Another term has come to an end (sob, they are growing up too soon) and the kids are on a two month long summer break (help and yay), but lucky for you, mama, there’s no chance for anyone to get bored over the hols! From awesome summer camps to water parks, outdoor and indoor fun to indoor birthday parties and even some fabulous holiday and staycation deals for family bonding (some of them don’t even require flights!), check out all the fun things you and your littles could indulge in this summer. There’s literally something for everyone.

Camps:

Whether you’re staying in town this summer or just looking for ways to entertain the kiddos for a week or two then look no further Mamas, as we’ve got the low-down on some of the best summer camps in the city. From getting stuck into arts and crafts to playing football all day on air conditioned pitches, learning to dive to water play with a difference – camps these days are so amazing that we wish we could join!

Things to do to keep sporty and active little people busy:

Got energetic kids, mama? We’ve you covered when the great outdoors is out of bounds. Save your home and your sanity (the sofa won’t handle anymore bouncing about and frankly neither will you) by checking out our list of 12 places to keep sporty and active little people busy when the usual beach/park/pool routine is on hold.

Non Soft-Play fun indoor:

When the sun is too hot and the good old boardgames won’t cut it anymore, you need some full proof entertainment ideas to burn those bottomless energy reserves. These fun Indoor (Non Soft-Play) Fun In The UAE, a Sassy Mama’s Guide require zero screen time and sure to see through those ‘stay indoor’ kind of days.

A Fun Indoor Art Activity To Keep Your Kids Busy & Having Fun:

Many of us don’t have the time to plan these activities or don’t have the expertise, knowledge or imagination for what’s most suited for the kids – and this is where Victoria can help. IDK Little Miracles is a new monthly service set up and you’ll be guided on how to have fun with your little ones and how to create time for the most important part of your life, your family. Four planned activities at just AED 90. Read all about it here.

Fun out of the Sun:

Listen here, mama. There’s absolutely no need to panic – or to suddenly promote hours of screen time every day. Yes schools are out and yes it’s very hot and yes it will continue to be very hot for a good few months now BUT the good news is that there are absolutely loads of fun things for kids to do in Dubai even when parks and beaches and outdoor play is limited. And they don’t all cost a fortune either (honestly!). For full run down on summer fun check out – 21 of Our Favourite Things To Do With Kids in Dubai Over The Summer or A-Z Guide To Surviving Summer With Kids In Dubai – the only alphabet you will need to perfect over school holidays. Missing outdoors? then you might find a thing or three here – Where To Get Your Dose Of Nature in Dubai When Temperatures Soar.

Splash, Slide and Swim:

From splash pads to full on water slides, lazy rivers to in-water lounges and even an indoor water play space for when you really can’t handle the outdoors, here are 4 watery spots to add to your list of must visits this summer. Also check out our guide guide to best places for the fam to get all washed up together whether you’re skidding down a waterslide or catching some waves at a water sports lesson. Even better, a few hours or a day-cation at one of Dubai’s fabulous hotels, mamas? From pools with slides to pools with views, we’ve found 14 of the best for cooling off and having a swimmingly good time, mamas.

Psst… heard of Privilee? This membership not only gives you unlimited access to some of the UAE’s best beach clubs and lush pools but also kids clubs, spa deals and loads more – all for a very reasonable price – and there’s no catch (honestly), just sign up, pay your subscription and start flexing that card! And here are our top 5 family friendly Privilee pools. 

Lets Talk Screen Time:

Whether you’re trying to fill up those hours (in between camps and indoor play fun), you’re facing a mammoth journey and need to keep the kids distracted and entertained or you’ll need to rely on the iPad as an occasional babysitter this summer just to get some peace and quiet – these new apps are not only fun but also a good way to keep the brain cells engaged when school’s out! And here our Singapore Editor explains how she’s achieved near-sainthood in her house with Daniel Tiger. 

psssst… mama, in need of some serious down time with Netflix?! (we hear you), here are some of the ‘Best Binge-Worthy Netflix Shows‘ to watch this summer. Plus, a mandatory mama viewing: ‘The Letdown’ on Netflix (if there is one show you watch this summer, let it be this). And a cheeky little guide for the littles too – top 10 Netflix picks for kids.

Taking the party indoors:

Got a birthday party to plan mamas? Check out our pick of the best places to book up a summer birthday party indoors and you can guarantee your birthday boy or girl the best day ever. And if you want to stay on trend then check out tips by Aisha Leitner, founder of fabulous party concert store Party Camel where she shares with us themes and accessories that are trending for kids birthday party planners this year. Oh, how could we forget the cake – here are the best places to have your cake (and eat it) in Dubai. Lastly if you’re looking to earn maximum mama points from the birthday boy/girl, who can’t stop saying – it was the best party ever, then plan A Game Van Party For Kids. Or if you simply want to host the party from comfort of your home, then here are some simple party food ideas for kids you may want to refer to. Have a good one, mamas!

