10 summer fundraising ideas
Image: Primary school-aged children climbing on playground equipment.
1. Clothes swap/swishing
It’s time to get some fresh ‘fits for the summer! This event can be just for kids, just for adults, or for the whole family. Ask your school community to donate clothes they no longer want before the event (all good quality and clean, of course). On the day, display the clothes by size and type, ideally somewhere like a school hall or empty classroom. Charge for entry and let people grab whatever they like the look of!
For extra funds, sell drinks and snacks to your shoppers. You access wholesale prices for all your catering needs via our partner, Booker.
2. Tallest sunflower competition
Who can grow the tallest sunflower? Buy sunflower seeds in bulk and set up a pop-up shop to sell them. The seeds are best sown around mid-April to May and will flower in August, so ask the children to measure their sunflowers just before they break up for the holidays. Whoever has grown the tallest flower wins a prize!
Consider selling soil and flowerpots along with the sunflower seeds so the children have everything they need in one handy kit.
3. Raffle
A raffle is THE classic PTA fundraiser. Buy the prizes or ask around for donations, then decide if you’re going to run an on-the-day raffle – perhaps as part of another event – or with printed tickets, which can be sold in advance (but will require a small society lottery license). To make it extra special, why not have summer-themed prizes like buckets and spades and ice lolly moulds?
Raffle Tickets 4U offer an exclusive discount on printed raffle tickets to Parentkind members. Head to our supplier directory to find out more.
4. Family picnic
When it’s glorious sunshine outside it seems a shame to eat indoors. Organising a picnic for your school community can be super simple if you ask families to bring their own blankets and food. Your PTA could provide extras, like ice cream or entertainment. If you want to go all out, put together hampers for families to buy filled with sandwiches, fruit, cakes and drinks.
Even if you’re not providing food, you still need to think about health and safety, including allergies. Find out more on Your PTA Expert.
5. Treasure hunt
Make the most of your school’s outdoor space with a treasure hunt! Whether your space is big or small, grassy or concreted, there are plenty of inventive ways to create a fun treasure hunt with clues, obstacles and (most importantly) prizes. If you want to make it unique, why not have a theme? Pirate gold is a classic choice.
Have a plan B should the heavens decide to open – a treasure hunt inside the school would be just as fun.
6. Sponsored walk/swim
Encourage exercise and grow your funds at the same time by hosting a sponsored walk. The children could do a local route, or you could challenge them to see how many laps of the school they can do. If your school has a pool, a sponsored swim would be glorious on a hot day. Children could pledge to swim a number of lengths or tread water for a certain amount of time.
If you’re registered for Gift Aid, your association can ask for Gift Aid declarations and make a claim. HMRC have a sponsorship form you can use.
7. Disco
Another classic PTA event. If you’re looking to make it extra special you could have a theme, such as neon, beach party or carnival. If the weather is going to be nice, why not hold it in the playground? If you’re worried about noise, a silent disco would be perfect and a wonderful experience for the kids.
For all the tips and ideas you’ll need for a successful disco, download our ultimate PTA guide to discos.
8. Outdoor cinema
Film nights are fantastic fundraisers, but have you ever held an outdoor cinema? It takes a bit of organising and you’d need the proper facilities, like a projector, sound equipment, a quiet outdoor space, seating and so on, but it’s the perfect summer event for children and families. Plus, get yourself some tasty refreshments like slushies, ice cream or milkshakes and your audience will be talking about it for weeks! Don’t forget health and safety, risk assessments and the proper film licensing – head to Your PTA Expert on our website for more information.
Our ultimate PTA guide to film nights is exclusive to members and includes everything you’ll need for a magical movie night.
9. Talent show
It’s time for the talented performers in your school to shine! All you need is a stage, the acts, an audience, and interval drinks and snacks. We recommend having at least one rehearsal to understand the timings of each performance. Allowing groups or whole classes to perform might help ease nerves and encourage more sign-ups.
Get the creative non-performers involved too by setting up a gallery of the children’s art and/or selling printed anthologies of their stories and poems on the day of the show.
10. Inflatable day
There are few greater sights than a child going wild on the inflatables, and they’re hugely popular! The best option is to hire the inflatables from a recommended supplier. The supplier’s equipment should be tested annually, ideally by PIPA-registered inspectors (pipa.org.uk), and they must also have public liability cover. Children must be supervised at all times, so ask your supplier how many volunteers they recommend you have. Your supplier will also be able to help set up and give guidance on the space you should use (whether that be indoors or outdoors).
Risk assessments are important for every event, but especially for an event like this. We have a template you can use on Your PTA Expert.
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