Do you have a budding Meryl Streep or mini Picasso on your hands? Or perhaps the next Venus Williams or Jessica Ennis-Hill? With the abundance of sports and activities Dubai has on offer why not encourage that creative talent or sporting ability with some of these great after school activities.
Art
thejamjar have two programmes that educate the youth in artistic techniques and media. The Young Artist Programme (YAP) and Art Academy are regular courses that run throughout the academic year. The Young Artist Programme (YAP) is designed to give students, ages 9-12 (Junior) and 13-15 (Senior), a deeper understanding of art. The after school courses are led by instructors with experience in art education allowing students to explore art movements, materials and techniques through creative work processes. Art Academy is for students 15 years and older and is in sync with the British Art Curriculum. They tutor to-be art students, guiding them to complete and present their works in a portfolio fit for art school submission. Visit www.thejamjardubai.com.
Basketball
MPAC Sports Basketball works with schools, communities, clubs and recreational facilities to enrich the educational experience of students and athletes through structured training, competitions, leagues and games. Visit www.MPACsports.com or call 04-3851777.
Dance
The Ballet Centre is the longest established dance school in Dubai. The current premises in Jumeirah consist of two villas with seven studios. The branch in Motor City has three studios. Four highly qualified (RAD/ISTD) full-time and two part-time teachers conduct the classes and offer yearly examinations and regular recitals. The focus of the school is ballet, modern and tap dancing for children and young adults. Call 04-3449776 or visit www.balletcentredubai.com. In addition, James & Alex Dance Studios in Media City offer many dance styles for all age groups and have dedicated classes for adults and children in all forms of dance. The venue is home to several leading dance companies and dance instructors based in Dubai, including kids’ musical theatre programme Hayley’s Comet and a host of others offering various forms of dance taught at the highest levels. Call 04-4470773 or visit www.jamesandalex.com.
Drama and performance
With locations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Kids’ Theatre Works! run a huge range of programmes for kids of all ages. Choices include creative drama, musical theatre, and acting and performing. Visit www.kidstheatreworks.com or call 050-1585653. In addition, Centre Stage Speech and Drama offer classes for all ages. There are also accredited LAMDA Acting examinations (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Arts) for all ages and abilities at the Courtyard Playhouse theatre (off Sheikh Zayed Road). Email helena@courtyardplayhouse.com or call 050-5651009 for further details. There’s also StepUp Academy which offers classes to kids from 15 months old right up to teens and adults, the schedule includes all-level classes of KinderTots, KinderGym, KinderDance, RAD Ballet, Cheerleading, Lyrical Contemporary, IDTA Tap and Modern, Street Jazz, HipHop, Musical Theatre, Show Stoppers, Gymnastics, Stretch and Flex, Yograng, Karate and Rhythmic Gymnastics. Visit www.stepup.ae or call 04-4534360.
Drumming
Dubai Drums offer African Djembe drumming classes at DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates every Monday. It’s a great way to de-stress and have rhythmic fun in a group and at the same time learn an amazing percussion instrument. There is also a Kids’ Drumming Circle at Urban Tribe Studio, Street 17, Al Quoz 4 every other Saturday from 11am to noon. Visit www.dubaidrums.com or call 056-7442129.
Football
Elite Football Coaching is a kids’ after-school football coaching programme with UEFA qualified coaches that will enhance the physical, mental, emotional and technical growth and development of young athletes. Available daily after school and on weekends at various locations across Dubai. Visit www.elitesports.ae, email info@elitesports.ae or call 04-5545916.
Fencing
MK Fencing Academy UAE is based at Raffles International School, South Campus - part of Innoventures Education Group. This ancient sport encourages patience, determination, dexterity and grace and is a great way to stay fit. Children are accepted from eight years. Visit www.mkfencingacademy.com.
Horse riding
Al Sahra Equestrian Centre has everything little riders need to learn serious horsemanship. The centre is part of Dubai hotel group - JA Resorts & Hotels and offers riders of all abilities the chance to further develop their equestrian skills. Visit www.alsahra.com or call 04-4274055. While Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club offer polo and show-jumping for all skill sets. Visit www.poloclubdubai.com.
Ice Skating
In a country that sees very little cold weather, there are only a handful of places where you can stay cool and have fun at the same time. One of those places is the ice rink. Located in Dubai Mall, the Dubai Ice Rink has sessions throughout the day. They even have their own skating academy where trained coaches could teach your children all the basics they need to make the most of their time on the ice. Visit www.dubaiicerink.com. Those who are looking to put their kids into more rigorous figure skating programs should check out Al Nasr Leisureland and Hyatt Regency Ice Rink. With their help, your child will be performing jumps and spins in no time.
