Getting Ready for UAE National Day: Easy Arabic Phrases and Activities for Kids
December 2 is around the corner. Start in November and your child can greet family and friends in confident Arabic when the celebrations begin.
Picture the scene. It is the morning of December 2. The streets are decorated in red, green, white and black. Cars are covered in flags and stickers, schools are full of children in traditional dress and families are heading out to watch fireworks, parades and heritage shows. Your child turns to a neighbor, a teacher or a grandparent and says, with a big smile and perfect confidence, “Eid al Ittihad mubarak!”
That moment does not happen by accident. It happens because a parent took a few minutes each day in November to practice. And the good news is that it is easier than you think.
UAE National Day, now widely celebrated under the name Eid Al Etihad (عيد الاتحاد), is one of the most joyful occasions of the year. In 2026, the UAE marks 55 years since seven emirates came together as one nation. For children, it is a day full of color, music and pride. For parents who want their children to learn Arabic for kids in a meaningful way, it is one of the best opportunities of the entire year.
At KALIMA, we have spent more than nine years helping children fall in love with Arabic, both in Dubai and around the world. In this guide, we share the easy Arabic phrases your child can learn before December 2, along with a four-week plan and plenty of fun activities to make November feel like a countdown to a celebration.
Why Start Preparing in November?
It might be tempting to wait until the first week of December to start talking about National Day. But children need time to absorb new words, practice them and feel confident using them in front of others.
Language needs repetition
A child who hears a phrase once may remember it for a day. A child who hears and uses a phrase every day for four weeks will remember it for years. November gives you the perfect runway.
Confidence grows with practice
Many children understand Arabic but feel shy speaking it, especially in front of adults or classmates. Practicing at home in a relaxed environment builds the confidence they need to speak up when the celebrations begin.
Schools start celebrating early
Schools across the UAE often begin National Day preparations in mid to late November, with performances, assemblies and heritage days. Children who already know the key phrases feel prepared and proud when these activities begin.
The countdown is fun
Children love countdowns. Turning November into a National Day countdown, with one phrase or activity each day, adds excitement and gives structure to your Arabic practice.
A Little Background for Parents
Before we get to the phrases, here is a short refresher you can share with your child in simple words.
On December 2, 1971, six emirates came together to form the United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah. Ras Al Khaimah joined a few weeks later, in early 1972, completing the seven emirates we know today.
The founding father of the nation, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is remembered with great love and respect. Many children learn about his vision for unity, generosity and progress at school.
In Arabic, the seven emirates are:
أبوظبي (Abu Dhabi)
دبي (Dubai)
الشارقة (Al Sharjah)
عجمان (Ajman)
أم القيوين (Umm Al Quwain)
رأس الخيمة (Ras Al Khaimah)
الفجيرة (Al Fujairah)
Learning to say and recognize the names of the seven emirates is a wonderful challenge for older children, and a fun memory game for younger ones.
Easy Arabic Phrases for UAE National Day
Here are the phrases we recommend for children, starting with the simplest and building up to more confident expressions. For each phrase, you will find the Arabic, the transliteration and the meaning.
1. عيد الاتحاد مبارك (Eid al Ittihad mubarak)
Meaning: Happy Union Day.
This is the star phrase of the season. It is short, joyful and perfect for greeting teachers, friends and family on December 2.
2. اليوم الوطني سعيد (al yawm al watani sa’eed)
Meaning: Happy National Day.
Many people still use this classic greeting, and your child will hear it often. Knowing both versions means they can understand and reply in any situation.
3. كل عام وأنتم بخير (kull aam wa antum bi khair)
Meaning: May every year find you well.
This is one of the most beautiful and widely used Arabic greetings for any celebration. Once your child learns it for National Day, they can use it for Eid, birthdays and other special occasions throughout the year.
The usual reply is وأنتم بخير (wa antum bi khair), meaning “And may you be well too.” Teach both sides so your child can greet and respond.
4. أحب الإمارات (uhibbu al imaraat)
Meaning: I love the Emirates.
