Family events in Joplin, MO

An annual back-to-school clothing event will take place during Tax Free Weekend, offering extra savings on apparel for the new school year. More details will be shared soon.

Bubble-themed mini photo sessions take place over a single weekend and are intended for children who can sit on their own on uneven, grassy ground. Each session runs about 30 minutes, includes 10 photos, and is priced at $50. The setting is an unnamed park across from Dover Hill Elementary in Joplin.

Families of incoming kindergarten and first grade students from across the area are welcome at an annual bus camp at Junge Field. Children can learn bus safety, review bus stop rules, and take a short ride to build confidence before the school year begins. Local businesses and community organizations will have booths with resources to help students get ready for back to school. The event is free, and lunch and ice cream are provided at no cost.

Beloved children’s characters gather in Joplin for a Back To School Bash at Claire’s Playhouse, creating a playful setting for dancing, games, photos, and plenty of fun. General admission is $15. A $35 VIP Pass, limited to 25, provides a smaller crowd experience, complimentary face painting, and the opportunity to see every character within an hour. Tickets are limited.

Pepper Fest 2026 brings National Farmers Market Week to life at Joplin Empire Market with a full mix of flavor and fun. The Market Cantina will be pouring margaritas, with every sale supporting the Area Agency on Aging X. Oakwoods Farm will be roasting fresh peppers on site, and a hot sauce tasting competition invites true heat seekers to put their taste buds to the test. Creative stations offer crafts for both adults and kids. Visitors can also pick up stickers and temporary tattoos that champion local food and the farmers market. Summer harvests will be abundant, making it a prime moment to stock up before the back to school rush. For event-related posts, only messages from Downtown Joplin Alliance or Joplin Empire Market are official. They will not request personal or financial information on Facebook. Report any suspicious communication.

Junior MKM Academy is an 8-week, hands-on course in entrepreneurship and money management for ages 7 to 11. Participants explore how money works by actively using it through The Change Challenge, Brave Leader Lessons, MKM Money Lab, and Cashflow Lab gameplay. Along the way, they practice counting back change, building customer confidence, making smart spending choices, leading and working as a team, and recognizing the difference between assets, liabilities, and doodads to develop real-world money skills. The experience emphasizes confidence, responsibility, and an entrepreneurial mindset in a fun, engaging environment. Small class size means spots are limited. The introductory price is $100 for the full 8-week course. This program takes place at Charles Burt Realtors.

High interest has prompted a third week of this Mini Makers camp, repeating the same projects from earlier sessions so more families can participate. Designed for children ages 2 to 5 and led by Mrs. Jade, it is a parent or guardian participation experience where young artists can play with materials, explore new ideas, and grow their confidence in a welcoming setting. Over three themed days, kids will experiment with color during Rainbow Day, try cyanotype printing and enjoy a bubble party on Sun Fun Day, and finish by crafting a bright paper lantern on Luminous Lantern Day. Activities emphasize the creative process rather than a perfect finished piece, strengthening fine motor skills, encouraging early problem-solving, and supporting self-expression in flexible, age-appropriate ways. Expect hands-on projects that are considerate of sensory needs, guidance that nurtures curiosity, and a classroom format where adults stay and collaborate with their child. All supplies are provided, and the cost is $50.

Lunches of Love provides a summer food giveaway for Carthage families to help bridge the time between the end of summer school and the start of a new school year. Any Carthage household with children in the home is eligible, and no application is required. Each child receives one bag of food, with distribution available every Monday and Thursday during the program.