With the kids breaking up from school this month, the heat is on for parents to keep them entertained. Summer camps are an excellent diversion, especially when both parents work, and there is certainly a great choice.

Aga Khan Early Learning Centre (AKELC)
The AKELC summer holiday programme, located in Oud Metha, runs from 1st July to 6th September for children aged between 12 months and 4 years (with siblings welcome through age 5). Programmes are designed for several age groups and offer a bilingual (English/Arabic) child-centred and inquiry-based curriculum during the morning sessions and a choice of enrichment programmes in the afternoon (Arabic Language Development, Physical Development and Fun in the Gym, Creative Explorations and Technology Time). Pre-booked weekly rates range from Dhs 465 to Dhs 750 depending on the hours and days book. Call 04-3367676 or visit www.akelcdubai.org.

Atlantis, The Palm
The Atlantis Kids Club, for ages 3 to 12 years, offers a daily supervised activity programme with 10 action packed summer camps focusing on adventure, fun and exploration through group play. Kids aged 8 to 12 years can participate in the 5-day Atlantis Aqua Camp and go behind-the-scenes to learn about the marine life living at Atlantis and even let them try their hand at scuba diving at the Padi Certified Dive Centre. Atlantis Adventure Camp offers kids aged 3 to 12 years the chance to participate in the 5-day programme that will be filled with exciting activities! Call 04-4261000.

British Orchard Nursery
From 1st July to 23rd August British Orchard Nursery’s summer camp offers weekly themes and events that include arts and crafts, library, table top activities, sandpit, role-play, singing, outdoor and water play as well as fitness classes with the gym coach. Call 04-3983536 Mankhool), 04-3953570 (Jumeirah), 06-5226710 (Sharjah) and 02-4439893 (Abu Dhabi) or visit www.britishorchardnursery.com.

Brooklyn Melodies Music Center
Why not encourage your child to learn a new skill this summer? Brooklyn Melodies Music Center is one of Dubai’s leading music educational establishments. With locations in Jumeirah Beach Residence, Arabian Ranches, Dubai Mall, Uptown Mirdif, Mirdif, Meadows Village - Emirates Hills, Studio City and Jumeirah (opening soon) they serve more than 2,000 students without limits of age, level of proficiency or preferences. Lessons include piano, violin, guitar, drums, theory, vocal, flute, recorder, ballet and ballroom dancing. Instructors are all high-qualified professionals and the centre is a KHDA Approved Music Learning Institute. Call 04-4468716/04-4518099 or visit www.brooklynmelodies.com.

Dar el ilm (DEI)
DEI Summer Break Children’s Camp, for ages 4 to 11 years, focuses on teaching children Arabic, French or English. Weekly themes include sport, birthdays, outings, beach, family, traveling and hobbies. Your child will be able to learn a language while having fun and enjoying arts and crafts, educational games, role-play, and music in a relaxed and friendly environment. The camp runs from 10th June to 29th August from 9.30am to 12.30pm and is priced at Dhs 660 per week. Call 04-3310221 or visit www.dar-el-ilm.com.

Dubai British School (a Taaleem School)
D&T Summer Club, running at Dubai British School during July and August, is a weekly activity club for children who like to make stuff. Held in the D&T workshop of the school, classes are delivered by experienced and UK qualified D&T teacher Don Sankey and tools, materials and equipment are provided. Classes will provide children with a social, learning environment in which to design and create in wood, metal and plastic. Children will be grouped in ages from juniors to seniors and their age will determine the projects attempted. Rates are Dhs 750 (5 days) or Dhs 450 (3 days). Timings are from 9am to 12pm and there is a 5 or 3 morning option. Email dssilversmith@gmail.com.

EBMAS
EBMAS Wing Tzun Kung Fu & LATOSA Weapon System summer camp, by UAE Chief Instructor Sifu Amir R. Foroohandeh, is available for ages 7 years plus every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from 6.30pm to 9pm at Dubai Karate Centre, and every Tuesday and Saturday from 10am to 12pm at Universal Star Martial Arts Club. Call 050-2516212 or visit www.ebmas-uae.net.