Simple, heartfelt and easy to remember. Younger children can say it with a big hug gesture.
5. أنا فخور بوطني / أنا فخورة بوطني (ana fakhoor bi watani / ana fakhoora bi watani)
Meaning: I am proud of my country (for a boy / for a girl).
This phrase is a great way to introduce the idea that Arabic words change slightly depending on whether a boy or a girl is speaking. Children often find it fascinating.
6. عاشت الإمارات (aashat al imaraat)
Meaning: Long live the Emirates.
A celebratory phrase often heard at events and parades. Children love shouting it while waving their flags.
7. نحن سبع إمارات (nahnu sab’ imaraat)
Meaning: We are seven emirates.
This phrase helps children connect the number seven (سبعة, sab’a) with the story of the union.
8. شكرا يا زايد (shukran ya Zayed)
Meaning: Thank you, Zayed.
A heartfelt phrase many children use in school activities to honor the founding father.
9. هيا نحتفل (hayya nahtafil)
Meaning: Let’s celebrate!
Fun, energetic and perfect for the morning of December 2.
10. هذا علم بلادي (hadha alam biladi)
Meaning: This is the flag of my country.
A lovely phrase for children to say while holding or drawing the flag.
National Day Vocabulary for Kids
Alongside the phrases, here are some key words connected to Emirati heritage and celebrations. Many of them make perfect themes for crafts and games.
صقر (saqr): falcon
The falcon is a proud symbol of the UAE and appears on the national emblem. Children love learning that falconry is an old tradition still practiced today.
جمل (jamal): camel
Camels are part of the history and heritage of the region. Children can learn that camels were once essential for travel across the desert.
نخلة (nakhla): palm tree
The date palm is one of the most important trees in Emirati culture. Its fruit, the date, is called تمر (tamr).
صحراء (sahraa’): desert
The desert is a big part of the UAE landscape. Many families enjoy desert camping trips during the cooler months.
بحر (bahr): sea
Before oil, many people in the region worked in pearl diving and fishing. The sea remains an important part of Emirati life and culture.
لؤلؤ (lu’lu’): pearl
A beautiful word connected to the history of pearl diving. Children enjoy saying this rhythmic word out loud.
ألعاب نارية (al’aab naariyya): fireworks
One of the most exciting parts of the celebrations for many children.
زي تقليدي (zay taqleedi): traditional dress
On National Day, many children wear traditional clothes, such as the kandura for boys and colorful dresses for girls.
A Four-Week November Plan
Here is a simple plan to help your family prepare throughout November. Each week has a focus, a few phrases and an activity. Ten minutes a day is enough.
Week 1: Colors and the flag
Start with the four colors of the flag: ahmar (red), akhdar (green), abyad (white) and aswad (black). Practice “hadha alam biladi.” Since UAE Flag Day falls on November 3, this week connects perfectly with the celebrations at school.
Activity: paint or color the flag together, naming each color in Arabic as you go.
Week 2: The seven emirates
Learn the names of the seven emirates in Arabic and practice “nahnu sab’ imaraat.” Count to seven in Arabic together: wahid, ithnaan, thalaatha, arba’a, khamsa, sitta, sab’a.
Activity: draw a simple map of the UAE and place a sticker on each emirate as your child says its name. If you have family in a particular emirate, mark it with a heart.
Week 3: Heritage and symbols
Introduce heritage words like saqr, jamal, nakhla and lu’lu’. Tell simple stories about life in the region long ago, before cities and towers.
Activity: create a heritage collage with pictures of falcons, camels, palm trees and pearls, labeling each one in Arabic.
Week 4: Greetings and celebrations
Focus on the celebration phrases: “Eid al Ittihad mubarak,” “kull aam wa antum bi khair,” “uhibbu al imaraat” and “hayya nahtafil.” Practice greeting family members every morning as if it were already December 2.
Activity: record a short video of your child saying their favorite phrases. Send it to grandparents or relatives as a National Day greeting. Children love seeing family reactions, and it gives them a real reason to practice.
