Photo by Jessica Gollub
The clock is ticking until the first bell that rings in the start of a new school year. We hope you can squeeze in as much fun as possible in the waning weeks of summer. For those of you wanting to get a head start at getting ready for back to school, here are upcoming swaps, back to school freebies and other events to mark the start of school:
Backpack Attack (Round Rock) – August 6 from 9am-9pm
Students who qualify for the free and reduced lunch program are eligible for a backpack full of basic school supplies. Attendees can also receive free immunizations and valuable information about support services provided by the district. Cedar Ridge High School, 2801 Gattis School Road, Round Rock.
5th Vida Fest (Hutto) – August 8 from 8:30am-12:30pm
Free backpacks, haircuts, Kid Zone, school supplies, face painting food, live music and must more. Child must be present. Nadine Johnson Elementary School, 480 Carl Stern Blvd., Hutto.
Austin’s Park Back to School Event (Pflugerville) – August 8 from 8-11am
Austin’s Park is teaming with KEYE TV for a Back to School event on Saturday, August 8. The park and KEYE will be giving away backpacks and school supplies, while supplies last. The event starts at 8am. Austin’s Park will open on Saturday at 9am. If you attend the Back to School event before 11am, you can claim $10 discounted tickets to enter Austin’s Park. You must claim the tickets and enter the park before 11am. The school supplies will go quickly! Child must be present to collect. You’ll need to enter from the east side of the building, where the Back to School event will be held. The front door will not be honoring the discounted price. Austin’s Park, 16231 IH-35, Pflugerville.
Backpack Attack (Leander) – August 8 from 8:30-11:30am
Students who qualify for the free and reduced lunch program are eligible for a backpack full of basic school supplies. Face painting, bounce houses, refreshment and other activities will also take place during the backpack distribution. LEO Center, 300 S. West Dr., Leander.
Back-to-School Success Workshop – August 8, 15 & 22 from 10-11am
Make sure that this is your child’s best school year ever. This unique workshop, for children ages 5-12, will help your child learn to stay safe from bullies, build self-confidence, overcome challenges and stay focused on tasks. The children will have a short taekwondo workout, then a discussion. Please have children wear loose clothing. Maximum Taekwondo and Yoga, 6929 Airport Blvd, Ste 146, Austin, TX 78752.
Back to School Supply Giveaway and Fair – August 14 from 10am until noon (or until supplies last)
Child must be present to receive supplies. Tickets for 10 items will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis. Supplies are for elementary, middle and high school students. Information booths will be available on children with special needs, health and wellness, education, Zumba, wheelchair basketball and karate. Montopolis Recreation Center, 1200 Montopolis Dr, Austin, TX 78741.
AISD Back to School Bash Celebration & Safety Fair – August 15 from 9am until noon
More than 130 community and district organizations will offer exhibits for AISD families to learn more about the services and programs that can help students enjoy a safe and successful school year. Austin ISD is also providing free shuttles at locations throughout the city. Presentations on safety and educational best practices will help prepare students and parents for the first day of school and beyond. Nurses from Dell Children’s/AISD Health Services will provide free vaccinations (families must present student shot records), and Kids Vision for Life Central Texas may be providing free vision exams and eyeglasses. Austin ISD students must be present to receive a free backpack filled with school supplies, while supplies last. Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704.
Clothing Exchange and Donation Drive – August 15 from 9am until noon
Swap clothes, shoes and accessories you no longer wear for new-to-you items! If you have foster children, you are invited to shop without bringing anything to donate. You do not need to be a foster family to participate. First Baptist Church, 9th and Trinity, Austin, TX 78701.
Mueller Back to School Community Celebration – August 15 from 10am until noon
Enjoy the obstacle course, crafts, demonstrations, a photo booth, DJ and many more activities for kids of all ages. Mueller Austin will also be giving away AISD-recommended school supplies and hosting a community-wide book swap (bring a gently used book to take a gently used book!) Browning Hangar, 4550 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78722.
Children’s Clothing Swap (Pflugerville) – August 15 from 10am until noon
Each family is invited to take five items per child. There will be a grab bag time at 11:45am. If you wish to contribute clothing to the swap, bring used clothing in good condition to the church Tuesdays-Fridays from 9am-4pm marked with a label saying “Swap”. Early passes available to anyone who makes a clothing donation. Pflugerville Community Church, 1214 Pfennig Lane, Building 1, Pflugerville, TX 78660.
Back to School Bash – August 15 from 5-8pm
Free school supplies, snow cones, rock wall, moon bounce, and more. Call (512) 442-8476 for more information. South Austin Church of the Nazarene, 6711 Manchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78745.
Kutz4Kidz (Round Rock) – August 16 from 10am-4pm
The Round Rock Police Department and Dream Big present Kutz4Kidz, a free Open House event to help kids get ready to head back to school. School-age kids in attendance can get free haircuts and school supplies. Participants can tour the police station and get a behind the scenes look at holding cells, Crime Scene Unit, K-9 Unit, fingerprinting, and more. Families can enjoy fun and educational exhibits, demonstrations, car show, face painting, balloon artists, and snow cones. Also, see static displays of SWAT vehicles, police vehicles, and a fire truck. This event is free and free barbecue will be provided by the Round Rock Police Officers Association. Round Rock Police Department, 2701 N. Mays Street, Round Rock, TX 78665.
