Free School Supplies Events in Minnesota 2025

Your kids can get more ready for back to school with help from one of these free school supplies events happening in Minnesota! There are opportunities for your kids to get a free backpack, supplies to fill it and have some back-to-school fun.

Back to school is almost here! While new school supplies can be fun for kids, it can be stressful for parents who have to buy all those supplies. Thanks to a suggestion from my friend Enza at EnzasBargains.com we thought we should round up some of the places you can get some free school supplies this year.

Make back to school a little easier when your kids get FREE school supplies from one of these 2024 events being held in Minnesota. 

NOTE: If you know of any events we have missed, please let us know!

Blaine

Ready, Set, Thrive! – August 17 (1 – 4 pm)
Mary Ann Young Center/Aquatore Park – 9150 Central Ave NE, Blaine

This community wellness event offers activities for all ages along with local vendors. Pick up free school supplies and receive information about health resources and more.

Back to School Community Event – August 31 (11 am – 7 pm)
Northtown Mall – 398 Northtown Dr, Blaine

This community event includes a kids backpack giveaway, talent show, local performances, local vendors, face painting, and free snacks and drinks. This event is free, but you must register. The backpack giveaway runs from 5 – 7 pm.

Brooklyn Center

The Salvation Army Back to School – August 22 (3 – 6 pm)
Noble Worship & Community Center – 10011 Noble Pkwy N, Brooklyn Center

Free school supplies for those who register and bring ID, plus music, food, bounce house, games, and more.

*UPDATED* Back to School Event – Thursday, August 21 (6 – 8 pm)
Firehouse Park – 6535 N Bryant Ave, Brooklyn Center

Free backpacks and school supplies for kids, plus food, music, and resources for families. Stay for the Movie in the Park that will start at dusk.

Brooklyn Park

Back 2 School BBQ – August 17 (11 am – 3pm)
Zanewood Recreation Center – 7100 Zane Ave N, Brooklyn Park

Celebrate the end of summer and get ready for the academic season ahead with delicious food, exciting games, and plenty of opportunities to connect with your community. This is a free event, but registration is required. Attendees will receive backpacks filled with school supplies on a first come, first served basis.

*UPDATED* Back to School Bash – August 21 (5 – 8 pm)
Community Activity Center – 5600 85th Ave N, Brooklyn Park

Celebrate summer with us at Back to School Bash. All ages are invited to enjoy FREE food, backpacks, games, resources, and more.

Buffalo

Back to School Sunday – August 25 (10 am)
Journey Church – 214 1st Ave NE, Buffalo

Kids can attend the church service for a free bag of school supplies. They will also be praying over the kids as they head back to school.

Burnsville

*UPDATED* School-A-Palooza – Saturday, August 16 (8:30 am – 12:30 pm)
Berean Baptist Burnsville Campus – 309 CR 42 E, Burnsville

Help your school-age kids “shop” for many of the items necessary to help them be successful this school year (backpacks, supplies, shoes, etc.). Then stay for breakfast and fun kids’ activities. This event focuses on families living in Dakota and Scott Counties. Supplies are limited and are first come, first served.

Coon Rapids

Backpack Squad Distribution – August 21 (6 – 8 pm)
Walmart – 13020 Riverdale Dr NW, Coon Rapids

The Backpack Squad provides backpacks filled with high quality, essential school supplies to children in need. Backpacks are handed out to local children who RSVP in advance.

Cottage Grove

Blitz Back to School Backpacks – August 31-September 1
Flag Football Annual H.O.T. Labor Day Tournament at Kingston Park – 9195 75th St S, Cottage Grove

Free backpacks in the tent next to One Family. Students must be present or 2 backpacks per parent.

Duluth

I ❤️ LP School Supply Giveaway – August 24 (9:30 – 11:30 am)
Harrison Community Center/Club – 3002 W 3rd St, Duluth

Duluth Gospel Tabernacle will provide free school supplies for students in all grades. Students (or their school ID) should be present to collect supplies. They will also have hot dogs, pop, kickball/basketball, and sprinklers available to play in.

Eagan

Back to School – August 22 (12 pm)
Pocket Park – 3400 Central Park Village Dr, Eagan

Kids can pick up a free backpack filled with school supplies.