Summer travel:

Looking at getting away to somewhere cooler and perhaps even somewhere exotic. Well, mamas look no further…here are our recommendations on where to go this summer as a family. Also, check out tips on what and how to pack smart for summer holidays.

Staying back? then you may want to break up the summer months with a staycation (or two) then you may want to check out  some of these fabulous travel offers in the UAE to make the most of, mamas! And a little guide on what to pack for your weekend vaycay, mamas!

Travel is the best time to catch up on reading – Novelist Lisa Beazley’s take on the best beach books to pack in your bag this summer… wherever your travels may take you!

Adventures and Once-in-a-lifetime Experiences:

Whether you’re new to Dubai, you know you won’t be in the desert for much longer, you want to buy someone the ULTIMATE gift or you want to get out there and have some fun, here are some of our favourites to add to your bucket list and ‘must-do’ things in Dubai, mamas!

Thank us later, happy summer hols, mama…Stay Sassy!

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Here’s some great news, mamas! Yes it might be hot out there but we’ve got you (or rather your energetic kids) covered when the great outdoors is out of bounds. Save your home and your sanity (the sofa won’t handle anymore bouncing about and frankly neither will you) by checking out our list of 12 places to keep sporty and active little people busy when the usual beach/park/pool routine is on hold. You see? There’s no need to panic – summer in Dubai is totally doable.

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Got kids in different age groups and dread having to find different camps to suit their requirements? Or have a little bundle of energy who needs to let off some steam in a super fun way? Then this camp from FitRepublik for kids aged 5-14 will be the perfect place for them to enjoy activities and games beyond the norm. Yup, this is one of those camps that’ll have your kids not wanting to leave at the end of the day!

Whether you’re keen to take a mix-and-match approach with a variety of one-day or one-week camps, or prefer to go for the full camp experience, one thing’s for sure – there’ll be plenty of activities to suit every interest. From music, dance and arty stuff to waterplay in the pool’s ‘Wibit’ obstacle course, trampolining, parkour, graffiti, lip sync battles, shoe customization, jewellery making and SO much more (in case we haven’t said it already, kids these days are soooo lucky!).

And the best bit about this camp is that kids will get to have a go at so many different activities and sports with plenty of encouragement but zero pressure. The FitRepublik team know that giving children options and choices is hugely exciting – while making them feel safe and supported too – so they’ve opened up their entire venue as well as the Dubai Sports City indoor dome to combine aquatics, fitness, sports, music and more to help young campers build their confidence throughout the programme. Perfect!

Running from 8 July to 30 August, there are flexible weekly and daily packages available between 8am and 3.30pm so that you can opt for full days, half days, a full week or a day here and there – anything’s possible. Oh, and as a Sassy Reader you’ll also get 20% off if you book before 30 June. We’re also loving that there’s a discount for siblings – applicable after 30 June (who doesn’t love a discount?); you can receive 15% off the camp fee for your second child who signs up and reduced rates for booking the larger weekly packages too, hooray!

Whether they’re water babies or little disco divas, wannabe Olympians or aspiring artists – at FitRepublik you’ll find the perfect programme for your littles to spend their summer learning new skills. Get them ready for an exciting summer hols, mamas!

Movin & Groovin Summer Camp is run at FitRepublik daily from 8 Jul to 30 Aug.

To book visit FitRepublik or contact us at camps@fitrepublik.com or call 04 556 1800

Price and Package Details as Below

1 week of full-day packages – AED 1,313 per week | AED 1,050 per week after 20% early bird discount
2 weeks of full-day packages – AED 1,260 per week | AED1,008 per week after 20% early bird discount
3 weeks of full-day packages – AED 1,208 per week | AED 966 per week after 20% early bird discount
4 weeks of full-day packages – AED 1,155 per week | AED924 per week after 20% early bird discount
1 week of half-day packages – AED 1,103 per week | AED 882 per week after 20% early bird discount
2 weeks of half-day packages – AED 1,050 per week | AED 840 per week after 20% early bird discount
A single full day – AED 262.50

Early Bird Offer: 20% discount if you book before June 30^th

The post Get Your Kiddos Movin’ and Groovin’ With this Corker Of A Camp by FitRepublik appeared first on Sassy Mama.

There are many benefits to baby classes or extra-curricular fun for your kids. From brain development to social interaction plus the chance to meet other mamas and watch your little ones get stuck into a new activity – just too cute! But with so many to choose from, how to start?!

The Bright Minds Institute offers six different type of classes for kiddos aged between six months and six years. From brain stimulation to music and rhythm, pre-nursery exploration and arts and crafts to cooking, these classes are about exposing little ones to the world around them and stimulating their minds in a fun and interactive way. There are over 40 classes a week at 4 different locations – these guys are busy (and they love it!) – and you’re guaranteed to find an awesome class that suits.

