances, and consequently teach them how to budget. Children are issued Visa prepaid credit cards, powered by Mashreq Bank, which are linked to the application managed by an adult. Parents can transfer money to their children's cards, set spending limits and track purchases. Transferring allowances can also be automated for more convenience. Parents can also set chores and tasks that the children can earn money from by completing. The app is free to download and use on both iOS and Android devices.
Skiply
For: School-related payments
Powered by RAKBank, this app serves as a digital platform for parents to pay school fees and expenses using any bank card. The service is only available to schools that are registered to the app. The app is free to download and use on both iOS and Android.
Kidzapp
For: Leisure and activities
Kidzapp is the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Karim Ghassan and Nora Izzat. It’s a digital guide to all that is family-friendly in the UAE. It collates activities, venues, play areas, restaurants and events throughout the country, complete with deals, discounts, seasonal promotions and vouchers. It’s broken down into categories, such as animal fun, after-school activities and theme parks. It’s free to download on iOS and Android platforms.
Qidz
For: Leisure and activities
Five time-poor mums residing in Dubai who were looking to balance their family and work lives teamed up to create what they claim is “the only kids' activities app you need”. Qidz, which is free to download, has thousands of activities listed in and around the UAE and allows users to search by location, preferences and age group, as well as sharing their picks with friends, buy tickets and be notified of deals. Parents can also recommend venues to be listed.
Play: Date
For: Socialising
This interactive platform promises to build children's social circles, while also offering discounts and deals through partner companies, such as Kids HQ and SugarMoo. It was devised in Dubai, but is also available for download on iOS and Android in the UK and US for free. Through the app, users can choose where and when their children can play, and what their interests are, and then find a like-minded friend they can go on a play date with.
FirstCry UAE
For: Shopping
This free-to-download shopping app has everything from baby clothes to nappies and medical products available to buy. Delivery is often on the same or next day. New on the site are sections for wares from well-known children's boutiques and party supplies.
