Helpful and Fun Back to School Events in the Orlando Area
Can you believe it? Back to school season is here and it’s time to make preparations. Thankfully there are lots of back to school events in Orlando and the surrounding area to help out families like yours. Get your family ready for the busy return to school by checking out one of these exciting and helpful events.
The events below are listed chronologically and include Orlando and nearby areas too.
In Case You’re Interested:
>> Super Fun Family Restaurants
>> Cheap Family Fun
>> Orlando Hotels with Waterparks
Make the most of what’s left of summer by jumping over to our list of things to do before back to school!
Back to School Events in the Orlando
Florida Mall’s Christmas in July + Back to School Kickoff
Saturday, July 27, 12 pm– 3 pm
Kick-off Tax-Free Weekend with a festive celebration at the mall’s main entrance (exterior). Enjoy an ice skating rink, fun games for kids, meet-and-greets with Mrs. Claus, and more! Five lucky attendees will win a $250 shopping spree.
More: Christmas in July Events
Back to School Bash 2024
Saturday, July 27, 10am – 12pm
Sanford Church of Christ
1500 South Park Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771
Stop by between 10am – 12pm for games, prizes, free backpacks, and supplies for the new school year. Your child must be registered to receive a backpack.
FREE
Back to School Bash
Saturday, July 27, 10am – 12pm
Encore at Avalon Park
13798 Cygnus Drive, Orlando, FL 32828
Calling all families with elementary and middle school students! Enjoy a fun-filled day to kick off the new school year. Enjoy free school supplies and more! Each student will receive one bag, but remember, make sure your student is present to get yours. While supplies last!
Back To School Jam!
Saturday, July 27, 10am – 1pm
Kissimmee City Chambers Park Community Center
2380 Smith Street, Kissimmee, FL 34744
Don’t miss out on the chance to hang out with friends, meet new people, and enjoy some delicious food. Whether you’re a student, parent, or teacher, this event is perfect for everyone looking to have a great time before heading back to school.
Back To School – Orlando (from Florida Technical College)
Saturday, July 27, 10am – 12pm
Florida Technical College – Orlando Campus
- Free Backpacks with School Supplies!*
- Electronic Device Raffles
- Star 94.5 Broadcasting Live on Campus
- Food Truck [Kona Ice]
- Carnival Games [by The DAVE School]
- Family Activities
- Community Partners
- Program Demonstrations
- Campus Tours Available
* Reservation of a ticket to the event does not guarantee the provision of a backpack. Limited quantities available. Backpacks will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis. Only one backpack per child. The child must be present to receive the backpack and must be accompanied by an adult/guardian.
MLI Preschool’s Back To School Jam
Saturday, July 27, 10:30am – 2:30pm
2612 Pioneer Rd, Orlando, FL 32808
To help with back-to-school shopping MLI is offering a fantastic event filled with fun and FREE backpacks for Pre-k, Elementary & Middle School aged students. (first come, first serve) There will be TONS of fun back-to-school activities for the whole family to enjoy – Including face painting, exciting games, and delicious snow cones.
Central Florida YMCA’s Back to School Event
Saturday, July 27, 11am – 2pm
2178 Packing District Way, Orlando, FL 32804
The Back to School Jam is designed to celebrate the beginning of the school year with the goal to distribute backpacks and school supplies in preparation for upcoming school year. This event will feature, a battle of the drumlines from local high schools, food trucks, live music, family resources vendors, and kid-friendly activities.
Horizon West Kids Expo
Wednesday, July 31, 5-8pm
Urban Air Adventure Park
5736 Hamlin Groves Trl, Winter Garden, Fl, 34787
Find after-school programs, activities & classes, pediatricians, orthodontists, tutors, and so much more. Resources for children of all ages in one place! Bring the kids to Urban Air Adventure Park to play for the evening while you explore the multitude of local products and services available to your family.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office Back-to-School Bash
Saturday, August 3, 9am – 11am
OCSO, 2500 W. Colonial Drive Orlando, FL 32804
There will be free backpacks with school supplies, games, music, a video game trailer, and more! There will also be a variety of vendors and community resources for you to take advantage of.
Oviedo Mall’s Kid Crew: Back 2 School Bash presented by Precious Fine Jewelers
Saturday, August 3, 2024, from 11:30am to 1:30pm
Oviedo Mall
This back-to-school extravaganza promises a day filled with fun and freebies that will leave kids and parents alike with smiles from ear to ear. The highlight of the event is the thrilling school supply scavenger hunt, where participants will embark on a thrilling adventure through the mall to collect essential supplies for the upcoming academic year.
Thanks to the generous support of Precious Fine Jewelers, each participant will receive a beautiful new backpack, making the return to school even more exciting. The Supply Stop Map will guide the way, leading the young explorers to various stores around the mall to collect their much-needed school supplies.
The Back 2 School Bash operates on a first come, first serve basis, so we encourage families to arrive early to secure their spot.
It is essential that your child is present to receive the backpack and scavenger hunt map, so make sure to mark your calendars and be ready for a fantastic day of back-to-school fun!
