As the long summer break begins in the United Arab Emirates, many parents face the annual question of how to keep children engaged, ensure they are active, and minimize screen time without spending too much money.
For a growing number of families, finding a solution is difficult. Free summer camps fill up quickly, while paid programs can cost hundreds of dirhams per week per child, making them inaccessible to some households with two or more children.
UAE Parents' Experiences
Om Mohammed, a resident of Dubai and mother of two, notes that every summer she tries to channel her children's energy into productive activities. Since they have no travel plans this year, they try to alternate between home activities, simple visits to malls or indoor venues, and attending educational and entertainment events so the children do not get bored due to the heat.
She emphasized that one trip to a mall or entertainment venue costs the family between 300 and 600 dirhams, depending on the location, activities, and number of meals. Although she managed to enroll her children in a paid camp, the compromise was evident: 'The cost is about 1000 dirhams, and it is relatively the cheapest option, although the duration is also short.'
