Whether you are ready or not, it's Back to School season! Summer is quickly fading, and school buses will be re-appearing soon. Manatee County schools start August 10!
As your family prepares for the 2026-27 school year, Macaroni KID Bradenton has got you covered with the ultimate guide to kickstart the year! While you are shopping for backpacks and pencil cases, be sure to keep this Guide handy - we have put together a list of helpful resources, including classes to enroll your kids in - soccer, dance classes, martial arts and coding classes, just to name a few! We also have after-school programs and educational resources. Be sure to take advantage of the exclusive discounts that are being offered to Macaroni KID subscribers - we appreciate you mentioning us when registering for your after-school fun! And don't miss out on all the fun Back to School events going on the next couple of weeks to celebrate students' return to school!
Would you like your business to be a part of our Back-to-School Guide? It's not too late!
Email us at deniseg@macaronikid.com to get signed up!
Thank you to our sponsor MOD PIZZA!
MOD Pizza ~ Food to Feel Good About!
We’re all about choice. The MOD experience is built around high-quality, personalized products delivered superfast. Our individually sized pizzas and hand-tossed salads are fully customizable, with more than 40 toppings, 8 finishing sauces, and 8 delectable dressings. Every pizza and salad is Made On Demand with superior and fresh ingredients.
We also care about our community, by hosting fundraisers and giving back to local schools and nonprofit organizations.
Come on in, we have plenty of room for families and big groups. Plus, EVERY SUNDAY is Kids Eat FREE!
Hope to see you soon!
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Altitude Trampoline Park ~ Back‑to‑School Bounce Bash is HERE July 31–Aug 2! 
Grab our 2‑for‑$30 jump deal and enter our Backpack Raffle—10 fully loaded backpacks up for grabs! Bring your crew, catch big air, and kick off the school year with a win!!!!!
August Monthly Challenge at Island Branch Library: Rockin' In My School Shoes ~ Join us in our Youth Area to design your dream pair of school shoes. When you are done, show the librarian for a groovy Pete the Cat pencil! This is a month-long promotion - come in at any time! FREE!
July 28 | 3PM to 4:30PM - Back to School Custom Tote Bag for Teens ~ Teens, join us to create a one-of-a-kind back-to-school tote bag that reflects your personality and interests. FREE. Hosted by LWR Library.
July 31 | 6PM to 8PM - Back to School event hosted by Acapulco Tropical Y Mas ~ FREE backpacks for kids under 12, while supplies last. All 4 locations are participating in this incredible community event.
Aug 1 | 8AM to 10AM - PUMC Food Pantry Backpack Giveaway ~ Our food pantry will have a limited amount of backpacks with school supplies for children ages 5-10 (elementary age) for distribution. Everything is while supplies last and the children MUST be in the car. Limit is 2 per car.
Aug 1 | 9AM to 12PM - Endless Summer Community Event ~ Join the LWR YMCA for FREE activities, snacks, school supplies (while supplies last), and learn about our Before & After School and fall programs. FREE.
Aug 1 | 10AM to 12PM - Car Show and School Supply Giveaway ~ Join J. Burg's Garage for their car show and school supply giveaway on August 1!
Aug 1 | 10AM to 1PM - Florida Blue Center Back to School: Mission Ready ~ Join us for an out-of-this-world, family-friendly event featuring FREE school supply giveaways*, cosmic activities for kids, and resources to help students reach for the stars.
Aug 1 | 10AM to 5PM - Back to School Bash at Sarasota Jungle Gardens ~ Kids under 12 years old get in FREE. (Up to 3 kids FREE with a full-priced, same-day, adult admission.) Tickets must be purchased online using promo code BTS26.
Aug 1 | 10:30AM to 1PM - 2026 Back to School Youth Activity Fair ~ Event includes: • Activities/games • Demonstrations • Entertainment • Food trucks • Free swag • Vendor booths. Venice Community Center. FREE / no registration required.
Aug 1 | 11AM to 1PM - Back to School Bash ~ This event is open to all. Food, fun, First Responder vehicles. While supplies last! Hosted by Bradenton Elks 1511.
Aug 1 | 11AM to 2PM - Back to School Bash ~ Join Suncoast Credit Union for games, activities, FREE school supplies, and a raffle giveaway! FREE.
Aug 1 | 11AM to 3PM - Back to School Bash Community Day and Open Gym ~ Join us at FlipZone Gymnastics on Saturday, August 1st for a day of fun, excitement, and community! Open Gym: Shop local vendors and discover great products and services. Every paid Open Gym participant who attends will receive a mystery or colored Dumpling while supplies last! Register in advance for a time slot / $10 per person.
Aug 1 | 12PM to 3PM - Summer Send Off Party ~ Enjoy giveaways, open play, photo opps, fairy/tinsel hair installation, refreshments and more. Bring school supplies to donate and get a free cake pop! Register in advance!
Aug 1 | 12PM to 5PM - Dillard's Back to School ~ Enjoy a fashion show (at 1PM), coloring stations, dance parties and more!
Aug 2 | 10AM to 12PM - Back to School Bash at Gulf Coast Church ~ Come pick up the school supplies your children need and enjoy a delicious lunch from Cracker Barrel. Lunch Pricing: • $15 per person / • $35 per family.
