The first day of school is just around the corner. Here’s a list of 2017 back to school events in Austin to get you ready. There are parties, festivals, crafts, and even FREE school supplies and haircuts!
Photo credit: Austin ISD
Home Depot Kids Workshop: Penske Truck
August 5 from 9:00 a.m. to noon | The Home Depot; locations vary
Join a FREE hands-on workshop where you and your child can build a wooden Penske truck to roll some fun into August. Once the project is complete, your child can personalize their truck with stickers and paint. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a certificate of achievement, a workshop apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Children must be present at the store to participate in the workshop and receive the kit, apron and pin.
Back to School Bash at Wolf Ranch Town Center (Georgetown)
August 5 from 9:00 a.m. to noon | Wolf Ranch Town Center, 1015 W University Ave, Georgetown
Visit Wolf Ranch Town Center for a fun filled day with FREE bounce houses, face painting, and a meet and greet with Spider Man and Wonder Woman! Please note: there will be a sensory hour meet and greet with Spider Man and Wonder Woman from 8-9:00 a.m.
Back to School STEM Saturday at Girlstart (RSVP)
August 5 from 9:30 a.m. to noon | Girlstart, 1400 W Anderson Ln, Austin
Kick off the school year and get excited about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) with hands-on activities for the whole family. All of Girlstart’s labs will be open with live demos and hands-on STEM including: satellite launchers, ooey gooey slime, balloon boats, stomp rockets, gravity planes, virtual and augmented reality experiences, mini-planetarium star shows, and more. Additionally, all attendees will receive a FREE solar viewer to watch the solar eclipse on August 21st. Please note: Chaperones are required. Adults must stay with their children throughout the event. FREE with RSVP!
Back to School Bash at Austin Emergency Center
August 5 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Austin Emergency Center, 3563 Far West Blvd, Ste 110, Austin
Wrap-up a fun-filled summer at Austin Emergency Center’s FREE annual Back to School Bash! All ages are welcome. The fun includes pizza, snow cones, a petting zoo, balloon animals, prizes, giveaways, and ER tours.
Back to School Fair at Montopolis
August 11 from 8:00 a.m. to noon | Montopolis Recreation Center, 1200 Montopolis Dr, Austin
FREE backpacks, school supplies, and healthy snacks (while supplies last). Registration and outdoor activities begin at 8:00 a.m. Giveaways begin at 10:00 a.m.
Back 2 School Bash & Stuff the Bus (Cedar Creek)
August 12 from 8-10:30 a.m. (Stuff the Bus distribution begins at 8:00 a.m.) | Memorial Stadium, 755 Hwy 21, Cedar Creek
In celebration of education, Bastrop Independent School District hosts an annual Back to School Bash and Stuff the Bus school supply distribution to kick off the upcoming school year. 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 on a first come, first serve basis. Students must be present to receive a backpack with school supplies. For the Back to School Bash, all games, activities, and food will be available FREE of charge for all attendees. Vendors will include businesses, civic and nonprofit groups, BISD campuses, governmental agencies, and local organizations.
AISD Back to School Bash & Safety Fair
August 12 from 9:00 a.m. to noon | Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd, Austin
Almost 150 community organizations and district departments will provide information and activities to prepare AISD students for a safe and successful school year. Presentations on safety and educational best practices will help prepare students and parents for the first day of school and beyond. Austin/Central Texas Care Van will provide FREE vaccinations (families must present student shot records). Austin ISD students (must be present) can receive a FREE backpack filled with school supplies, while supplies last. Austin ISD is also providing free shuttles at locations throughout the city.
Mueller Back to School Bash
August 12 from 10:00 a.m. to noon | Browning Hangar, 4550 Mueller Blvd, Austin
Kick off the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year with a Back to School Bash! This FREE, family-friendly festival will feature a DJ, activities, and giveaways, including AISD-recommended school supplies.
Back to School Bash at Dove Springs
August 12 from 10:00 a.m. to noon | Dove Springs Rec Center, 5801 Ainez Dr, Austin
Join Dove Springs Rec Center for a FREE Back to School Bash!
Back to School Splash
August 12 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Holy Word Church, 10601 Bluff Bend Dr, Austin
Make a splash before school with this FREE family-friendly event in north Austin. Grab your swimsuit and towels for a giant water slide, dunk tank, and kids activities. There will also be a free healthy-choice lunch, music, free health checks, and resources from local educators. You can interact with law enforcement, firefighters, and their vehicles while watching safety demonstrations. Plus, there will be raffle prizes. FREE school supplies and backpacks will be provided (while supplies last) courtesy of Holy Word Austin.
