Free events and back-to-school supplies for eligible Miami-Dade students

I know if feels like summer just started but it’s also time to start thinking about sending the kids back to school. Some free school supplies are offered at lots of events in Miami-Dade County for students returning to school for the 2023 fall session.

Events sometimes include free physicals, food vouchers, or even free haircuts. Back To School events occasionally include fun activities and entertainment, plus many provide free backpacks stuffed with school supplies for pre-registered students.

Eligibility requirements vary at different events and often the events require students to show proof of residency in that town to qualify for free items.

Some of the events listed below may allow limited walk-in traffic or are open to the public without pre-registration. We are providing this information to you as a community service, so that hopefully you can find something that will help make sending the kids back to school a little easier. The information is subject to change without notice, so please check the resources and verify details before heading out.

Remember: Back to School Sales Tax Holiday is from July 25 to Aug. 7. No sales tax is collected on purchases of uniforms, clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $100 or less per item. Certain school supplies selling for the price of $50 or less. Check this website for details.

There are also back-to-school events with free supplies in Broward and back-to-school events with free supplies in Palm Beach County.

South Miami

Back to School Celebration with Miami Kids Magazine is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5 at Sunset Place, 5701 Sunset Dr., South Miami. The free annual Back to School Celebration at Shops at Sunset Place will be offering various amazing giveaways for the whole family. Don't miss out on a free eye vision test and glasses when prescribed (by appointment only). Please call (305) 856-9830 to book your appointment. Click here for full details.

Miami Beach

Miami Beach PAL Bookbag Giveaway  is 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1 at North Shore Park & Youth Center, 501 72 St., Miami Beach. Book bags will be given away on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. Parents must bring proof of residence and child's school ID or birth certificate. Only for K-12 students that attend a Miami Beach or North Bay Village school. For more information, contact events@miamibeachpal.org or call 305.531.5636 ext. 21.

Back to School Resource Fair is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5 at Miami Beach Botanical Garden, 2000 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach. The event will feature family-friendly games like Jenga and Connect4 while Miami Beach kids will receive free backpacks. Light snacks and beverages will be provided. Representatives from Legal Services of Greater Miami and the Florida Immigrant Coalition will be on hand to answer questions about tenant rights and immigration.

Kendall

Back to School Event presented by The Kid Society is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, at Dadeland Mall, 7535 N. Kendall Dr. Event will include a scavenger hunt, face painting, balloon artist and backpack giveaway while supplies last. Guests must register to attend. 

Back to School Bash 2023  10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, Christ Fellowship Church West Kendall, 9353 SW 152 Ave., Miami with a backpack giveaway (while supplies last), raffles, food, free resources, face painting and fun games. Hosted by Christ Fellowship. Click here for full details and to RSVP.

Cutler Bay

The Back-To-School Community Event and Block Party is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, at JL and Enid W. Demps Park, 11350 SW 216th St. Attendees will receive free backpacks with school supplies, food and drinks, ice cream, prizes, FREE medical testing, community resources and more. Enjoy games & activities for the whole family and amazing performances. Guests must register to attend. 

Hialeah

Back-To-School Storytime Bash is 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, 190 W. 49 St., Hialeah. Event includes story time and a fun craft while you explore the library resources, programs and services that can help you succeed during the school year. For more information, please call (305) 821-2700. Click here for all the info.

Back to School Backpack Giveaway is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12 at Westland Mall, 1675 W. 49 St. More than 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies will be distributed. The event is hosted by Radio Miami and Westland Mall. Click here for all info.

Community Food & Backpack Giveaway is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19 at Miami Dade College Hialeah Campus, 1780 W. 49 St., Hialeah. Drive-thru event, children must be present to receive a backpack. Distribution is on a first-come, first-serve basis and while supplies last. Click here for full info.

North Miami and North Miami Beach

Back To School Block Party is 4 – 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5 at Cagni Park, 13498 NE 8 Avenue, North Miami 33161. Free supplies for North Miami residents. Event includes booths featuring vendors and educational information. Information is online.

Back to School Supplies Giveaway is at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8 at the Y.E.S. Center, 17051 NE 19 Ave., North Miami Beach. Hosted by the City of North Miami Beach and the Commission on the Status of Women. North Miami Beach Residents only and while supplies last. Click here for all the info.

Doral

Back To School & National Night Out event is 6-8 p.m. August 1 at Doral Legacy Park, 11400 NW 82^nd Street, Doral. The event includes pubic safety demonstrations. Registration is full for free backpacks and school supplies. For information, 305-593-6600. Click here for details.

Kiddos 2023 Back to School and 10th Anniversary Event is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5 at CityPlace Doral, 8300 NW 36 St. Arts and crafts, face painting, science and art projects, toddler zone, reading corner and storytelling, safety, performances, character meet & greet, free backpacks, hula hoop contest, food, goodie bags, music, raffles, and much more.

Back to School Bash 2023  10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, Christ Fellowship Doral, 9000 NW 15 St., Doral, with a backpack giveaway (while supplies last), raffles, food, free resources, face painting and fun games. Click here for full details and to RSVP.

Miami

Back to School Events at 9 a.m. to noon,Saturday Aug. 12 and Sunday, Aug. 13 include backpacks with school supplies, while supplies last, and activities. Venue is Mana Wynwood Convention Center, 318 NW 23rd Street, Miami 33127. RSVP required click here for details.

Vous Back to School Bash 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 5 includes backpacks filled with school supplies available while supplies last plus, games, food and lots of activities. Charles Hadley Park, 1350 NW 50 St., Miami. Event is sponsored by Vous Church in partnership with the City of Miami. RSVP required click here for details.

Back to School Bash 2023  3-5 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 6 includes backpacks filled with school supplies available while supplies last plus, interactive games, a barbecue and plenty of community resources. Vive City Chapel, 15651 NW 6 Ave., Miami.  RSVP required click here for details.

The Little Lighthouse Foundation Back to School 2023 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 4 school supply and backpack distribution to underprivileged children. Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), 1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Click here for full details.

South Dade 

Back to School Health Fair/Backpack Giveaway 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, Loren Roberts Park, 627 NW 6 Ave. Florida City 33034, includes backpack filled with school supplies (while supplies last), bounce houses, health screenings and complimentary food. Click here for full details and to RSVP.

Back to School Bash 2023  10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, West Perrine Park, 10301 SW 170 Terr., backpack giveaway (while supplies last), raffles, food, free resources, face painting and fun games. Hosted by Christ Fellowship. Click here for full details and to RSVP.

Back to School Free Community Event is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at Florida Technical College, 20505 South Dixie Hwy, 33189. The event includes multiple activities, music, and more! Backpacks will school supplies will be given away. Full details here.

Back to School Bash 2023  10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, Christ Fellowship Redland, 16390 SW 248 St., Homestead, with a backpack giveaway (while supplies last), raffles, food, free resources, face painting and fun games. Click here for full details and to RSVP.

Backpack & School Supplies Giveaway 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 12, The Way Miami, 14105 SW 184 St., Miami, with backpack, school supplies, grocery boxes, and hot meals giveaway. Fun games, kids' activities and a bounce house. First-come, first-served basis, until supplies last. Entrance is on SW 142 Avenue. Click here to RSVP.

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

Free & cheap things to do with kids this week