{"id":45121,"date":"2026-07-02T07:44:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T07:44:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/?p=45121"},"modified":"2026-07-02T07:59:57","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T07:59:57","slug":"uae-parents-face-rising-costs-as-summer-camps-exceed-dh6000-per-child-making-affordable-options-harder-to-find-during-the-school-holiday-period","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/02\/uae-parents-face-rising-costs-as-summer-camps-exceed-dh6000-per-child-making-affordable-options-harder-to-find-during-the-school-holiday-period\/","title":{"rendered":"UAE parents face rising costs as summer camps exceed Dh6,000 per child, making affordable options harder to find during the school holiday period."},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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From programming classes to athletic camps, parents say it is increasingly difficult\u2014both financially and practically\u2014to keep children occupied and engaged throughout the summer holiday.<\/h4>

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Families across the UAE are finding it increasingly difficult to balance work commitments with childcare needs as schools begin their extended summer break starting this Friday. With children at home for several weeks, working parents are once again faced with the challenge of arranging meaningful and safe activities that can keep their children engaged throughout the holiday period.<\/p>

For many households, summer camps have traditionally served as a practical solution during the long school vacation. These programmes not only provide supervision while parents are at work but also offer children opportunities to learn new skills, participate in recreational activities, and interact socially with peers. However, this year, many parents say that the rising cost of such camps is making them far less accessible than before.<\/p>

A growing number of families report that affordability has become a major concern, particularly for those with more than one child. While summer camps remain widely available across cities in the UAE, the financial burden associated with enrolling multiple children has made participation increasingly difficult for many households.<\/p>

Basic summer programmes, which typically include general activities such as arts and crafts, indoor games, and light physical activities, are now commonly priced at around Dh300 per week. While this may appear manageable for a single child over a short period, the total cost quickly adds up over the course of a long summer break.<\/p>

More specialised programmes, however, come at a significantly higher cost. Camps focusing on areas such as coding, robotics, advanced sports training, performing arts, and creative development can charge substantially more. Monthly fees for these premium programmes can exceed Dh6,000 per child, placing them out of reach for many families, especially those managing multiple enrolments.<\/p>

Parents say that the combination of rising prices and longer holiday durations has created added financial pressure at a time when many households are already dealing with increased living costs. Inflation and higher day-to-day expenses have contributed to tighter budgeting decisions, forcing families to reconsider how much they can realistically allocate toward summer activities.<\/p>

As a result, many working parents are now actively searching for more affordable alternatives, such as shorter-duration camps, community-based programmes, or shared childcare arrangements. Some are also coordinating schedules with relatives or adjusting work routines to reduce the need for full-day camps.<\/p>

Despite these efforts, the demand for reasonably priced summer activities continues to grow, and availability often remains limited. Popular camps tend to fill up quickly, especially those offering structured learning experiences or located in central urban areas, leaving families with fewer options as the summer progresses.<\/p>

The situation has also highlighted the broader challenge of balancing educational enrichment with affordability. While many parents recognise the value of structured summer programmes in supporting children\u2019s development, they also express concern about the widening gap between low-cost basic camps and high-priced specialised options.<\/p>

For working families, especially those with dual incomes or demanding job schedules, summer camps are not just an optional activity but an essential form of childcare support. Without them, parents often struggle to manage full-time work responsibilities alongside the need to supervise and engage children at home during working hours.<\/p>

This annual challenge becomes more pronounced during longer school holidays, when children require continuous engagement over several weeks. In such cases, even short-term camps or part-time programmes may not fully address the childcare needs of families.<\/p>

Some parents have noted that while the variety of summer camps has increased over the years, affordability has not necessarily improved in the same proportion. Instead, the expansion of premium programmes has contributed to a wider pricing range, making it more difficult for middle-income families to find suitable options within their budget.<\/p>

In many cases, families are now forced to prioritise either shorter camp durations or more basic programmes, even if they would prefer more comprehensive or specialised activities for their children. This often leads to a compromise between cost and quality of engagement.<\/p>

