The backpacks will were distributed to kindergartners and their families from the Northside Achievement Zone and St. Paul Promise.  Mall of America and Nickelodeon also partnered to donate $10,000 to Adopt-A-Classroom in addition to giving away $250 to each kindergarten teacher for use this fall in their classrooms. 

Along with the backpack giveaway celebration, guests participated in kindergartner readiness activities in the Rotunda and received a free Nick Jr. Beyond the Backpack toolkit.                    

Beyond the Backpack is part of Nick Jr.'s curriculum-based preschool programming to give parents and caregivers unique tools they can use to set their little ones up for academic success.

For more information on the Beyond the Backpack event click here. 

About Mall of America®

Mall of America (MOA) is the largest retail and entertainment complex in North America. At 5.6 million square feet, MOA is home to more than 520 world-class shops; Nickelodeon Universe, the nation's largest indoor family theme park; SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium, a 1.3 million gallon walk-through aquarium; Hard Rock Café; Moose Mountain Adventure Golf; Theatres at Mall of America, a 14-screen movie theater with digital projection including 4K, digital sound and 3D capabilities; Radisson Blu Mall of America, a 500-room hotel connected by skyway to Mall of America. The Mall opened in August of 1992 and is located in Bloomington, Minn., just minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Mall recently unveiled a $325 million expansion project on all three levels on the north side. The expansion includes a 342-room JW Marriott hotel and office tower, new dining options, and large event space. Follow Mall of America on Facebook and Twitter or visit our blog.