BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)

With schools across the UAE closing for a four-week winter break, students have stepped into a long-awaited pause, one that offers the perfect chance to rest, recharge, and explore new passions.

While the holiday season naturally brings excitement, it also raises a familiar question for parents: How can children spend their time in a meaningful, enjoyable way?

Experts say the break is long enough for children to try new experiences, build new habits, and develop skills that often get overlooked during the busy school year. Here are some ideas:

1.    Join a winter camp

Winter camps continue to be one of the most sought-after options for families across the country. These programmes give children the chance to stay active, social, and engaged during the break while exploring interests they may not have time for during the school term.

Whether it is robotics, drama, sports, or outdoor adventures, winter camps offer a balance of fun and learning. They help children make new friends, build confidence, and step outside their comfort zones, all within a safe and stimulating environment.

“Our children need balance during their breaks,” said Lewis Gardner, Assistant Director at Camp Lindenmere, which will open in the UAE soon.

“They need time to rest, time to explore their interests, and time to further engage in meaningful social and physical with their friends and peers. Breaks allow kids to step outside the structure of school and try new things at their own pace,” Gardner told Aleithad.

Drawing on 10 years of experience running summer camps in the US, he said the key elements for students are unstructured play to spark creativity and problem-solving; social connection to build friendships and communication skills; and physical activity to stay healthy and reduce stress. These complement learning based on skills and interests, such as arts, sports, reading, or hands-on projects.

“Social skills grow rapidly because campers interact with peers outside their usual school circles, learning teamwork, communication, and inclusivity. Emotional skills strengthen as kids gain independence, practice resilience, and learn to navigate new environments and challenges,” Gardner said.

While camps are not traditionally academic as they give children a break from the norm of school, they reinforce important academic-adjacent skills, such as creativity, problem-solving, leadership, responsibility, and curiosity, according to Gardner.

“Many of these translate directly into stronger performance once children return to the classroom,” he added.

2.    Learn a new language

With fewer academic pressures and more free time, the winter break is ideal for learning a new language. Children absorb languages quickly, and intensive short-term exposure can significantly improve communication and cognitive skills.

Many centres in the UAE offer holiday courses in Arabic, English, French, Mandarin, and Spanish. Younger learners especially benefit from programmes that incorporate storytelling, movement, and games to make language learning natural and enjoyable.

3.    Sign up for art classes

Creativity thrives when children are free from deadlines and exams, and the winter break is the perfect time to nurture it. Art classes, pottery workshops, photography sessions, and writing circles allow children to express themselves in new ways and explore ideas without pressure.

These activities help children understand themselves better, develop communication skills, and discover artistic interests they may want to pursue long term.

Roxanne Clark, an arts teacher based in the UAE, said many parents register their children in art classes during breaks.

“Some children discover they enjoy painting, others find their voice through creative story writing. What matters is that they are learning to express themselves without fear of being graded,” Clark told Aletihad.

She added that when a child spends time creating something from nothing, it changes how they see themselves. “Art is a proper activity for all ages, it gives students more emotional awareness and time to disconnect from everything.”

4.    Explore the great outdoors

The UAE’s winter weather transforms the outdoors into a playground for learning and adventure. Families can take advantage of cooler temperatures through hikes at Abu Dhabi’s Jebel Hafit, beach days, bike rides, nature reserve visits, or simple picnics in the park. Outdoor activities help children disconnect from screens, move their bodies, and develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world around them.

Time spent outside also supports emotional health, improves focus, and helps regulate sleep, all essential for a positive return to school.

Children can also enjoy different sports like football, basketball, and swimming, activities that not only keep them active but also help build teamwork, discipline, and resilience.

Public parks across the Emirates come alive during winter break. Families flock to places like Abu Dhabi’s Umm Al Emarat Park or Dubai’s Zabeel Park, where children can run, cycle, roller-skate, or enjoy open green spaces.

These parks often host pop-up events, outdoor movie nights, weekend markets, and kid-friendly workshops, turning simple outings into memorable learning moments.

5.    Pick up a musical instrument

Winter break is also an ideal time for children to discover the joys of music. With fewer academic demands, this time can be used to introduce children to musical instruments such as the piano, violin, guitar, or oud, an instrument deeply rooted in the region’s cultural heritage.

Whether through private lessons, group classes, or introductory workshops, musical education during winter break can enrich a child’s routine and open the door to a lifelong passion.

6.    Rest and spend time with family

While activities are important, rest remains an essential part of the winter break. After a busy academic term, children benefit from sleeping more, reading for pleasure, and enjoying slow, unstructured days at home and spending time with the rest of the family.

Downtime helps them process their thoughts, reset emotionally, and return to school feeling refreshed.