Getting ready for a new school year can be expensive, but families across the Twin Cities have plenty of opportunities to receive free backpacks, school supplies, clothing, haircuts, food, and other resources before classes begin!
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.)
YES – Communities throughout Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding suburbs are hosting back-to-school events designed to help students start the year prepared and confident. Many events also include family activities, community resources, health services, and free meals.
Tip: Many giveaways are first-come, first-served, and some require registration or that children be present to receive supplies.
Several free events are planned now through August (check back as I’ll add more as I hear about them!). These are listed in order by location:
Arden Hills
School Rocks Backpack Giveaway
Sunday, July 26
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Wireless Zone
3833 Lexington Ave. N., Suite 105, Arden Hills, MN
Includes:
- Free backpacks filled with school supplies (200 available)
- Community vendors and local organizations
- Family-friendly activities
- Support for students preparing for the new school year
Backpacks are available while supplies last.
Brooklyn Center
Back to School Event
Thursday, August 27
6:00–8:00 p.m.
Centennial Park
6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Minneapolis,
Includes:
- Free backpacks and school supplies (limited; child must be present)
- Free food and treats
- Games and family activities
- Community vendors and resources
- Outdoor movie at sundown
Brooklyn Park
Honored 2 Help Back 2 School BBQ
Saturday, August 15
11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Pride Stadium – Park Center High School
7501 Noble Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
5000 backpack giveaway!
Includes:
- Free backpacks filled with school supplies
- Free BBQ meal
- Community resources
- Family activities and entertainment
- Giveaways and more
Registration is required. Free items available while supplies last.
Burnsville
School-A-Palooza 2026
Saturday, August 15
8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Berean Baptist Church
309 Co Rd 42 E, Burnsville, MN 55306
Includes:
- Free backpacks and school essentials for students in grades K–12
- Free HOT breakfast for the whole family
- New winter coats
- New shoes
- Community resources and family support connections
- Outdoor activities, including bounce houses (weather permitting)
- Meet-and-greets and photos with Burnsville first responders
Pre-registration is required. This is a first-come, first-served event, and supplies are available while they last.
Back to School — Bless Burnsville
Saturday, August 29
11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
Sky Oaks Elementary School Field
Burnsville, MN
Includes:
- Free school supplies for families
- Back-to-school resources and community support
- Family-friendly activities as part of the Bless Burnsville celebration
Chaska
Back to School Resource Fair
Tuesday, August 11
3:00–6:00 p.m.
Chaska Middle School West
Includes:
- Back-to-school resources for students and families
- Opportunity to connect with school departments and community partners
- Information from transportation, health services, enrollment, nutrition services, athletics, community education, and more
- Answers to questions about programs and services available throughout the school year
Elk River
Community Backpack Event
Saturday, August 8
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Boys & Girls Club of Elk River
400 Jackson Ave NW Suite 101, Elk River
Includes:
- Free backpacks and school supplies
- Children’s shoes
- Fresh produce
- Community resources and family support
- Family-friendly activities
Registration is required.
Roseville
Ramsey County School Supply Swap
Friday, August 7–Monday, August 10
Times vary by day
Ramsey County Environmental Center
1700 Kent Street, Roseville
Includes:
- Free school supplies for students and families
- Backpacks, notebooks, pencils, markers, folders, and more
- Educators’ Day on Monday, Aug. 10 for teachers and school employees
- Community supply donations accepted throughout July
- No donation required to attend — all are welcome
Forest Lake
Washington County School Supply Swap
Wednesday, August 5
5:00–7:00 p.m.
North Environmental Center
6065 Headwaters Pkwy., Forest Lake, MN 55025
Also happening at the same time:
South Environmental Center
4039 Cottage Grove Drive, Woodbury, MN 55129
Includes:
- Free school supplies for students and families
- Open to everyone — no donation required to receive items
- Community donations accepted through August 1
- Remaining supplies donated locally
- Opportunity to reuse gently used school materials and reduce waste
Minnetonka
Minnetonka Christian Academy Back to School Shop Day
Sunday, August 16, 2026
2:00–3:30 p.m.
