Children don’t need elaborate outings or expensive dinners; they simply seek moments of joy and cheer.
For more than 40 days, discussions of conflict became part of everyday life. Phone alerts arrived at different hours, day and night, as many tried to adapt to a “new normal” that gradually seeped into daily routines.
While adults looked for ways to manage each day, they also had to find ways to reassure and comfort their children.
Children often absorb the tension around them, even if they do not fully understand the geopolitics behind it. They don’t need to—the expressions on their parents’ faces are often enough to convey the unease.
However, parents drew on their resilience while comforting their children as best as they could. Many also sought ways to keep them engaged and active, helping ease their worries and channel their energy away from constant concern.
For example, 37-year-old Dubai-based Irfan Haider, a Pakistani expatriate, enrolled his children in swimming classes at the nearby Star Academy. “It definitely tires them out, and they get to use all their extra energy,” he said.
A little football fun and structure
Football, it turns out, offers children a much-needed sense of routine and relief.
For Dubai-based Nicola Craddock, a mother of two, community initiatives have made a clear difference. Living in Emaar South, she says The Football Clinic has introduced neighbourhood sessions that provide children with an important outlet. “A local PE teacher is running weekly sessions in our community park for children too,” she added.
Dubai-based John Coulter and Andrew Dixon, who run The Football Clinic, observed how the conflict had disrupted children’s routines. They noted rising social anxiety, with many children appearing visibly unsettled.
As Coulter explains, “We started offering free sessions in different community locations like Mirdif and Dubai South. As things progressed, it transitioned to a pay-as-you-play model as the situation continued, which allowed flexibility for players who were already committed elsewhere,” he said.
The main focus, he added, was to maintain structure and routine, creating a positive environment where children could learn, socialise, and play football.
He also noted that it provided parents with some respite, helping them balance work and daily responsibilities.
Coulter and Dixon are also launching a four-week wellbeing programme starting this weekend and running over the next four weekends. The sessions will include workshops on strength and nutrition for children aged eight and above.
The programme will also include around two hours of soft indoor play, giving younger children a chance to socialise and simply enjoy themselves.
In addition, a footgolf event will be organised for both children and parents, designed as a bonding activity that encourages shared participation and family connection.
While football and swimming remain popular options, some families are also turning to alternatives that offer a different form of physical engagement. At Parkour DXB, structured parkour classes for children aged three to 17 focus on movement, coordination, and confidence-building, while also giving children another way to stay active and socialise with peers.
Tapping into the creative side
Apart from keeping children physically active, families like Haider’s have also turned to quieter alternatives such as sand art and interactive books with felt flaps. “They really love it,” Haider said. For parents, these activities help hold a child’s attention for longer periods at home.
Publishers such as Nosy Crow have increasingly focused on books that blend storytelling with play. The publisher says its titles are designed to engage young readers while supporting early development, including motor skills and vocabulary. Its Stories Aloud audiobooks, for example, use music and sound cues to help children follow along independently.
Books like Bizzy Bear and the Suzy Cat also spark curiosity in young readers. Many board books include sliders, flaps, and tracks that children can move, often tied to simple story-based tasks. Pages also feature prompts and objects to spot, encouraging language development and active participation.
In this way, such books function as both learning tools and entertainment, offering structured engagement for children. Dubai-based Anuja Singh shared her experience: “These kinds of books have been so helpful during this time for my toddlers, as it gets difficult managing work and their online schooling. In the evenings, they read books that make sounds or teach them something. They laugh a lot, and that’s what matters,” she said.
Doodling for the sheer love of it
In 2020, when the pandemic disrupted daily life, Alisha Prydden-Eason, CEO and co-founder of Oodles of Doodles, was inspired by an unexpected moment. Seeking ways to reduce screen time and keep children engaged, she noticed her son Alfie doodling on a water bottle. That small moment went on to spark a creative idea that has since involved more than 1,500 children through tasting and design workshops.
In the current context, she says such creative outlets have become even more important. “Now, in times like these, we want to protect them, even if we don’t want them to know so much,” she explained. Even short bursts of activity—such as 20 minutes of doodling with paints—can help children release tension and emotional energy.
“We let them run free, and they bring their emotions into their doodles, especially now,” she said. As part of the initiative, children are encouraged to paint on reused water cans at simple colouring stations, often paired with refreshments. “They don’t need fancy outings; they just want a laugh,” she added.
As for what children choose to draw, the patterns are quite revealing. “They’re gravitating towards flowers and leaves. I think that brings them calm. It’s fun to watch, and each bottle acts as a canvas. We end up creating our own little pockets of community,” she said.Why sport and activity bring a sense of rhythm.
Jazz Ferguson, a professional basketball player, mental performance coach, and teen mentor, explains that beyond disrupted schedules, many children—especially young athletes—are also experiencing a loss of identity. “When their normal outlets are removed, whether that’s school, sports, or social interaction, it can lead to frustration, low motivation, and even a dip in confidence,” he said.
He advises replacing what has been lost with intentional structure. Motivation, he adds, is not something to wait for, but something built through small, consistent actions.
“I always encourage families to create a simple daily rhythm: a set wake-up time, designated learning blocks, movement or physical activity, and moments for mental reset. Even light structure gives children a sense of control, which is critical in uncertain times. For parents, it’s less about enforcing perfection and more about reinforcing consistency and effort,” he said.
Even light structure can give children a sense of control, which is especially important in uncertain times. For parents, the focus is less on enforcing perfection and more on encouraging consistency and effort.
How Dubai communities are helping children find calm in uncertain times through football, doodles and reading
Jazz Ferguson, a professional basketball player, mental performance coach, and teen mentor, also highlights the importance of communication. “Children may not always express it clearly, but they feel the shift. Creating space for open conversations without judgment allows them to process what’s going on,” he said.
He encourages parents to prioritise progress over performance, celebrating small wins such as completing a task or maintaining focus.
Ultimately, Ferguson says these experiences can help build resilience. “Just like in sport, adversity can either break rhythm or build strength. With the right support, distance learning can become a training ground not just for academics, but for discipline, independence, and confidence that will carry far beyond the classroom,” he added.
