2024 High School Graduation
2024-05-17 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Church of HOpe, 2300 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, Sarasota, FL, 34240, United States
If you have never been to a homeschool graduation, mark your calendars and plan to join LAF as we celebrate our high school graduates and their families.

At Learning and Families, we strive to honor each student and their parents who traveled an unconventional road to the high school finish line! The LAF graduation features a heart-warming slide show to honor each graduate’s unique homeschool journey. The grad’s parents are welcomed on stage to turn their tassels and present their diplomas. We get to hear a few words about each student’s accomplishments and their plans after graduation, and the grads are inspired by a special keynote speaker.

LAF high school graduations are open to the community, so mark your calendar, and plan to join us. Details for this year’s graduation are listed below. (Doors open at 5:30 pm)

Moms' Night Out Kickoff!!!
2024-09-26 18:00 - 20:00 | ATRIA Cafe, 4120 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch, FL, 34211, United States
We are excited to be hosting our FIRST Moms’ Night Out of the year at ATRIA Café in LWR again!!This amazing place is owned by one of our LAF facilitators’ family. We will have several tables reserved so we can all talk and get to know each other. This is a great way to connect with other moms at LAF and get to know the board and leadership team! This is a busy time of year so feel free to just drop in and say hi, or stay the entire time. We want to meet you and make sure everyone gets connected with other Moms this year!The link for the full menu is below. In the evenings they make artisan sourdough pizzas, yummy salads and have a variety of drinks. Excited to see everyone!https://www.atria.cafe/pizza

MNO- Christmas Cookie Exchange and Party
2024-12-12 19:00 - 21:00 | FL
Join us for our 2nd Annual Christmas cookie exchange and white elephant party!
Date: Thursday, December 12th
Time: 7:00-9:00 pm
Location: Leslie O’Brien’s house (University and Lorraine area)
Bring four dozen cookies and a wrapped gift (less than $5) to exchange with other LAF moms!
Homemade cookies are highly preferred but high-quality store-bought cookies are also okay.
Bring them on a plate or tray to display.
Please RSVP to Leslie O’Brien (leslieako@gmail.com) by December 8th with the type of cookie you are bringing and whether they contain nuts.
As much as possible, we will make sure everyone gets an even amount of each type of cookie.
We will have cookie boxes for you to package the cookies you bring home.
Bring a fun Christmas item, or kitchen gadget that’s $5 or less and wrap it for a white elephant exchange.
We’ll have a cheese and fruit plate as well as water, tea and hot cocoa. Please feel free to bring a beverage to share.
This event is for LAF Moms only.
Please contact Leslie O’Brien if you have any questions.
leslieako@gmail.com or comment in this post

Mom's Night Out- Inner Compass Brewing Company
2025-01-23 18:00 - 21:00 | FL
Date: Thursday, January 23rd, 2025Time: 6:00-9:00PMLocation: Inner Compass Brewing Company10316 Technology Terr. Bradenton, FL 34211

Come out for a mom’s night of Fellowship, Karaoke or even some lawn games if you want. Food and drinks available to purchase.
https://innercompassbrewingcompany.com/

Multi-Cultural Fair
2025-02-27 13:00 - 14:00 | Renewal Church, 7221 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, 34241, United States
We will be holding our 1st Annual Multi-Cultural Festival on Tuesday and Thursday, February 25th and 27th, 2025 at 1:00 pm in the gym at Co-op.

The goal of our Muti-Cultural Festival is for our families to celebrate and learn about the history and cultures from around the world. This will be a fun event to show what our students have learned from their studies of other countries.

Each family will choose a country and study it and present the information at the festival. Be as creative as you want in your presentation and bring games or make authentic food. There will be voting and prizes for the family with the best project.

For more information, email Allison Flagg.

High School Graduation
2025-05-16 17:30 - 20:30 | Bethel Church, 1805 30th Ave W,, FL, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
If you have never been to a homeschool graduation, mark your calendars and plan to join LAF as we celebrate our high school graduates and their families.