Minnetonka Christian Academy
3500 Williston Rd, Minnetonka, MN
Includes:
- Free backpacks for students
- School supplies for the new school year
- First come, first served (supplies are limited)
- Child must be present with a parent or guardian to receive a backpack
North Minneapolis
2nd Chance Outreach Back-to-School Community Celebration
Saturday, August 15
1:00–5:00 p.m.
Harold Mezile North Community YMCA
North Minneapolis, MN
Includes:
- Free backpacks and school supplies (while supplies last)
- Free food and live music
- Gaming experience and skilled trades learning lab
- Healthcare resources
- Inflatables, face painting, and carnival games
- Community job fair and giveaways
Registration required for free backpacks.
Robbinsdale
The Gathering Back 2 School Party
Sunday, August 16
1:00–3:00 p.m.
The Gathering Community Church
3620 43rd Ave N, Robbinsdale, MN 55422
Includes:
- Free backpacks and school supplies
- Free haircuts for school-aged children
- Clothing items for students
- Food, games, bounce houses, and face painting
- Family-friendly fun and community connection
Event will be held rain or shine.
Get on the waitlist! Event “sells” out each year.
St. Paul
8th Annual Summer Block Party at Rice & Larpenteur
Date & Time: TBD
Rice & Larpenteur Intersection
Southwest corner of Rice & Larpenteur (near North End Laundry), Saint Paul, MN
Note: Not specifically a back to school event but has free food and bike helmets!
Includes:
- Family-friendly activities and games
- Live music and performances
- Local food trucks
- Vendors and community resources
- Free youth bike helmets
- Climbing wall and mobile library
- Giveaways, prizes, and more
Get tickets in advance. Each event guest will receive one free food ticket to use at one of these local food vendors. Additional food and beverage will be available for sale.
Merrick Community Services Backpack Giveaway
Thursday, August 20, 2026
4:00–8:00 p.m. (Rain or shine)
Merrick Community Services
1669 Arcade Street North, Saint Paul, MN 55106
Includes:
- Free backpacks for children
- Free age-appropriate school supplies
- Free food
- Information about additional community resources
- Support for families preparing for the new school year
Registration is required. Families must complete a registration form and provide one form of school documentation for each child, such as a report card, school schedule, student ID, enrollment confirmation, transcript, attendance record, parent portal screenshot, or other approved school verification.
Woodbury
Washington County School Supply Swap
Wednesday, August 5
5:00–7:00 p.m.
South Environmental Center
4039 Cottage Grove Drive, Woodbury, MN 55129
Also happening at the same time:
North Environmental Center
6065 Headwaters Pkwy., Forest Lake, MN 55025
Includes:
- Free school supplies for students and families
- Open to everyone — no donation required to receive items
- Community donations accepted through August 1
- Remaining supplies donated locally
- Opportunity to reuse gently used school materials and reduce waste
More Ways Families Can Get Help
Beyond local city events, organizations across the Twin Cities are helping thousands of students prepare for school. For example, Greater Twin Cities United Way’s annual Action Day campaign works with volunteers and community partners to distribute tens of thousands of backpacks filled with school supplies to students across the metro.
Tips Before You Go
To make the most of these events:
- Arrive early—popular giveaways often run out of supplies.
- Bring any required registration confirmation.
- Check whether children must be present.
- Review eligibility requirements before attending.
- Watch the organizer’s social media for weather updates or schedule changes.
Final Thoughts
Back-to-school season can place a strain on family budgets, but these free events across Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding suburbs help ensure students have the supplies they need for a successful school year.
Whether you’re looking for backpacks, notebooks, clothing, haircuts, food, or family resources, there’s likely an event happening near you this August. Take advantage of these community programs and help your child start the 2026–2027 school year prepared, confident, and ready to learn.
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!
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