Back-to-School Mobile River Celebration – August 17 from 2-4pm
Refreshments, water conservation games & tours of the Redbud Grounds & Mobile River. Redbud Center, 3601 Lake Austin Blvd., Austin, TX 78703.
Back to School Double Feature: Toy Story & Toy Story 2 – August 17 at 8pm
Enjoy the movies with themed ice cream flavors & activities. Amy’s Ice Creams, 5624 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756.
End of Summer Cupcake Decorating Fun (Georgetown) – August 19 from 2-3:30pm
For children 6 – 12 years old. Each child should wear an apron and bring four cupcakes to decorate. Different decorating techniques will be demonstrated. There will be arts & crafts activities and the event will conclude with a cake walk where two children will go home with a decorated cake. Please pre-register (512) 864-3008. 805 W. University Avenue, Georgetown, TX 78626.
15th Annual School Resource Fair & School Supply Distribution (Manor) – August 21 from 9am-1pm
Free school supplies and immunizations will be available for Manor ISD students during the event. Please support the district by donating 2-3 canned food items to replenish the Manor ISD Food Pantry. Manor New Tech High School cafeteria, 10323 US Hwy 290 E, Manor.
Back-2-School Bash – August 21 from 5:30-8pm
Celebrate students going back to school with free games, prizes and food for the whole family. Metz Recreation Center, 2407 Canterbury St, Austin, TX 78702.
Back to School Bash – August 22 from 10am until noon
Backpacks with school supplies will be handed out, while supplies last. Dove Springs Recreation Center, 5801 Ainez Dr, Austin, TX 78744.
Back 2 School Bash & Stuff the Bus (Cedar Creek) – August 22 from 8:30-10:30am (Stuff the Bus at 8am)
Thanks to generous community partners and fundraisers at local businesses, Stuff the Bus will provide 1,400 backpacks with school supplies to Pre K-8th grade students in the Bastrop Independent School District on a first come, first serve basis. Students must be present to receive a backpack with school supplies. All games, activities and food will be available free of charge for all attendees to the Back to School Bash. Vendors will include businesses, civic and nonprofit groups, BISD campuses, governmental agencies and local organizations. Memorial Stadium, 755 Hwy 21, Cedar Creek.
Back to School Fair – August 22 from 10am until noon
Easter Seals will provide families with an opportunity to receive information, resources and FREE school supplies. First come, first served. No RSVP required. Children must be present to receive school supplies. Easter Seals Central Texas, 8505 Cross Park Dr., Ste. 120.
Back to School Bash – August 22 from 11am-3pm
It’s that time of year again…time to start packing lunchboxes and fixing quick weekday meals. Many of our most kid-friendly suppliers will be in the store this weekend with ideas for easy lunchbox solutions. Enjoy live music and kids club activities while you shop. Whole Foods Lamar, 525 N. Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703.
Simon Kidgits Club Back to School – August 22 from noon until 2pm
If you need some help getting excited for all this year has to offer, come join the Simon Kidgits club at Lakeline Mall to gear up for the year with the help of free giveaways for Kidgits members. We’ll have some great crafts and activities lined up, as well as some fun offerings from our retailers. This event is going to prepare kids for school with some school supplies, quick hairstyling tips, newest back to school fashion and some fun arts and crafts that you can take home with you. Members can also have a daily spin at the Guest Services prize wheel and can get daily exclusive coupons that provide discounts only obtainable through Kidgit Membership. Free for Simon Kidgits members, only $5 to become a member.
Event takes place at the Dillard’s Women’s Court. Lakeline Mall, 11200 Lakeline Mall Dr, Cedar Park, TX 78613.
Back2School Block Party (Round Rock) – August 23 from 12:30-5pm
Faith4Life church is hosting a Back2School Block Party with free haircuts, free school supplies, free food, free dental check ups, bounce houses, face painting, a balloon artist, the Fun Bus, the Video Games2U bus, live music & words from the Mayor of Round Rock. Faith4Life Church, 1000 McNeil Rd, Round Rock, TX 78681.
Back to School Festivities and School Supply Distribution – August 23 at 1pm
Enjoy festivities and receive school supplies. Bartholomew Park baseball field, 5201 Berkman Dr., Austin, TX 78723.
Back to School Storytime – August 25 at 10:30am
The smell of freshly sharpened pencils is in the air, which can only mean one thing: school’s about to start! Some of us are even heading off to school for the very first time, which can be scary and exciting and nerve-wracking all at once. So to calm some of those first day butterflies, we’re going to be reading My Teacher is a Monster along with other stories all about school! BookPeople, 603 N Lamar, Austin, TX 78703.
Back to School Book Sale – August 29 from 10am-5pm
Pick up fall reads at this book sale. APL – Yarborough Branch, 2200 Hancock Dr, Austin, TX 78756.
If you are interested in donating supplies, Giving City Austin has a great list of drives here.
