Posted by: 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 2024 Back To School events are added.
2024 events
Plantation, for residents
Back To School BBQ is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 20, with free school supplies for Plantation residents with valid identification.
The event includes inflatables, lawn games and entertainment. It's at Ward community center, 301 NW 46th Avenue, Plantation 33317.
For information, phone 954-585-2344.
Lauderhill, for residents
Back to School event for residents of Lauderhill is 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, July 20, with 1 backpack per eligible student, while supplies last. Students need to be at the event to receive a backpack.
The event includes school supplies distribution while supplies last, DJ entertainment, food trucks, bounce house and face painting.
It's at St. George Park, 3501 NW Eighth St., Lauderhill 33311.
Pembroke Pines
Back To School event 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, July 27 includes free backpacks with school supplies while supplies last. Event includes 103.5 broadcasting live, 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, Register online
Hollywood
Back To School event is 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, July 27 including family activities, games and school supplies distribution. The event includes a basketball clinic, RSVP online.
It's at MLK JR. recreation facility on Charleston Street.
Pompano Beach
Family Fun Day includes backpack and shoes distributions, while supplies last. The event is is 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, July 27 at McNair Park, 927 NW 27th Avenue, Pompano Beach 33069.
The event includes
- George Tandy and the Kooly Scott Band
- petting zoo
- video games
- haircuts
- free groceries, while supplies last
- school physicals and immunizations
- student visual and dental screenings
Wireless Zone
Participating Wireless Zone stores in Broward and other parts of the nation are distributing free backpacks at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 28 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
Some backpacks include a ‘golden ruler' and students who obtain those receive a $100 gift voucher and $1,000 for their school.
Dania Beach
Back To School Beach clean-up and backpack distribution is 4 p.m. Thursday, August 1, at Ocean Park at Dania Beach Pier, 300 N. Beach Road, Dania Beach. The event includes free backpacks and supplies for participating students, while supplies last. Light bites, face painting and DJ entertainment are offered. Volunteers for the litter pick-up are appreciated and equipment is provided. For information, 954-924-6800 extension 3607 or log on to the website.
Sunrise, for residents
Fort Lauderdale
Back to School Jamboree is 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, August 3 with free immunizations for students, school supplies distribution while supplies last, and entertainment. Register for immunizations, 954-302-3935 or online. The venue is Family Health Center, 200 N.W. 7th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale.
Tamarac
Back To School Splash, $5
Family activities and games are featured at the event 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. August 3 and entry is $5. The first 60 students age 5 through 12 receive back-to-school items.
The event is at Caporella Aquatic Complex, 954-597-3660, 9300 NW 58th Street, Tamarac. The entry fee includes the pool, splash pad and slide.
Hollywood, for Broward residents
Register online for Back to School and Family Fun event for Broward residents
The bash is 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, August 10 at Washington Park recreation, 5199 Pembroke Road, Hollywood. Proof of residence in Broward and registration online is required. Event includes free haircuts for boys and hair styling for girls and free backpacks and supplies for ages 6 – 17 while supplies last. A parent needs to be with student. The event includes entertainment, refreshments, and vendors. The first 125 families receive free groceries.
Fort Lauderdale
Back To School JamFest is 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, August 10 with backpacks distributed while supplies last, free haircuts, and laptop raffles. The event includes and back to school screenings, entertainment and games. The venue is Osswald Park, 2220 NW 21st Ave, Fort Lauderdale 33311. Parking is free.
Fort Lauderdale
Orange Bowl Family Fun & Fit Day is 9 a.m Saturday, August 10 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.
Pompano Beach
Backpacks and supplies are distributed while supplies last at a Back To School event 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday, August 11, and entry is free.
Donations of supplies are accepted:
- backpacks
- shoes and school uniforms
- school supplies
Bins for donations are at various venues in Pompano. Information is online.
The venue for the distribution is Centennial Park, 450 NE 10th Street, Pompano Beach.
Photo: Deposit Photos
Events at malls
Broward Mall, Plantation
Kidz Fest is 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, August 10, with entertainment. It's at Broward Mall, 8000 West Broward Boulevard, Plantation 33388. For some activities and giveaways, register online.
- 1 p.m. Lion Dance and workshop by Jhon Wai Martial Arts
- 3 p.m. Bingo, Bluey Pawsome Time by SuperStar Productions
Coral Square
Family Fun Day and back to school event is 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, July 20 with activities. Coral Square, 954-755-5552, is at 9469 W. Atlantic Boulevard, Coral Springs 33071
Photo: Deposit Photos
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 July 29 – August 11 on eligible apparel, electronic devices and school supplies.
Other back-to-school events
- Free Back To School events greater Palm Beach
- Free events and back-to-school supplies for eligible Miami-Dade students
Here is a day-to-day schedule of Broward back-to-school events and giveaways
Photo: Pexels from Pixabay
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