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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 some events, organizers require students show proof of residency in that town to qualify for free items.

Please return to this feature as other 2023 Back To School events are added.

2023 events

Back-to-School Events events & Giveaways in Broward

Supplies of free items may be limited.

Events with Immunizations

Fort Lauderdale

Free Back To School immunizations  9 a.m. – 3 p.m. August 12, with food, entertainment and school supplies, while supplies last.   The event is at the Family health center at 200 NW 7th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale.

Pompano

Free Back To School immunizations  9 a.m. – 3 p.m. August 12,  Pompano Pediatric Primary Care Center, 601 West Atlantic Boulevard, Pompano Beach. Free immunizations are for students ages 4 – 18 without health insurance. A parent or guardian needs to be present with the student's immunization record and Florida form 680.

Back To School events

Fort Lauderdale

Family Fun & Fit Day is 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. August 12, including distribution of backpacks with school supplies for eligible students ages 5-16, while supplies last, and free haircuts, while available. Students must attend to receive free backpack with supplies. The event includes entertainment, activities and food trucks. Carter Park is at 1450 W. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 33311, 954-828-5411, website

Hollywood

Register by August 12 online for August 19 event  for Broward residents

Back to School event 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. August 19 at Washington Park, 5199 Pembroke Road, Hollywood.  Proof of residence in Broward and registration online is required.  Event includes free haircuts and hair styling, free backpacks and supplies for ages 6 – 17, while supplies last.  A parent needs to be with student. The event includes entertainment and vendors. The first 125 families receive free groceries. 

Pompano

12 p.m. – 5 p.m. August 19 is a Play Day and backpack distribution. The event includes a free grocery distribution, backpack and school supplies distribution, free food and drinks, free activities, and information from organizations. Entry is free. The venue is 1580 NW 3rd Avenue, Pompano Beach.  Parking is free. Free items are offered while supplies last. The student needs to be at the event to receive free supplies. Information, info@southpromo.com or 954-560-4812

The event includes a drive-through food distribution 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. while supplies last.

Plantation

Back To School BBQ is 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. July 22, with free school supplies for Plantation residents with valid identification.

The event includes shaved ice, inflatables, games and entertainment. It's at Ward community center, 301 NW 46th Avenue, Plantation 33317.

Plantation

Kidz Fest is 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. August 5 with entertainment and fun. It's at Broward Mall, 8000 West Broward Boulevard, Plantation 33388.  Register online. Text KIDZ to 89881. For some activities, participation is limited.

  • 1 p.m. Pawz Patrol
  • 2 p.m. Anti bulling workshop
  • 3 p.m. STEAM fun workshop with Foamy Soap Factory for the first 100 participants

Photo: Deposit Photos

 

Dania Beach

Back To School Beach clean-up and backpack giveaway is 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  August 3 at Dania Beach Pier, 300 N. Beach Road, Dania Beach. The event includes free backpacks, while supplies last. Light bites, face painting and entertainment are offered.  Equipment for beach cleanup is provided. For information, 954-924-6800 extension 3607

Pompano Beach

School supplies, while supplies are available, are offered August 5 at Festival Marketplace. The shopping venue, which opens at 10 a.m.,  features an indoor bazaar vibe &  is at 2900 W. Sample Road, Pompano 33073. Phone is 954-979-4555, parking is free.

Pompano Beach

Back To School event features free backpacks and supplies, while supplies last,  and free haircuts 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. August 5 for K-12th grade students. The venue is Centennial Park, 450 NE 10th Street. Food, entertainment and games are included.

Photo: Deposit Photos

Sunrise

Entry is free for Back To School event 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. August 5 in Sunrise with refreshments and kids' activities. The first 1,000 Sunrise students in kindergarten through 12th grade with proof of Sunrise residency receive a book and school supplies. The event is at the Sunrise Civic Center, 10610 W Oakland Park Boulevard. For more information, dial 954-747-4600

Tamarac

$5 entry fee for Back To School Splash 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. August 5, swimming, entertainment and poolside fun. First 60 kids ages 5-13 receive free back to school packet.  It's at Caporella Aquatic Center, 9300 NW 58th Street, Tamarac. 