At Learning and Families, we strive to honor each student and their parents who traveled an unconventional road to the high school finish line! The LAF graduation features a heart-warming slide show to honor each graduate’s unique homeschool journey. The grad’s parents are welcomed on stage to turn their tassels and present their diplomas. We get to hear a few words about each student’s accomplishments and their plans after graduation, and the grads are inspired by a special keynote speaker.

LAF high school graduations are open to the community, so mark your calendar, and plan to join us.

Mom's Night Out/Middle and High Ice Cream Social
2025-09-18 18:00 - 20:30 | Bethel Church, 1805 30th Ave W,, FL, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
Ice Cream Social & Game Night!
Calling all LAF Moms & Middle/High School Students!Join us for a sweet night of fun, fellowship, and games at Co-op on Thursday, September 18th at 6:00 PM!
Teens – Bring your favorite board or card game and get ready for a night of laughs, connection, and lots of ice cream!
Moms – Relax, enjoy some fellowship, and create your perfect ice cream sundae while connecting with other awesome moms.
Everyone brings a topping to share – sprinkles, chocolate chips, caramel sauce… You name it! We will either have a sign-up, or just have everyone post what they are bringing.
Let’s make memories, have some fun, and build community—one scoop at a time. See you there!

Fall Festival and Kids Market
2025-10-30 14:00 - 15:15 | FL
It’s That Time of Year Again! We are thrilled to host LAF’s 2nd Annual Fall Festival & Kids Craft Market (formerly Trunk or Treat) Thursday, October 30th 2:00–3:15 PM At Co-op (back of the building near the Woodshop & grassy area)
Kids Craft Market – Reserve Your Spot!Back by popular demand!No fee to reserve a table – but space is limited to 12 tables!To reserve: email Allison Flagg at lafvpres@gmail.comPlease include:Young entrepreneur’s name & ageProducts they wish to sellPrice pointAllison will reply with full details!
FREE Snow Cones! Enjoy a tasty treat, on us! FREE Face Painting
Costume GuidelinesAll participants must wear a costume. Students are welcome to wear their costumes all day at co-op, or change into it right before it starts.Fun ideas:Dress as your favorite book character Superheroes, princesses, animals, etc. No scary costumes or scary masks – this is a family-friendly event! Masks are allowed Scary masks are not allowed – anyone in a scary mask will not be able to participate.
Who Can Participate?Primarily for elementary-age studentsMiddle & High School students in costume are welcome!If you have class during this time, speak with your teacher first and come in a non-scary costume
Trunk Volunteers Needed!We need about 10 families to decorate their trunk & pass out candy!If you decorate a trunk, you do not need to bring candy.Need ideas? Check Pinterest for non-scary trunk themes!We already have a few families signed up – we’d love more! Email or post in the thread.
Candy DonationsEach family is asked to donate 1 large bag of candy or non-candy items. This will be distributed among the decorated trunks.
Arrival Info:THURSDAY Junior Co-op Families:Eat lunch right after dismissal at 1:00 (pack or order pizza).Event starts at 2:00!TUESDAY Co-op & Support Community Families:Arrive at 1:50 PM on the 30th.Drop off your candy donation at the table in front of the gym.Wait in the gym until the event begins. Please do not park in the front paved spots or the sectioned-off Woodshop area. Consider decorating a trunk since you’re available earlier!
Let Us Know You’re Coming!Please comment in the threads below with:Participants’ names & gradesWhether you’re bringing a bag of candyOr decorating a trunk!
Let’s make our 2nd Annual Fall Festival a huge success! We can’t wait to see your creative costumes and support our amazing young entrepreneurs!

Mom's Night at Elixr Tea House
2025-11-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Elixr Tea House, 1926 Hillview Street,, Sarasota, FL, 34239, United States
🌸✨ Mom’s Night Out at Elixir Tea House! ✨🌸
Take a break, sip something soothing, and connect with other amazing moms in a cozy, European-style tea lounge. 💕
🍵 Over 80 gourmet teas to explore🍰 Delicious handcrafted pastries & savory bites🥂 Relax in themed private rooms — perfect for laughter & conversation
📍 Elixir Tea House1926 Hillview Street, Sarasota, FL🗓️ 11/14 ⏰ 6 PM
💫 Come for the tea, stay for the memories. Don’t miss this chance to relax and recharge!
👉 RSVP soon

Field Day
2025-12-05 10:00 - 14:00 | Bethel Church, 1805 30th Ave W,, FL, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
🏃‍♂️🎉 Mark your calendars!Field Day – Friday, December 5th | 10 AM–2 PMA day full of games, fun, and friendly competition! 🏅👉 More details coming soon!