Visit www.alnasrll.com and email icerink.hyattregencydubai@hyatt.com.
Martial arts
The Dubai Karate Centre was founded in 1983 with the aim of promoting martial arts in Dubai and the UAE. Located in Jumeirah 3, the centre has a myriad of martial arts for children aged five and up. Call 04-3447797 or visit www.dubaikarate.com.
Pottery
The Dubai International Arts Centre in Jumeirah offers teen pottery classes where they can work with natural clay initially and are encouraged to play and experiment with 3D shape and form. Later work moves on to more specialist air-drying clay and works are then painted in acrylics. Email artdubai@eim.ae or call 04-3444398.
Rugby
Dubai Exiles provide a superb rugby environment for all ages of younger players from Under 5 through to Under 19. Regular training is held in Dubai at the 7’s Rugby Grounds on Al Ain Road. Visit www.dubaiexiles.com or call 050-4598603. In addition, Dubai Hurricanes offer mini rugby every Friday at The Sevens Stadium featuring tag, touch and contact rugby lessons for kids aged from four to 18 years.
Visit www.dubaihurricanes.com.
Running
The Reebok Junior Run Club at Al Barsha Park is open to youngsters of all fitness levels aged between seven and 12 years. During the sessions, children spend around 40 minutes running, with the remaining 20 minutes spent on theory and drills. Call 055-8869158 or visit www.urbanenergyfitness.com.
Sailing
Water sports are always a thrill. There are numerous locations and clubs where you can sail along the coast of the UAE. The Jebel Ali centre at the Jebel Ali Golf Resort offer various sailing courses suitable for all ages and experience. Call 04-8876771. Watercooled Jebel Ali and Watercooled Jumeirah Beach also offer introductory sailing classes. Sailing courses are also available at the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club. Call 04-3941669 or visit www.watercooleduae.com.
Springboard and platform diving
DUDive diving complex at Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Sport Complex near Arabian Ranches offers spring and platform diving for children aged six years and up. Coached by ex- team GB diver Tom Roberts, classes focus on all aspects of the sport, building children’s coordination, flexibility, balance and strength. Call 055-6458478 or email tom@dudive.com.
Surfing
The year-round water temperatures make Dubai an ideal location for learning to ride a surfboard. Similarly to swimming, surfing involves virtually 100% of the muscles in the body and is an excellent way of improving and maintaining cardiovascular and muscular fitness. Visit www.surfingdubai.com.
Swimming
Absolute Swimming Academy provides a variety of swimming programmes for children of all ages and abilities. They work directly with the schools to provide extra curriculum classes for their students. Visit www.absoluteswimminguae.com. Lessons and group classes are also available at www.swimmingclassesindubai.com, www.wavesacademy.com, and www.dubaiswimming.net.
Synchronised swimming
Synquatics is calling all underwater ballerinas to learn how to sync and swim. Synchronised swimming is a hybrid form of swimming, dance and gymnastics and is open to all newcomers, above five years of age. Call 052-1054467, email info@synquatics.com or visit www.synquatics.com.
Tennis
Clark Francis Tennis offers classes that cover the basic fundamentals of tennis including technique, agility, coordination movement and tactics at various locations across Dubai. Call 800-836647 or visit www.cftennisacademy.com. The Play Tennis Academy also provides junior and adult lessons. Visit www.play-tennis.ae
Trampoline
Bounce offers the After School Flight Academy programme that is a structured gymnastics coaching programme. With a maximum class size of eight students, coaches can actually focus on students and pay individual attention to each and every one. Call 04-3211400 or visit www.bounce.ae. For those who live in Mirdif, head to Jump Boxx in Uptown Mirdiff for some trampoline fun. Visit www.jump-boxx.com.
Wakeboarding
A combination of snowboarding, skateboarding and surfing - wakeboarders are towed behind a boat and use the wakes to do various different tricks. The boards are around 140cm long and you are secured on the board with a pair of bindings. Wakeboarding tuition is available at Bristol Marine in Dubai Marina 050-4732988. RIVA Beach Club and Ignite Surface offer Paddle Boarding (SUP) and Kayaking, from private lessons and hire through to SUP beginner classes, both mixed and girls-only, as well as SUP yoga and wakeboarding. Visit www.riva-beach.com.