Maybe you searched for computer classes near me because your child already spends plenty of time on a screen, and you’d like some of that time to turn into a real skill. That’s a good instinct. The tricky part is that “computer class” can mean anything from typing practice to building robots, and the centre closest to you on the map isn’t always the easiest one to reach at 4pm. This guide helps you work out what your child actually needs, and where to find it in Dubai and the rest of the UAE.
Quick answer: Most computer classes for children aged 5 to 18 now teach them to make things with a computer: games, animations, websites, robots and AI projects. You’ll find them at training centres, in school clubs and online. At iCodejr every class is live, online and one-to-one, in English or Arabic, from AED 60 a class, with seasonal offers through the year. So the nearest class is your own living room, and the first one is free.
What do computer classes for kids teach today?
A computer class used to mean typing, Word and PowerPoint. Those skills still matter, and children often pick them up in ICT lessons at school. What most parents look for outside school now is different: classes where children create with technology instead of just using it.
| Type of class | What your child does | iCodejr course |
|---|---|---|
| Block coding | Snaps picture blocks together to make characters move, tell stories and build simple games | ScratchJr, Scratch, Minecraft |
| Game design | Plans, codes and tests their own games, then shares them | Roblox, Scratch |
| Typed coding | Writes real code in Python or the languages behind websites | Python, web development |
| Robotics | Programs a small robot or circuit board to move, light up and react | Robotics, with a kit delivered to your home |
| AI | Uses and builds simple AI tools, and learns to question their answers | Generative AI |
| 3D design | Designs objects on screen that can be 3D-printed | Tinkercad |
| Internet safety | Learns to protect personal details, spot tricks and scams, and behave kindly online | Taught in our classes |
We don’t teach typing or Office. If those are what you’re after, ask for an ICT or “computer skills” course. If you’d like your child to build something they can show you, and to stay safe online while they do it, you’re looking for coding, robotics or design classes. That’s what we teach.
What age should my child start computer classes?
Five is a good age for most children, as long as the class is built for that age. Reading level matters more than the birthday: children who aren’t reading yet work with pictures, and confident readers can move to typed code sooner.
- Ages 5–6: ScratchJr on a tablet, in 40-minute classes. See the KG-1 learning path.
- Ages 7–10: Scratch, Minecraft and first robotics and AI projects, in 50-minute classes (ages 7–8, ages 9–10).
- Ages 11–14: typed Python, websites and generative AI (ages 11–14).
- Ages 15–18: advanced Python, AI and machine learning, app development and data science.
“With block coding, kids don’t have to worry about typing everything correctly. They can focus on understanding what each instruction actually does.”
— Varsha T, iCodejr teacher
Is a computer class near me better than an online class?
It depends on your child, and on your traffic. Here’s how the two compare:
| A centre near you | Live online, one-to-one | |
|---|---|---|
| Getting there | A drive there and back, often in school-run traffic | No travel; the class starts at home |
| Children per teacher | Usually a group | One |
| Timing | A fixed weekly slot | Days and times you choose, and can change each term |
| Pace | Set for the group | Set for your child, lesson by lesson |
| Other children | Classmates in the room | One-to-one with the teacher; team events such as hackathons happen separately |
| Equipment | The centre’s computers | Your own laptop or desktop (a tablet for ScratchJr); robotics kits are posted to you |
A centre suits children who love working next to others, and families who live a few minutes away. Online one-to-one suits beginners who need a gentle start, quick learners who get bored in a group, shy children and busy families. In Dubai, “near me” on a map can still mean half an hour each way, twice a week.
In our classes your child shares their screen, so the teacher sees every click and knows when to step in and when to hang back.
“For me, a good coding class isn’t about how much the teacher explains. It’s about how much the child actually gets to do.”
— Hannan Moti, Founder and CEO, iCodejr
How much do computer classes for kids cost in Dubai?