Ice Skating with LAF
2025-12-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex, 5309 29th St E., Ellenton, FL 34222, FL, 34222, United States
❄️⛸️ Indoor Ice Skating! ⛸️❄️
Glide into the holiday spirit with festive fun for all ages!📅 Monday, December 8th🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM💲 $15.00 per skater
Bring your family for a joyful morning on the ice 🎄✨

Big Cat Habitat Field Trip
2026-01-14 11:00 - 17:00 | Big Cat Habitat, 7101 Palmer Blvd, Sarasota, FL, 34240, United States
🐾 Field Trip to Big Cat Habitat!📅 January 14 | 🕚 11:00 AM📍 7101 Palmer Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34240
🎟 Tickets in the shop:

$9 (8th grade & under)

$16 (9th grade & up)

Come explore Big Cat Habitat & meet amazing animals while learning about wildlife and conservation!
👉 RSVP soon to save your spot!
bigcathabitat.org

Bowling At Bowlero Bradenton
2026-01-23 10:00 - 11:30 | Bowlero Bradenton, 4208 Cortez Rd W,, Bradenton, FL, 34210, United States
🎳 Bowling Fun for All Ages! 🎳
Join us at Bowlero Bradenton📍 4208 Cortez Rd W, Bradenton, FL 34210📅 Thursday, January 23rd at 10:00 AM
Only $11 per bowler – includes:✨ 1.5 hours of bowling👟 Shoe rental🎮 $10 arcade card
Don’t miss out—buy tickets in the shop on our website & RSVP under Facebook events!
Perfect family fun day—see you at the lanes! 🎉

Teen S'mores and Movies under the stars
2026-02-09 18:00 - 20:30 | Ally Ehrhard’s House, 1322 Thornbury Dr., Parrish, FL, 34219, United States
Movie & S’mores Under the Stars
Teen Night Out!
Get ready for a cozy evening of delicious treats and a movie under the beautiful Florida sky!
When & Where:
Date: Saturday, February 9th, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM until the movie ends (approx. 8:30 PM)
Location: 1322 Thornbury Dr., Parrish, FL 34219
Gate Code: #6141 (Please enter slowly and use this code!)
What’s On the Menu?
Ultimate Nacho Bar! (Provided)
Warm & Gooey S’mores! (Provided)
What to Bring (Potluck Style!):
To make our spread amazing, please bring one of the following to share:
A fun Nacho Topping (e.g., salsa, guacamole, olives, specialty cheese)
OR
A Dessert (e.g., cookies, brownies, cupcakes)
Seating:
Space is limited, so please bring your own picnic blankets or extra chairs for maximum comfort!
Note: This event is for teens only. Come ready to relax, eat, and hang out!
See you there!

LAF Valentine's Exchange
2026-02-12 13:30 - 15:00 | Bethel Church, 1805 30th Ave W,, FL, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
February 13th from 1 pm-3 pm, more details to come.

Legoland Florida Field Trip
2026-02-20 | Legoland, One LEGOLAND Way, Winter Haven, FL, 33884, United States
🌟 Family Field Trip to LEGOLAND Florida! 🌟
Join us for an unforgettable day at LEGOLAND Florida Resort!📅 Date: Thursday, February 20th⏰ Time: 10:00 AM📍 Location: 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884
🎟️ Cost:

$26 per child (K–8th grade)

$41 per adult

Enjoy a self-guided adventure through all the rides, shows, and attractions—no need to stay as a group, explore at your own pace! 🏰🎢✨
👉 Tickets can be purchased through the shop.👉 Please RSVP under Facebook events.
Don’t miss this brick-tastic day of fun for the whole family! 🧱💛