Fun National Day Activities to Learn Arabic
Beyond the weekly plan, here are more activities that make learning Arabic feel like part of the party.
Arabic greeting cards
Make homemade National Day cards for teachers, friends and relatives. Help your child write “Eid al Ittihad mubarak” or “kull aam wa antum bi khair” inside. Writing the phrase by hand helps with spelling and letter recognition, and giving the card builds pride.
Luqaimat cooking session
Luqaimat are sweet dumplings drizzled with date syrup, a favorite treat in the UAE. Cook them together and name the ingredients in Arabic: daqeeq (flour), sukkar (sugar), maa’ (water) and dibs (date syrup). Food is one of the most memorable ways to learn vocabulary.
Ayyala dance practice
The Al Ayyala is a traditional Emirati performance with drums, sticks and chanting. Watch a performance together and try moving to the rhythm. Use Arabic words for actions: yamshi (walks), yarqus (dances), yughanni (sings).
Falcon puppet show
Create a falcon puppet from a paper bag and let it “introduce itself” in Arabic. “Ana saqr. Ana uhibbu al imaraat. Ana atiir fi al samaa’.” (I am a falcon. I love the Emirates. I fly in the sky.) Puppet shows are a big part of how we teach at KALIMA, because children feel less shy when a puppet is doing the talking.
Desert treasure box
Fill a box with sand and hide small objects inside: a toy camel, a plastic pearl, a date, a little flag. Your child digs for treasures and names each one in Arabic. It is a sensory game that younger children adore.
National Day show and tell
On the last weekend of November, invite your child to give a short “show and tell” to the family, using as many Arabic phrases as they can. Clap loudly, celebrate every word and make them feel like a star.
Tips for Families Who Do Not Speak Much Arabic at Home
Many families living in the UAE, and many abroad, do not speak Arabic fluently at home. That is completely fine. You can still help your child prepare for National Day.
Learn alongside your child
Children love it when parents learn with them. Be a student too, and let your child correct your pronunciation. It turns practice into a game and shows that learning is for everyone.
Use short, focused phrases
You do not need long conversations. A handful of greetings used every day is enough to build confidence before December 2.
Get support from a teacher
If you want a structured approach, online Arabic lessons for kids can give your child guided practice with a qualified teacher. Many families in the UAE look for Arabic classes Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah can offer, but online lessons give the same quality with more flexibility, especially for busy school schedules.
Lean on school and community
Schools often share songs, phrases and performance materials ahead of National Day. Ask teachers what your child is learning and practice it at home.
Celebrating National Day From Abroad
For families with roots in the UAE who live in the UK, USA, Canada, Europe or elsewhere, National Day can feel far away. But it does not have to.
Join video calls with family in the UAE during the celebrations, so your child can greet relatives in Arabic.
Decorate your home with flags and colors during the last week of November.
Cook traditional dishes together and name the ingredients in Arabic.
Watch the fireworks and parades online and describe what you see in Arabic.
Connect with other families from the region in your city to celebrate together.
When children see that their family celebrates National Day wherever they live, they understand that their identity travels with them.
Common Pronunciation Tips for National Day Phrases
Some of the sounds in these phrases do not exist in English, French or other languages your child may speak at school. A little playful practice helps a lot.
The ain sound (ع)
You will find this sound in Eid (عيد), aam (عام) and aashat (عاشت). It comes from deep in the throat, almost like the beginning of a gentle gasp. Ask your child to pretend they are surprised and say “ah” from the back of the throat. Make it a game: who can make the deepest ain?
The haa sound (ح)
This sound appears in ittihaad (اتحاد), nahtafil (نحتفل) and uhibbu (أحب). It is like breathing warm air onto a cold window to fog it up. In winter, children love practicing this by actually fogging up a mirror and then saying the word.
The khaa sound (خ)
You hear it in bi khair (بخير) and fakhoor (فخور). It sounds a little like clearing your throat softly. Children usually find it funny, which makes it memorable.