Elk River

Community Hope Fest – August 11 (1 – 6 pm)
Sherburne County Fairgrounds – 18835 Joplin St NW, Elk River

Free games and activities, food and music, resource and ministry tents, and a backpack giveaway. To get the free backpack, you’ll need to visit the welcome station to get a token which you can redeem for a free backpack at the time allotted for your token number.

Backpack Squad Distribution – August 19 (6 – 8 pm)
Cub Foods – 19216 Freeport Ave, Elk River

The Backpack Squad provides backpacks filled with high quality, essential school supplies to children in need. Backpacks are handed out to local children who RSVP in advance.

Farmington

School Supply Giveaway – July 30 (6:30 – 8 pm)
Rambling River Park – Farmington

Free school supplies for families – just show up with your kids and their school supply list and they will help with what they have available. Free snacks for kids.

Fergus Falls

Back to School Drive – August 31 (12 – 6 pm)
The Fergus Falls Blessing Closet – 201 N Union, Fergus Falls

Area kids that are in need can show up to receive a backpack and school supplies.

Forest Lake

*UPDATED* School Supply Swap – Wednesday, August 6 (4:30 – 6:30 pm)
North Environmental Center – 6065 Headwaters Pkwy, Forest Lake

The swap is free and open to everyone. Donations are not required to get items during the event. Items remaining after the event will be donated locally.

Fridley

*UPDATED* Cuts with a Cop – Saturday, August 30 (1 – 4 pm)
Moler Barber School – 785 53rd Ave NE, Fridley

All Columbia Heights Public School students can receive a free haircut and have the opportunity to visit with CHPD officers.

Glencoe

School Supply Distribution Program – register by August 2
Lincoln Elementary School – 1621 16th E, Glencoe

Supplies are limited to the first 400 requests (for both Glencoe and Huthcinson). Supply pickup will be on August 15 from 3 – 6 pm. Postcards will be sent out the week of August 5 with information needed to pick up your school supplies. Please bring the postcard when you pick up supplies.

Hastings

School Supply Assistance – opens August 5
Hastings Family Service – 301 2nd St E, Hastings

Families living in ISD 200 who need assistance with the cost of school supplies can register for school supply assistance. You’ll have an in-person appointment that requires registration and some documentation. Distribution dates are August 20 – 23.

Hibbing

Back to School Party – August 26 (1 – 3 pm)
Hibbing Public Library – 2020 5th Ave E, Hibbing

Celebrate going back to school with a popcorn and a movie. The first 125 youth will receive a free tote bag filled with school supplies.

Hutchinson

School Supply Distribution Program – register by August 2
Tiger Elementary – 805 School Rd SW, Hutchinson

Supplies are limited to the first 400 requests (for both Glencoe and Huthcinson). Supply pickup will be on August 14 from 3 – 6 pm. Postcards will be sent out the week of August 5 with information needed to pick up your school supplies. Please bring the postcard when you pick up supplies.​

Lakeville

*UPDATED* Ready, Set, Achieve – August 21 (12 – 4 pm)
Lakeville North High School – 19600 Ipava Ave, Lakeville

Students enrolled in Lakeville Area Schools can attend this event to receive free school supplies, immunizations, community resources, and more.

LeRoy

Free School Supply Distribution – August 7 (6 – 7 pm)
LeRoy Community Center – Main St W, LeRoy

All students in the LeRoy-Ostrander School District are eligible to pick up free school supplies at this event. If you can’t make it to the event, supplies will continbue to be available at the LeRoy Area Foodshelf until the start of school.

Mankato

Back to School Community Fair – August 15 (11 am – 2 pm)
Mankato Salvation Army – 700 S Riverfront Dr, Mankato

No school supplies will be available at this event, but you can get free haircuts, shoes, lunch, coupons for the thrift store, and more.

Milaca

Operation Community Connect – August 15 (10 am – 1 pm)
Milaca Public Schools – 500 Hwy 23, Milaca

Pick up school supplies and winter boots for children ages Pre-K through 12th grade. Children must be present. There will also be a meal served on-site along with a healthy meal bag to send home. Open to all Mille Lacs County residents.

