Today's Edition
Mays Ibrahim (ABU DHABI)
With schools closed for the summer, organisations across the UAE are offering a wide range of camps designed to keep children engaged through sports, technology, arts and media.
This year's line-up of summer camps offers children opportunities to learn artificial intelligence, robotics, and journalism; discover Emirati heritage; explore museums after hours; and even develop climbing skills.
The camps, many of which are organised by government entities and cultural institutions, reflect the country's broader focus on equipping young people with future-ready skills while strengthening their connection to Emirati identity and culture.
Blending Heritage with Creativity
The Ministry of Culture's Summer Programme 2026, running from July 6 to 30 under the theme ‘Proud of the UAE’, is among the country's largest cultural initiatives for children and teenagers.
Held across seven cultural centres in partnership with Sandooq Al Watan, the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority and Majalis Abu Dhabi, the programme targets children aged seven to 16 through 63 cultural specialisations and dozens of interactive workshops.
Participants can explore theatre, creative writing, painting and traditional crafts alongside Emirati folk arts such as Al Razfa, Al Ayyala, and Al Yowla. New additions this year include artificial intelligence activities, Arabic calligraphy, storytelling sessions, daily competitions and heritage-based games.
The ministry said more than 500 people applied to become trainers, with 75 cultural and creative specialists selected to lead workshops across the country.
Abu Dhabi's newest cultural institutions are also opening their doors to young learners.
The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi's summer camp, running from July 6 to August 7, invites children aged five to 14 to investigate biodiversity, fossils, dinosaurs and ecosystems through science experiments, storytelling, and hands-on projects.
Participants will also visit other institutions across Saadiyat Cultural District as part of the wider Abu Dhabi Culture Summer Camp programme.
Meanwhile, the Zayed National Museum is hosting its first-ever summer camp, where children will explore the UAE's history through gallery activities, storytelling, and practical workshops inspired by Emirati traditions.
Throughout July and August, the museum will also offer public workshops on Emirati coffee making, embroidery, and traditional hospitality customs under the theme ‘The Emirati Sanaa’.
At Louvre Abu Dhabi, children can step into the world of board games during a four-day camp inspired by the Children's Museum exhibition ‘A Board Game Adventure’.
The programme, running over August 11–14 and August 18–21, combines history, creativity and teamwork, culminating in participants designing their own games before presenting them to family members.
Future Skills Take Centre Stage
Technology remains a central theme across many summer programmes.
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) Innovation Camp introduces children aged nine to 15 to artificial intelligence, robotics, data science and entrepreneurship.
Available online and at Zayed University campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the programme allows students to build virtual businesses, programme robots, explore cloud technologies, and develop presentation and teamwork skills.
The camp forms part of the UAE's wider efforts to prepare young people for careers in the digital economy.
Young storytellers can also gain an early introduction to the media industry through the Creative Media Authority's Summer Media Camp.
Held at Yas Creative Hub in Abu Dhabi and Al Qattara Arts Centre in Al Ain, the week-long programme teaches children aged eight to 12 skills including news reporting, voice-over, animation, comic creation, storytelling and character design.
Libraries, Sport and Adventure
Across the emirate, Abu Dhabi Libraries is running a two-month Summer Library Camp until the end of August.
Hosted at libraries in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra, the programme blends reading with fashion, design and creative workshops in Arabic and English, encouraging children to develop new skills while expressing their creativity.
For children seeking a more active summer, CLYMB Yas Island has partnered with Active Abu Dhabi to launch a four-week Junior Climbers programme.
Running from July 27 to August 21, the initiative gives young participants the opportunity to learn climbing techniques, build confidence, and develop physical fitness under the supervision of professional instructors.