Fun City
The Fun City summer camp is for children between the ages of 3 and 8 years. The programme offers activities and facilities available in Fun City and groups are based on the age of the child. Starting on 24th June activities include arts and crafts, martial arts, theatre, cooking, yoga, games, junior scientist, free play, kiddie aerobics, music and dance - all hosted by trained play facilitators. The package price is Dhs 799 weekly (pay for 3 weeks and get the 4th week free) and timings are Sunday to Thursday from 10am to 2pm and transportation is available for selected stores. Call 04-3669819 (Ibn Battuta), 04-3397783 (Oasis Centre), 04-2845679 (Arabian Center), 04-2222405 (Reef Mall) in Dubai; or 02-5507407 (Dalma Mall), 02-6815527 (Marina Mall) in Abu Dhabi; or 09-2283950 (Century Mall) in Fujairah. Visit www.funcity.ae.

Gulf Montessori Institute
The Gulf Montessori Nursery summer camp runs from 10th June to 5th July (8am to 12.30pm Sunday to Thursday) and offers an exciting range of outdoor activities within their large swimming pool and shaded sand/grass area. The Montessori curriculum areas in the spacious indoor environment will welcome your children, aged 2 to 6 years. Under the supervision of experienced Montessori trained teachers, they will enhance their full potential through well thought out and specifically designed activities, which encourages problem solving in a fun way. Teachers speak English, French and Arabic and the price for a week is Dhs 500. Call 04-3352073 or email principal@gulfmontessori.com. 

Jumeirah International Nursery School (JINS)
JINS has a summer camp for children aged from 6 weeks to 5 years running from 1st July to 30th August. Timings are from 8am to 12.30pm and include aftercare up to 5pm, Sunday to Thursday. The camp has a range of exciting thematic and age-appropriate activities to inspire your child’s imagination and further his learning while having lots of fun. Package rates vary depending on how many days/weeks are booked. Call JINS Al Safa on 04-3945567 (www.jinspire.com) or JINS Al Wasl on 04-3499065 (www.jinschools.com).

Kangaroo Kids Nursery
At the Kangaroo Kids Nursery summer camp children can enjoy arts and crafts, water play, cooking, music, singing and dancing as well as the opportunity to participate in ‘Stretch n Grow’ a fun exercise programme. The nursery offers bright classrooms, computer access, library, a doll’s house, indoor soft play area, swimming pool and outdoor playground. Call 04-3955518 (Jumeirah) or 04-4205250 (Burj Dubai) or visit www.kangarookids.ae.

Kiddy Planet Nursery
Running from 1st July to 30th August, from 8am to 1pm (with daycare available from 1pm to 5.30pm), the Kiddy Planet Nursery camp offers fun activities like cooking, water play, sports races, arts and crafts, movie days, science innovations and picnics. Topics include ‘Under the Sea’, ‘Jungle Theme’, ‘Holidays’, ‘Space’, Teddy Bear Picnic’, ‘Going to the Sea Side’, ‘Science Week’ and ‘Sports Week’. Located in Umm Suqeim, rates are Dhs 600 per week or Dhs 800 per week with daycare. Call 04-3284465 or visit www.kiddyplanet.ae.

Kids’ Theatre Works
This summer camp offers 5 action packed weeks of singing, acting, creative writing and dancing with a talented team of West End performance instructors. Kids aged between 3 and 14 years can get fully involved with all aspects of creative drama and help to create a never-before-seen showpiece. Camps run at Mirdif and DUCTAC from 1st July to 6th September, Sunday to Thursday, 9am to 2pm/3pm (depending on the age group). Registration begins 1st June at DUCTAC and weekly rates are Dhs 750 plus a one-time Dhs 100 registration fee for new students. Call 050-1585653 or 04-3414777 ext 234/ 235 or visit www.kidstheatreworks.com.

Kids Zone Nursery
Kids Zone summer camp, located at Kids Zone Nursery The Villa Community, runs from 1st July to 23rd August, from 9am to 12.30/2pm. Activities include arts and crafts, swim and splash and puppetry. Themes include ‘Going on a Bear Hunt Week’, ‘Beach and Under the Sea Week’, ‘Teddy Bears Picnic Week’ and ‘Pirate And Little Mermaid Party, and weekly rates are Dhs 660 (9am to 12.30pm) and Dhs 850 (9am to 2pm). Call 04-4526474.

Kidville
Camp Kidville runs from 6th May to 23rd August and offers 2, 8, 12 and 16 week sessions for children aged from 18 to 24 months, 2 years (separation optional) and 3, 4 and 5 years (drop off). Prices start from Dhs 400 per week. Call 04-4401220 (JBR), 04-2363648 (Mirdif) or 04-4542760 (Motor City).