Minneapolis

Gigi’s Styles Boutique Back-to-School Giveaway – August 1 (1 – 5 pm)
Emerge Community Development – 1834 Emerson Ave N, Minneapolis

Backpacks, school supplies, hygiene items, and clothes will be given away along with community resources information packets.

Back to School Jamboree – August 7 (2 – 6 pm)
V3 Sports – 701 Plymouth Ave N, Minneapolis

Back to School Jamboree – August 14 (2 – 6 pm)
Minneapolis Police Department 5th Precinct – 3101 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis

Pick up free school supplies for students in need and connect with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and the Minneapolis Police Department.

Back to School Ice Cream Social – August 30 (6 – 9 pm)
Creekview Recreation Center – 5001 Humboldt Ave N, Minneapolis

Say goodbye to summer with a school supply giveaway, plus a magician performance, ice cream, games and activities, free haircuts, and more.

Minneapolis Speaks – August 31 (1 – 6 pm)
1101 W Broadway, North Minneapolis

Families and community members can enjoy an afternoon of fun and connection with free food, haircuts, school supplies, face painting, bouncy houses, and entertainment.

Monticello

*UPDATED* Back 2 School Bash – Wednesday, August 20 (3 – 6 pm)
Monticello Middle School – 302 Washington St, Monticello

This fun community event will have food trucks, emergency vehicles, bounce houses, and much more. They’ll also be handing out free school supplies at the event. Please bring a non-perishable food item donation for the Monticello Help Center.

Backpack Squad Distribution – August 22 (6 – 8 pm)
Target – 1447 E 7th St, Monticello

The Backpack Squad provides backpacks filled with high quality, essential school supplies to children in need. Backpacks are handed out to local children who RSVP in advance.

Mountain Lake

Kids Fest – August 9 (3 – 7 pm)
Mountain Lake Christian Soccer Field – 710 11th St N, Mountain Lake

Students ages pre-K through grade 6 can enjoy free food and activities and go home with a backpack filled with school supplies. This event is sponsored by Center Point Church and local businesses.

New Prague

School Supplies Giveaway – August 5 (6 pm)
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church – 1300 Main St E, New Prague

All are welcome to this giveaway of general school supplies for elementary-age students. First come, first served while supplies last.

Northfield

Operation Backpack – mid-July through early August
Northfield Community Resource Center – 1651 Jefferson Pkwy, Northfield

This is a free community-based resource for Northfield School District students. Register for a reminder postcard that you will bring in the day of the drive for distribution of a free backpack and school supplies.

Onamia

Operation Community Connect – August 20 (10 am – 1 pm)
Onamia Elementary Gym – 35465 125th Ave, Onamia

Pick up school supplies and winter boots for children ages Pre-K through 12th grade. Children must be present. There will also be a meal served on-site along with a healthy meal bag to send home. Open to all Mille Lacs County residents.

Princeton

Backpack Squad Distribution – August 20 (6 – 8 pm)
Coborn’s – 1100 7th Ave, Princeton

The Backpack Squad provides backpacks filled with high quality, essential school supplies to children in need. Backpacks are handed out to local children who RSVP in advance.

Richfield

*UPDATED* Unity in the Community – Thursday, August 14 (4 – 7 pm)
Richfield Community Band Shell – 636 E 66th St, Richfield

Free school supplies along with actitivites, arts and crafts, performances, a resource fair, ice cream, and more. Children must be present to receive school supplies.

Robbinsdale

*UPDATED* Back 2 School Party – Sunday, August 17 (1 – 3 pm)
The Gathering Community Church – 3620 43rd Ave N, Robbinsdale

At this event, you can get backpacks and school supplies, clothing items, and haircuts for your kids – all free. They’ll also have food, games for kids, face painting, and more. Everyone is welcome, but they ask that you RSVP so they can appropriately plan.

Rochester

*UPDATED* Back to School Block Party and Parade – August 16 (12 – 4 pm)
Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Park – 1738 E Center St, Rochester

Families can enjoy free food, haircuts, school supplies, and family activities. Kids must be present to receive supplies.

St. Louis Park

STEP Back to School Program – July 15 to August 11

Children who live in St. Louis Park or attend a St. Louis Park school can receive school supplies through the STEP Back to School Program. You can complete the registration form online or call to register during business hours.