Mom's Day Out, Self Defense Edition
2026-02-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Gracie Bradenton, 5268 FL-64, Bradenton, FL, 34208, United States
MOMS DAY OUT: Self-Defense & Bonding​Empower Yourself. Empower Your Daughter.​Are you looking for a unique way to connect with your middle or high school daughter? Come share an afternoon of quality time that builds confidence and real-world skills.​THE WORKSHOPDiscover the power of Jiu-Jitsu. You don’t need to be the biggest or strongest person in the room to be safe. We will explore techniques specifically designed to help you defend yourself against a larger, untrained attacker.​No Experience Needed: Whether you are a fitness fanatic or just starting out, you can jump right in.​Supportive Environment: Experience the Gracie Bradenton culture, where our female students support one another’s growth every step of the way.​MEET YOUR COACHKate, Gracie Bradenton’s Head Women’s Coach, will guide you through the session. She is dedicated to making you a skilled grappler capable of handling opponents of any gender.​EVENT DETAILS​ When: February 28th @ 2:00 PM Where: Gracie Bradenton Cost: $25 per person Attire: Please wear comfortable shoes. The class is approximately 1 hour.

Annual Egg Drop Challenge
2026-03-05 13:30 - 15:00 | Bethel Church, 1805 30th Ave W,, FL, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
Don’t miss our Annual Egg Drop Challenge!
Every year it is exciting to see how many eggs actually survived the great fall, and this year is going to be even better!
For the Egg Drop Challenge, our LAF students of ALL AGES (Preschool – High school)are challenged to design a system to protect a raw egg from cracking or breaking from a high fall. You can use any materials that you like to protect your egg so it will SURVIVE the fall!
There will be a participation prize for all contestants and special prizes for the most creative, best design, most unusual material used, and many other categories! – The Egg drop will take place at Co-op on March 5th.
1:30 start time for Preschool-5th Grade
2:15 start time for our Middle and High school students.

2026 LAF Red Carpet Prom
2026-04-24 17:00 - 22:00 | Palm Aire Country Club, 5601 Country Club Way, Sarasota, FL, 34243, United States
Walk the Red Carpet
Date: Friday, April 24, 2026
Time: 5:30 – 10:00 PM
Location: Palm Aire Country Club, 5601 Country Club Way, Sarasota, FL 34243
Homeschoolers and their guests are invited to the 2026 LAF Prom: Hollywood Red Carpet! This will be a fun and exciting evening full of food, friends, music, dancing, and many great memories.
Get ready for a glamorous evening with your friends as we roll out the red carpet for homeschool high school students and their guests! Join us for a Hollywood-style Prom Night filled with delicious food, great music, dancing, and unforgettable memories with friends.
Join us for a night of elegance and celebration, set beneath a canopy of stars in a stunning cityscape. Dance the night away while sparkling lights twinkle overhead, creating a charming atmosphere that will leave you starstruck.
You are welcome to arrive at 5:00 pm for pictures outside with our photographer. Doors open at 5:30.
Put on your best red carpet attire and get ready for an evening worthy of the spotlight!
This year, we will have a buffet dinner. The buffet will be open at 6:00 pm and will include Salmon and Chicken, with options of sides, as well as salad and rolls. If you have dietary restrictions, let us know in the registration form.

End of Year Skate Party
2026-05-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Astro Skate Bradenton, 3611 3rd St W, Bradenton, Bradenton, FL, 34205, United States
You’re invited to a special, private end-of-year skate party just for the LAF family! 🎉🛼 Join us at Astro Skate Bradenton for an exciting night of fun, music, games, and celebration!
Here’s what you need to know:
🌟 When: 6 PM – 8 PM, with extended stay until closing for free!
💵 Cost: $11 per person — includes skates! (Payment is required for everyone, even if you’re not skating)
🍔 Food: Delicious options available for purchase to enjoy during the event
This event is a wonderful way to celebrate an incredible school year with your family, grandparents, and friends. It’s a private event, so it’s just for the LAF community—fun, safe, and full of good vibes!
📍 Location: 3611 3rd St W, Bradenton, FL 34205
📲 Please RSVP on Facebook under “Events” and purchase your tickets through the shop on our website to secure your spot.
Bring the entire family for an unforgettable night of skating, dancing, and celebration. We can’t wait to see you there and end the year on a high note!
