Artology
An afternoon camp combining lots of art play with either water play or ‘boot camp’, and morning workshops for over-sixes in tie and dye, cross-stitching, cupcake decoration and batik painting.
Jul 1-15, 3pm-6pm (camp), two groups: Group A on Sat, Mon, Wed; Group B on Sun, Tue, Thu. Ages five-10 (workshops strictly for over sixes). Call Reem (36 790 785) or Thajba (39 789 878) to discuss costs
Bahrain Tennis
Little smashers will love this tennis camp, which will teach them all the basic strokes and keep them fit all summer long.
Camp times tbc at time of press. Ages six-12. BD30 per month. Bahrain University (39 441 992; www.bahrain-tennisclub.com)
Bright Beginnings
This daycare and child development centre is a boon for all parents looking for summer activities with a range of camps and daycare options. Separated by age, kids can get stuck into all sorts of arts and crafts, pottery and painting, music and movement, soft play, and water and splash days.
Jul 3-Aug 25, Sun-Thu 8.30am-12.30pm. Al Adliya, Manama. Ages three months-five. BD50 per week. Afternoon daycare, 12.30pm-3pm BD20 per week (17 710 405; info@bb-daycare.com; www.bb-daycare.com)
The Budaiya Pre-School Annual Summer School
Explore themes such as ‘outer space’ through all sorts of art, music, reading and even cooking and construction activities, and enjoy the school’s soft playroom, water and sand play, music and movement, multi-media facilities and fun ‘wet days’ in the garden, plus supervised outings to bowling centres and Magic Planet. The school is also offering optional spoken Arabic sessions.
Jul 3-28, Sun-Thu 8.15am-noon, just off Saar Avenue (supervised transport for the Saar Budaiya area is available). Ages two-eight. BD20 per day, BD40 for two days, BD45 for three days, BD55 for five days (17 791 491; info@budaiyapreschool.com)
CHAOSS summer camp
Plenty for fitness freaks, as one would expect from the Children’s Health Academy of Specialised Sports. Energy-busting activities include gymnastics, indoor and outdoor games, as well as arts and crafts, music and dancing.
Jul 24-Sep 8, Sun-Thu 9am-12.30pm. Near Burgerland roundabout, Manama. Ages five and over. BD13 per day, BD55 per week, special rates for three weeks or more (17 592 096; chaossgymnastics@gmail.com; www.chaossbahrain.com)
CHAOSS swim camp
An intense programme for little fishes where they can learn to swim, freshen up their strokes and generally keep active in the cool water.
Jul 12-Sep 8, schedules and classes created according to interest. Near Burgerland roundabout, Manama. Ages six months-eight and over. BD5.5 per class, one class free if you register for 16 or more (17 592 096; chaossgymnastics@gmail.com; www.chaossbahrain.com)
Early Learners Nursery
Kids are grouped according to age, with a separate ‘mini camp’ for the under-threes. All children get stuck into four activities a day, from arts and crafts, cookery, soft play or gymnastics to sports games or mini aerobics. The nursery claims a staff:child ratio of 1:4 and also provides healthy snacks and drinks. Separately, but within the nursery, kids can sign up for swimming lessons with Tara for just BD5.5 per session.
Jul 10-Aug 25, Sun-Wed 9am-12.30pm. Saar. Ages two-six. BD11 per day, BD50 per week (13 613 972; 39 723 990; earlylearnersnursery-bahrain@gmail.com)
Little Gems
Plenty to keep active little tots amused at this pre-school summer camp, including soft play and bouncy castle, cooking, paper mache, arts and crafts, indoor play with slides, cars and bikes, and a fun splash day every week.
Jul 10-Aug 4 (four weeks), Aug 7-25 (three weeks), call for times. Budaiya. Ages two-six years. BD200 for four weeks, BD150 for three weeks, BD320 for all seven weeks (17 694 356)
Mad Science and Studio Ceramics
The sort of camp that makes you wish you were seven years old again, Mad Science and Studio Ceramics have joined together to bring your kids the ultimate in crafts, painting and mind-blowing scientific experiments.
Jul 3-31, Sun-Thu 9am-1pm. Ages six-11. BD15 per day or BD60 per week (17 599 026; www.studio-ceramicsbahrain.com)
MyGym
Keep fit over this summer with this special camp bursting with games, relays, sports, puppets, gymnastics, arts and crafts, and more.
Jul 4-Sep 9, Sun-Thu 9am-1pm. Al Victory Suites, Seef District. BD10 per day (members), BD13 per day (non-members). Ten per cent discount for one month, 15 per cent for two months (17 566 566)
Sherlock Holmes Summer Camp
A variety of fun and learning activities, many involving ‘investigating’ at this educational centre, which specialises in teaching kids with learning and communication difficulties.
Jul 4-Aug 5, Sun-Thu 8am-noon or 3pm. Adilya. Ages two-10. BD20-BD30 per week (17 716 871; info@ria-institute.com)
Sylvan
Sylvan’s summer camp for kids with special needs is a mix of the learning centre’s internationally-recognised academic programmes in reading, writing and maths, combined with fun indoor and outdoor activities, which include arts and crafts, science experiments and swimming. Call to find out what else is on offer.
Jul 10-28, Sun-Thu 9am-1pm. North Selha, near Capitol Furnish-ing. Ages four-10. BD100 per week (17 400 227; info.sylvan.bahrain@gmail.com; www.sylvanlearning.com/bahrain)
Mum’s the word
A great community resource, Mums in Bahrain will have plenty of events, classes and outings during the summer months and Ramadan. Just register at www.mumsinbahrain.net
Baking classes
These 30-minute cook-fests are great for kids aged five-12. All ingredients and equipment are provided, and cooking activities will vary depending on the age and size of the group. Be it rolling, shaping and baking cookies or decorating cupcakes in colourful designs or making funny face pizzas. All tasty creations can be carried home and shared (if they’re not scoffed on the spot).
Calling all Mumpreneurs!
Do you want to try to run your own business? Mums in Bahrain will be running regular networking sessions over the summer covering various topics such as marketing, sales tips and business consultations. The group also plans to run summer workshops on everything from how to write a business plan to brainstorming sessions for mums with ideas.
At the end of your tether?
If the kids are driving you up the wall and you’re just looking for an outlet, Mums in Bahrain is on hand with parenting advice or just a general chat.
Contact Ghada in Bahrain (ghada@mumsinbahrain.net; 36 665 804) or Daniela in Amwaj (dani@mumsinbahrain.net; 39 424 336); or check out the group’s Facebook page.