Kidz Art
The KidzArt summer camp runs from 1st July to 16th August and kids between 4 and 10 years can participate in themed programmes that include ‘So You Want to Be a World Explorer?’ and ‘Secret Agent Camp’ and activities include communication, imagination and expression which keep the kids’ brains in an active learning mode.Located in Al Barsha, Mirdif, Jumeirah, Silicone Oasis, Al Mizhar and Jebel Ali, ages range from 4 to 10 years and weekly rates are Dhs 550 (ages 4 to 5) and Dhs 850 (ages 6 to 10) with discounts offered for more than one week. Call 055-2220129 or visit www.kidzart.ae.

Ladybird and Tiny Home Montessori Nurseries
Ladybird and Tiny Home Montessori Nurseries are hosting their summer school at their Al Manara location from 1st July to 2nd August. Children from the ages of 2 to 5 years can enjoy thematic art projects, with ample opportunity for outdoor and indoor play. Activities include arts and crafts, cookery, singing with Jumeirah Music Centre, wacky experiments, water and imaginative play. Weekly themes include ‘Fairytales’, ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’, ‘Transport’, ‘Flowers’ and ‘Colours & Shapes’. A registered nurse is on the premises at all times. Call 04-3465240.

Mad Science
Mad Science camps are unique, hassle free, affordable and fun. The professional MAD Scientists are experts at captivating the children’s attention with spectacular experiments and demonstrations. This summer camp, running from 22nd July to 2nd August, is a full day camp offering your kids something innovative and engaging. Themes include ‘Garden Camp’, ‘Moving with Science’ and ‘Chemical, Cells and Crime’ camp. All camps run for 5 days from 9am to 3pm and/or 9am to 1pm, and programmes are suitable for children aged between 4 and 12 years old. Call 04-3377403/050-2526496/056 6945247 or visit www.madscience.ae.

My Gym
The My Gym camp, from 1st July to 8th September, provides a half day (9am to 12.30pm) of fun and fitness through gymnastics, arts and crafts, cooking, science, story time and more with changing weekly themes for kids aged from 3½ to 8 years for Dhs 200 per day or Dhs 850 per week. In addition, baby camp (aged from 18 to 36 months) is available every Sunday from 10am to 12pm for Dhs 150. Call 04-3943962 or visit www.mygymuae.com.

Orange Tree Children’s Nursery
The camp at Orange Tree Children’s Nursery runs from 1st July to 2nd August from 9am to 1pm with extra hours until 6pm available at an extra charge. Located in Jafiliya, Bur Dubai, weekly themes include ‘Everyday Heroes’, ‘Splish Splash Sports’, ‘Science Adventures’, ‘Animal Antics’ and ‘Kids’ Kitchen’ and rates are Dhs 100 per day, Dhs 500 per week, Dhs 2,000 for 4 weeks and Dhs 2,500 for the full 5 weeks. Call 04-3861578/050-7198153/050-4830522 or visit www.orangetreedubai.com.

Park Hyatt and Hamleys Kids Club
The Park Hyatt and Hamleys Kids Club will run from 1st June to 31st August and will operate daily from 10am to 10pm throughout the summer season. The club, located within the hotel, offers children between the ages of 4 and 12 years a variety of activities from cooking classes and treasure hunts, to board games and the latest X-Box Kinect video games, as well as the numerous sports activities like golf and swimming lessons that can be arranged separately. Parents who dine or spa at the hotel can drop their kids off free of charge for a half day. The daily access charges are Dhs 50 for a half day or Dhs 100 for a full day. Call 04-6021234 in order to ensure availability.

Raffles Schools and Nurseries (Innoventures)
Raffles Schools and Nurseries are offering activity programmes where kids can enjoy action packed fun that includes football, basketball, tennis, swimming, water polo, dodge ball, martial arts, cricket, dance, drama, arts and craft, gymnastics and more. Camps are located at Dubai International Academy (DIA) from 1st July to 30th August, Raffles International School/South Campus (RIS) from 24th June to 16th August, and Raffles Lakes Nursery (RLN) and Raffles Marina Nursery (MAR) from 1st July to 16th August. Timings are 8.15am to 2pm for half day or 8.15am to 5.15pm for full day (RIS). All camps are open to children aged 3 to 14 years old except Raffles Lakes and Marina Nurseries, which is 2 to 4 years only. Call 04-3684111 ext 223/107/113 (DIA), 04-4271466/04-4271241 (Raffles Nurseries), and 04-4271261/62/73/41 (RIS). Email admin@dubaiholidaycamps.com for sample programmes.