At the same time, organisers of summer camps point to the rising costs of delivering such programmes, including venue rentals, staffing, specialised instructors, and activity materials. These operational expenses are often reflected in the final fees charged to parents, contributing to the overall increase in prices.<\/p>

The situation underscores a growing tension between demand for high-quality summer enrichment programmes and the financial realities faced by families. While interest in educational and activity-based camps remains strong, affordability continues to be a key factor influencing participation levels.<\/p>

As the summer break begins, many families across the UAE are now carefully planning how to manage the coming weeks, weighing the benefits of different camp options against their financial constraints. For some, this means selecting a mix of part-time programmes and home-based activities, while others may rely more heavily on informal childcare arrangements.<\/p>

Overall, the rising cost of summer camps has become a significant concern for parents, particularly in households with multiple children. As they navigate the long school holiday period, families continue to seek practical and affordable ways to ensure their children remain engaged, active, and supported throughout the summer months.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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As the summer break approaches, many parents in the UAE say they are being forced to start planning much earlier than before, with rising costs making decisions more complicated and more restrictive. What used to be a relatively simple seasonal arrangement has now become a careful balancing act involving budgeting, timing, and the availability of suitable programmes for children.<\/h4>

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For several families, the challenge does not begin with camp registration or scheduling. It starts much earlier at home, with managing children\u2019s screen time during the long hours of the holiday period. Parents describe how the transition from school routines to unstructured days quickly leads to increased reliance on tablets, gaming devices, and streaming content, which becomes a primary concern as the holidays progress.<\/p>

One parent, UAE expatriate Sai Bhagwat, explained that this issue is a daily struggle in her household. She said that once the family is outside or even at home without structured activities, children naturally gravitate towards digital entertainment. According to her, managing this behaviour is one of the most pressing concerns during the summer months, especially when school routines are no longer in place to regulate daily activity.<\/p>

With her family planning to travel in July, she is now carefully evaluating options for August, when she expects her children will need structured engagement again. However, she says the decision is not straightforward, as there are many factors influencing her choice of summer camp.<\/p>

Rather than opting for general activity-based camps, she prefers programmes that offer more focused skill development. She expressed a clear preference for camps that go beyond basic recreational activities and instead introduce children to practical, real-world skills. In her view, camps that only offer general play or repetitive leisure activities do not provide enough long-term value.<\/p>

Instead, she is looking for programmes that include hands-on learning opportunities such as pottery, podcast creation, photography, camera handling, or basic film production skills. She believes these kinds of experiences help children explore creativity in a more meaningful way while also learning skills that could be useful in the future.<\/p>

However, while she has a strong preference for such structured programmes, cost remains a major factor influencing her final decision. She noted that fees can range between approximately Dh900 and Dh1,000 per week for each child, which quickly becomes a significant expense when multiplied over several weeks or for multiple children in a family.<\/p>

This financial aspect, she explained, plays a decisive role in narrowing down available options. Even when suitable programmes are found, the overall cost often determines whether they can realistically be considered.<\/p>

Across the UAE, many parents share similar concerns. While there is a wide variety of summer camps available, ranging from general recreational activities to highly specialised learning programmes, the cost difference between these options has become increasingly noticeable.<\/p>

In recent years, there has been a clear shift towards more specialised camps that combine education with entertainment. These programmes are often designed to teach children skills in areas such as technology, media production, coding, sports development, and creative arts. While they are attractive to parents who want more than just childcare solutions, they also tend to come with significantly higher price tags.<\/p>

For some families, however, these specialised programmes are seen as worthwhile investments. Dubai-based American expatriate Natalia Miranda shared her experience of selecting camps based on her son\u2019s interests, particularly in technology and digital learning.<\/p>

She explained that her primary focus this summer is finding a coding-oriented programme that aligns with her child\u2019s natural curiosity in technology. Rather than choosing general activity camps, she is prioritising structured learning environments where children can build technical skills while also staying engaged during the holidays.<\/p>

