This page gathers the key numbers on how children in the UAE play, learn and stay active, from screen time to the toy market and ride-on safety rules. Each figure links to the page that publishes it, with the year it covers, so parents, teachers and journalists can cite it directly.
How to cite this page
Graflo Toys, “UAE Kids Play & Toy Statistics 2026”, updated 30 October 2026. Please link to this page and to the original source listed next to each figure.
Key facts: 20 figures from 13 sources, each checked against the source page on 30 October 2026.
Children in the UAE
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Across the GCC, approximately 2.6 million children are aged three to five, according to an Arthur D. Little report.
37.7 per cent of UAE children aged 4 to 17 in a University of Sharjah and American University of Beirut study spent more than seven hours on screens each weekday, outside of lessons (parent-reported study, n=300).
Only one in four (26%) UAE secondary school children met recreational screen time recommendations, according to the UAE 2022 Report Card on physical activity.
Digital media use rises to 97 per cent among UAE children aged 5 to 8, according to a survey of over 10,000 parents by NYU Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority.
Only one in five (19%) UAE school children got the recommended amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, earning a grade F in the UAE 2022 Report Card.
Consumers in the UAE (23%) were the most likely of 17 markets surveyed by YouGov to say they would spend more than usual on toys, games, puzzles and books in the next 12 months.
Under Dubai's Administrative Resolution No. (468) of 2019, children under 12 may not ride a pedal cycle on a road unless accompanied by someone aged at least 18, and riders must wear a protective helmet.