Super Dooper
The Super Dooper summer camp runs from 24th June to 30th August from 9.30am to 1.30pm. Kids will have the chance to work on projects such as sewing and fashion designing, scrapbooking, scriptwriting and acting, dance and sing in the disco party room, have a make over at their cool spa, or be part of the racing team and compete at the Pit Stop. Prices range from Dhs 150 per day to Dhs 700 for 5 days. Call 04-4548391.

Sylvan Learning
Avoid summer learning loss in a fun, cool place this July and August as Sylvan Learning makes summer learning fun both for parents and students of all ages. Their flexible weekly programmes work to your family’s summer schedule offer a variety of reading, writing, and math camps to stimulate and engage. With over 30 years’ experience and convenient locations in Al Barsha and Mirdif, they will build the confidence and motivation your child needs to succeed. Ages range from 5 to 14 years and rates range from Dhs 600 per week to Dhs 1,200 for two weeks, depending on the duration and choice of camp. Call Al Barsha branch on 04-4345400 or Mirdif branch on 04-2362227 or visit www.sylvanme.com.

Taaleem Schools
Dubai British School, Uptown Primary School, Greenfield Community School, Jumeirah Baccalaureate School and RAHA International School, Khalifa City will be hosting summer camps provided by E-Sports during July and August. Camp programmes will offer a balance of sport and arts and crafts activities, ensuring each session is perfectly suited to the age and ability of the camper. Email camps@esportsdubai.com or camp.director@esportsdubai.com or call 050-5868204/050-3611547.

The Children’s Garden (a Taaleem school)
The Children’s Garden, Green Community are running their annual ‘Fun in the Sun’ programme from 1st to 26th July. Children can enjoy daily swimming sessions, themed arts and crafts activities, multi lingual story telling, drama and role-play, science and cooking, and movement and music. There is an option to sign up for any number of weeks, activities run from 9am until 2pm, and rates range from Dhs 1,100 for one week to Dhs 3,500 for 4 weeks, with options in between as well as sibling discounts. Visit www.childrensgarden.ae or call 04-8853484.

The Little Gym Dubai
The Little Gym Dubai’s energetic staff will lead your child each week in their themed activities in a fun and comfortable gym, where their boundless energy can be used to learn gymnastics, sports, arts and crafts and more. Located at Ibn Battuta, the camp runs from 24th June to 6th September, timings are from 10am to 1pm or 3pm to 6pm from Sunday to Thursday and weekly prices are Dhs 775 (members) and Dhs 875 (non members). Call 04-4456850.

The Wonder Years Nursery
The Wonder Years Nursery summer camp runs from 1st July to 16th August, Sunday to Thursday from 9am to 1pm. Located at Dubai Sports City, this new purpose built nursery offers a spacious covered outdoor play area, bicycle track and sandpit, an indoor play area incorporating a home corner, reading area, small world area and an interactive white board. Varied classroom activities include arts and
crafts, singing and rhymes, water and messy play, and special enrichment activities. The age range is competent walking to 4 years and prices are Dhs 125 daily and Dhs 550 weekly. Call 04-3685600/056-7449930 or visit www.wonderyearsnursery.com.

Toddler Town British Nursery
Keep your kids entertained at Toddler Town British Nursery in JBR. Their summer camp will keep your children active with exciting activities out of the heat at their new unique facility. Weekly theme topics include ‘Number Exploration’, ‘Super Science’, ‘We Love Languages’, ‘Where in the World’, ‘Hooray for History’ and ‘Magical Music’. The camp is suitable for ages 2 to 5 years and runs from 4th July to 16th August and timings are from 9am to 1pm, Sunday to Thursday. Daycare is also available for additional hours. The weekly rate is Dhs 850. Call 04-4528080 or email info@toddlertown.ae.

Unique Events
Unique Events are running special workshops throughout the summer months that feature cooking lessons, arts and crafts, fashion and more. All events are organised by their experienced teams of specialists and the workshops are held on your premises, so there is no lengthy journey to get your children across town. Unique Events also organise a wide range of party themes, including baby showers, costume parties, DJ and karaoke, outdoor adventure, inflatable parties and magic shows. Call 04-4504343.

Zebra Crossing
Zebra Crossing is Dubai’s newest children’s entertainment zone that offers a unique play structure which combines soft play, interactive play, arts and crafts and customised party rooms. They offer an exciting, creative and wide range of summer activities on a daily basis for kids from pizza making, clay pot moulding, ceramic and sponge painting, cooking classes, jewellery making, dance and music along with daily entertainers performing to keep the kids entertained. Parents can sit back relax and enjoy the café and free wifi. Call 050-5594903.