Reflecting on her previous experiences, she said that technology-focused camps have proven to be highly beneficial. According to her, these programmes are especially suitable for children who are already interested in digital tools, gaming, and creative media.<\/p>

She recalled that one of the camps her son attended last year provided a wide range of structured activities. These included introductory coding sessions, video game design exercises, podcast creation workshops, and lessons on building and managing digital content such as YouTube channels. The variety of activities allowed children to explore multiple creative and technical areas within a single programme.<\/p>

She also mentioned that the camp structure changed weekly, keeping the experience dynamic and engaging. In one week, children worked on projects related to Minecraft, while in another, they focused on video production techniques and storytelling through digital media. This rotating structure helped maintain interest and allowed children to gain exposure to different skill sets over time.<\/p>

Overall, she described the experience as highly educational and well-suited for children who are already inclined towards technology and digital creativity. For her, the combination of structured learning and interactive projects provided strong value beyond traditional recreational camps.<\/p>

Despite this positive experience, she also acknowledged that such specialised programmes are not inexpensive. While she sees them as beneficial for skill development, the financial aspect remains an important consideration, especially when planning for extended enrolment periods or multiple sessions during the summer.<\/p>

This highlights a broader trend among families across the UAE, where parents are increasingly weighing educational value against affordability. While many are willing to invest in high-quality programmes that support learning and development, there is also growing awareness of the financial strain these choices can create over several weeks of summer vacation.<\/p>

For households with more than one child, these costs multiply quickly, making it even more important to carefully evaluate options. As a result, many parents are now taking a more strategic approach to summer planning, starting earlier in the year and comparing a wider range of programmes before making final decisions.<\/p>

Some families also try to balance their choices by combining different types of camps. For example, they may enrol children in shorter-duration general activity camps for part of the summer and reserve more specialised programmes for specific weeks when budgets allow. Others may alternate between paid camps and home-based activities to manage costs more effectively.<\/p>

At the same time, the demand for skill-based summer camps continues to grow, particularly among parents who want their children to use the holiday period productively. This has led to an increase in programmes offering structured learning in areas such as robotics, coding, filmmaking, sports training, and creative arts.<\/p>

However, as demand increases, so does competition for places, especially in well-reviewed or highly specialised camps. Many popular programmes fill up quickly, requiring parents to register early in order to secure a spot. This adds another layer of planning pressure on families who are already managing tight schedules and budgets.<\/p>

Ultimately, the summer camp landscape in the UAE reflects a mix of opportunity and challenge. On one hand, there is a wide range of engaging and educational programmes available for children of different interests and age groups. On the other hand, rising costs and increasing demand are making it more difficult for some families to access these options comfortably.<\/p>

As the holiday season begins, parents continue to navigate this complex balance between providing meaningful experiences for their children and managing household budgets. For many, the goal remains the same: ensuring that children stay engaged, active, and learning throughout the long summer break, even as financial and logistical pressures continue to grow.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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A Moldovan expatriate mother of two living in the UAE says that every year she hopes to find more budget-friendly summer camp options for her children, but rising fees continue to make that difficult. She explained that while she understands that camp operators also need to consider costs and profitability, the overall increase in prices has made summer planning increasingly challenging for families like hers.<\/h4>

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She noted that this is a recurring situation each year, where initial expectations of finding reasonably priced programmes are gradually adjusted as she compares available options in the market. Over time, she has observed that the cost of structured summer activities has steadily increased, particularly for camps that combine multiple disciplines or offer specialised learning experiences.<\/p>

For the upcoming summer, she has decided to enrol her children in a month-long programme that blends academic learning with sports-based activities. The camp is designed as a mixed-format experience, allowing children to engage in both intellectual and physical development during the same daily schedule.<\/p>

