It’s that time of year again when excitement fills the year. Parents everywhere rejoice as kids prepare to return to school!
Somewhat less exciting – actually decidedly less so – are the expenses involved in beginning a new school year. New clothes, new shoes … these prices add up quickly and with prices currently as they are, everyone’s looking for any way they can to cut costs.
Clearwater will have a number of school supply giveaways, free wellness checkups and fun back-to-school bashes hosted through various entities such as Clearwater Parks and Recreation, the Clearwater Library System, various churches and more. Most events are first come, first served until supplies run out, and some require registrations, so be sure to check the details for each event.
Here are the events in order by date:
Back to School Kid’s Backpack Giveaway
Thursday, July 28 from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. and
Friday, July 29 from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Event by Clearwater Threshers Baseball at Baycare Ballpark, 601 N Old Coachman Rd, Clearwater
Sport your favorite team at school with our kid’s backpack giveaway. This two-night event coincides with our Lil’ Anglers Kids Club & Back to School Night. Limited quantities available.
Presented by Kelli’s Catering & Events
Facebook event page here.
Ross Norton Back-2-School Bash
Friday, July 29 at 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Ross Norton Recreation Complex, 1426 S Martin Luther King Ave, Clearwater
Enjoy the bounce house, DJ, games, touch-a-trucks, raffles, haircut vouchers and a backpack giveaway! First 500 patrons will receive backpacks. No immunizations.
Food will be served from 5 – 7 p.m.
Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/435239218500753
Florida Penguin’s Clearwater Back-to-School Bash
Saturday, July 30 at 10 a.m.
Countryside Mall, 27001 US Hwy 19 N, Clearwater
Join us for the annual Back to School Bash at Countryside Mall in Clearwater, FL on July 30th from 10am to 3pm. Free event and open to the public. This is the biggest Back-To-School event in Pinellas County each year.
We will have kids’ activities, local family services, an interactive scavenger hunt, sports mascots, performers, and a large business expo with dozens of businesses offering services for after school programs, clubs, tutoring, healthcare, and so much more.
The first 250 families to register their children online will have guaranteed access to the Interactive Scavenger Hunt to collect dozens of free school supplies from all the local businesses, and collect a free backpack once the Scavenger Hunt is completed.
There is no limit on number of backpacks per family, but each child must be present at the event to collect free school supplies and backpacks.
Pre-Registration for families will open on June 15th – Supplies are Limited. Please RSVP by clicking interested/going on this event page to get all the latest announcements and news for each location.
(Backpack Pre-Registration is full as of 7/11/2022, but this event is open to the public and registration is not necessary to attend and visit the sponsors with free giveaways, school supplies, and fun activities for kids. Any unclaimed backpacks will be passed out in the last hour of the event. We always have a few dozen unclaimed bags at the end of the day. And all families can participate in the scavenger hunt with a chance to win free amusement park tickets for 4.)
Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/1628812394170588
Back to School Bash
Saturday, July 30, 2022 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Event by Gold Street Garden Church at the Artz 4 Life Academy, Inc, 1751 Kings Hwy, Clearwater
We are so excited to announce our 2nd annual Back 2 School Bash! This is a completely FREE family event with Free Raffled giveaways***, Free Backpacks with school supplies, & more!
For more information and to register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/back-2-school-bash-tickets-377044639667?fbclid=IwAR2Xv6pUJB9g5rbtVAGIhQRRiLCm0zkIA895IHEPYSBO4eEnRY6rC_PnXkc
Important Information
Early Check-in/Registration: 11 a.m.
Registration Closes: 1 p.m.
We are giving away over 400 backpacks with school supplies!*
*First come, first served. No rain-checks or holds on backpacks.
**Student (K-12) must be present with an accompanying adult in order to receive a backpack after an encouraging message.
***All giveaways are raffle-based
Facebook event page: www.eventbrite.com/e/back-2-school-bash-tickets-377044639667?fbclid=IwAR2Xv6pUJB9g5rbtVAGIhQRRiLCm0zkIA895IHEPYSBO4eEnRY6rC_PnXkc
Restoring Hope Back-to-School Backpacks & Barbecue
Saturday, July 30 at 5 p.m.