Faith Assembly’s Back to School Bash
Saturday, August 3, 10am – 1pm
9307 Curry Ford Road, Orlando, FL 32825
2740 East Michigan Street, Orlando, FL 32806
Faith Assembly is providing over 3,000 backpacks to students-in-need, while supplies last. Attendees have the opportunity to enjoy the interactive Kids Zone and receive free food, haircuts, school physicals, and “Back to School” themed photos. Dress your student for success for a photo taken by one of their professional photographers.
Florida Blue Centers Back to School Events
Saturday, August 3, 10am – 2pm
Events taking place at 3 local Florida Blue Center locations: Clermont, Winter Park, & Winter Haven
Grab your friends and family and join your local Florida Blue Centers for school supply and backpack giveaways*, interactive activities for all ages, live music, and more! Plus, enjoy healthy refreshments as you kick off the start of the upcoming school year and learn about local community organizations in the area. Everyone is welcome! You do not need to be a Florida Blue member to participate and there is no cost to attend.
Back to School Bash 2024
Saturday, August 3, 11am – 4pm
Zanders Park & Bouler Pool
362 11th Street, Winter Garden, FL
Get the supplies you need to head back to school while enjoying a fun end-of-summer event!
Hosted by the City of Winter Garden, the Back to School Bash is a free family-friendly event for Winter Garden families. The fun, end-of-summer event includes a FREE backpack & school supplies giveaway, free food, an interactive DJ, a foam party, water activities, relay races, community vendors, and more!
Back to School Fest
Saturday, August 3, 12-3pm
Colonial High School Football Field
6201 Nandina Drive, Orlando, FL 32807
A day of fun in the park that includes bounce houses, DJ Intel, Video game trucks, food trucks, games, soft play, arts & crafts, face painting, a firefighter station, Backpack giveaway @1pm; and SOOO MUCH MORE!
FREE
Back to School Bash
Sunday, August 4, 9am – 2pm
Longwood Community Building
200 W Warren Ave, Longwood, FL 32750
The Longwood Police Department will host its 5th Annual Back to School event. Longwood & Seminole County Residents can pick up their entry tickets at the Longwood Police Department Monday-Friday from 10am-4pm. ID is required.
Men’s Closet 4th Annual Back 2 School Backpack Giveaway
Sunday, August 4, 11am – 2pm
Men’s Closet
5510 West Colonial Drive #STE 102 Orlando, FL 32808
They will be giving away backpacks, school supplies, personal hygiene items, free hair braiding, and free haircuts to kids and teens. The event will feature family-friendly activities like face painting, balloon animals, free food, and a video gaming truck.
This is a local neighborhood event to give back to the community. Entrance is free for everyone!
- Schoolchildren must be present with parent to receive a backpack
- 1 backpack per child
- Ticket does not guarantee backpack
Boxi Park’s Back to School Bash
August 9 – 10, 2024
Boxi Park, Lake Nona
Are you ready to kick off the new school year in the most exciting way possible? Join Boxi Park for their Back to School Bash, a fun-filled event that will make going back to school a celebration to remember.
Back To School BASH
Saturday, August 10, 10am – 2pm
The Wellness and Hydration Clinic
580 Lexington Green Lane, Sanford, FL 32771
They will have FREE backpacks with school supplies for each child registered – registration is REQUIRED. They will will also have free haircuts, food, a bounce house, cotton candy, popcorn, and MORE!!
FREE
13th Annual Back to School Expo
Saturday, August 10, 11am – 4pm
Altamonte Mall
Connect face-to-face with education, health, and family-focused organizations and companies. It’s also Florida’s tax-free school shopping weekend, so stock up on clothing and other items at the mall and save money
- Representatives from the Orlando Magic
- Animals from the Central Florida Zoo
- Live gators from Gatorland
- Learn about college savings, educational aids, sports activities, and more
Back to School Family Fun Night
Wednesday, August 21, 4 – 6pm
Center for Health and Wellbeing
2005 Mizell Avenue #800 Winter Park, FL 32792
You and your family will have the opportunity to participate in a number of activities, including arts and crafts; a positive affirmation/gratitude station; child-friendly meditation and breathing activities; dance party breaks; and games designed to help your family communicate better and work together.
Refreshments will also be provided and you’re welcome to stop by any time during the two-hour Family Fun Night. registration is free but required. When registering, please include the number of people in your family you expect to attend.
See also: Space Coast Back 2 School Bash, Saturday, August 10 in Merritt Island
BONUS IDEA!
Get ready to join Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine for the 17th Annual Back to School Fair, presented with pride by Hillsborough County Public Schools, happening on Sales Tax Holiday Saturday! That means you can shop for all your school needs without worrying about sales tax.
It’s the ultimate opportunity to check off your back-to-school shopping list.
Tell your friends: Saturday, August 3!
The Back to School Fair is taking over the spacious and air-conditioned WestShore Plaza Mall in Tampa from 10am to 2pm.
