How Dubai Communities Help Children Find Calm in Uncertain Times Through Football, Doodling and Reading

Football, for sure, can never let your child down.

For Dubai-based Nicola Craddock, a mother of two, community support has made a noticeable difference. Living in Emaar South, she says, the Football Clinic has opened up sessions for children in the neighbourhood, offering a much-needed release. “A local PE teacher is running weekly sessions in our community park for children too,” she adds.

And that’s where Dubai-based John Coulter and Andrew Dixon come in, through the academy they run, which is The Football Clinic. They quickly realised that, amid the war, children’s routines had been disrupted. There was growing social anxiety, and many children were visibly unsettled.

 As Coulter explains, “We started offering free sessions, in different community locations like Mirdif and Dubai South. And as it progressed, it transitioned to pay as you play to the situation continued, which allowed a certain flexibility to the players who were already committed elsewhere,” he says. So the main focus was maintaining a structure and routine, so it could be a positive environment where children can learn, socialise and play football.

 Moreover as he notes, “It gave the parents a break and respite, between balancing working and daily life too,” he says.

While football and swimming remain popular choices, some families are exploring alternatives that offer a different kind of physical engagement. At Parkour DXB, structured parkour classes for children aged three to 17 focus on movement, coordination and confidence-building, while giving children another way to stay active and interact with their peers.

In 2020, when the pandemic disrupted daily life, Alisha Prydden-Eason, CEO and co-founder of Oodles of Doodles, was struck by an unusual source of inspiration. Looking for ways to reduce screen time and keep children engaged, she noticed her son Alfie picking up a water bottle and doodling on it. The moment went on to spark a creative concept that has since involved more than 1,500 children through tasting and design workshops.

In the current climate, she says, such creative outlets have taken on added importance. “Now, in times like these, we want to protect them, even if we don’t want them to know so much,” she explains. Even short bursts of activity, such as 20 minutes of doodling with paints, can offer children a little relief from any tension or stressful energy.

“We let them run free, and they bring their emotions into their doodles, especially now,” she says. 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 adds.

As for what children choose to draw, the patterns are telling. “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 says.

Jazz Ferguson, a professional basketball player, mental performance coach and teen mentor, explains that apaert from disrupted schedules, many children, particularly 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 says.

His advice is to replace 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 says.