Cake Sale
A classic, ever popular cake sale. Cakes donated by families, sold at pick-up. Quick to set up and close down, almost no overheads.
Small 1–3 helpers
Open the guide → Looking for some event ideas? Let's see what you can find.
Many websites offer fundraising ideas, but I thought it would be more useful to be able to search through some ideas based on a few parameters - how many helpers you might have, time of year and whether you want a big event or maybe just a small, easy social one. I am adding to it all the time and have also referenced which of my podcast episodes talk more about the ideas. I haven't written full guides to each activity but given you more of an overview so that you can think it over for how it might work at your own school. I hope you find it useful.
Number of volunteers
How big an event
Main aim of event
Time of year
10 ideas to choose from
Christmas/ Winter Fair
A wonderful way to get your families together in the winter term, with stalls offering festive treats, games, crafts and competitions.
Large 9+ helpers
Open the guide → Film Night
Film night in the hall after school - sell tickets in advance and serve snacks and popcorn.
Medium 4–8 helpers
Open the guide → Bake Off Competition
Set a theme and ask children to bring in their entries. Ask a local cake maker to come and judge them and have some prizes for the winners. Then sell the cakes!
Medium 4–8 helpers
Open the guide → Easter Egg Hunt
A classic Easter Egg hunt round the school grounds. Invest in plastic eggs you can use year after year.
Medium 4–8 helpers
Open the guide → Pop-up Gift Shop - Mother's Day/ Father's Day/ Christmas
A pop-up shop where children secretly choose and wrap a small gift. Always a winner with the little ones.
Small 4–8 helpers
Open the guide → Colour Run
Earn brownie points from your kids for a colourful, fun run! The children love these events on the school field.
Large 9+ helpers
Open the guide → Bingo Night
Any easy fundraiser for an evening event. Sell refreshments and maybe include a raffle.
Medium 4–8 helpers
Open the guide → Coffee Morning
A relaxed drop-in event at school with cake/biscuits and a chat. Perfect for welcoming new families to the community.
Small 1–3 helpers
Open the guide → Festive Wreath Workshop
A grown-ups' evening making door wreaths with foliage and mulled wine. Sell tickets in advance
Small 4–8 helpers
Open the guide → No ideas match just yet 🤔
Try loosening a filter — perhaps allow any time of year, or a different size of event.