Barton Back to School Bash
August 12 from 2-5:00 p.m. | Barton Creek Square, 2901 S Capital of TX Hwy, Austin
Join Barton Creek Square for their Back to School Bash, featuring the best back to school fashions. Guests will experience live stilt walkers, balloon twisters, music, and more. Indulge in complimentary popcorn and mocktails. Open to the public and FREE!
BACK to School Clothes Swap and School Supplies Drive
August 13 from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | HOPE Farmers Market, 412 Comal St, Austin
Swap out gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories for something new-to-you. Perfect for playground and classroom! HOPE will begin collecting items in July for August. Clothing for all youth accepted, from babies up to teens. Anything not selected at the Swap will be donated to Safe Place. Bring in a bag of gently used clothes you no longer need and get a FREE post card.
AOMA Back to School Bash
August 17 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. | AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine, 4701 West Gate Blvd, Austin
During this FREE family event you can get your face painted, enjoy some snacks, enter some back to school giveaways, and complete a scavenger hunt for a chance to win a door prize. You can also meet local pediatric acupuncturists and herbalists. Kids and families will have a chance to experience acupuncture needles, cupping, and sample some herbal remedies.
17th Annual School Resource Fair & School Supply Distribution (Manor)
August 18 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Manor New Tech High School Cafeteria, 10323 US Hwy 290 E, Manor
This is an opportunity for parents and students to learn about resources from the Manor and Austin communities. FREE school supplies will be available for Manor ISD students during the event. Free haircuts will also be available on site. Please support the district by donating 2-3 canned food items to replenish the Manor ISD Food Pantry.
Metz Back 2 School Bash
August 18 from 6-7:30 p.m. | Metz Rec Center, 2407 Canterbury St, Austin
Metz family and friends are invited to an evening at the park before school rings into session. They will provide FREE food, games, door prizes, and music for the entire family. Stay after the bash for a FREE Movie Under the Stars screening of The Sandlot at 8:30 p.m.
Easterseals Special Needs Back to School Fair
August 19 from 9-11:00 a.m. | East Communities YMCA, 5315 Ed Bluestein Blvd, Austin
Join Easterseals Parent Support and Training Program for a FREE event for families of children with special needs. There will be free backpacks full of school supplies (for children in Pre-K – 12th grade with special needs), sensory-friendly games and activities, snacks, and more.
Back to School and Health Education Fair
August 19 from 9:00 a.m. to noon | Doris Miller Auditorium, 2300 Rosewood Ave, Austin
FREE food, school supplies (while they last), prizes, and much more. Students must be present to receive school supplies.
Back to School Festival
August 19 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Delco Center, 4601 Pecan Brook Dr, Austin
El Mundo’s annual Back to School event provides valuable community resources to the public related to education, health and wellness, nutrition, and more. Enjoy backpack and school supply giveaways, vaccines, health screenings, vision screenings, raffles and door prizes, a community resource fair, music and entertainment, fun for kids, snacks, and family fun. The event is FREE and open to the entire community.
Back to School Storytime
August 19 at 11:30 a.m. | BookPeople, 603 N Lamar Blvd, Austin
Sharpen your pencils and get your backpacks ready, kids, because summer break is almost over. Celebrate a triumphant return to school with a few of BookKids’ favorite stories, including How to Get Your Teacher Ready and School’s First Day of School. FREE!
Back to School Splash Bash
August 19 from noon to 2:00 p.m. | TownLake YMCA, 1100 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin
This pool party is FREE and open to the public, so bring your friends and family. There will be refreshments, music, snacks, pool games, surprise guests, and more. Please note: if you or a family member are not currently members of the YMCA of Austin, you will need to take a short swim test to ensure the safety of everyone in the pool.
Kutz 4 Kidz (Round Rock)
August 20 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Hernandez Middle School, 1901 Sunrise Rd, Round Rock
Students who attend RRISD will receive a free haircut and free school supplies, free food, and free wellness checks while supplies last. The event is FREE and will include live entertainment and information about community services.
Free Back to School Haircuts
August 20 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. | Trinity Abundant Life Church, 412 Cumberland Rd, Austin
FREE haircuts and backpacks (while supplies last) for kids in grades K-12, plus snowcones, cotton candy, and popcorn.
Back to School Bash (RSVP)
September 9 from 2-4:00 p.m. | Austin Rec Center, 1301 Shoal Creek Blvd, Austin
Send off the summer and celebrate the beginning of a new school year. There will be a bounce house, raffle drawings, photo booth, GFCF snacks, games, and more. This event is fully inclusive to kids of all abilities and ages. FREE with RSVP.
Want to donate school supplies? Check out this post by GivingCity Austin!