Pompano

Vibe-N-Shop back to school  event 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. August 5, includes vendors and free book bags and supplies while supplies last. Free snow cones and cotton candy. Event includes a bounce house and live entertainment. The venue is Pompano Beach Brewing, 3200 NW 23rd Avenue, Suite 500, Pompano Beach. If your dog is with you, you're eligible for a free drink.

Hollywood

Back to School event 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. August 19 at Washington Park, 5199 Pembroke Road, Hollywood.  Proof of residence in Broward and registration online is required for some free items and for haircuts and hair styling. Free backpacks and supplies and free haircuts are offered for ages 6 – 17 while available. Register by August 12 online.  A parent needs to be with student. The event includes entertainment and vendors. The first 125 families receive free groceries.

Pembroke Park

Event is 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. August 19 at Oglesby Preserve Park, 3115 SW 52nd Avenue, Pembroke Park 33023. For town residents, with proof, students are offered bookbags with school supplies, haircuts and, hair braiding, while supplies last.  Food and bounce houses are part of the event. Registration and information is online.

Pembroke Pines

Back To School event 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 29 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,  website

 

Fort Lauderdale

National Night Out 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. August 1 is a free event presented by Fort Lauderdale Police and Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation.  The event includes back to school and food giveaways, while supplies last, activities for kids, and safety demonstrations and safety tips.

It's at Carter Park, 1450 W. Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale 33311.  Other National Night Out events.

Miramar

The event is open for walk-ins for free supplies and other items while supplies last.  Reservations for free backpacks are sold out, an organizer said.

Back to School and Health Fair 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. July 29 includes food trucks, dental exams, vaccinations, fun,  free food distribution and gift vouchers while supplies last, free backpacks, free school supplies. The event is at 6114 SW 35th Court.

Miramar

Drive-through event offers backpacks with school supplies 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. July 29 for eligible residents, while supplies last.  Students in pre-k to 12th grade are eligible and need to be in the vehicle. Up to 4 backpacks per vehicle. Proof of residency in Miramar is required. It's at Lakeshore Park, 8501 S. Sherman Circle. Information and registration is online.

Hollywood

Event is 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. July 29 at MLK Jr. recreation facilities, including youth basketball at 8 a.m., backpack giveaway at 11 a.m. and fun activities. The venue is at 2400 Charleston Street, Hollywood. Register online for youth basketball program. 

Coral Square in Coral Springs

Family Fun Day and back to school event is 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. August 5 with a fashion showcase, art activities, school supplies scavenger hunt. Venue is Coral Square,  954-755-5552, 9469 W. Atlantic Boulevard, Coral Springs 33071

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 

Other Things to do with kids this summer, including free, inexpensive & deals

Florida waives sales taxes

Sales taxes are waived July 24 – August 6 on eligible apparel, electronic devices and school supplies.

Supplies Drive with free drink and nibbles

Food hall in Pompano offers event to drop off supplies and nibble

Other back-to-school events

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

Photo: Pexels from Pixabay

Other free & cheap things to do this weekend in South Florida

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Free & inexpensive fun for kids & families this week

Friday, March 29, 2024

Kids read to dogs during 'Furry Tales' at Miami libraries

FREE | Miami-Dade Public Library System

Springfest, Delray Beach

FREE | Miller Park, Delray Beach

Free admission, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

RSVP for: Egg hunt, music, arts & crafts, face painting, vendors and bunny photos, WPB

10:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | 2 Little Chicks Coop, West Palm Beach

Outdoor Marine Aquarium Feeding, daily, Boca Raton

12:30 pm to 12:50 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Free Lego build project for kids at Ikea in Sunrise

