What to do in the school holidays in the UAE?

Are you wondering what to do in the school holidays in the UAE? Or just looking for fun children’s activities any time of the year? There are so many things to do, especially in Sharjah, and many are cheap or free. Whether you’re looking for something educational, fun or both, you’re sure to find something here.

I have compiled a list and sorted it into categories and a lot of them are educational too so good for all year round, especially to fit in with what children are learning at school or just to supplement their learning. For home schooling they’re a great resource.

Some are repeated as they fit into more than one category. Those that I have written blog posts about include a link. Please remember I don’t cover anywhere in Dubai or Abu Dhabi as they tend to get enough coverage already. Other children’s activities such as Sharjah Reading Festival come up on my social media, so check there too.

(This page was originally published in March 2020 and has been updated. The prices and information were correct at my last visit. If you find them to be different, please do let me know and it’s always best to check on their own media pages or call for the latest information.)

What to do in the school holidays

What to do in the school holidays – Science-related activities

• Sharjah Science Museum (includes small play area for toddlers) 10dhs, children 5 dhs, under 3 free.
• Discovery Centre, Sharjah, Adults 10 dhs, children 5dhs, (currently closed)
• Sharjah Centre for Astronomy and Space Science, Adults 22dhs, children 11dhs, children under four free, closed Thursdays (prebook ing required)
• Sharjah Airport (Mahatta) Museum (science of flight, avian and aeroplane) Adults 10 dhs, children (2-12) 5 dh, under two free

What to do in the school holidays – Transport-related activities

• Sharjah Classic Car Museum, Adults 10dhs, children 2-12 yrs 5 dhs
• Sharjah Centre for Astronomy and Space Science, (space travel) Adults 22dhs, children 11dhs, children under four free, closed Thursdays (prebooking required for shows)
• Sharjah Airport (Mahatta) Museum
• Sharjah Maritime Museum, 20 dhs combined ticket with Sharjah Aquarium
• Tour in a UniMog, Mleiha Archeological Centre
• RTA Water taxi between Sharjah Aquarium and Ghubaiba Marine Station, Dubai. silver class 15dhs one way, gold class 25dhs one way
• Abras, self-drive boats, pedaloes – Al Majaz, al Qasba, Ajman Marina 1, Al Rafisah Dam, Manar Mall Promenade
• Off-road Museum, Madam
• Classic Car Museum, Dibba Fujairah

What to do in the school holidays – Archeology/history-related activities

• Sharjah Archeological Museum,
• Al Hisn Museum, Khor Fakkan (includes exhibitions going back to the Iron Age), 15 dhs, free under 12,
• Mleiha Archeological Centre, archeological sites free or paid tour, museum 20 dhs
• Heart of Sharjah – Heritage Museum, Calligraphy Museum, Hisn Fort, Souq al Arsha, Bait al Nabooda, Bait al Hurma, Sharjah Heritage Museum, Souq al Shansiya, Sharjah Art Museum and Arts Area, Bait Obaid al Shamsi
• Museum of Islamic Civilisation, Sharjah, adults 10 dhs, children 5 dhs
• Al Miqsar Village, Khor Fakkan (currently being adapted into a hotel)
• Al Hayl Fort, Fujairah entrance free
• Ajman Museum 5dhs (temporarily closed)
• Wadi al Helou Archeological site
• Jazira al Hamra ‘haunted’ abandoned village free
• Al Dhaya Fort, Rams, Ras al Khaimah free
• Fujairah Fort
• Bidiya Mosque, Fujairah free (currently closed)
• Awhala Fort, Fujairah, free
• Falaj al Mualla Fort and Museum, 5dhs
• Khor Fakkan archaeological site (old fort), Hisn Museum (later fort), various towers, dam, souq, dining, corniche and more
• Tayyibah Museum, Fujairah free entrance
• Ras al Khaimah Museum
• Museum of Beautiful Times, RAK

What to do in the school holidays – Nature/plant-related activities

• Botanical Museum, Sharjah Desert Park 15dhs for all museums/centres in park, under 12 free, closed Tuesday
• Islamic Gardens, Sharjah Desert Park 15dhs for all museums/centres in park, under 12 free, closed Tuesday
• Mangrove forests, Ajman, UAQ, RAK
• Noor Island adults 35, child 20, butterfly house 15 dhs extra (combined ticket 2 for 1 in Entertainer)
• Walk through Old Residential Village at Wadi Shees
• Khor Kalba Mangrove Centre, Monday closed, adults 15.50, children under 12 free.

