11 Amazing cost-saving tips and deals for parents in Dubai this weekend

BAG A BARGAIN KIDS’ BOOK AT THE BIG BAD WOLF BOOK SALE ONLINE: We all know how good reading is for our kids, but children’s books don’t come cheap – unless you find an offer, that is. The well-loved and much-anticipated Big Bad Wolf Book Sale has partnered with The Sharjah Book Authority and gone online for the first time this year, with a special presence on Noon.com. This fantastic sale has just been extended and is now running until 31 January – so get hunting! Book lovers of all age groups can pick from hundreds of titles spanning a variety of literary genres, and enjoy up to 90 per cent off recommended retail price on their books. DETAILS: 23-31 January, www.noon.com, all titles will be stocked as ‘noon Express’ items, which means they are fulfilled by noon and shipped across the UAE within 24-hours, delivered directly to customer’s doorsteps.

DON'T MISS 72% OFF ORGANIC KIDS’ CLOTHES TODAY: Organic and sustainable children’s clothing brand Made on Earth is offering 72% off on your second purchase from their collection of baby suits, swaddles, socks and soles in celebration of India’s 72nd Republic Day. Spend more than Dh300 and you will also be entered into a special prize draw to win a surprise gift from the brand and two winners will be announced 48-hours after the sale has ended. DETAILS: Running from 22-28 January, get 72% off your second purchase on https://themadeonearth.com.

HOP DOWN TO THIS AMAZING, PREMIUM'S BRANDS' WAREHOUSE SALE: Sustainable and natural children’s store Eco Souk has teamed up with lunchbox brand Citron Dubai and modern kids’ concept store Baby Mona for an amazing up to 70% off warehouse sale, Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 January from 9am to 1pm. The sale includes never-released products, as well as favourite brands such as Liewood, Ollie Ella, Malabar Baby, Haps Nordic, Beach&Bandits, Oli and Carol. Expect gorgeous compartment lunch boxes, natural toys and accessories and beautiful children’s clothes – it’s the perfect place to get a stunning children’s playroom or wardrobe stocked up at a fraction of the usual price. DETAILS: Follow @Ecosoukme on Instagram for details of the location.

JOIN THE WATERCLUB.AE TO SAVE 323% ON BOTTLED WATER PER YEAR: Always felt you should get a water filter fitted but hesitated to make the commitment? Now you can make your home a plastic-bottle-free zone with a hassle-free subscription to Waterclub.ae. For Dh49 per month (which is probably a lot less than you spend on bottled water for the family) you can get a water filter system fitted that removes impurities from tap water including chlorine and bacteria, resulting in crisp, clean and safe water suitable for the whole family straight from your tap. There’s no need for a deposit and no other hidden fees – you just have to sign up for one year, and you’ll be ticking all the boxes of money-saving (apparently it saves 323% compared to buying bottled water), better for the environment and better for your family’s health by removing the potential chemical-leaching from plastic bottles. DETAILS: Visit www.waterfilterexperts.ae or call +971 4 340 1717.

MAKE THE MOST OF THE DUBAI SHOPPING FESTIVAL’S MEGA LAST WEEKEND: As the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) enters its final week, residents and visitors can still enjoy lots of super one-day-only retail deals available at the city’s most popular malls. Each day until 27 January there is a new 24-hour deal at a new store, with great offers on a wide range of items while stocks last. Each mega deal will be revealed the day before it goes live, so follow the @DSFSocial posts on the DSF website and social channels to be in the know and make the most out of the exclusive offers. And, from 28 to 30 January, the mega sale will see an incredible 300 brands cut prices on a huge range of items at 1,000 stores across the city - participating brands include Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle Outfitters, Balmain, Banana Republic, Carolina Herrera, Chanel, Diesel, Ermenegildo Zenga, Hollister Co, HomeBox, Interiors, Kenzo, La Senza plus Reebok, River Island, Scotch & Soda, Wrangler and The Face Shop.

GET CUT-PRICE NEWBORN AND KIDS' GEAR AT BABY BAZAAR THIS SATURDAY: If you’re on the hunt for new baby and child gear then Baby Bazaar at Times Square Center on Sheikh Zayed Road is the perfect place to bag an absolute bargain on quality kids’ clothes, toys and accessories, from strollers and car seats to Jumperoos, baby walkers, weaning machines, books and much more. Although everything is pre-loved, there are regulations over the scope and standard of what can be sold here (this is no flea market), and being the UAE’s only market designed specifically for and by mums, it’s also full of sellers and shoppers who can give you advice and inspiration if needed. Or do you have a lot of old baby stuff that you could do with getting rid of? Why not sign up to the market and make some money from it? (tables from Dh200). DETAILS: The Baby Bazaar is held at Times Square Center on Sheikh Zayed Road on the last Saturday and first Friday of every month, meaning the next one is this Saturday 30 January, 9am-2pm, www.Babybazaar.org.