Three things drive the price: how many children share the teacher, how long each class lasts, and whether equipment is included. Group classes cost less per session. One-to-one costs more, but every minute is spent on your child.
iCodejr classes are one-to-one. The first class is free, and after that you pay per class, from AED 60. The more classes you buy, the less each one costs:
| Package | Classes | Price per class | Lasts about |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cadet | 24 | AED 75 | 3–4 months |
| Captain | 48 | AED 70 | 5–6 months |
| Colonel | 96 | AED 65 | 9–12 months |
| General | 144 | AED 60 | 18–24 months |
Ask about this season's offer before you choose
We run offers several times a year, including in winter and summer, so you may pay less than the prices above. Message us and we'll tell you what's on right now.
Each class uses one credit, and credits work across courses. A child can start with Scratch, try robotics and move on to Python without signing up again. Students with A grades or 90% and above can apply for our Academic Excellence Scholarship, worth 20% to 50% off.
What should I ask before I enrol?
- Can my child try a class first? One real class shows you the teacher, the pace and whether your child wants to go back.
- What will my child make in the first month? Look for finished projects, not worksheets.
- Who will teach, and have they taught this age before? Teaching a 6-year-old is a different job from teaching a teenager.
- How many children share the teacher? That decides how much help your child gets when they’re stuck.
- What comes after this course? A clear path from first blocks to typed code keeps children going.
- Can lessons be in Arabic? Some children think faster in their first language.
- How will I see progress? We issue a certificate for every module your child completes.
What does my child need for an online computer class?
- A laptop or desktop with a camera and microphone for every course except ScratchJr, which 5- and 6-year-olds do on a tablet.
- A steady internet connection, and headphones if the house is busy.
- The same quiet corner each week, if you can manage it.
- For the youngest, a parent within earshot for the first class or two.
The best support costs nothing. Instead of asking “how was class?”, ask your child to show you what they built. You’ll get a much longer answer.
What do parents say?
“I love that my kid is actually creating something during screen time. He’s learning, experimenting, making mistakes and figuring things out. That’s exactly what I was hoping for.”
— Jessica M., parent of Ethan, Dubai
“My son was spending a lot of time on his tablet, mostly playing games. Now at least some of that time goes into learning how games are made. I’m happy with that change.”
— Hina Q., parent of Rayyan, Sharjah
“My daughter started with Scratch and is now interested in learning more. I like how she’s progressing without feeling pressured. She’s enjoying the journey.”
— Pooja N., parent of Anaya, Dubai
How does a free trial class work?
Your child spends a full class one-to-one with a teacher and builds something small that suits their age. Afterwards, we tell you which course we’d start them on and which package makes sense. It’s free, there’s nothing to sign, and we’ll tell you about any seasonal offer that’s running. Book a free trial.
Frequently asked questions
Are there computer classes for kids near me in Dubai?
Yes: centres across the city, school clubs and online classes. iCodejr teaches families all over Dubai, from Mirdif to Dubai Marina, live online, so nobody has to drive.
Do you run computer classes in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman?
Yes. Because classes are online, a child in any emirate gets the same teacher and the same class. Abu Dhabi families can start with our guide to coding classes for kids in Abu Dhabi.
What is the difference between computer classes and coding classes?
“Computer classes” covers everything from typing to robotics. Coding classes teach children to write the instructions that make a computer do things: games, apps, websites, robots. If you’re new to it, start with what coding for kids actually means.
Is there a computer learning centre for kids in Dubai?
There are several. If what you want is a structured course rather than a building, iCodejr works like a learning centre without the commute: courses from age 5 to 18, taught one-to-one online.
Can a 5-year-old take computer classes?
Yes, if the class is designed for that age. Our 5- and 6-year-olds have 40-minute ScratchJr classes built around pictures rather than reading.
Are online computer classes good for kids?
They work well when the class is live and the teacher can see the child’s screen. A library of recorded videos is a very different thing. More in our guide to online coding classes for kids.
Are classes available in Arabic?
Yes. Every course is taught in English or Arabic.
Do your classes cover internet safety?
Yes. Children learn to keep personal details private, spot tricks and scams, and be kind online. We don’t teach typing or Office skills.
What else can my child do after school?
See our guide to after-school activities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Want to see how your child gets on? Book a free trial class, or read more about our coding classes for kids.
