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AI-assisted content notice: This article was written with AI assistance and reviewed by the Tovi team. UAE rules and fees change — always verify with official sources before acting. Last reviewed: April 2026.
🪪 Expat lifeFamily✓ Verified Apr 2026

Coding Clubs and Robotics for Kids in UAE 2026

Dubai and Abu Dhabi run 30+ coding clubs for kids in 2026. See real fees, age groups, and how to register through official centres.

·5 min read·By the Tovi UAE Team
Colorful chairs and tables outside a building.
Photo by aboodi vesakaran on Unsplash

Why coding clubs matter for expat kids in the UAE

Schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi follow the Ministry of Education STEM push, yet many expat parents want extra practice after 3 pm. Coding clubs fill that gap with weekly sessions that teach block coding, Python, and robotics kits used in real competitions.

Popular options in Dubai and Abu Dhabi 2026

Coding Squad runs 10-week terms at Dubai Knowledge Village for ages 7 to 14. Morning weekend slots cost 1,450 AED; evening slots cost 1,250 AED. Coderiders holds classes inside Dubai Mall and Motor City with LEGO Spike and Arduino sets. A six-week robotics module is 980 AED. MakerKids operates at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi and charges 1,100 AED for an eight-week Minecraft and Python track aimed at ages 9 to 13.

How to choose the right club

  • Check the venue distance from your home or school to keep weekly travel under 25 minutes.
  • Confirm the instructor-to-child ratio stays at 1:8 or better.
  • Ask whether the club supplies all hardware or if you must buy a kit (kits range from 350 AED to 650 AED).
  • Verify end-of-term projects are showcased to parents, usually on the final Saturday.

Registration and payment steps

Most centres accept online sign-up via their portals. You upload the child's Emirates ID copy and pay the full term fee by card. ICP does not require extra approval for after-school activities, yet some clubs ask for a simple parental consent form. Refunds are possible only if you cancel before the second session.

Free and low-cost alternatives

Several public libraries and community centres run free Saturday workshops through the Mohammed Bin Rashid Knowledge Foundation. Sessions last two hours and cover basic Scratch and micro:bit coding. Spaces fill within 48 hours, so parents set calendar reminders when the monthly schedule drops on the first Monday.

Competition pathways in 2026

Top students often move into First Lego League and World Robot Olympiad events organised by the UAE Ministry of Education. Registration opens in September and costs 300 AED per team of three. Winners receive certificates that many international schools accept for extra-curricular portfolios.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does a term at Coding Squad cost?▾

A 10-week term costs 1,250 AED for evening sessions and 1,450 AED for weekend slots in 2026.

Do I need ICP approval for after-school clubs?▾

No extra ICP approval is needed for standard after-school coding clubs, only a parental consent form.

When does First Lego League registration open?▾

Registration opens each September and costs 300 AED per team of three students.

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