Summer has flown by so fast, but you have one more weekend (two if you’re in Decatur) to enjoy it before school starts – better make it count! As always we’ve got our favorite free and/or cheap things happening in the next few days below, but more can be found in our Event Calendar and Summer Fun Guide.

And be sure to keep an eye out for our helpful Back to School Guide – it’s full of great advice from local experts & educators!

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Free & Cheap

[themify_hr border_width=”1″ width=”50%” color=”orange”]Click “More Info” for each event below to get additional details.

Learn About Dyslexia

Thursday at 6:30 PM
Cost: FREE
Thurber Arts Center | More Info
Developmental pediatrician, Dr. Eric Tridas, gives a community presentation about dyslexia for parents & educators.

Athens Kiddie Carnival

Thursday – Saturday from 6:30-930 PM
Cost: Rides are $.50 each
Athens Lions Club | More Info
A carnival just for kids? Yes, you heard us right and it is NOT TO BE MISSED. Seriously, read our review and you’ll be lining up! You can also get details about how to help the Kiddie Carnival after one of their rides was damaged.

Wimpy Kid at the Library

Friday at 8:00 PM
Cost: FREE
Madison Public Library | More Info
Weather permitting, grab your friends and head to MPL for a movie under the stars! Tonight’s feature: Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Home Depot Kid’s Workshop

Saturday
Cost: FREE
Home Depot | More Info
Build some Bookworm Bookends at this hands-on workshop for kids & their families. RSVP online required.

Slide-n-Splash

Saturday
Cost: $5
Chapman Pool | More Info
Take the family and spend some time at the pool iwth an inflatable slide, kiddie pool, & concessions.

Weekend Family Storytimes

Saturday at 10:30 AM
Cost: FREE
Barnes & Noble | More Info
Madison Public Library | More Info
You’ve got lots of opportunities to enjoy a good book with your kids today! Both B&N locations will host a picture book storytime & activity, and the Madison Public Library is also hosting a story & craft.

World Breastfeeding Day

Saturday
Cost: FREE
Dowdle Center | More Info
Big Latch On @ Kid’s Space | More Info
Meet other nursing moms and participate as a breastfeeding advocate on this important day!

Back to School Bashes

Saturday & Sunday
Cost: FREE – $5
It’s time to start a whole new school year – do it on a high note at these fun events.
Go Back with a Splash! at HBG – Saturday from 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Parker Chapel Back to School Bash – Saturday from 4-6 PM
Back to School Party at UMC – Sunday from Noon – 2:30 PM

Planetarium Show

Saturday at 7:30 PM
Cost: FREE – $5
VBAS Planetarium | More Info
Your family can do some star-gazing with the pros on top of the mountain. Tonight’s topic is the Mars Rover. Read our review before you go!

Free & Awesome Live Music

All Weekend
Cost: FREE
Various locations

• Biergarten at USSRC – Thursday from 4:30 – 7:30 PM
• Drive-Thru Concerts – Friday from 6-9 PM
• Homemade Jams at Lowe Mill – Saturday from 2-4 PM
• Singing On the Square – Saturday at 6:30 PM
• Concerts in Big Spring Park – Monday at 6:30 PM
• Concerts by the River in Decatur – Monday at 6:30 PM

Worth the Dinero

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Parent’s Night Out

Friday from 5:30-10 PM
Cost: $15-25
The Matrix Gym | More Info
How can you have a night with your Significant Other while the kids have fun too? This PNO will do nicely! Younger kids are 5:30 – 8:30, while older kids & tweens can come to the Friday Night Flip Out from 8:30 – 11:00 PM.

Swim for Melissa

Saturday from 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Cost: Varies
Hampton Cove Pool | More Info
Kids ages 4 – 14 can participate in the 13th annual Swim for Melissa – swimmers can swim as many laps as they can in 5 minutes to raise funds for swimformelissa.org.

Magic on the Mercury & Chase

Saturday at 10:00 AM
Cost: $10-15
North AL Railroad Museum | More Info
The third annual Magic on the Mercury & Chase is scheduled to depart from Platform “Six and Nine Quarters”. Have some fun with magic and mystery! Platform 6 and 9⁄4 will be ready for boarding, so be sure you’ve got your tickets! We’ve also got some special enchanting guests lined up for this all-ages train ride.

ICYMI…

• How to Ride the School Bus – We Asked an Expert
• Spicing Up Your 1st Day of School Photos
• Secret School Supply Tips from a Teacher

[themify_box icon=”highlight” color=”lavender”]DISCLAIMER: We do our best at Rocket City Mom to provide accurate, useful information about events and activities. This information (such as times and locations) is gathered from user submissions, press releases, local newspapers, signs around town and word of mouth. While we always try to confirm details before they are posted in the Huntsville Weekend Roundup, sometimes details change or we are given inaccurate information. Whenever possible we link our write-ups to the source in which our information came from and strongly urge you to confirm details before you go, especially when it comes to outdoor events and weather.[/themify_box]