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Ikea in Sunrise

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Public Walking Tour, Manatee Lagoon, WPB

2:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Animal Feeding: Aquatic Turtles, Boynton Beach

2:15 pm | FREE | Green Cay Nature Center & Wetlands, Boynton Beach

Animal feedings at nature center, WPB

3:30 pm | FREE | Okeeheelee Nature Center, West Palm Beach

Live entertainment at Dania Pointe

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Dania Pointe

Live Music at Doral Yard

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Doral Yard

Free outdoor films in Hollywood

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Hollywood ArtsPark

Saturday, March 30, 2024

Kids read to dogs during 'Furry Tales' at Miami libraries

FREE | Miami-Dade Public Library System

Springfest, Delray Beach

FREE | Miller Park, Delray Beach

Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt, Lantana

8:30 am | FREE | Maddock Park, Lantana

Spring Egg Hunt in Margate

9:00 am to 10:00 am | FREE | Margate sports complex

Hippity Hoppity Egg Hunt in Davie

9:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Bamford Park in Davie

Spring Fling Easter Egg Hunt

9:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Miami Lakes Veterans Park

Egg hunt & activities in Lauderhill

9:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE

Free admission, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Eggstreme Egg Hunt in Coral Gables

9:00 am | FREE | Venetian Pool, Coral Gables

Peter CottonTail Springfest in Tamarac

9:30 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Tamarac Park

Royal Egg Hunt & fun in Weston

10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Weston Regional Park

Splash Eggcitement in Deerfield

10:00 am to 12:00 pm | $7.50-10.50 | Quiet Waters Park

North Miami Spring Egg Hunt

10:00 am to 12:00 pm | $2.00-5.00 | Elaine Gordon Enchanted Forest Park

Egg hunt in Fort Lauderdale

10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Mills Pond Park

Egg-stravaganza, Boynton Beach

10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Centennial Park, Boynton Beach

Village of Biscayne Park Spring Egg Hunt

10:00 am to 12:30 pm | FREE | Ed Burke Recreation Center, North Miami

Egg hunt in Dania

10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Dania Beach Frost Park

Eggfest 2024

10:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Brave Church of Westchester

City of Hialeah Eggstravaganza

10:00 am to 3:00 pm | $6.00-18.00 | Milander Park

Regal Cinemas Saturday Morning Kids Flicks for $2

10:00 am | Discounted | Regal Cinemas

Egg'stravaganza, Greenacres

10:00 am | FREE | Samuel J. Ferreri Community Park, Greenacres

Egg-stravaganza, Boynton Beach

10:00 am | FREE | Centennial Park, Boynton Beach

Royal egg hunt in Sunrise

10:30 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Sunrise Sportsplex

Easter Egg Hunt at Schenley Park

10:30 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Schenley Park

Free film: Sea Turtles of the Palm Beaches

10:30 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Free Photos With The Easter Bunny, WPB

11:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | The Square, West Palm Beach

Easter Egg Drop

11:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Charles Hadley Park, Miami

Train rides, petting zoo, hayrides in Davie

11:00 am to 4:00 pm | $0-15.00 | Marando Farms

Eggstreme Egg Hunt in Coral Gables

11:00 am | FREE | Coral Bay Park

Science Stories for age 5+, Boca Raton

11:30 am | FREE | Sugar Sand Park, Boca Raton

Farm Tours at Tradewinds Park

11:30 am to 2:00 pm | $3.00-4.50 | Tradewinds Park

Free tour of the Adrienne Arsht Center

12:00 pm to 1:00 pm | FREE | Adrienne Arsht Center, Miami

Outdoor Marine Aquarium Feeding, daily, Boca Raton

12:30 pm to 12:50 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Egg hunts at pool in Davie

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | $5.00 | Pine Island Aquatics

Live entertainment at Dania Pointe

1:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Dania Pointe

Alligator feedings at nature center, WPB

1:00 pm | FREE | Okeeheelee Nature Center, West Palm Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Marshmallow drop & Easter fun in Hollywood

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Boulevard Heights community center

Public Walking Tour, Manatee Lagoon, WPB

2:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Live Music at Doral Yard

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Doral Yard

Night sky viewing with telescopes in west Broward

8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Fox Observatory

Sunday, March 31, 2024

Free admission, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Easter in the Park, Boca Raton

10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Mizner Park in Boca

Easter Egg Hunt

10:00 am to 1:30 pm | FREE | 501 Brickell Ave.

