The new school year is almost here! If you're looking for ways to prepare without stretching your budget, there are several FREE back-to-school events happening throughout Berks County. Check out all of the back-to-school specials, family events, and community programs to help your family get ready for the new school year, while making the most of the last days of summer! Whether you're searching for school supply giveaways, free haircuts, fun community events, or end-of-summer activities, we've rounded up everything you need to start the school year on the right foot.
Be sure to arrive early, as many giveaways are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
🌊 Mifflin Park PTO Back-to-School Pool Party
- Date: Saturday, August 8
- Time: 5:30 PM
- Location: Ken Grill Pool, Shillington
- Cost: $5 per person for Mifflin Park students and their families
🏊 FREE for Ken Grill Pool members with a pool pass - Details: Community back-to-school celebration hosted by the Mifflin Park PTO. This is not a drop-off event. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
🎒 Family Promise of Berks Back-to-School Kickoff
- Date: Thursday, August 13
- Time: 12:00–3:00 PM
- Location: Berks Lodge #47, 237 Walnut St., Reading
- Cost: FREE
- Highlights:
- Free backpacks & school supplies (while supplies last)
- Free haircuts
- Complimentary food & drinks
- Snow cones
- Face painting
- DJ & entertainment
- Community resource fair
Open to all Berks County families. Family Promise of Berks County
🎒 Back to School FREE Backpack Giveaway
- Date: Thursday, August 13
- Time: 5:00–7:00 PM
- Location: Athletes IQ Institute, 3024 Penn Ave West Lawn, PA 19609
- Cost: FREE
- Highlights: Free backpacks & school supplies (while supplies last)
🎒 God's Closet Free Back-to-School Event
- Date: Saturday, August 15
- Time: 1:00- 4:00 PM
- Location: Reading City Park (next to the water sprinklers)
- Cost: FREE
- Details: Community back-to-school giveaway and family event.
- FREE while supplies last:
🎒 Book bags
✏️ School supplies
👕 Clothing
👟 Shoes
🧸 Toys
🎉 Back-to-School Kick-Off Hosted by Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz
- Date: Sunday, August 16
- Time: 11:00 AM- 2:00PM
- Location: District Office, 1111 Penn Ave., Wyomissing, 19610
- Cost: FREE
- Details: Community celebration to kick off the new school year. Free backpacks with school supplies, haircuts, and more!
🎉 Back-to-School Community Kickback
- Date: Sunday, August 16
- Time: 12:00 PM- 5:00PM
- Location: Fathers & Sons Barbershop, 20 N 3rd St. Reading, PA
- Cost: FREE
- Details: Free haircuts, free food, free school supplies, activities & music
🎒 5th Annual Back-to-School Giveaway Hosted by the City of Reading and State Rep. Manny Guzman.
- Date: Wednesday, August 19
- Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Location: Courtyard on the 600 Block of Penn Street, Reading
- Free parking will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the 6th & Cherry Street parking lot, courtesy of the Reading Parking Authority.
- Cost: FREE
- Details: Free school supplies (first come, first served, free haircuts, free snacks, refreshments & fresh fruit, free eye vision tests
🎈 FIT4MOM Reading Grand Re-Opening & Back-to-School Bash
- Date: Saturday, August 22
- Time: 9:00 AM- 1:00PM
- Location: 1011 N Park Rd, Reading, PA 19610
- Cost: FREE
- Details: Meet local businesses, connect with other moms and families, learn about FIT4MOM programs, enjoy family-friendly activities, enter to win exciting raffle prizes, and FREE school supplies!
🎉 Back-to-School Vendor Pop Out
- Date: Saturday, August 22
- Time: 11:00 AM- 7:00PM
- Location: Family Dollar, 400 South 6th St, Reading, PA
- Cost: FREE
- Details: Free book bags, popcorn, cotton candy, faceprinting, barbers, bounce house. Free clothing and shoes provided by God's Closet. Each book bag will have a Papa John's FREE pizza coupon & FREE 7/11 Slushy coupon
🎒Community Back-to-School Bash
- Date: Sunday, August 23
- Time: 12:00 PM- 5:00PM
- Location: Parabellum Wrestling Academy- Inside the Berkshire Mall
- Cost: FREE
- Details: Free school supplies (first come, first served), popcorn, drinks, music, games, raffles, and prizes.
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