With the new Winter Term starting this week and running for 11 weeks (until March 23), now is the perfect time to get your kids signed up, especially as there are 2 fab promotions to snap up: Bright Baby Discount where children under 1 can sign up for the term for a reduced fee at the Kids HQ location and a new Nursery Prep Package that allows you to purchase a multi-class package, where the per class price goes down depending on the number of classes you do per week.

Founded by a mama and a teacher, Bright Minds was created to provide young children with the opportunity to learn creatively while having fun, in safe and stimulating environments. Whether they’re at pre-school stage or you’re looking for supplemental classes to enhance development, each specific class will engage its little pupils through creative play, music, crafts, sensory-based activities or direct intellectual stimulation plus loads more. And with up to 6 or 8 children in each class (depending on the class), every session allows for maximum interaction while being intimate and engaging. Perfect.

Cooking, arts, crafts, drama, music, sensory play – does it get much better?! Your bright little minds will love these classes and you’ll get to make a few more mama friends too. Bonus!

Want to try before you buy? Bright Minds are offering each Sassy Mama reader (or rather, each Sassy kiddo!) 1 free class. Simply reference Sassy Mama when booking.

To book a class call 056 688 0773 or email info@thebrightmindsinstitute.com. 
You can find more information at www.thebrightmindsinstitute.com. 

The post Baby & Kiddo Classes For The Brightest Little Minds appeared first on Sassy Mama.

A full international netball match aired on television here in Dubai recently, which made me realise what a massive global sport it’s becoming. I loved playing Netball when I was young and still play now (secretly harbouring the hope that my knees hold out long enough for me to play together with my daughters).

Watching the game, I thought about how important it is for children to learn about teamwork, how to win with grace and lose with dignity and about how these life lessons prepare them for the trials of the teenage years and the tribulations of adulthood. Team sports don’t just help keep our bodies fit, they also help vital social skills flourish.

Read more: Best Kids Sports Activities In Dubai 

So with this thought in my head I began my search for a netball club for my daughter, quickly coming across the newly formed Desert Girls Netball Club (DGNC) and immediately feeling a kinship with their wow factor ethos.

The club was founded by Samantha Preston. An ex Australian international netball player, Sam dreamt of starting a non-profit club in Dubai that boosts grass roots netball and offers a sense of belonging, positivity and team spirit to any young girl, regardless of their skill level.

Seriously impressed with the clubs inclusive principles (and the ‘cost covering only’ price tag), I took my daughter along to the team selection day and heard more about the club’s founding traits.

 “Playing in a team sport provides such a valuable arena, boosting so many aspects of personal development: confidence, camaraderie, fitness, friendship, fun and of-course competition. The DGNC is not about elite player against elite player. Anyone who wants to play will be put on a team – all skill sets, all levels, all welcome.” Samantha Preston, founder and chair of DGNC.

Read more: Melodica: the Best Music Classes in Dubai for Kids

The DGNC is sponsored by The Entertainer, another great cost cutting, community spirited entity (and possible the most used App on my phone!). The coaches and trainers are all volunteers and the team managers are mums and dads like you and me.

A few weeks in and my little 6-year old dons her netball kit with a beaming grin, all abuzz to train and compete with her teammates.

Best of all? She has no idea that she is acquiring social skills that will yield lifelong benefits…she just knows that she is having fun!

Read more: The Coolest Out Of The Ordinary After-School Kids Classes In Dubai

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Psst… mamas, here’s something new that you’ll really want to sign your kids up for pronto. Anything that gets our little people out and about and exploring their environment plus learning heaps of new skills at the same time gets a whopping Sassy seal of approval, so listen up.

Touring Tykes is a soon-to-launch excursion company for 3-5 year olds, offering up mountains (sometimes literally) of fun for curious kiddos. The first of its kind in the Middle East, we’re talking membership to the kind of club every child would love to join (frankly, we’re tempted to ask whether they’d consider 40 year olds too…), allowing them to experience everything from stable tours to cooking, science classes to candy making and much, much more while mama (and dad) get some well-deserved alone time. Perfect. The range of activities may result in your little one never wanting to come home…

Want to know more? Then please join us and the Touring Tykes team at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club on Sunday, 27 August, 2017 between 9.30am – 11.30am for a fabulously fun and free coffee morning where you can enjoy a cuppa and nibbles while the kiddos play and photographers capture the magic.

This event is fully booked and mama if you are on our RSVP list, you will receive a reminder email from us on Saturday 26 August 2017 (keep an eye out for this email!). See you there!

The post You’re Invited: To A Mama/Kiddo Event With Touring Tykes, Dubai’s Most Exciting New Start-up appeared first on Sassy Mama.