Pencils, protractors, new school clothes: it all adds up! Our wallets really take a hit this time of year and our community knows it. End the summer with activities the kids will remember, and that won't break the bank! With all the time and money you'll save you want to check out some locally owned shops for your school clothes essentials! These recommendations are an awesome way to learn about your new city, become a part of the community, make new friends, & get the kids out of the house. These recommendations will have your wallet and your kids thanking you!

Greentrike Back-to-School Festival

Come for the cotton candy & popcorn, stay for the school supplies giveaway, foam party, & free museums! This looks to be a jam-packed event with tons of useful resources for the upcoming 2022 school season. If museums are up your alley, head to the information booth for free admission to 4 local museums. The Children's Museum of Tacoma, The Tacoma Art Museum, The Washington State History Museum and, The Museum of Glass will all be participating. This event will be a fun way to explore what Tacoma has to offer. They will be hosting a scavenger hunt, live podcast, & local food trucks will be vending as well. Head down to Tollefson Plaza in downtown Tacoma on August 31st between 11am & 3pm for the fun! Admission is free. To learn more about the event & to sign up for a free bus pass to the festival check out this link: https://greentrike.org/event/back-to-school-festival

Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway

Pacific Church is hosting a family-friendly event Saturday, August 27th, 2022. The event is free and open to everyone. They will be providing the community with free haircuts and school supplies while supplies last so come early! The event will run from 10 am -1 pm at 3211 112TH ST E, TACOMA, WA

2022 Back-to-School Bash

This next event has been held 15 years in a row! It's being held just 10 minutes from JBLM, and should make for both a productive and super fun day. This event is offering free sports physicals, immunizations, haircuts, school supplies, and more. There will be inflatables for the littles to play on and free lunch is being served by the church. This action-packed event will be held on August 27th, 2022 from 10 am-3 pm at City of Faith Christian Center 11011 Occident St. SW Lakewood, WA 98499

Back-to-School Jam

This next event is sure to have the kids wiped out by bedtime. On The Road with PartnerCafe is hosting a dance party on August 27th, 2022 from 10 am-3 pm. This is a separate event from the Back-to-School Bash being held at the same time. They will be serving lunch and giving away backpacks filled with school supplies. They will also have inflatables to play on! Come dance and play the day away while checking your school supplies shopping trip off your to-do list. This jam will be held at Giaudrone Middle School and is open to everyone! 4902 S ALASKA ST, TACOMA, WA 98408

Basketball Camp

This free 1-day event is being hosted by Our Sisters House. Kids ages 10-18 can come to learn basketball skills for free and enjoy pizza and snacks after with the new friends they are sure to make. The camp is being held on Friday, August 26th at 5 pm. Head on over to downtown Tacoma to The University Y Student Center at 1710 Market Street, 98402. For more information about the event and their May basketball camp please contact Kye at Kyerobinson3@gmail.com.

Shop Teen Fashion on a budget at Runway Fashion Exchange

Located just outside of the Tacoma Mall, right next to one of my favorite comic book shops, Atomic Comics, is Runway Fashion Exchange. I have been shopping here since I was a teen and continue to do so today. They only buy the latest fashions and offer their thrifted items at an extremely competitive price. They also have a points reward system you can sign up for to score more deals. They sell both men's and women's clothing, shoes, and accessories. You would be hard-pressed not to find something here for yourself as well that you just had to have. Don't let back-to-school shopping make your bank account weep. Shop the locally-owned deals here at Runway Fashion Exchange and thank me later. Located at 4020 S. Steele St Tacoma, Wa, 98409.

Kids' clothing, toys, & more!

6th ave just feels like home to me. It's host to some of my favorite restraints, bars, and shops in Tacoma. There is one place however that all my friends with kids can't stop raving about and that is Kidz Kaboodle. They are touted as the largest children and maternity consignment shop in the Pacific Northwest. One thing you should know about us Pacific Northwesterners is that we. Love. Thrifting. They offer sizes from Newborn to 14/16. Every Friday from 10-2 & Sunday from 11-3 they have a 25-cent sale that my friends go nuts for. You could really set the kids up for a stylish school year on a major budget at this locally owned shop. It comes highly recommended by locals. Located in Tacoma at 6409 6th Ave., suite 10.

Find more great local businesses and events on the BaseHubs app. As always, recommendations and reviews come from others in the military community, like Cindy.

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