You’ve probably searched for coding classes for kids in Abu Dhabi and found a long list of centres, a few school clubs and a lot of online options that all sound the same. So which one actually suits your child, your week and your budget? This guide walks you through the choices, the costs and the questions worth asking before you enrol.
Quick answer: Children in Abu Dhabi can learn to code in four ways: at a training centre, in a school club, in an online group class, or with a live online teacher, one-to-one. Most children can start at age 5 with picture-based coding and move on to Python at around 11. iCodejr teaches Abu Dhabi families live online, one child per teacher, in English or Arabic, from AED 60 a class, with seasonal offers through the year, and the first class is free.
What kinds of coding classes are there in Abu Dhabi?
There are four, and they differ mainly in how many children share the teacher and how far you have to drive.
| Option | How it works | Suits | Ask before you enrol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Training centre | A group class at a centre, usually once a week | Children who enjoy a classroom and live nearby | How many children per teacher? What happens if we miss a week? |
| School club | An after-school activity at school, often for one term | A first taste, alongside friends | Is there anything to move on to when the term ends? |
| Online group class | Several children share one teacher on a video call | Confident, independent learners | How big is the group, and are the ages matched? |
| Online one-to-one | One teacher and one child, live on video | Beginners, shy children, fast movers and busy families | Who will teach my child, and can we choose the times? |
There is no single best option. A child who loves building alongside friends may thrive in a centre. A child who needs to go slower, or faster, usually does better one-to-one. Distance counts too: a centre in the city is a long drive from Khalifa City or Al Ain on a school night.
What age can my child start, and what will they learn?
Most children are ready at age 5. The right starting point depends on age and reading level, not on how “techy” your child seems.
- Ages 5–6: picture-based coding with ScratchJr on a tablet. Children make characters move, tell stories and build simple games. See our ScratchJr classes.
- Ages 7–10: block coding with Scratch: games, animations and first projects in AI and robotics. From age 10, children can build their own Roblox games.
- Ages 11–14: real typed code with Python, plus web development and generative AI projects.
- Ages 15–18: advanced Python, AI and machine learning, app development and data science.
Every one of these coding courses is project-based, so there is always something finished to show you. The full list is on our courses page.
How much do coding classes for kids cost in Abu Dhabi?
It depends on three things: how many children share the teacher, how long each class runs, and whether equipment is included. Group classes cost less per session. One-to-one costs more, but every minute of the class is your child’s.
At iCodejr every class is one-to-one, the first class is free, and after that you pay per class, from AED 60:
| 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 |
Each class is one credit, and credits work across any programme. Your child can move from Scratch to Python, or add robotics, without buying a new package.
Children with A grades or 90% and above can apply for the Academic Excellence Scholarship, worth 20% to 50% off, depending on the package.
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.
How do online coding teachers fit around school in Abu Dhabi?
They fit into the gaps a centre can’t reach: after school, early evening or the weekend, with no driving. You choose the days and times, and you can change them when the school timetable changes.
- No commute. The lesson starts at home, whether home is Al Reem Island, Khalifa City, Mohamed bin Zayed City, Yas Island or Al Ain.
- One teacher’s full attention. Your child shares their screen, so the teacher sees every step and can slow down or speed up.
- English or Arabic. Classes are taught in either language.
- Short, focused sessions. 40 minutes for ages 5–6 and 50 minutes from age 7.
- Travel-proof. Classes carry on from a grandparent’s house or during summer travel.
“In a one-to-one class, I can slow down when a child is struggling or move ahead when they’re ready. That flexibility makes a real difference.”
— Roma O, iCodejr teacher
Why does coding matter for children growing up in Abu Dhabi?
Because their schools and their city are already moving that way. The UAE has announced plans to teach artificial intelligence as a subject in government schools, from kindergarten to Grade 12 (Gulf News). Abu Dhabi is home to the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and to 42 Abu Dhabi, a tuition-free coding school in Mina Zayed for students aged 18 and over (Abu Dhabi Media Office).