She explained that the structure of the programme includes STEM-related sessions in the mornings, where children participate in activities such as coding exercises and robotics-based learning. These sessions are intended to introduce children to technology and problem-solving skills in an interactive and practical way.<\/p>

In the afternoons, the focus shifts towards physical activities, including sports such as football and swimming. This combination, she said, is appealing because it provides a balanced routine that keeps children active while also encouraging learning in different environments throughout the day.<\/p>

While she views the programme as well-designed and beneficial for her children\u2019s development, she also acknowledged that the cost is significant. The monthly fee for each child is estimated at around Dh6,000 or more, depending on the specific structure and duration of the camp.<\/p>

With both of her children enrolled, the total expense is expected to reach between Dh12,000 and Dh15,000 for the month. She described this as a substantial financial commitment for the family, especially when considered alongside other household expenses during the summer period.<\/p>

Despite the high cost, she said she still considers structured camps to be the most practical solution during the peak summer months in Dubai. The extreme heat during this period makes outdoor free play or informal activities more difficult, particularly during daytime hours when temperatures are at their highest.<\/p>

She explained that staying in the city during summer comes with its own set of challenges, particularly for working parents who need reliable childcare arrangements. In her view, structured camps offer not only supervision but also a sense of routine that helps children stay engaged and active.<\/p>

According to her, the alternative\u2014keeping children at home without structured activities\u2014often leads to excessive screen time, which becomes difficult to manage over long periods. She noted that when children are left without planned engagement, they tend to spend most of their time on digital devices, including gaming, video streaming, and social media.<\/p>

This, she said, is one of the main reasons why she continues to prioritise summer camps despite the financial burden. Even though the cost is high, she believes the benefits of structured routines, social interaction, and skill development outweigh the disadvantages of unstructured time at home.<\/p>

She also acknowledged that families are increasingly forced to make difficult decisions when it comes to summer planning. With multiple camp options available across different price ranges, parents must carefully evaluate what they can afford while also considering the quality and content of each programme.<\/p>

In her case, she tries to strike a balance between affordability and value, focusing on camps that offer both educational and recreational components. However, she admitted that even mid-range programmes can quickly become expensive when enrolling more than one child.<\/p>

The mother also reflected on the broader trend she has noticed over the years, where summer camps have become more diverse in content but also more expensive overall. While there are more options than before, she feels that affordability has not kept pace with the expansion of services.<\/p>

She added that many parents in her social circle share similar concerns, often discussing how summer expenses take up a significant portion of their monthly budgets. Despite this, most still choose to enrol their children in camps, seeing them as a necessary investment during the long school break.<\/p>

For working parents in particular, she said, summer camps are often not just an optional activity but a practical necessity. With full-time jobs and limited flexibility, structured programmes provide a reliable solution for childcare during working hours.<\/p>

She emphasised that in cities like Dubai, where summer temperatures are extremely high, outdoor activities without supervision or planning are often not feasible for extended periods. This makes organised camps one of the few realistic options available for families who remain in the country during the holidays.<\/p>

At the same time, she acknowledged the emotional and financial pressure that comes with these decisions. While she wants to provide enriching experiences for her children, she also has to carefully manage household spending and long-term financial planning.<\/p>

Ultimately, she said, each year\u2019s summer planning becomes a process of weighing priorities\u2014balancing cost, convenience, and the quality of activities available. Even though she continues to look for more affordable alternatives, she accepts that structured camps remain the most practical solution for her family during the hottest months of the year in the UAE.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Summer camp fees in the UAE have climbed above Dh6,000 per child, creating financial pressure for parents who are now struggling to secure budget-friendly programs during the long school vacation break.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":45122,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[84,9],"tags":[],"post_template":[],"top_category":[],"class_list":["post-45121","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-uae","pmpro-has-access"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45121","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45121"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45121\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45130,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45121\/revisions\/45130"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45122"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45121"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45121"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45121"},{"taxonomy":"post_template","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_template?post=45121"},{"taxonomy":"top_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insider18.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/top_category?post=45121"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}