Some Mecklenburg County Recreation Centers are hosting back to school bashes to close out the summer of 2026. Most are free. Kids will receive school supplies at all of them. Read on for details, and make sure to register.
Registration is required for some of the events, so please make sure to follow each link.
Back to School Bash at Northern Regional Recreation Center
Saturday, August 8, 2026
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Northern Regional Recreation Center
18121 Old Statesville Road, Cornelius, NC
Free (registration required at above link)
Students Pre-K through 12th grade will have a great time bouncing on inflatables, visiting the balloon artists and (temporary) tattoo artists and getting back to school supplies. Pre-registration is required. In partnership with Novant, Vaccines will be offered to kids from birth to age 18, who have no insurance, have Medicaid, or are Medicaid eligible.
Back to School Bash at David Waymer Recreation Center
August 15, 2026
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
David Waymer Recreation Center
14008 Holbrooks Road, Huntersville, NC
Free (registration required at above link)
Enjoy a fun-filled carnival-themed back to school bash with exciting games, prizes, food, and family-friendly activities. We will be giving away free backpacks and school supplies to help students start the school year prepared and confident. Bring the whole family and celebrate the new school year! Pre- Registration is required. Register through above link, or call 980-314-1127.
Bounce Back to School Jam
Saturday, August 15, 2026
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Eastway Regional Recreation Center
3150 Eastway Park Drive, Charlotte, NC
$5 (register required at above link)
It’s Eastway’s BOUNCE Back to School Jam and we are going big! Join us for a day filled of an array of 15+ bounce houses, obstacles courses, slides of all shapes and sizes, and more. For the children we will also have, balloon artists, face painting and they can make a fun craft at the Eastway tent. Kids will also enjoy italian ice, food and more. One free backpack per child with registration.
Pre-Registration is required for this event. You can pay the day of to attend the event by registering at the front desk. Online registration closes at 8:30 pm on Friday. Choose one time slot to register and pay for each child attending. Registration is not required for accompanying adults. Only children under the age of 18 will be permitted in the inflatables. Your time slot will allow your child(ren) to enjoy all the fun for one hour and forty-five minutes. The event will be rain or shine, as we will move the event into the gym for inclement weather.
Back to School Bash at West Charlotte Recreation Center
Saturday, August 22, 2026
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
West Charlotte Recreation Center
2401 Kendall Drive, Charlotte, NC
Free (register at above link)
Come celebrate back to school West Charlotte style during our Back to School Bash! Students Pre-K through 12th grade will have a great time bouncing on inflatables, enjoying our spray ground, and getting back to school supplies. Pre-registration is required. The event is from 11:00am – 3:00pm, once you are registered drop in any time within that time frame to participate. Backpacks will be limited so please make sure to register!
Back to School Bashes for 2025 — many with free school supplies
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
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More Back to School Bashes & Giveaways
Check out our list of back to school events.
Northern Regional Recreation Center
18121 Old Statesville Road
Cornelius, NC
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