Back to School event in Hollywood

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 7^th 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

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 35^th 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