A child who starts with small projects now arrives at those doors already confident. And even if they never work in technology, coding trains habits every school subject uses: breaking a big problem into steps, testing an idea, and trying again when it fails.
What has iCodejr done in Abu Dhabi?
In July and August 2026 we ran Minecraft coding workshops for the Abu Dhabi Gaming Council (Zawaya Games), with rows of young Abu Dhabi coders building in Minecraft Education.
We also run Code Battle, a free inter-school coding hackathon for Grades 1 to 12. Teams build a project on a set theme in two hours, then present it to a panel of judges. Code Battle’s first Abu Dhabi chapter, for schools across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, was part of the 2023 season and ran online in January 2024. Since it began in 2022, more than 100 schools across the UAE have taken part (Code Battle).
“What I love about hackathons is that kids get to work on their own ideas. Not every project works out, but they learn so much from trying.”
— Hannan Moti, Founder and CEO, iCodejr
More on hackathons for schools in the UAE.
How do I choose the right class? A 7-point checklist
- Try before you pay. One trial class tells you more than any brochure.
- Count the children per teacher. In a group, ask how much time each child actually gets.
- Look for projects, not worksheets. Within a month your child should have something to show you.
- Ask what comes next. A good provider has a path from first blocks to Python and beyond.
- Check the language. If your child thinks faster in Arabic, ask for an Arabic-speaking teacher.
- Ask how you’ll see progress. At iCodejr a certificate is issued for every completed module.
- Match the timetable to your week. A class your family can’t get to regularly is the wrong class.
What do Abu Dhabi parents say?
Three Abu Dhabi families, in their own words:
“Before Aarav was only playing games on his tab. Now he made his own maze game in Scratch and keeps telling us to play. Very happy.”
— Neha P., parent of Aarav, age 7
“Diya is usually shy in class. But her Humera maam has made her so comfortable. Her progress is good. She recently made a small animated story all by herself. We are happy.”
— Meera K., parent of Diya, age 9
“Laila she make a recycling quiz and now her sister also playing it! She is happy for the class and is also teaching her friends in school.”
— Mariam A., parent of Laila, age 11
What happens in a free trial class?
Your child meets a teacher one-to-one and builds a small project suited to their age. Afterwards we recommend where to start and which plan fits. There is nothing to pay and no obligation, and we’ll tell you about any seasonal offer that’s running. Book a free trial.
Frequently asked questions
Does iCodejr have a centre in Abu Dhabi?
No. All iCodejr classes are live online and one-to-one. That’s why families anywhere in the emirate, including Al Ain and Al Dhafra, can join without travelling.
What is the best age to start coding?
Age 5 is a good start, using picture-based coding on a tablet. Children who start later catch up quickly: a 10-year-old beginner can be writing Python within a year or two.
Are there coding classes in Abu Dhabi taught in Arabic?
Yes. iCodejr teaches in English and Arabic, so your child can learn in the language they think in.
Can my child learn Python in Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Our Python classes are live online and suit children from around age 11. Younger children build up to it through Scratch.
Do you teach robotics and AI as well?
Yes. Robotics is taught online using iCodejr’s own micro:bit-based kit; see our robotics guide. For AI, see our generative AI course.
How many classes a week does a child need?
Most families choose one or two classes a week. Two keeps momentum; one suits a busy term.
Is there a coding school for kids in Abu Dhabi?
iCodejr works like a coding school that comes to you: structured courses from age 5 to 18, from first blocks to advanced Python, AI and app development, taught live online. After 18, 42 Abu Dhabi offers a tuition-free programme.
What else can my child do after school in Abu Dhabi?
See our guides to after-school activities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and STEM programs in Abu Dhabi.
Ready to see how your child takes to it? Book a free trial class, or read more about our coding classes for kids.
