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Free school supplies, backpacks & back to school events in Broward

Free school supplies are offered at lots of events in Broward for students returning to school. Events sometimes include free groceries, food vouchers, and free haircuts. 

Back To School events occasionally include fun and entertainment, with fashion shows and activities. Some provide free backpacks loaded with school supplies for eligible students, while supplies last.

Eligibility requirements vary for receiving free backpacks and other free items. With plenty of events, organizers require students show proof of residency in that town hosting the event to qualify for free items.

Please return to this feature as other 2025 Back To School events are added.

2025 events

Pompano Beach

School supplies are distributed while supplies last. The event is for K-12 and is 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, July 26 at McNair Park, 927 NW 27th Avenue, Pompano Beach 33069. Information is online

The event includes

  • free school supplies while supplies last
  • haircuts while supplies last 
  • free groceries while supplies last 
  • shoes
  • school physicals and immunizations
  • health and wellness resources
  • vendors 
  • The Wow Dancers and other entertainment 

Wireless Zone

Participating Wireless Zone stores in Broward and other parts of the nation are distributing free backpacks at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 27 while supplies last.

  • 4779 S University Drive, Davie 33328, 954-540-8728
  • 7204 W. McNab Road, North Lauderdale 33068, 954-504-7098
  • 1201 S. Powerline Road, Pompano Beach 33069, 954-880-1683
  • 12528 W. Sunrise Boulevard, Sunrise 33323, 954-870-5482
  • 9430 W. Commercial Boulevard, Tamarac 33351, 954-638-9905

Sunrise, for residents

Back to School Splash for Sunrise residents is 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, August 2 at Sunrise Athletic, 11501 NW 44th Street. The first  1,000 Sunrise K-12 students receive a free book and school supplies. Students need to be with a parent or legal guardian. Proof of residence in Sunrise is required. The event include activities and representatives from Sunrise schools.

Pembroke Pines

Back To School event 10 a.m. -12 p.m. August 2 includes free backpacks with school supplies while supplies last. Event includes 103.5 broadcasting live. Other features include raffles for electronic devices, refreshments and activities. Student with parent or guardian must be present to receive free school supplies. The event is presented by Florida Technical College, 12520 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines 33027. Information is online.

Tamarac

Back To School Splash at pool in Tamarac is $5

Family activities and games are featured at the event 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. August 2 and entry is $5. Register online. The first 50 students age 5-12 receive back-to-school items.

The event is at Caporella Aquatic Complex, 954-597-3660, 9300 NW 58th Street, Tamarac. Parking fee. The entry fee includes the pool, splash pad and slide.

Fort Lauderdale

Orange Bowl Family Fun & Fit Day is 9 a.m Saturday, August 2, including distribution of backpacks with school supplies for eligible students ages 5-16, while supplies last, and free haircuts for students 5-16, while available. Students must attend to receive free backpack with supplies. The event includes entertainment, water activities, and games. Food trucks offer refreshments for purchase.  Carter Park is at 1450 W. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 33311, 954-828-5411, and information is online.

Photo: Deposit Photos

Dania Beach

Back To School Beach clean-up and backpack distribution is 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.  Thursday,  August 7, at Dania Beach Pier, 100 N. Beach Road, Dania Beach. The event includes free backpacks and school supplies for participating students, while supplies last. Light bites, face painting and entertainment are offered.   For information, 954-924-6800 extension 3607 or log on to the website.

Hollywood, for residents 

Back to School and Family Fun event 

Backpack and school supplies distributed while supplies last, for Hollywood residents

The bash is 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, August 9 at Washington Park recreation, 5199 Pembroke Road, Hollywood.

Information is online

Tamarac

About 200 backpacks are distributed while supplies last 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. August 9 at a resource fair in Tamarac. Registration prior is required. Register online. The venue is Tamarac Community Center, 8601 W. Commercial Boulevard, Tamarac. 

Other back to school deals, information & resources

2-1-1

Dial 2-1-1, a free referral line which offers free information about local resources and events, including distributions of free school supplies in Broward, Miami-Dade and greater Palm Beach 

Florida waives sales taxes

Sales taxes are waived in August on eligible apparel, electronic devices and school supplies.

 

 

 

 

Photo: Deposit Photos

Check Amazon's Daily Deals today on school supplies

Other back-to-school events

Here is a day-to-day schedule of Broward back-to-school events and giveaways

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Photo: Pexels from Pixabay

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Free & inexpensive fun for kids & families this week

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Back to school distributions in Pompano
When
July 26, 2025 @ 10:00 am-3:00 pm
What
Back to school distributions in Pompano
Where
McNair Recreation Center in Pompano Beach
Cost
FREE
Add to Calendar: Google Outlook/iCal
When
July 27, 2025 @ 1:00 pm-2:00 pm
What
Free backpack distributions at participating Wireless Zone businesses
Where
Wireless Zone stores
Cost
FREE
Add to Calendar: Google Outlook/iCal
When
August 2, 2025 @ 9:00 am-12:00 pm
What
Family Fun & Fit Day in Fort Lauderdale
Where
Carter Park
Cost
FREE
Add to Calendar: Google Outlook/iCal
When
August 2, 2025 @ 10:00 am-1:00 pm
What
Back To School Splash Party at Tamarac pool with prior registration
Where
Caporella Aquatic Complex
Cost
$5.00
Add to Calendar: Google Outlook/iCal
When
August 2, 2025 @ 10:00 am-12:00 pm
What
Back To School event in Pembroke Pines
Where
Florida Technical College
Cost
FREE
Add to Calendar: Google Outlook/iCal
When
August 2, 2025 @ 10:00 am-1:00 pm
What
Back To School event with free supplies for Sunrise residents
Where
Sunrise Athletic complex
Cost
FREE
Add to Calendar: Google Outlook/iCal
When
August 7, 2025 @ 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
What
Back To School beach litter pick-up and free backpacks in Dania Beach
Where
Dania Pier
Cost
FREE
Add to Calendar: Google Outlook/iCal
When
August 9, 2025 @ 10:00 am-1:00 pm
What
Back To School Resource Fair in Tamarac, prior registration required
Where
Tamarac community center
Cost
FREE
Add to Calendar: Google Outlook/iCal
When
August 9, 2025 @ 11:00 am-2:00 pm
What
Back to School event in Hollywood for residents
Where
Washington Park
Cost
FREE
Add to Calendar: Google Outlook/iCal
Patti Roth

About Patti Roth

Patti Roth, the editor of Fort Lauderdale on the Cheap, scouts out state and national deals, discounts and coupons for our readers, finding the real deals and presenting them in an easy-to-read format. A veteran newspaper and magazine writer and a longtime South Florida resident, she has written for The Miami Herald, The Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Travel and Life, E Environmental Magazine, Dog Fancy, Cat Fancy, US Architecture and Earth911.com. Send your cheap tips to her at info@fortlauderdaleonthecheap.com.

Living on the CheapSouth Florida on the Cheap is a member of Living on the Cheap, a network of websites published by frugalistas, journalists and consumer advocates. Find practical advice on saving money on groceries, travel and shopping, plus tips from our experts on how to live the good life for less at Living on the Cheap.

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