Your guide to family fun in Asheville and WNC this week

Beat those back-to-school blues with organization, encouragement and support. We’ve got all three this month, along with things to do, news you need about topics that are important to parents and much more. Find the tips you need to make it a wonderful year at wncparent.com .

Does your organization or business offer family-friendly events? Let us know! Stay in touch on social media @wncparent and get your events on our calendar by emailing chris@worthyplace.com .

You can help

Babies Need Bottoms Diaper Bank: If your family needs diapers, call 2-1-1 for assistance with this and other resources. To help end diaper need in WNC, Babies Need Bottoms need volunteers to prepare diaper bundles, pick up from collection boxes, host diaper drives and more. Do you have leftover diapers? Donate them in collection boxes. Learn more at babiesneedbottoms.org .

This weekend

Asheville Junior Theater presents “Into the Woods JR.” at 7 p.m. Aug. 23, at 2 and 7 p.m. Aug. 24, and at 1 and 5 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Tina McGuire black box theater at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts. For tickets and details, visit worthamarts.org/events/into-the-woods-jr .

Parents Night Out is 5 – 8:45 p.m. Aug. 23.

• Ferguson Family YMCA (31 Westridge Market Place, Candler) – Kathy Lehman, klehman@ymcawnc.org , 828-575-2929.
• Hendersonville Family YMCA (810 6th Ave. W., Hendersonville) – Adriana Argueta, aargueta@ymcawnc.org , 828-697-9622
• Reuter Family YMCA (3 Town Square Blvd., Asheville) – Brittney Gasperson, bgasperson@ymcawnc.org , 828-210-2263

If you chose to bring a snack for your child, the snack must be nut free. An extra change of clothes (and prepared bottles for infants) are recommended. Member cost is $30, nonmember cost is $50.

Parents Night Out is 4 – 7:45 p.m. Aug. 24 at Black Mountain YMCA (25 Jane Jacobs Road, Black Mountain). A small snack will be provided. If you chose to bring a snack for your child, the snack must be nut free. An extra change of clothes (and prepared bottles for infants) are recommended. Member cost is $30, nonmember cost is $50. Questions? Contact: Lizzy Wheeler, lwheeler@ymcawnc.org , 828-552-3624. Visit ymcawnc.org and search “parents” for more information.

Shindig On the Green is at 7 p.m. Aug. 24 in Pack Square Park. The event includes music, dancing, storytelling and more. Visit folkheritage.org/asheville-events/shindig-on-the-green-2023 .

This week

Kids Garden Program - Extension Master Gardeners is at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 27 at the Leicester Library. Grades K – 5. Learn about gardening from Extension Master Gardener volunteers. These interactive programs will include books and a craft activity. Weather permitting, most of the time will be spent in the Leicester Giving Garden. Call 828-250-6480 or email leicester.library@buncombecounty.org .

Investigating Insects is at 4 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Columbus Library. Kids can join an educational program with the North Carolina Arboretum to learn all about the many different insects that call Western North Carolina their home (and some that don't!). Come ready to hear about the ecoEXPLORE program, find out what makes a bug a bug, what bugs eat, where they live, plus much more. ecoEXPLORE programs are designed for grades K-8. Visit polklibrary.org .

Puppet Playtime is 10 – 11:30 a.m. Aug. 28 at the East Asheville Library. Parental supervision required. Call 828-250-4738 or email eastasheville.library@buncombecounty.org .

PAWS for Reading – Children can practice reading to a certified therapy dog at the library. Sign up for a 15 minute session 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Aug. 28 by calling the Mills River Library at 828-890-1850.

Family Story Time is at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 29 at the Swannanoa Library. Call 828-250-6486 or email swannanoa.library@buncombecounty.org .

Get ready for these upcoming events and programs:

The North Carolina Apple Festival is Aug. 30 – Sept. 2 in Hendersonville. For details, visit ncapplefestival.org .

Tickets on sale now – Land of Oz in Beech Mountain, N.C. hosts the annual Autumn at Oz Festival, celebrating the 85th anniversary of the classic MGM film, “The Wizard of Oz,” Sept. 6 – 18, 13 – 15 and 20 – 22. Tickets and details are available at landofoznc.com .

Theater Classes are offered at Asheville Community Theatre. Registration is open. Classes begin in September. For details, visit ashevilletheatre.org .

Kaleidoscope Play & Learn classes begin in September for ages 3 months-5 years and their parent/caregiver. Classes are free, once a week, and meet for 90 minutes of free play, activity stations and a group circle time. Children must reside in Buncombe County and not be enrolled in regulated childcare. The program is inactive this summer, so dates, times and locations are still to be determined. In mid-August, email marna.holland@acsgmail.net for information about classes for ages 3-5 and grace.ragaller@acsgmail.net for information on the infant and toddler classes.

The 19 ^th annual WNC Run/Walk for Autism is Sept. 14 at Bill Moore Community Park in Fletcher. This community event raises funds to support local autism programs. Deadline to register is noon Sept. 11.  For details, visit wncrunwalkforautism.com .

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Your guide to family fun in Asheville and WNC this week