St. Paul

Tools of Education Backpack & Supply Drive – August 3 (11 am – 1 pm)
Palace Community Center – 781 Palace Ave, St. Paul

Tomorrow’s Promise is distributing backpacks, school supplies, and educational resources to support students in need as they prepare for the upcoming school year. The first 100 students to register will receive free school supplies. There will also be free snacks, BBQ, games, bouncy houses, and more.

Back 2 School Giveaway – August 4 (12 – 7 pm)
The Foundry Pub – 1201 Jackson St, St. Paul

Pick up free school supplies and free haircut vouchers while supplies last. There will also be food trucks, live entertainment, retail vendors, games, and raffles.

Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway – August 9 (11 am – 1 pm)
Wilder Recreation Center – 943 Edgerton St, St. Paul

Pick up free food, backpacks, and school supplies while supplies last.

Back to School: Backpack Giveaway – August 14 (4 – 7 pm)
CAPRW Resource Center – 450 Syndicate St N, St. Paul

They’ll have backpacks, tie dye, car seat support, community resources, and food and drink at this backpack giveaway event. Children must be present to receive their backpack; backpack size and design are geared toward younger children.

Summer Block Party – August 17 (11 am – 3 pm)
Intersection of Rice & Larpenteur, St. Paul

Enjoy family fun, live music and performances, local food, giveaways, and more at the southwest corner of Rice & Larpenteur near North End Laundry. There will be vendors and booths, free youth bike helmets, live music, free back-to-school haircuts, a climbing wall, and lots more.

Backpack Back to School Party – August 29 (4 – 6 pm)
St. Paul Youth Services – 2100 Wilson Ave, St. Paul

Enjoy free backpacks with school supplies and a free ice cream treat while supplies last. Limit one backpack per person.

Back-to-School Health & Hygiene Fair – August 31 (12 – 2 pm)
1455 University Ave W, St. Paul

Free backpacks filled with supplies plus live music, delicious food, health and hygiene products, and free haircuts and hairstyles.

Back to School Block Party – September 1 (10 am – 4 pm)
825 Arts – 825 University Ave W, St. Paul

We’re kicking off the school year in style with a day full of fun and freebies!

Free school supplies, free haircuts, free braided hairstyles, clothing and shoe giveaway, free food, bouncy house for the kids, and more.

Stillwater

Back to School Giveaway – August 11 (10am – 2 pm)
Details Barber Lounge – 1421 Stillwater Blvd N, Stillwater

Kids can get free backpacks and school supplies along with free haircuts and pizza.

West St. Paul

Holiday Acres Back to School Event – August 28 (11 am – 3 pm)
Holiday Acres Apartments – 1762 Oakdale Ave, West St. Paul

Community back to school event and backpack giveaway with games, food, and family fun.

Winnebago

Back to School Bingo – August 14 (3 pm)
Muir Library – 36 Main St N, Winnebago

Kids ages 5 and up can play Bingo and win school supplies as prizes.

Woodbury

*UPDATED* School Supply Swap – Wednesday, August 6 (4:30 – 6:30 pm)
South Environmental Center – 4039 Cottage Grove Dr, Woodbury

The swap is free and open to everyone. Donations are not required to get items during the event. Items remaining after the event will be donated locally.

Verizon Backpack Giveaway

*UPDATED* Wireless Zone will be giving away free backpacks on Sunday, July 27 at 1 pm while supplies last. One free backpack per child. Check the store locator to find a participating location near you.

*UPDATED* Another Verizon authorized retailer, TCC, will be giving away backpacks on the same date and time. You can find a participating location by searching here (there are 9 stores in Minnesota).

Wireless World will also be giving away free backpacks on Saturday, July 29 at 9 or 10 am. There are multiple Wireless World locations in Minnesota. We recommend you check the location list here and call ahead for details.

This is a nationwide giveaway, and 10 lucky students around the country will receive a backpack with a golden ruler keychain. Each student will receive $100 to purchase school supplies, and their school will receive a $1,000 Amazon wish list buyout!

For more freebies and deals, be sure to visit our Minnesota Great Deals page!