Crest Lake Park (next to volleyball area and pavilion), 201 S Greenwood Ave, Clearwater
Restoring Hope Church is sponsoring a backpack and school supply giveaway for children in Clearwater, Florida. Free Barbecue and drinks, games and activities for children and families, prizes and giveaways, music and fun.
Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/5426290227392126
Back to School Backpack Giveaway at All Clearwater Libraries
The Clearwater Public Library System will be giving out FREE backpacks, books and school supplies at all of the Clearwater library locations from August 1 through August 5, during open hours, while supplies last. With generous support from the Clearwater Library Foundation.
Calling all kids & families! Come get ready for school with us! We’re giving out FREE backpacks, fun books, and cool new school supplies at all of our five Clearwater Library locations.
With generous support from our Clearwater Library Foundation, The Back to School Backpack Giveaway begins Monday, August 1st and goes all week, during open hours, while supplies last. See you at the library!
To find the library’s addresses and open hours, visit: MyClearwaterLibrary.com
Back 2 School Bash/Hope in the Park
Thursday, August 4, 2022 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Clearwater First Church of the Nazarene, 1875 Nursery Rd, Clearwater
Rain or Shine (inside the gym and food assistance is drive thru as you leave.) Join us for our Back 2 School Bash/HOPE IN THE PARK (we will be in the Gym – in air conditioning this month!!) on August 4th, 5 – 7 p.m.
School Supplies (while supplies last – child must be present), Games, FREE COMMUNITY DINNER, FOOD ASSISTANCE (while supplies last; no documentation needed) and lots of Family Fun (Free Inflatable, Games in the Gym). This event is for ALL AGES! Invite a friend! Hope Park is located at Clearwater First Nazarene, 1875 Nursery Rd, Clearwater, FL 33764 – white gates at west end of front parking lot.
Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/576423997389758
North Greenwood Back-2-School Bash / Health & Wellness Fair 2022
Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
North Greenwood Recreation and Aquatic Complex, 900 N Martin Luther King Jr Ave, Clearwater
Get ready for back-to-school at the North Greenwood Recreation Center alongside our community partners.
– Physicals, no immunizations
– Health and wellness checks
– Food, music and games
– Community outreach vendors
– Backpacks for the first 350 patrons
– RSVP to North Greenwood Rec Center
FREE EVENT
Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/1501396940294492
Morningside Back to School Bash
Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Morningside Recreation Complex, 2400 Harn Blvd, Clearwater
Morningside’s Back-to-School Bash is the place to be for a barbecue, pool games, and a great time Come hang out and swim on August 6 from 1 to 4 p.m. Space is limited and a reservation is required. Call 562-4280 to RSVP.
Event Facebook page: www.facebook.com/events/776131283516964/?ref=newsfeed
Back to School
Saturday, August 6, 2022 from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Senor Bubbles, 1408 Cleveland St, Clearwater
Clearwater Public Library y Señor Bubbles te invitan a nuestra actividad para regresar a clases.
Regalos y actividades para los niños!
Te esperamos!!!
Sábado 6 de Agosto de 3-5 de la tarde.
Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/1049907718984861
Back to School Event with School Supplies and Backpack Giveaway
Sunday, August 7 at 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Scientology Information Center, 500 Cleveland St, Clearwater
- School Supplies and Backpacks giveaway
- Refreshments
- Kids activities
- First 200 kids will receive a backpack
- Event is complimentary
Sponsored by the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization
NOTICE: As this is a family-friendly event, we reserve the right to turn away anyone who is inappropriately attired or intoxicated.
Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/1198161797673272
Back to School Bash
Monday, August 8, 2022 at 11 a.m.
Event by Rose From Tha Concrete, 624 S Missouri Ave, Clearwater
The DARE Initiative is a 501(3)c nonprofit organization. This is our 1st Annual Back to School Bash. We will be giving away school supplies, free haircuts, free hair styles, and so much more!!! We are in need of volunteers, stylist and Barbers as well as donations of school supplies!!!
Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/1228294281318126
As a reminder, Florida’s 2022 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday begins today, July 25 and runs through Aug. 7. Stock up on qualifying back-to-school supplies exempt from tax. For more information and a list of qualifying items, visit floridarevenue.com/backtoschool
Feature photo by Image by Prawny on Pixabay