Who else is staring down the season of back to school?
No matter if you love the idea of shipping your kids off to school, dread the end of summer, or have little ones not yet ready to leave the house… the truth is that while summer is flying by, you can STILL make some summer memories!
Each month, our team hand-picks, our top 12 family-friendly events to share with you. If you have something on your calendar we didn’t share here, feel free to comment and let your fellow mamas know about it!
1. Strong Kids Triathlon @ The YMCA at the Heights
**DMB Tip** You can register online or at any YMCA branch.
August 3, 2019 beginning at 7:30am
Open to ages 5-12
$15 for members, $25 for non-members
Join friends and family at the YMCA for the 13th annual Strong Kids Triathlon! Kids will participate in swimming, biking, and running, all suited to their ages. All proceeds from the registration benefit the YMCA of Greater Dayton’s Annual Campaign, ensuring that everyone can share in fun, healthy movement experiences!
2. Big Backyard Party
Enjoy hands-on activities all ages and abilities can enjoy, including fishing, archery, field games, inflatables, food trucks, and raffles!
**DMB Tip** Plan to come hungry (and bring cash just in case) to take advantage of the food trucks in attendance!
- August 3rd, 11am -2 pm
- Free, bring money for food and raffles
- Activities for all ages/abilities
3. Young’s Dairy Annual Vintage Truck Show
See over 100 antique trucks from around the country!
**DMB Tip** While this event is free, the typical Young’s Dairy food and activities will cost money, so plan accordingly if that will be part of your day in addition to checking out the trucks!
- August 3rd, 9am-4pm
- Free (vintage truck show only)
- All ages/abilities welcome
4. Grand Opening of the Southeast Branch of the Dayton Metro Library
Let your kids experience a ribbon cutting and check out these beautiful new facilities. Mascots Cosmo and Pip will be there, and there will be free refreshments.
**DMB Tip** Let your older kids get their own library card. They will have a blast with this fun responsibility.
- August 10th; 1:00 pm – 4 pm
- All ages/abilities welcome
5. Orchardly Park Crafts
Come do a free craft! All ages are welcome, but crafts are geared towards the 3-6 age range.
**DMB Tip** Craft supplies are limited, so plan to arrive early!
- August 7, 2-4 pm
- Free
- All ages welcome
6. Kettering Civic Band at Polen Farm
Enjoy an evening being serenaded by the Kettering Civic Band. We even hear that there will be FREE ice cream sundaes!
**DMB Tip** Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets to sit on!
- August 8, 7-8:30 PM
- All ages/abilities welcome
- Free
7. Caesar Creek State Park Meteor Shower Camp Out
***DMB Tip*** Reserve a campground early if you want to camp, but be aware that fires are NOT allowed so as to not interfere with the viewing.
Enjoy an evening of activities before viewing the Perseid Meteor Shower!
- August 10 at 4 PM – August 11 at 9 am (camping/staying all night is not required!)
- All ages and abilities welcome
- Free – $30 (different ticket levels offer different goodies)
8. Washington Township Firefighter’s Association’s 71st Annual Ice Cream Social
Come watch exciting rescue demonstrations, including a visit from the Medflight helicopter! Bring some cash for food, ice cream, and raffles if you’re interested. Kids can paint on the firetruck and there will be other activities such as bounce houses.
**DMB Tip** For fun, you could opt to let your kids dress up like first responders.
- August 12th, 11-5
- Free – need money for food and some activities.
- All ages/abilities welcome
9. Fairborn Sweet Corn Festival
Ohio is known for corn, so of course, there’s a festival for it! This festival is extra sweet, with free entertainment, free admission, and free parking! There are pony rides and activities for the kids, and of course, lots of corn!
**DMB Tip** The craft vendors are the perfect way to get a jump on your holiday shopping and find unique gifts for friends and family.
- August 17, 11 am-7 pm; August 18th 11 am – 6 pm
- Free – bring money for food and shopping
- All ages/abilities welcome, including PETS!
10. Dayton African American Cultural Festival
Come experience African American culture! Come see an African Village, a pavilion of paintings and enjoy live R&B, Gospel, and Jazz performances.
**DMB Tip** Plan a trip to the library and look for books on related topics to get your kids excited about the music and culture of the festival.
- August 17th, 12 pm 8 pm; August 18th, 12 pm – 6pm
- Free entry – bring money for food, shopping, and donating to the disaster relief fund
11. Festival of Nations
Kids will delight in learning about different countries and their unique cultures through interactive booths including food, dance, music, story-telling and arts and crafts.
**DMB Tip** Afterward, sit down and craft with your kiddos to create a passport to talk about the countries you learned about during the event.
- August 17, 12-6 pm; Parade of Nations at 4 pm
- Free entry, bring money for food
- All ages/abilities welcome
12. Momologues at the Black Box Theater
Have a Mom’s Night Out at this fun improv event, where talented actors improv scenes based on Mom-life.
***DMB Tip*** Arrive early to get a table!
- Most Fridays, 9-11 pm (check the website for specific dates)
- $15 entry fee, bring your own drinks and snacks.
- Best for adults. Kids are allowed in, but use discretion, as the content is not intended for children