The qaaf sound (ق)
This sound appears in taqleedi (تقليدي) and in the emirate Umm Al Quwain (أم القيوين). It is made further back than the English k. Ask your child to say “k” while touching the back of their tongue to the very back of their mouth.
Long vowels
Arabic has long vowels that change meaning. In imaraat (إمارات), the second a is long, so it is stretched out. Clap once for short vowels and stretch your arms wide for long ones. Children love the movement, and it trains their ear.
Remember that perfect pronunciation is not the goal at the beginning. Confidence is. Praise every attempt, and gently model the correct sound by repeating the word yourself. Over time, with listening and practice, your child’s pronunciation will grow naturally. One-on-one lessons are especially helpful here, because a teacher can listen closely and give friendly, personal feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions About UAE National Day Arabic for Kids
When is UAE National Day?
UAE National Day is celebrated on December 2 every year. It marks the day in 1971 when the emirates united to form the United Arab Emirates. In 2026, the country celebrates 55 years since the union.
How do you say Happy National Day in Arabic?
You can say “al yawm al watani sa’eed” (اليوم الوطني سعيد) or “Eid al Ittihad mubarak” (عيد الاتحاد مبارك), which means Happy Union Day. Another warm greeting is “kull aam wa antum bi khair.”
What is Eid Al Etihad?
Eid Al Etihad, meaning Union Day, is the name now widely used for UAE National Day celebrations. It highlights the unity of the seven emirates.
What are some easy Arabic phrases for children to learn for National Day?
Some easy phrases are “Eid al Ittihad mubarak,” “uhibbu al imaraat” (I love the Emirates), “hayya nahtafil” (Let’s celebrate) and “hadha alam biladi” (This is the flag of my country).
How long does it take a child to learn a few Arabic phrases?
With just ten minutes of daily practice, most children can confidently use five to ten new phrases within three to four weeks. Consistency matters more than long sessions.
Are online Arabic lessons a good option for children in Dubai?
Yes. Many families in Dubai choose online Arabic lessons for kids because they offer one on one attention, flexible timing and the comfort of learning from home. KALIMA lessons are interactive and full of games, songs and stories, so children stay engaged.
Let December 2 Be Your Child’s Proudest Arabic Moment
UAE National Day is a celebration of unity, heritage and pride. It is also a beautiful reminder that language is part of who we are. When your child greets their teacher, grandparents or friends in confident Arabic on December 2, they are taking part in the celebration in the most personal way possible.
Whatever your child’s level, the most important thing is that they feel proud and happy when they speak. A child who shouts one phrase with joy at a school parade has learned something far more valuable than a list of memorized words. They have learned that Arabic is a language of celebration, belonging and connection. Keep the practice short, keep it playful and keep cheering them on. The confidence they build this November will carry into the rest of the school year and into every celebration that follows.
Start this November. A few phrases a week, a few minutes a day and a lot of fun along the way. By the time the fireworks light up the sky, your child will be ready to say “Eid al Ittihad mubarak” with a smile that says it all.
Learn Arabic with KALIMA
Learning Arabic can feel challenging for kids, but it does not have to feel hard. At KALIMA, we believe the best way to learn Arabic is to be attentive to the words and to have fun along the way. With more than 9 years of experience in teaching Arabic, our mission is to grow every child’s interest in, and love for, their mother language.
Our one-on-one online Arabic classes are tailored to each child’s needs, level and pace. We learn through games, puppet shows, drawing, dancing, singing and creating stories, so every lesson feels like play. Our three main courses cover the Arabic language itself, Arabic reading and Arabic writing, giving your child a complete and confident foundation.
Whether your family lives in Dubai, London, Toronto, New York, Paris or anywhere in between, your child can learn Arabic online with a KALIMA teacher who makes every word count.
Book your child’s first lesson today. Message us and let’s start this Arabic adventure together.
KALIMA: Arabic lessons for kids, the happy and fun way.
Contact us on 📞 +961 81 701 455 📧 info@kalima-lessons.com
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