Times are tough, families. With inflation rising and incomes not keeping up – and many of us working multiple jobs to make ends meet – the last thing we want to do is go even more broke buying costly school supplies.
GOOD NEWS – School supplies are necessary, but they don’t have to cost a fortune!
I save money on back to school supplies – and most everything else – by getting what I need free, then used, then I stack deals on what’s left.
How to get things free?
- Check what you have at home – you may already have some of what your kids need for the new school year, such as quality backpacks, unused folders, paper, pencils.
- Join your local Buy Nothing group! Find one for your area on Facebook and there you can get or give FREE items within your own community.
- Go to a FREE school supply event in your area! Here, anyone can go and get supplies. They won’t typically cover all your needs, but they will help take the edge off of shopping.
For everything else, I shop at dollar stores, ALDI, Target, and wherever things are on sale!
And to find freebies…for the third year in a row I’ve put together a list of where you can find them!
Here are FREE school supply giveaways in the Twin Cities this year, 2025:
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2
Backpack Giveaway. 10:00am. Wireless World/Verizon – 3904 Silver Lake Road, St. Anthony, MN. Free Backpack Giveaway: We’re giving away free backpacks filled with essential supplies for students in grades K-12. Child must be present! While supplies last.
School Supply Swap. 10:00am – 1:00pm. Ramsey County Environmental Center, 1700 Kent St., Roseville.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 3
Free Back to School Shop Day. 1:00pm. God’s Closet, 3510 Williston Road, Minnetonka. Free clothing and backpacks to get ready for the new school year!
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6
Back to School Jamboree. 3:00 – 7:00pm. V3 Sports, 701 N Plymouth Ave, Minneapolis, MN. Free school supplies, activities, food and music.
School Supply Giveaway and Free Meal. 4:30pm. Spaghetti meal at 6:00pm. Newport United Methodist Church, 1596 11th Ave, Newport, MN.
School Supply Swap. 4:30 – 6:30pm. North Environmental Center, 6065 Headwaters Pkwy, Forest Lake.
School Supply Swap. 4:30 – 6:30pm. South Environmental Center, 4039 Cottage Grove Drive, Woodbury.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 12
Backpack Giveaway. 4:30 – 8:00pm. Merrick Community Services, 1669 Arcade Street North, Saint Paul. FREE backpack, school supplies, food.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13
ECCS Back-to-School Resource Fair. 2:00 – 6:00pm. Chaska Middle School East, 1600 Park Ridge Dr, Chaska. Haircut vouchers to Sweet Salons and free backpacks will be available while supplies last.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 15
Back to School Backpack Giveaway. 4:00 – 6:00pm. 450 Syndicate St N, Saint Paul, MN.
Back to School Supply Giveaway. 4:00 – 7:00pm. Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, 1301 10th Avenue N., Minneapolis, MN. Free food and music, games, resources.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 16
School-A-Palooza 2025. 8:30am – 12:30pm. Berean Baptist – Burnsville Campus, 309 Co Rd 42 E, Burnsville. REGISTER IN ADVANCE. PLEASE NOTE: This event focuses on families living in Dakota and Scott Counties. If you live elsewhere, please seek assistance in your county. Supplies are limited. First come, first served. We will provide new items kids need to help them get ready for school this fall. Everything is FREE!
FREE Food, School Supplies, & More! 10:00am – 5:00pm. Pentecost Fire Assembly of God, 1950 West 136th Street, Burnsville.
Honored 2 Help’s 4th Annual Back 2 School BBQ. 11:00am – 5:00pm. Park Center Senior High School: An International Baccalaureate World School, 7300 Brooklyn Boulevard, Brooklyn Park. FREE food, family fun, and faith in action.
Summer Block Party at Rice & Larpenteur 2025. 11:00am – 2:00pm. Rice St and Larpenteur Ave., 1675 Rice St. St Paul. Free youth bike helmets, free haircuts, family fun, live music and performances, local food, giveaways, and more.
Back to School Giveaway! 1:00 – 4:00pm. Sanctuary Covenant Church, 2018 N Aldrich Ave, Minneapolis. FREE school supplies, books, food and more while supplies last!
Annual Back to School Carnival. 1:00 – 5:00pm. North Community YMCA, 1711 W Broadway Ave, Minneapolis. Free, family-friendly event with free food, games, entertainment, healthcare screening, job fair, and other activities and opportunities. Pre-register to receive a backpack for your child(ren).
SUNDAY, AUGUST 17
Back to School Party. 1:00 – 3:00pm. The Gathering, 3620 43rd Ave N, Robbinsdale.
MONDAY, AUGUST 18
Back-to-School Backpack Event. 1:30 – 4:00pm. Main Street Family Resource Center, Elk River.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 19
Back-to-School Backpack Event. 2:00 – 6:00pm. Main Street Family Resource Center, Elk River.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20
Back-to-School Backpack Event. 1:30 – 4:00pm. Main Street Family Resource Center, Elk River.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 21
Back to School at Central Park Commons. 12:00 – 2:00pm. 3340 Central Park Village Drive, St. Paul. Family friendly event.
Back-to-School Backpack Event. 2:00 – 6:00pm. Main Street Family Resource Center, Elk River.
Back to School Bash. 5:00 – 8:00pm. Community Activity Center, 5600 85th Ave. N., Brooklyn Park. FREE food, backpacks, games, resources, and more.
Back to School Event. 6:00 – 8:00pm. Firehouse Park, 6535 N Bryant Ave, Brooklyn Center. Limited backpacks, food, games.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 22
3rd Annual Barbeque & Back-to-School Backpack Drive. 12:00pm. 6040 Earle Brown Dr, Brooklyn Center. FREE backpacks filled with school supplies, authentic African BBQ, face painting, fun, resources.
Back-to-School Backpack Event. 1:30 – 4:00pm. Main Street Family Resource Center, Elk River.
Project Backpack. 3:00 – 6:00pm. West Minnehaha Recreation Center, 685 W. Minnehaha Ave., Saint Paul. Free backpacks, hands-on activities, community booths, and complimentary food and fresh produce. For all K-12 students.
Ice Cream Social & School Supply Giveaway. 6:00 – 7:30pm. Creekview Recreation Center, 5001 N Humboldt Ave, Minneapolis. Free ice cream, school supplies, face painting and much more.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 24
Back to School Spingo. 10:00am – 12:00pm. 1721 County Road C West, Roseville.
MONDAY, AUGUST 25
The Backpack Squad. 5:00 – 7:00pm. Parking lot of Cub Foods, 19216 Freeport Ave, Elk River. RSVP by August 15th.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 26
The Backpack Squad. 5:00 – 7:00pm. Parking lot of Coon Rapids Walmart, 13020 Riverdale Dr NW, Coon Rapids. RSVP by August 15th.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27
The Backpack Squad. 5:00 – 7:00pm. Parking lot of Target, 1447 E 7th St, Monticello. RSVP by August 15th.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28
The Backpack Squad. 5:00 – 7:00pm. Parking lot of Coborns, 1100 7th Ave, Princeton. RSVP by August 15th.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29
The Backpack Squad. 5:00 – 7:00pm. Parking lot of Target, 15300 Grove Cir N, Maple Grove. RSVP by August 15th.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30
Cuts with a Cop. 1:00 – 4:00pm. Moler Barber School, 785 53rd Ave NE, Columbia Heights.
Do you have more events to add to this list? Let me know or comment below.
Want more money-saving tips? Check out my guide:
25 Money-Saving Tips for Back to School Shopping
Read this Star Tribune article about school supply shopping where I was interviewed for money-saving tips!
And print this FREE Printable Back to School Activity Packet!
