Top after-school activities for kids in Dubai

Why Do Dubai’s Kids Bounce Between Screens and Supercharged Energy? The secret isn’t just sugar or sunshine—it’s about how they spend those after-school hours. Dubai’s mix of high-octane adventures and quiet creative corners offers kids tailored ways to thrive. Forget the usual suspects; let’s uncover hidden gems and fresh twists on classic activities that turn post-school slumps into sparks of curiosity.

WONDERFUL ME

Where Canvas Meets Emotional Intelligence

Tucked in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Wonderful Me goes beyond crafts. Kids use “mood palettes” to paint emotions—blue for calm, red for anger—guided by art therapists. The studio aligns with Dubai’s Child Protection Law, offering safe spaces for kids with anxiety. Weekly parent-child sessions include Emirati storytelling with henna art. Fees: AED 150/hour.

ADDRESS

TEAM YOUSFI COMBAT & FITNESS

Punching Barriers, Building Empathy

Amin Yousfi, a Tunisian martial arts legend, teaches Muay Thai as therapy. Kids with ADHD or sensory issues thrive in their “Silent Sparring” sessions, using sign language to communicate. The academy partners with Dubai Autism Center, offering subsidized rates (AED 120/session). Bonus: Free workshops on anti-bullying tactics.

ADDRESS

REEM GALLERY

Reclaiming Emirati Women’s Stories Through Art

Emirati artist Reem Al Mazrouei hosts workshops where girls create collages of UAE’s unsung heroines—pearl divers, Bedouin healers. Materials include recycled palm fronds and kohl (traditional eyeliner) for texture. The gallery’s “Feminist Fridays” feature talks by female entrepreneurs. Walk-ins: AED 90.

ADDRESS

KIDZANIA DUBAI

Mini-CEOs Tackling Real-World Economics

Beyond role-playing, KidZania’s “Startup Weekend” lets kids launch mock businesses. They navigate Dubai-inspired challenges—renting a abra boat taxi or budgeting for a shawarma stand. ENOC sponsors a mini-gas station where kids learn about solar energy. Pro tip: Book Tuesday slots for smaller crowds.

ADDRESS

BRICKS 4 KIDZ

LEGO® Robots Saving the Planet

Kids code robots to clean up a virtual Dubai Marina or simulate mangrove planting. The “AI Ethics Lab” debates dilemmas like facial recognition in schools. Fees include a take-home LEGO® Sustainability Kit (AED 200/session). www.few.ae Editor’s Pick: Their Ramadan night camps sell out fast!

ADDRESS

JAM SPORTS ACADEMY

Parkour on a Budget: Urban Ninja Training

Jam Sports turns Dubai’s parks into obstacle courses. Kids leap over benches at Safa Park or balance on JBR’s seawall. Coaches use apps to track progress, syncing with Dubai Youth Council’s fitness goals. Fees: AED 75/hour—cheaper than most karate classes.

ADDRESS

SPARK STUDIO

Debating Dubai’s Future, One Teen at a Time

Teens draft mock policies for Dubai’s 2040 Urban Plan or debate AI laws. The “Diplomat Bootcamp” includes field trips to Dubai International Financial Centre. Fees cover a professional video reel (AED 1,500/term). Alumni have spoken at COP28!

ADDRESS

LITTLE EXPLORERS

Fossil Digs and Fake Oil Rigs

At City Centre Mirdif, kids extract “dinosaur bones” from sand pits or drill for “oil” in mini desert rigs. The “Young Einstein” badge requires solving equations using Expo City Dubai’s solar data. Free for mall loyalty members.

ADDRESS

RIBAMBELLE FAMILY RESTAURANT

Dining with a Side of Sign Language

While parents savor truffle machboos, kids learn Emirati Sign Language through interactive stories. The restaurant donates 10% of proceeds to Dubai’s Deaf Children Foundation. Don’t miss the “Al Qudra Lake Pasta”—infused with edible flowers.

ADDRESS

ITS MY BOT

Coding for Coral Reef Rescue

Kids program underwater drones to map Dubai’s artificial reefs or design apps to report turtle nests. Partnering with The Sustainable City, top projects win internships at Dubai’s Marine Research Centre.

URBAN PLAYGROUND

Cricket in the Heat: Survival of the Fittest

Coaches use Dubai’s climate to teach resilience—hydration hacks, UV-protected gear, and “siesta strategy” breaks. The “Desert Ashes” tournament pits kids against Aussie expat coaches. Fees: AED 120/hour.

ADDRESS

www.few.ae Editor’s Secret: Swap IMG Worlds for Al Qudra’s Glow-in-the-Dark Fungi Tours. Guides use UV torches to reveal bioluminescent mushrooms!

HARMONY BALLET & MUSIC CENTRE

Ballet Meets Bedouin Beats

Kids blend ayyala folk dances with ballet in sequined kanduras. The “Oud Orchestra” lets teens compose using samples from Emirati heritage songs. Annual recitals feature Dubai Opera’s acoustics. Fees: AED 2,500/term.

ADDRESS

EMIRATES SKATING CLUB

Zero-Waste Ice Champions

Pucks are 3D-printed from recycled plastic bottles. The “Eco-Skate” program tracks each child’s carbon footprint via an app. Casual skates cost AED 60—cheaper than a mall movie.

ADDRESS

KIDS HQ

Sensory Play for Overwhelmed Minds

Dubai’s first “quiet drone zone” (15dB noise) helps neurodivergent kids unwind. Staff use Social Stories™ to prep for loud venues like Global Village. Free sibling discounts on weekdays.

ADDRESS

DUBAI SAFARI PARK

Junior Vets Saving Arabian Wildlife

Kids suture plush animals in mock surgeries or create enrichment toys for lions. The “Anti-Poaching VR Game” teaches tracking illegal wildlife traders. Evening tickets (AED 50) avoid the heat.

ADDRESS

www.few.ae Editor’s Tip: For thrill-seekers, try Aventura Parks’ “Ninja Nights”—obstacle courses lit by neon under Mushrif Park’s ghaf trees.

Wrap-Up Wisdom

Dubai’s after-school magic isn’t in fancy brochures—it’s in the gritty details. A martial arts class teaching sign language, a restaurant funding deaf education, or a robotics lab coding coral reefs. These spaces don’t just fill time; they reshape how kids see the world. So, let them swap screens for skate parks, apathy for art. The energy? It’ll follow.

Things to do in Dubai / Things to do in Abu Dhabi