What to do in the school holidays – Animal-related activities

• Noor Island adults 35, child 20, butterfly house 15 dhs extra (combined ticket 2 for 1 in Entertainer, best to call the day before to check it’s open to the public that day)
• Arabian Wildlife Centre and Children’s Farm, Sharjah Desert Park, 21 dhs for all museums/centres in park, under 12 free, closed Tuesday
• Wasit Wetlands Nature Reserve, 15dhs including buggy ride round lake, under 12 free, closed Tuesday
• Kalba Mountain Conservation Centre, Adults – 25dhs plus VAT, children under 12 free
• Kalba Bird of Prey Centre, Adults – 15dhs plus VAT(free return within one month), children under 12 free.
• Khor Kalba Mangrove Centre, Monday closed, adults 15.50, children under 12 free.
• Sharjah Aquarium

What to do in the school holidays – Geology/natural history-related activities

• Buhais Geology Park, closed Tuesday
• Natural History Museum, Sharjah Desert Park, 15dhs for all museums/centres in park, under 12 free, closed Tuesday
• Discover Mleiha – Children’s workshops on fossils, paleontology – book in advance
• Dhaid Wildlife Centre, entrance 10 dhs for adults, children under 12 free, closed Tuesday (please note, there are no live animals here)
• Mountain formations, road trip – lots of interesting formations around the Dibba Zone, see also Kub, etc 

What to do in the school holidays – Art-related activities

• Sharjah Art Museum,
• Sharjah Art Foundation
• Bait al Naboodah, 10 dhs or four museums for 20
• Bait Obaid al Shamsi free
• Calligraphy Museum, Heart of Sharjah 10 dhs or four museums for 20
• The Rain Room art installation Adults 25dhs Children 6-12 15dhs, under 5s go free. Best to book in advance.
• Sharjah Flying Saucer (free)
• Arabic Architecture – Sharjah government buildings in Al Khan, Government House Roundabout, Quran Roundabout, University City, Sharjah, Sharjah Municipality Building, Sharjah Mosque, Al Qasba, Fujairah Mosque
• Ajman Heritage District street art

What to do in the school holidays – Fun Activities!

• Al Rafisah Dam – lake, play areas, picnic areas, nature, ducks, pedalos, kayaks, etc starting from 30 dhs.
• Khor Fakkan Corniche
• Kalba Corniche Park
• Kayaking and other water sports – Ajman Marina, RAK, UAQ, Khor Kalba
• Al Majaz Waterfront – restaurants and cafes, more happening 4pm onwards – mini golf, splash park, boats, car rides (pretend old style cars), multiple play areas, jogging track, park
• Al Qasba Canal – restaurants and cafes, paid play areas, occasional festivals
• Ajman Marina – play areas, boat rides, restaurants and cafes, beach, caravan site, birdwatching, golf
• Marsaa Ajman – waterfront restaurants, go-karts and bicycles to rent, floating restaurant (mostly closed mornings and early afternoon)
• Al Suwaidi Pearl Farm with boat trip, Al Rams, Ras al Khaimah 300 dhs, children 200 (?) dhs
• Discover Mleiha – dune-bashing, horse-riding, UniMog tour, workshops, stargazing and more (all need to be booked in advance)
• Jebel Jais – Sky Maze, Sky Tour, Sky Flight, food trucks, picnic areas, views, camping, hiking
• Promenade Manar Mall, Ras al Khaimah
• Fujairah Seven Peaks/Summits hiking trail
• Fujairah Adventure Park
• Huwailat Family Park, South Ras al Khaimah
• Sharjah Paintball Park
• Ajman Battle Park

What to do in the school holidays – Hiking!

See our page on some hiking areas here. There are lots of family friendly options

• Hiking in the UAE
• Al Bidya Trail
• Ghail – Kalba Dam trail
• Masfoot trail
• Jebel Jais Lower Trails

Have a look at this post too on places for walking, cycling, exercising outdoors

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