From painting and public speaking to cooking and coding, these summer workshops will keep little minds busy…

We get it. The summer is hard. But these summer workshops offer the perfect mix of fun and learning, to help little ones discover new hobbies, build confidence and pick up valuable skills along the way. Whether they’re budding artists, future chefs or natural performers, there’s something here to spark every imagination.

Music lessons

Melodica is an award-winning music institute in Dubai, offering lessons for children of all skill levels. KHDA-approved courses cover piano, guitar, violin, drums, flute and more, with dedicated classes for those looking to work on their vocals, too. Whether your kids are just starting out or are ready to level up their skills, certified instructors are on hand to guide them. Not ready to commit? You can book a trial class first.

Various locations across Dubai including Palm Jumeirah, Wasl Road, Silicon Oasis, and more, melodica.ae

Art

Art Mystics is hosting a summer camp for children aged four and above, designed to turn their time off into a hands-on artistic adventure. The programme explores a wide range of mediums and ideas, from painting, charcoal and pastels to interior design concepts, fashion basics, and textured mixed-media art, giving little creatives plenty of space to experiment and express themselves. With two locations to choose from – Al Barsha and Dubai Silicon Oasis – families can opt for a full four-week experience or book by the week, with classes running Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 1pm (prices vary).

Diamond Business Centre 2, Arjan, artmystics.co

Public speaking

Public speaking is a valuable life skill, but one that can still make many adults break into a sweat. If you want your kids to grow up confident and comfortable speaking in front of a crowd, it’s worth getting them started early. The programme covers everything from speech writing and debate to persuasion, improvisation and effective communication, with classes available for children aged six to 10, teens up to 16 and young adults up to 18.

Al Nasr Commercial Plaza, Oud Metha, pinnacleeducation.ae

Cooking

Does your child insist on helping out in the kitchen every time you cook? It might be time to swap the mixing bowl at home for a proper cooking class. Petits Chefs Dubai is a children’s cooking programme that teaches youngsters aged three to 15 how to cook from scratch using fresh ingredients and sustainable kitchen practices, with a focus on healthy French cuisine, zero-waste cooking and eco-friendly techniques. Its summer camp launches at Expo Village Boulevard on July 6, with five three-hour sessions priced at Dhs790, and additional dates available throughout the summer

Expo Village Boulevard, Dubai South, petitschefsdubai.ae

Acting

We all know kids can be dramatic, and if they’re keen on applying those theatrics to the stage, Drama Scene has just the thing. This summer, the performing arts school is running a holiday workshop for children aged four to 12, with each week building towards a final presentation that families are invited to watch. The summer programme kicks off on July 6 and costs Dhs1,200 per week, with an additional Dhs200 registration fee for new students.

The Mall, Umm Suqeim 3, dramascene.com

Photography

Has your child ever borrowed your phone and returned it with 100 photos of the same thing? Put that enthusiasm to good use with a photography workshop at Masterbrain. Pint-sized pic snappers can learn the basics of camera operation, framing, lighting, editing and printing, along with tips for capturing the perfect shot. Before long, you could have a diminutive David Bailey in your own home.

Aspect Tower, Business Bay, masterbrain.me

Dance

Award-winning dance studio Palais de Danse offers a range of dance classes for children, from standard and Latin ballroom to social styles such as salsa, bachata and Argentine tango. Keen to give it a go? Trial classes are available for Dhs49, while drop-in sessions cost Dhs99. For those ready to commit, a one-month package with eight classes is priced at Dhs680, while a three-month package with 24 classes costs Dhs1,840.

Al Quoz Industrial Area 1, palaisdedanse.com