Ski Dubai, thejamjar, Gulf Photo Plus and more: which children's summer camps are open in Dubai?

The summer season is finally here. Things have been a tad different this year, with children having spent more time at home than usual. However, as restrictions ease, summer camps that involve activities from water sports to arts and crafts are gradually reopening with safety precautions in place. If you're looking for ways to get your child up and about, here are some recently launched packages for little ones. Emaar Here's a chance to let your children enjoy the best The Dubai Mall has to offer. Emaar Entertainment has brought back its summer camp for another year, offering access to attractions such as Dubai Aquarium and Dubai Ice Rink. Parents can pick any four days between July 19 to Sunday, August 23, during which children can act as a "junior biologist" at Dubai Aquarium. They will also have the chance to skate at Dubai Ice Rink, play at KidZania, watch movies at Reel Cinemas and visit Burj Khalifa's At the Top viewing deck. The camp is for those aged 4 to 12; those under the age of 6 will have to be accompanied by a nanny, with a Dh75 admission fee charged for the nanny for the four-day period. Registration is open at the participating attractions' counters. July 19 to August 23; Sunday to Thursday, 8.30am-3pm; Dh270 per child for a four-day slot (excluding meals) and Dh375 inclusive of breakfast and lunch; The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, Dubai; www.thedubaimall.com Dubai's indoor rainforest has joined forces with The Arbor School to launch a camp that teaches children about the planet and what can be done to create a more sustainable future. The course includes animal encounters, bio-dome explorations, nature-inspired arts and crafts, and scavenger and treasure hunts. The camp is open for those aged 5 to 12, with those aged 5 to 8 group together, and ages 9 to 12 in a separate group. July 19 to August 30; Sunday to Wednesday, 9am-2pm; Dh850 for a four-day slot, with a 20 per cent discount for siblings and any campers booking more than a week; The Green Planet and The Arbor School; www.dxbvenues.com There’s nothing quite as tempting as dunking yourself in water to beat the heat. And if you have little swimming enthusiasts who feel the same, children’s water park Splash 'N’ Party has launched a summer programme for those aged 4 to 12. Taking place on weekdays, little ones will have access to water activities as well as cooking classes, zip lining, arts and crafts, archery, aquatic Zumba, cookie decorating and more – basically a new activity every day. The park also has a transportation service starting from Dh400 depending on your location. July 5 to August 27; Sunday to Thursday, 9am-2pm; Dh499 per week or Dh150 per day (including lunch); Splash 'n' Party, Al Safa, Jumeirah, Dubai; 043883008; info@splashnparty.ae Looking to get your child involved with all things arts and crafts? Creative community space thejamjar has launched two summer camp programmes, one for the little ones, and one for teens, both starting on Monday, July 6. For little Picassos aged 4 to 10, the camp will host a different project every day to help them discover new artists and art techniques. Students can sign up for one-hour workshops, with a maximum capacity of 15 (so bookings must be made 24 hours in advance through an online registration system). One time slot can be chosen per day. Meanwhile, those aged 11 to 18 can take advantage of the summer arts mentorship, which will give them the opportunity to explore a personal project under artist and instructor Hana Akram. The four-day programme encourages students to discover their own style, while learning new skills. Social distancing and other safety guidelines need to be followed. The studio and all art materials will be sanitised daily between sessions. July 6 onwards; Monday to Thursday; timings vary; Dh125+ for a one-hour session for those 10 and below, and Dh550 for a four-day programme for teens; thejamjar, Al Serkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai; 04 341 7303; www.thejamjardubai.com The gymnastics facility is attempting to "ease children back to school in September" with the launch of a summer camp with fixed timings to help them settle into a routine. Some of the activities in focus are gymnastics, CrossFit and martial arts. A separate programme based around an hourly schedule for those aged 12 and above is also available. Safety precautions it has incorporated, based on recommendations from the Dubai Sports Council, include masks being worn at all times (unless during strenuous activity), two metres of social distancing, sanitising all equipment, regular facility sanitisation and temperature checks. Students are also requested to bring their own towels and water bottles. July 5 onwards; 8.30am to12.30am for those aged 4-7 and 8.30am to 2.30pm for those aged 8-11; Prices start at Dh110 per day for children, and Dh100 per class for teens; Fly High Fitness, Dubai Investment Park - 1, Dubai; 04 224 9075; www.flyhighfitness.org If you want your child to pick up some photography skills, Gulf Photo Plus has several summer camp options available for those aged 8 and above. Its five-day photography camp attempts to teach participants in each age group shooting modes and techniques, from taking and editing photos on mobile phones, to shooting in manual mode on DSLR/SLR cameras. They will also get to explore different styles and settings, like shooting portraits and shooting in natural light versus using artificial studio lights. This year, there's also a new smartphone video and editing camp for those aged 12 years and above, with a focus on storytelling. All areas of the workshop space are being disinfected multiple times a day; masks are a must except for snack time and hand sanitiser and disposable gloves are available at multiple locations in the gallery. Moreover, camps this year are capped at 50 per cent capacity (limited to eight students and the instructor). July 5 onwards; 9am-12pm; a five-day camp costs Dh950; Gulf Photo Plus, Unit 36, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai; 04 380 8545; www.gulfphotoplus.com Here's a way to help your little ones beat the heat. Ski Dubai is offering five-day ski camps for those aged 3 to 13. The sessions are designed for all skill levels (beginners, intermediate and advanced students are all welcome), with the aim to teach them the skills they need to conquer the slopes. June 28 to August 13; sessions between 10am and 1.30pm; For a five-day camp session, Dh885 for those aged 3-6 and Dh1,030 for those aged 7-13; Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha, Dubai; Skidxb.com If you’re looking for a programme that will have your children working up a sweat, Basketball Hub Dubai has launched full-day and half-day summer camp options for those aged 4 to 12. It also has a summer warrior programme for those between the age of 11 and 18. The aim is to help young athletes improve their skills while also giving them strength and conditioning training that can maximise their potential and teach them how to prevent common injuries. July 5 onwards; Sunday to Thursday; timings vary according; Prices start at Dh1,190 for the first and second week; Basketball Hub Dubai Academy, Just Play Sports Complex, Al Manara Road, Dubai; 050 615 0103; www.basketballhubdubai.com

Ski Dubai, thejamjar, Gulf Photo Plus and more: which children's summer camps are open in Dubai?

Summer camps are slowly restarting across the emirate, with safety precautions and social distancing guidelines in place