The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is gearing up to help children prepare for the return to the classroom with their ‘Back to School Bash’ on Saturday, August 3rd. The ‘Back to School Bash’ will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Union Square Park in Springfield, next to the Lincoln Presidential Museum.

ALPLM’s ‘Back to School Bash’ will be free to the public, featuring crafts, games, and activities for the kids to enjoy. Children will get the opportunity to interact with animals from the Henson Robinson Zoo, explore a musical playground, and experience the Tornado Machine. Free haircuts will be available to children in attendance. Two food trucks will also be on-hand with snacks and drinks for the family to enjoy.

The ‘Back to School Bash’ isn’t just for the kids, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum says the event is also designed with parents in mind. Materials will be available from the Department of Natural Resources, FBI, and National Weather Service. Parents can also learn about the resources offered by the Lincoln Public Library.

Christina Shutt, Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, knows it can be hard for children to make the switch from vacation to the classroom. She thinks the ‘Back to School Bash’ makes that transistion a little easier while providing hands-on activities for kids to begin focusing on learning.

In the case of rain on Saturday, the event will be held inside the presidential library. For more information on the upcoming ‘Back to School Bash,’ visit www.PresidentLincoln.illinois.gov. You can also follow the ALPLM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.