You thought you’d relax now the little ones were back to school or heading there for the first time – but it’s costing you a bomb, so now you’re having nightmares? This time of year, parents don’t just worry about paying school fees; they’re also burning holes in their pockets buying kids’ books, uniforms, trendy school bags, stationery and lunch boxes. If  you have more than one child, that cost just keeps doubling.

We thought we’d lend you a hand. Stop stressing as we round up back to school offers in the UAE, including buy one, get one free school shoes and discounts on school bags and lunch boxes. (PS Enter our survey on the cost of going back to school.)

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[Related: 60 Sharjah schools to increase tuition fees | Most viewed schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi | Dubai school registration open dates for entry in 2014-2015| Abu Dhabi school registration for entry in 2014-2015 ]

Our back to school picks

  Deal Provider Min. spend Description Store locations
1 Buy one pair of school shoes and get another pair free Zaks – Zaks store provides uniforms for schools such as GEM American Academy, Dubai British School, etc. Their current back-to-school offer is buy one pair of school shoes and get the other free. Jumeirah, Mirdif, Barsha, Motorcity, Al Raha Mall
2 Buy Kipling school bags and get gift voucher Kipling AED 100 Every time you spend AED 500 at Kipling, you get a gift voucher worth AED 100. Jashanmal, Dubai mall
3 Spend at BabyShop and get a gift voucher BabyShop  AED 250 Get a gift voucher worth AED 50 when you spend AED 250 on the back-to-school collection at BabyShop. Mall of the Emirates, Al Reef Mall, Oasis Centre, Dalma Mall, City Mall
4 Get 20% off all back-to-school products BabyShop  – Get 20% off on back-to-school items such as bags,lunch boxes, and school bags at BabyShop. Mall of the Emirates, Al Reef Mall, Oasis Centre, Dalma Mall, City Mall
5 Get 25% off lunch bags Pottery Barn Kids  – Buy lunch boxes and lunch bags from Pottery Barn Kids and get up to 25% off on your total bill. Dubai Mall, Mirdif City Centre, Dalma Mall, Al Wahda Mall
6 Get up to 70% off at BHS BHS  – Buy clothing for your kids at BHS which has a sale up to 70% on Kids wear. Dubai Mall, Lamcy Plaza, Dubai Festival City, Abu Dhabi Mall
 7 Shop at Sanrio stores and win AED 10,000 towards your child’s school fees Sanrio AED 250 This isn’t a discount but we thought the chance to win up to AED 10,000 off your school fees was worth a mention. Get a scratch card when you spend AED 250 for a chance to win prizes such as school fees up to AED 10,000, gift vouchers and tickets to Kidzania. Deira City Center, Dubai Mall, Dubai Festival City, Mercato, Al Wahda Mall, Dalma Mall, Marina Mall ( Abu Dhabi)