Aug 2 | 4PM to 6PM - Back to School Bash ~ Free supplies. Free food. Bounce houses. Haircuts. Eye exams. Hearing tests. Supplies limited - register in advance. Hosted by Triumphant Church.
Aug 3 | 5PM to 6PM - Tween Back to School Keychain ~ Tweens join us for a fun keychain making workshop. These keychains are easy to set up, fun for tweens to select, and serve as a sweet reminder of the unique qualities each child brings to crafts. Hosted by Lakewood Ranch Library. FREE.
Aug 4 | 11:30AM to 12:30PM - Back to School Craft-tastic ~ Children will create their own bookmarks and keychains using a variety of colorful craft supplies. Hosted by Central Library. FREE.
Aug 6 | 11:30AM to 9PM - MOD Pizza Back to School Bash ~ Join MOD Pizza for their Back to School Bash! Come before or after your school's Open House to enjoy a yummy dinner plus fun crafts and games and a special back to school gift for the kids. Parents will also get a magnet calendar for the year!
Aug 8 | 8AM to 1PM - Badges and Backpacks ~ There will be bicycle helmet fittings, free haircuts, manicures, backpacks for those who register, school supplies and free food! Hosted by Sarasota Police Department. Must register in advance.
Aug 8 | 10AM to 2PM - Back to School Bash at UTC ~ Stock up on all school supplies and connect with local businesses, plus enjoy live entertainment, face painting, sports mascots and characters, photo opps, fitness activities and more. FREE.
Aug 8 | 4PM to 8PM - Dawg Days of Summer: The Ultimate Backyard Bash ~ Bring the whole family, including the pup, for a nostalgic night of summertime staples, cold drinks, and friendly competition as the sun sets.
Aug 8 | 6:30PM - Back to School Jam ~ Families, get ready to kick off the new school year in a BIG way! Join us for a FREE, high-energy Back to School Jam presented by the School District of Manatee County and the Bradenton Marauders. Free backpacks filled with school essentials (while supplies last) will be available. Gates open at 5PM.
Aug 22 | 5PM to 7PM - Back to School Party at First Baptist Bradenton ~ Join us for an exciting evening located in our Gym! Bounce Houses, Food, Games and Tons of Fun! Free!
Aug 29 | 10AM to 12PM - Find Your Village Homeschool Community Fair ~ Featuring 25+ vendors — co-ops, microschools, homeschool activity providers and more, all in one room, all there for YOUR family, food trucks, raffle prizes, activities for the kids and more. Plus, the first 40 families through the door receive a FREE goody bag! Register in advance!
Aug 2 | 10AM to 12PM - Jump Dance Open House ~ Get dance supplies, meet the teachers, tour the facility and learn about our classes and programs.
Aug 5 | 4:30PM to 7:30PM - Star Academy of Performing Arts Open House ~ Enjoy studio tours, meeting the staff and ballerinas, registering for classes and The Nutcracker, trying out dance, aerial, tumbling and more. Make crafts and do an obstacle course. FREE goodie bag & frozen treat for everyone that completes the SCAVENGER HUNT and FREE studio gift for everyone that registers for a class at the event (up to a $35 value!)!
Aug 8 | 11AM to 1PM - Energize Dance Studio Open House ~ Come explore the studio, meet our incredible team, check out class uniforms, and enjoy some fun crafts!
Aug 8 | 11AM to 1PM - International Ballet of Florida Open House ~ Join us for our Open House to meet the instructors, tour the studio and see what classes we have available. FREE first class for new students!
Aug 8 | 1PM to 3PM - Players Studio Open House ~ Meet their talented instructors & ask questions, play fun theatre games, sing your heart out with karaoke, enjoy complimentary snacks and learn about upcoming classes & programs for all ages.
Aug 12 | 3PM to 5PM - 180 Skate Open House ~ Everyone interested in being a part of our clubs and programs is welcome to stop by between 3PM and 5PM on August 10. Come skate with us, meet other students and parents, learn more about our programs and enjoy some homemade cookies.
Aug 15 | 10AM to 12PM - Soul Studios Dance Open House ~ Join us for classes for CHILDREN & ADULTS, studio tours, light bites, raffles & giveaways, and the chance to meet our Soul team and learn about everything we have planned for Season 16!
Aug 15 | 10AM to 2PM - Sarasota Ballet Open House ~ Tour our studios, meet our faculty, and see what makes The Sarasota Ballet School home to dancers of every age and level.
Aug 15 | 11AM to 2PM - Music Compound Back to School Bash ~ Enjoy a fun-filled family event packed with music performances, free music lessons, crafts, food, games, and activities. Pre-register for your chance to win a free Music Compound Membership.
School Calendar for Manatee County for 2026 / 2027 School Year
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Welcome to Macaroni KID Bradenton!
Are you looking for things to do in Bradenton with the kids?
We have a kid-friendly event calendar just for families in Bradenton!
It's packed full of local events, festivals, story times, character visits, giveaways and other local family fun.
Sign-up for FREE by clicking HERE.