FIND FREE EXPERT PARENTING WORKSHOPS, CV-WRITING ADVICE, JOB-SEARCH TIPS AND MORE: Looking for a bit of inspiration for yourself that won't break the bank? The Tish Tash Year of You launched this week, with a jam-packed schedule of incredible, free online workshops, seminars and classes on everything from parenting and CV-writing or enhancing your Instagram presence, to job-hunting tips, confidence building, and even baking and fitness sessions. Organised by UAE-based marketing and PR company Tish Tash, this smorgasbord of complimentary Zoom wellness, self-care, parenting and career advice sessions are precisely what every parent needs to springboard you into 2021, armed with everything you need to make it your best year yet. DETAILS: Running from 24 January to 31 January. See the full schedule and sign up for free at www.tishtashYOY.com.

JOIN DIRHAM STRETCHER: The Facebook group Dirham Stretcher has more than 57,000 members and is full of money-saving tips and tricks for people living in the UAE. As well as frequent deals and bargains shared by the community, the ‘discount codes’ post pinned at the top of its page is a comprehensive list of all of the latest, active discount codes on online purchases in the UAE, covering everything from children’s clothing and baby gear, to homewares, clothes, groceries and much more – don’t buy anything online without checking it first. www.Facebook.com/groups/DirhamStretcher.

BUY ATLANTIS TICKETS FOR UP TO 50% OFF IN THE SPLASH SALE: There are a raft of special rates for UAE residents who make bookings for any of the water-based fun at Atlantis in its Splash Sale, available from the 26 January to the 30 January, with the offer redeemable until the end of February, while Aquaventure Season and Annual Passes must be collected at Aquaventure Ticketing Plaza within 30 days of purchase. You can get up to 50% off, with the offers including: Aquaventure Stand-Alone Admission for UAE Residents Dh135 (from Dh189); Season Pass adults and children Dh295 (usual price up to Dh399); Annual Pass adults Dh595, children Dh395 (usual price up to Dh995); The Lost Chambers Aquarium Admission Dh55 (usual price up to Dh85/ Dh110); Dolphin Encounter for UAE Residents – AED 445 (usual price up to AED 495). DETAILS: Bookings must be made between 26th - 30th January. Tickets can be redeemed 2nd - 28th February. For bookings and more information please visit www.atlantisthepalm.com/Splash-Sale.

SHIFT YOUR SCHOOL FEES TO A MONTHLY PLAN: One of the biggest chunks of most UAE parents’ annual salary? School fees of course. But some academic institutions are coming up with innovative and competitive pricing structures to help parents out. US curriculum Bright Learners Private School is the latest, and has launched a new fee structure and payment plan that includes all-inclusive fees ranging from Dh21,000 for Pre-K to Dh26,000 for Grade 4, as well as a flexible monthly payment structure, ranging from Dh2,275 for Pre-K to Dh2,775 for Grade 4 - also making it a very affordable alternative to nursery for children in the Pre-K and KG years. DETAILS: Visit https://brightlearners.ae/ for more details.

GET FREE ENTRANCE TO EMAAR ATTRACTIONS WITH A CITY STAYCAY: Ramada by Wyndham Downtown Dubai’s family-friendly winter staycation packages include free tickets at any of the five Emaar entertainment attractions located at The Dubai Mall. From Dh659, you get a one-night stay in a one-bedroom apartment, plus breakfast for two adults and two kids aged six and below, plus one day-pass at Kidzania Dubai, or two tickets from any of these four attractions at The Dubai Mall: Dubai Ice Rink, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, VR Park, or Ekart Zabeel, which can be used within 30 days from check-in. Ramada by Wyndham Downtown Dubai also offers guests complimentary shuttle drop off at The Dubai Mall during the hotel stay, plus 20% off at Kenza Restaurant and in-room dining orders, and a Dh50 gift voucher at the newly-opened Rayya Wellness. DETAILS: Offer valid until end of March 2021. For booking or more information, visit www.rdtdubai.com/, email reservations@rdtdubai.com, or call +971 4 303 9513, or get in touch via WhatsApp at +971 50 106 9059.