Free film: Sea Turtles of the Palm Beaches

10:30 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Free Photos With The Easter Bunny, WPB

11:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | The Square, West Palm Beach

Epic Egg Hunt

11:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Normandy Village Fountain

Train rides, petting zoo, hayrides in Davie

11:00 am to 4:00 pm | $0-15.00 | Marando Farms

Farm Tours at Tradewinds Park

11:30 am to 2:00 pm | $3.00-4.50 | Tradewinds Park

Easter Funday with The Salty Pop Up - Aventura

12:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Esplanade Park

11th Annual Easter Day Eggstravaganza presents Spring & Easter Fun

12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | $10.00-15.00 | Miami Dade College North Campus

Free admission: The Bass Museum of Art, Miami Beach

12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Bass Museum of Art

Outdoor Marine Aquarium Feeding, daily, Boca Raton

12:30 pm to 12:50 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Easter Egg Hunt at Julia & Henry's

12:30 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Julia & Henry's, Miami

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Spring Fest and Eggapalooza

1:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Nomi Village

Free Family Day at Bass Museum of Art

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Bass Museum of Art

Family Day events at The Bass, Miami Beach

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Bass Museum of Art

Family Sundays at Dania Pointe with entertainment & games

2:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Dania Pointe

Live entertainment at Dania Pointe

2:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Dania Pointe

Public Walking Tour, Manatee Lagoon, WPB

2:00 pm | FREE | Manatee Lagoon, Palm Beach

Ocean Drive Promenade Music Series

5:00 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Ocean Drive Promenade, Miami Beach

Tropical Sundays Live Music

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Doral Yard

$12 Adult Skate Night in Fort Lauderdale

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $12.00 | Xtreme Action Park

Monday, April 1, 2024

Free tour of the Adrienne Arsht Center

12:00 pm to 1:00 pm | FREE | Adrienne Arsht Center, Miami

Outdoor Marine Aquarium Feeding, daily, Boca Raton

12:30 pm to 12:50 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Free admission, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Outdoor Marine Aquarium Feeding, daily, Boca Raton

12:30 pm to 12:50 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Kids play free mini-golf deal in Pembroke Pines

4:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Discounted | AllGolf

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Free admission, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Outdoor Marine Aquarium Feeding, daily, Boca Raton

12:30 pm to 12:50 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Reptile Encounter: Jupiter

2:30 pm | FREE | Riverbend Park, Jupiter

Animal feedings at nature center, WPB

3:30 pm | FREE | Okeeheelee Nature Center, West Palm Beach

$9 deal for roller skating in Davie

6:00 pm to 8:30 pm | Discounted | Galaxy Skateway Davie

$12 Adult Skate Night in Fort Lauderdale

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $12.00 | Xtreme Action Park

Thursday, April 4, 2024

Free admission, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

9:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Outdoor Marine Aquarium Feeding, daily, Boca Raton

12:30 pm to 12:50 pm | FREE | Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Shark & Stingray Feedings, Delray Beach

1:00 pm | $10.00 | Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Fish Feeding Talks

1:30 pm to 12:00 am | FREE | Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

Animal feedings at nature center, WPB

3:30 pm | FREE | Okeeheelee Nature Center, West Palm Beach

Free GOGO MOAD Family Day

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus

Play all you want mini-golf deal in Pembroke Pines

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $13.00 | AllGolf

Live music at Doral Yard

7:00 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Doral Yard

 

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 CheapMiami 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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