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UAE summer break: Free options overbooked, paid camps out of reach for many parents
Families are finding creative ways to keep children active and entertained, with many turning to staycations and local experiences as free camps are filling up
- PUBLISHED: Tue 7 Jul 2026, 6:00 AM UPDATED: Tue 7 Jul 2026, 8:23 AM
As the UAE’s long summer break gets underway, many parents face the same annual question on how to keep children engaged, active, and away from screens without breaking the bank.
For a growing number of families, the answer is sometimes hard to find. Free summer camps in the UAE are filling up fast, while paid programmes can run to hundreds of dirhams a week per child, putting them out of reach for some households with two or more children.
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Khaleej Times spoke to parents across the UAE to find out how they are navigating the school holidays.
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'Summer camps are expensive'
Dubai resident Um Hasher, a mother of two, said she makes it a point every summer to channel her children’s energy into something productive.
“We have no travel plans this summer, so we are trying to diversify activities between staying at home, simple visits to malls or indoor venues, and enrolling them in educational and recreational activities so they don’t feel bored," she told Khaleej Times.
Even a simple family outing can be expensive. According to Um Hasher, a visit to a mall or entertainment venue typically costs between Dh300 and Dh600, depending on the destination, activities and meals.
She eventually enrolled her children in a paid summer camp, but only after compromising on duration. “The cost is around Dh1,000, and it is relatively the cheapest option, though the duration is also short,” she said.
"I find many summer camp prices high, especially for families with more than one child. Honestly, finding a good camp at a price that suits the family budget is not easy.
Prices vary greatly between camps and can reach hundreds or more than Dh1,000 a week, which makes the cost high for many families. I wish there were more options at reasonable prices or greater support for summer camps," she added.
Aisha Al Darmaki, a mother of three, had planned to keep the holiday simple, spending it inside the country and enrolling her children in summer programmes.
Her children are attending camps, she said, "Unfortunately, not free," describing the fees as excessive. She added that a single family outing can cost anywhere between Dh1,000 and Dh1,500.
With overseas travel and organised camps putting pressure on household budgets, some parents are choosing to explore the UAE instead.
Domestic tourism becomes the alternative
Um Hamad, a mother of four, said she has replaced her usual summer holiday abroad with local trips to farms, hotels, and tourist attractions within the Emirates. Each outing for her family costs about Dh1,000, including food, entertainment, and activities.
She decided against enrolling her children in camps altogether. "I didn't register the children because I don't want to commit to a fixed schedule. I'd rather vary our outings so they don't get bored. If I find camps that suit their ages and interests, I might consider them, but only if they're not too long," she said.
For Um Hamad, the decision also carries a sense of purpose. “There is nothing lacking in the UAE that would make us travel abroad. Let’s benefit our country and let our children see their homeland and get to know its regions better.”
Free camps fill up quickly
For some families, affordability is only part of the problem. The bigger challenge is finding a place in free programmes before they reach capacity.
Maryam Al Yasi, a mother of four from Dubai's Al Aweer area, said she hoped to enrol her children in summer camps but found paid programmes beyond her budget, while free camps were already full.
“Our family budget does not allow us to pay. We wanted to register for camps but could not find seats in the free camps,” she said, adding that finding suitable activities is especially important as one of her daughters has ADHD and attention difficulties.
Her family will instead spend the summer settling into their new home and touring the country. A typical outing costs around Dh500 for food and play, rising to Dh1,000 when basic shopping is included.
“We plan to spend the holiday in the country and at home. Since we have moved to a new house, we want to spend the holiday there and tour around the UAE,” she added.
Her experience reflects a situation many parents are familiar with, as free programmes are often in high demand while paid activities may not suit every family's budget.
Ruqayya Alqaydi is a Special Correspondent with an endless curiosity to learn. Like a journalist on a caffeine overdrive, she is fuelled by passion and on a mission to uncover every gem in the UAE.