Oh, the joy of possessing a squeezy water bottle that had Ariel and Flounder chasing each other in circles, as envious glances were cast at the Disney princess-shaped eraser and sharpener sitting on the neighbouring desk on the first day of school.
Back-to-school shopping is a special time in a child's life, no matter how much grief it might cause a harried parent. There's something about seeing, touching and choosing colourful paraphernalia peppered with beloved characters and fun slogans, that appeals to and enlivens the senses.
Putting together a kit of cool stationery in a new bag almost assuages the grief experienced at the end of the long and lazy summer holiday (again, strictly from a child's point of view), and makes the idea of swapping fiction and fun movies with textbooks and digital worksheets a touch more palatable.
While the lenticular pencil boxes of parents' childhoods may have flickered out of style, there is an array of options your child can choose from to start the new term on a cheery note.
Scroll through the gallery above to see the back-to-school products currently on shelves in the UAE
A number of brands have also put together back-to-school kits to make parents' lives easier. Online grocery store Food Crowd, for example, has a snack box with fruit, veg, crackers, juices, chicken nuggets and more that should take care of some of your child's nutritional needs in their first week back. For easy lunch box ideas, click here.
Elsewhere, Cutting Edge salon in JLT and Dubai Marina has a 50 per cent discount on hair cuts for teenagers until Wednesday, August 31; Skechers is selling two pairs of children's shoes for Dh349 (as opposed to Dh229 to Dh2,300 a pop); adidas is offering Dh100 off on every spend of Dh300; and electronics shop Eros has a laptop exchange programme in place.
Malls across Dubai are also holding activations for families as they shop. At The Dubai Mall, for example, in the Star Atrium, find activities such as science-themed workshops and shows from 4pm to 10pm until Sunday, August 28.
In Dubai Hills Mall, there are more science-inspired activities, workshops and weekend shows, with raffle draws open to shoppers, while over at Dubai Marina Mall’s Dome Atrium, there are workshops as well as magic tricks, soap making and a giant memory game for children to put their brains to the test.
35 new things to do indoors in the UAE this summer — in pictures
-
Take a sushi-making masterclass at SushiSamba in Dubai. Photo: SushiSamba -
Roxy Cinemas is opening at Dubai Hills Mall this summer. Photo: Roxy Cinemas -
Nakheel Mall has opened a VR-powered escape rooms venue with a board game cafe. Photo: Nakheel -
Back-to-school activities are ongoing at Dubai Hills Mall, pictured, The Dubai Mall and Dubai Marina Mall. Photo: Dubai Hills Mall -
Try the cannoli from Cipriani Dolci at Abu Dhabi's Marina Mall. Photo: Cipriani -
Anyone aged 5 and upwards can join in the Yas Mall Indoor Run this summer. Photo: Yas Mall -
Dubai Design District is hosting its Rethink Summer programme until August 26. Photo: Dubai Design District -
Deep Dive Dubai turned one in July. -
The Mohammed bin Rashid Library spans seven storeys. EPA -
Adnec's Abu Dhabi Summer Sports is the biggest event of its kind in the Middle East. Photo: Abu Dhabi Summer Sports / Instagram -
A summer camp will be held indoors at the WB Abu Dhabi hotel. -
Ice Bar at The London Project on Bluewaters, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Splatter Rooms in Abu Dhabi offers freewheeling art sessions for children and adults. Photo: Splatter Rooms -
Ripe Market will be held indoors at Golden Mile Galleria and Circle Mall in Dubai this summer. -
Yas Island has a Kids Go Free offer this summer, which includes accommodation, food and access to its theme parks for children under 12. Photo: Ferrari World -
Saray spa at Marriott Al Forsan Abu Dhabi has discounts of up to 50 per cent this summer. -
Abu Dhabi Mall's Boxed In - Think In is the latest escape room to open in the capital. Photo: Boxed In - Think In -
The Green Planet, Dubai, has an overnight camping experience. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The National Aquarium in Al Qana, Abu Dhabi, is home to 46,000 creatures and 300 species. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
The Storm Coaster in Dubai Hills Mall is the fastest indoor roller coaster in the world. Photo: Emaar -
Museum of the Future in Dubai requires visitors to book tickets well in advance. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Central Yas Bay in Abu Dhabi has arcade games and bowling alleys. Victor Besa / The National -
Dubai Sports World offers indoor courts for padel, a popular sport in the UAE. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Theatre of Digital Art in Dubai is hosting a Digital Extravaganza exhibition led by Synti, a 3D holographic figure. Photo: Theatre of Digital Art -
Viking restaurant in Ajman is a cool new spot that will take you back in time. Photo: Viking -
The Galleria Al Maryah Island is hosting a new Let's Walk fitness programme. Photo: The Galleria Al Maryah Island -
Dubai Summer Surprises: a number of malls will hold sales from July 1 to September 4. Photo: DFRE -
RAK Animal Welfare Centre in Ras Al Khaimah is looking for people to meet, play with and adopt pets. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Motiongate Dubai has launched its Coolest Summer promotion. Dubai Parks and Resorts. -
Studio 14 in Dubai has a Himalayan salt wall, which is beneficial when you're working out indoors in close proximity with others. Antonie Robertson / The National -
An object discovered at Deir el-Medina by the Egyptian Museum of Turin. The museum, along with Sharjah Museum Authority, has put together an interactive exhibition targeted at school children called Deir el Medina: Village of the Pharaohs’ Artists. Photo: museoegizio / Instagram -
Alserkal Avenue in Dubai is hosting the Eyes Wide Shut exhibition. Photo: Alserkal Avenue -
The Alley DXB is a glow-in-the-dark padel court in Dubai. Photo: @thealleydxb / Instagram -
Thunder Road restaurant in Umm Al Quwain has an indoor retail store selling speciality Italian products, from olive oil to truffle everything. Photo: Pixabay -
Indoor golf and entertainment lounge MyGolf Dubai is open during the summer. Photo: MyGolf Dubai
