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Pinellas County back-to-school events: supply giveaways, physicals, games and more

 
Back-to-school bashes like this one in August 2016 at Westfield Mall in Clearwater have become an annual ritual as families prepare for the year ahead. A big focus of many events are backpack giveaways. [OCTAVIO JONES   |   Times]
Back-to-school bashes like this one in August 2016 at Westfield Mall in Clearwater have become an annual ritual as families prepare for the year ahead. A big focus of many events are backpack giveaways. [OCTAVIO JONES | Times]
Published July 24, 2019

Around Tampa Bay

Back-to-School Bash for Military Families: Tampa Bay military members, veterans and their families are invited for a day of back-to-school backpack giveaways, group exercise demos, food, refreshments and children's activities. Free (registration required). 10 a.m. Aug. 3. Clearwater YMCA, 1005 S Highland Ave., Clearwater. (727) 467-9622.

Back-to-School Bash and Kick Off Classic: This community bonding event provides children and teens with a safe environment for activities, free backpack and school supply giveaways, sports physicals, school physicals, eye exams and haircuts. Registration and presentation of printed confirmation is required. Free. 8 a.m. Aug. 3. Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. (833) 778-4887. bullardfamilyfoundation.org.

Teacher Appreciation Day: To relax and prepare for a new school year, teachers and their families can explore the Henry B. Plant Museum free of charge. Also, anyone donating school supplies gets admission for $3. Teachers free, $3 with donation, regular price others. 10 a.m. Aug. 3. Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. (813) 258-7304. Plantmuseum.com.

Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays host the Miami Marlins at Tropicana Field. Fans 14 and under will receive a free back-to-school backpack, while supplies last. Prices starting at $20 1:10 p.m. Aug. 4. Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg. (888) 326-7297. Mpv.tickets.com.

Back-to-School Fair: This year, the 12th annual back to school bash falls on Sales Tax Holiday Saturday and features free backpacks to the first 500 kids, appearances by Tampa Bay Buccaneer Cheerleaders, entertainment, face painting and character appearances. Free. 10 a.m. Aug. 3. Westshore Plaza Mall, 250 Westshore Plaza, Tampa. (813) 949-4400.

Back-2-School Party: Area organizations join with House of Woodbury Arts for an outdoor skate party with giveaways, contests, prizes and live music. Free, $15 skate rental. 11 a.m. Aug. 3. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa. Eventbrite.com.

In Pinellas

Pinellas Back-to-School Clinics: Needy students in grades kindergarten through 12 can get free school and sports physicals, vision screenings, hearing screenings and immunizations. Free (registration required). By appointment only 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday through Aug. 13. Boca Ciega High, 924 58th St. S, Gulfport. (727) 824-6900, ext. 4. Also taking place at Northeast and Gibbs high schools in St. Petersburg and at Pinellas Park High in Largo.

School Supply Drive: Drop off items to help needy students kick-off the school year. Requested items include backpacks, lunch bags, writing instruments, notebooks, binders, paper, rulers, glue sticks and crayons. Items will be distributed by Haven of RCS. Free. 10 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays through Aug. 10. East Lake Community Library, 4125 East Lake Road S, Palm Harbor. (727) 773-2665.

Countdown to Kindergarten: Children blasting off to kindergarten this August can prepare for a successful school year with stories, games, songs and activities. Parents must wait in another room. Free. 10:30 a.m. Friday. East Lake Community Library, 4125 East Lake Road S, Palm Harbor. (727) 773-2665. Eastlakelibrary.evanced.info.

Treasures in the Snow: Families can learn about snow and polar bears at this festival with school supplies, snacks, K-9's and a performance by Al Nye the Magic Guy. Free. 1 p.m. Saturday. St. Petersburg Community Church, 4501 30th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 612-0942.

Storytime Sing and Learn: Children up to age 5 get reading and school readiness as they learn through stories, music and dance. Free. 11 a.m. Monday. St. Pete Beach Library, 365 73rd Ave., St. Pete Beach. (727) 363-9238. Spblibrary.com.

Back-to-School Care Fair: Free medical exams, backpacks, dental exams, dental x-rays, school supplies and family-related agency information. Free. 8 a.m. Saturday. Johnnie Ruth Clarke, 1344 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 821-6701.

Back-to-School Bash: Adoptive and foster families can get help getting their kids back in the classroom at this celebration with a bounce house, petting zoo, pony rides, water games, snow cones, food and 200 free back packs full of school supplies (while supplies last). Free (registration required). 4 p.m. Saturday. Clearwater Community Volunteers Center, 133 N Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater. (727) 316-5309.

Back-to-School Open House: The first 200 school-aged kids get free backpacks at this back-to-school event with school supply giveaways, hands-on activities, games and exhibitors providing information on health, wellness, safety and finances. Free. 6 p.m. Aug. 1. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 550 Laura Lane, Dunedin. (727) 738-2920. Dunedingov.com.

Back-to-School Glow Party: Ages 4 to 10 can have one last blow out before they go back to school at this glow party with glow sticks, glow games, music, giveaways and pizza. Free. 6 p.m. Aug. 2. Church by the Sea, 495 137th Ave. Circle, Madeira Beach. (727) 391-7706.

Back-to-School Family Fun Day: Each child gets one free backpack full of school supplies at this back-to-school celebration with live music, hot dogs, a bike raffle and K-9 demonstrations. Free. 10 a.m. Aug. 3. St Petersburg College Health Education Center, 7200 66th St., Pinellas Park. (727) 544-4777. pinellas-park.com.

Back-to-School Bash: See the latest in school trends and uniforms at this celebration with DJ dancing, face painting, arts and crafts and a live performance by Rock Solid (2 p.m.). Free. 11:30 a.m. Aug. 3. Tyrone Square Mall, 6901 Tyrone Square, St. Petersburg. (727) 347-3889.

Kut'z Kids Back-To-School: Kids can go back to school in style with free haircuts, free food and school supply swag bags. Free. 11 a.m. Aug. 4. MisTer'z Barber Lounge, 6393 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 686-0223. Kutzforkids.eventbrite.com.

Chill by the Grill: Kids mourn the end of summer and get ready to go back to school at this picnic with free barbecued food, free physicals, haircuts, school supplies and a bounce house. Free. 11 a.m. Aug. 10. James B. Sanderlin Family Service Center, 2335 22nd Ave. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 321-9444.

Coffee and Kleenex - First Day of School: Parents can park at the library and walk to Cypress Woods Elementary to avoid the car line. Then, stop in the library after drop-off for a cup of coffee and to commiserate, or celebrate, with other parents. Free. 8 a.m. Aug. 14. East Lake Community Library, 4125 East Lake Road S, Palm Harbor. (727) 773-2665. eastlakelibrary.evanced.info.

Back-to-School Carnival: Kids can end the summer at this carnival with a petting farm, pony rides, face painting, balloon art, games and food. Benefits Watermark for Kids. $5, $15 family. 2 p.m. Aug. 9. The Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay, 1255 Pasadena Ave. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 812-3197.

Compiled by Staff Writer Kelly Stefani.