18th Annual The Children’s Trust Family Expo

Designed to help families prepare for the new school year, the Expo brought together parents, caregivers, and children for a day of educational resources, health services, community support, and family-friendly entertainment.

A dancer from Armour Dance Theatre performs at the 2026 Family Expo

Thousands of Miami-Dade County families gathered at the Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo for the 18th Annual The Children’s Trust Family Expo, one of the county’s largest free back-to-school family resource event. Designed to help families prepare for the new school year, the Expo brought together parents, caregivers, and children for a day of educational resources, health services, community support, and family-friendly entertainment. More than 120 exhibitors, including after-school programs, health care providers, nonprofit organizations, and community partners, connected attendees with information, resources, and services to support children’s success throughout the upcoming school year.

Held both indoors and outdoors, the event featured a variety of interactive experiences, including face painting, balloon artists, character appearances, food trucks, and hands-on activities. New attractions this year included a Scavenger Hunt that encouraged families to explore the Expo while collecting stickers throughout the venue, as well as a College Readiness section that offered teens and their families guidance on college, trade school, and workforce opportunities. “The Family Expo is a trusted tradition for Miami-Dade families, bringing together the resources, services and support children need to thrive in school and beyond,” said James R. Haj, president & CEO of The Children’s Trust. “As we celebrate the Family Expo’s 18th year, we’ve expanded opportunities for families to learn, connect and prepare for the future.”

The Family Expo continues to serve as one of Miami-Dade County’s signature community events, connecting families with trusted organizations and resources that support children’s health, education, safety and overall well-being throughout the year.

Little girl gets face painted at the 2026 The Children’s Trust Family Expo
2026 Family Expo
The Children’s Trust Director of Communications Ximena Nunez presents a raffle winner with a prize
“The Children’s Trust President and CEO James Haj and Trust Board Chair Kenneth Hoffman talk with an attendee at the 2026 Family Expo

Gold Sponsors

EdFed Credit Union
Pediatric Skin Research
UHealth Children’s Care Jackson
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital

Silver Sponsors

Baptist Health
The Miami Herald
El Nuevo Herald
Uber
Webauthor.com

The Children’s Trust Director of Communications gets a winning raffle ticket from a young girl at the 2026 Family Expo
Students from Armour Dance Theatre perform at the 2026 Family Expo
Students from Armour Dance Theatre perform at the 2026 Family Expo
A child plays at the Zero Drownings Miami-Dade booth at the 2026 Family Expo
Kids enjoy chess at the 2026 Family Expo
From left to right, Trust Board Members Hon. Norman Gerstein, Gilda Ferradaz, Ilia Molina, Board Chair Kenneth Hoffman, President and CEO Jame R. Haj, Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Ralph A. Villalobos, and former Trust Board Member Magaly Abrahante at the 2026 Family Expo
Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Ralph A. Villalobos enjoys an exhibit at the 2026 Family Expo
Miami-Dade County Superintendent Ralph A. Villalobos and The Children’s Trust President and CEO James R. Haj join others at the 2026 Family Expo
The Children’s Trust Board Member Lourdes Gimenez, Trust President and CEO James R. Haj., School Board Member Mari Tere Rojas and Trust Board Member Clara Ospina at the 2026 Family Expo
The Children’s Trust Board Chair Kenneth Hoffman and Miami-Dade County School Board member Mari Tere Rojas
The Children’s Trust Board Chair Kenneth Hoffman and Miami-Dade County School Board member Mari Tere Rojas
The Children’s Trust President and CEO James R. Haj and Miami-Dade County Superintendent Ralph A. Villalobos at The Children’s Trust 2026 Family Expo
The Children’s Trust President and CEO James R. Haj and Miami-Dade County Superintendent Ralph A. Villalobos at The Children’s Trust 2026 Family Expo
Trust Board Member Lourdes Gimenez helps with school supplies at the 2026 Family Expo

About The Children’s Trust

The Children’s Trust is a dedicated source of revenue, supported by ad valorem property taxes, that funds hundreds of programs across thousands of sites in Miami-Dade to directly serve children and their families. Local voters established The Trust in 2002, and 86% of voters permanently reauthorized it in 2008 to ensure it continues to positively shape Miami-Dade’s future. For more information, visit The Children’s Trust.