Find free school supplies, backpacks and sports physicals, plus family-friendly back-to-school events happening this week in the Springfield area.
Whether your family could use a little help getting ready or simply wants to celebrate the new school year, here’s where to go and what to know before you arrive.
I send a “things to do” email every Sunday night to tons of parents and caregivers in the Springfield, Mo. area. It’s full of free ideas that always match the season we’re in.
Back-to-school events: Aug. 3-9
Monday, Aug. 3 — Families near Marshfield can handle several back-to-school health appointments in one stop. Jordan Valley Health’s Start Strong event offers well-child checks, sports physicals, immunizations, dental screenings and vision screenings for students. Walk-ins are welcome, including families who did not preregister. 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m. (Jordan Valley Health, 1166 Banning St., Marshfield). The event is free to attend, but some medical services may involve a fee; sliding-scale assistance and Medicaid are accepted. Event details.
Tuesday, Aug. 4 — Republic students can pick up nearly everything they need to begin the school year, from supplies and shoes to haircuts and health screenings. Republic School District’s Backpacks & Beyond event includes free school supplies, one pair of shoes per student, groceries, haircuts, vision and dental screenings, immunizations, registration assistance, a meal and snow cones. Sports physicals are available for $10. Students must be present to receive supplies and shoes, and the event is limited to Republic School District families. Families are asked to arrive according to last name: A–F at 5 p.m., G–L at 5:30, M–R at 6 and S–Z at 6:30. (Enter through Price Elementary, 518 N. Hampton Ave., Republic). Free; items available while supplies last. Event details.
Thursday, Aug. 6 — Check the school sports physical off your list for free. Willard Medical Center is offering free sports physicals for middle and high school athletes, including students who are not already patients. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. 1–5 p.m. (Willard Medical Center, 502 S. Miller Road, Willard). Free. Call 417-761-6655 to schedule or learn more. Event details.
Don’t miss the back-to-school tax holiday! Save a little on back-to-school shopping during Missouri’s sales tax holiday — Friday–Sunday, Aug. 7–9 — which covers qualifying clothing, school supplies, computers and other school-related purchases.
What qualifies?
- Clothing – any article having a taxable value of $100 or less
- School supplies – not to exceed $50 per purchase
- Computer software – taxable value of $350 or less
- Personal computers – not to exceed $1,500
- Computer peripheral devices – not to exceed $1,500
- Graphing calculators – not to exceed $150
Saturday, Aug. 8 — Pick up a free backpack filled with school supplies—and enjoy pizza, games and prizes while you’re there. Papa John’s Back to School Bash will give backpacks to the first 200 children who arrive, plus free pizza slices and family activities while supplies last. The event ends once all backpacks have been distributed, so arriving early would be wise. Begins at 10 a.m. (Papa John’s, 1814 W. Kearney St., Springfield). Free. Event details.
Saturday, Aug. 8 — Pick up free school supplies, then stick around for a foam party, bounce house and plenty of family fun. Grace Church’s Back-to-School Bash will give away 200 school-supply bundles, including 50 with backpacks, and raffle off bikes and scooters for kids. The morning also includes face painting, games, music and free food. 9–11 a.m. (Springfield Grace Church of the Nazarene, 540 E. Walnut Lawn St., Springfield). Free. Event details.
Saturday, Aug. 8 — Families who need help preparing for the new school year can pick up free school supplies, clothing and other essentials. New Growth Ministries’ Back-to-School Bash plans to serve more than 300 students with backpacks, grade-appropriate supplies for elementary through high school, new socks and underwear, first-day outfits for students in need, and shoes as available. The event also includes snacks, music and family-friendly activities. Everything is free while supplies last. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. (1351 N. Marion Ave., Springfield). Event details.
Saturday, Aug. 8 — Take the kids to the races for one last summer hurrah—with free school goodies and a chance to compete on the track themselves. Springfield Raceway’s Kids Back-to-School Bash includes school goodies for the first 150 children through the gate, free snow cones, giveaways and foot races around the quarter-mile track, with cash prizes for winners in kindergarten through 12th grade. Grandstands open at 6 p.m.; racing begins around 7:30 p.m. (Springfield Raceway, 2110 N. Farm Road 123, Springfield). Grandstand admission: adults $20; seniors and military $18; ages 6 through high school $3; ages 5 and younger free. Event details.
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