What were the most profitable stalls at your school fete?

[EstoyRobandoSuCasa]

And what wasn't really worth the effort?

Five weeks to go until our summer fete and it's all kicked off (again) at the PTA. Most of the members who were supposed to be organising and running the stalls have walked away from the PTA entirely (sadly, not the two people that I wish would leave, but heigh ho).

A bouncy castle and fairground ride have already been booked and I think the catering is mostly sorted, including a cake stall. And the person in charge of the raffle is staying. So, we just need some games stalls and probably a few stalls selling products.

What would you recommend, bear in mind that the number of volunteers we'll have on the day is likely to be limited due to the Old Guard's talent for pissing them all off. I thought about running away as well, but my kids love the fete and the school needs the money.

(Adding that it is a very large school!)

Tombola type. Infants got a large plastic glass and were asked to fill with sweets/toys. Juniors brought a bottle. In exchange the achool let the kids dress down. Worked a charm.

Sweets stall

Throwing wet sponges at the teacher in the stocks.

Your children obviously went to a school where there were no children living in impoverished homes. It’s sometimes hidden…. But bringing in money or chocolate or whatever so they do t stand out because their parents cannot “pay” for them to wear non uniform. I wonder what the divide here between private and state schools are and what their opinions are. I am currently unemployed (again). I’m happy to help school fundraising as I can but mandated donations are cruel. What are parents on a tight budget supposed to do? Buy a nice treat for their kids or donate it to the school and then pay again for the same or worse thing. Some of you need to give your head a wobble.

I second the pre loved stall. We used to call it a white elephant stall back in the day. As a kid I loved to visit it on fete. That was one of the things which began my love of antique and vintage. days

Anything to do with mlm’s and anything that just looks naff - think at home branded stuff. Avoid.

Always used to be home baking and tombolas!

Pimms
savoury vegetarian food eg veggie hot dogs bbq

Face painting always has a massive pull at my children’s school fete.

Ice lollies.

Costco massive ready cooked pizza pre order then cut the slices in half £2 a slice always popular and makes a decent return - they also tend to give discount for local school events. Also ice poles buy the big boxes couple of coolers and a shelf in the school freezer 50p each go down a storm - this one also works well in the playground after school on a hot day easily make £100 on a random Tuesday!

And Pimms (Aldi own version) and tubs of strawberries always makes a fortune.

We had a pop and chocolate tombola that was always popular. A henna stall with two ladies drawing small designs was a hit! They really needed four ladies as the demand was high. Tea and cake would have been nice, never had that. The school sold hot dogs, cans of pop and ice lollies, that raised a lot of money.

Our toy, kids book stall did very well. Parents love to get rid of outgrown toys.

One our most profitable 'stalls' was the raffle - free tickets to major attractions, vouchers or donations from local cafes, pizza places, convenience stores, sports centre, garden centre, signed t-shirt/pennant from the football club (admittedly Premier League or whatever it's called!)

Followed by

BBQ - meat/veggie burgers and sausages. For a couple of years a parent did jerk chicken - I have never, ever seen such long queues!

Pimms, beer, wine

Soft drinks, ice lollies, watermelon (separate stall and away from food, as advised by a Muslim PTA member)

World food - South Asian, Somali, Turkish, West African etc

Popular with dc/parents but not particularly profitable

Guess the name of the teddy, guess the weight of the cake, guess how many sweets in the jar (several small ones!), book stall, plant stall, bric-a-brac

Pick a lolly always popular.
20p to pick a lolly. Some have colour on the bottom:
Blue - another go
Red - small prize (stickers etc)
Green - big prize donation eg day out

Many years ago at our primary school summer fair my Mum used to make “tooth fairy pouches”. Just little satin pockets sewn with a bit of lace on. They used to sell out immediately however many she made. Wouldn’t fill a whole stall but just an additional idea.

Warm samosas delivered hot from a local shop. We have these at different events throughout the year and they are always the most popular.

See if you have a local ‘Library of Things’ for gazebos.

Our local one hires them for between £10-£18 per 7 day period. They have concession prices that a PTA might be able to use too. They also hire big outdoor games, sound systems for affordable prices.

I’ve just had a look at their website. It’s a shame we’re nowhere near London!

Honestly the amount of time an effort this takes along with the cost of little glasses and umbrellas it’s best to just sell cans of pop! It’s much more cost effective. Farmfoods do 5 crates for £40! It’s works out at each 120 cans sold for £1 makes of £80 worth of profit!

I agree @Favouritefruits ! Or look at Costco?

And for a bbq/hotdogs, buy pre-sliced frozen onions, cook them the day before and store in a fridge

Not a fete but I used to be a form Tutor and we made an absolute fortune for our charity buying those sheets of doughnuts for £1-2 from Asda etc and selling 12 doughnuts for £1 each. We also did mini doughnuts for 20p each on a similar principle. I'd suggest ice creams if the weather is good. Hoopla to win a cold drink with three hoops for £1 means you're essentially selling drinks for a £1 if they win at all... And even the best shot is only going to get three 35p cans for a £1.

Any form of challenge game with a final prize is good. Pegs on a washing line, Skittles, Welly throwing etc. You could have Bowling for a Pig with a small plushie pig as the prize 😂

Also throwing wet sponges at people in stocks if you can beg or borrow some.

The op asked for ideas so I don’t feel I need to “give my head a wobble” there’s no need to be rude.
Non uniform and bringing a prize is INSTEAD of money and some people bring in tins of beans out the cupboard for the tombola (0’s or 5’s for the tickets) and things like unwanted toiletries, some bring wine and chocolate and lots of other stuff too. One Mum works at a local bowling alley, they donate a voucher, and there is not an assumption people spend a fortune - people give what they can.
The school is a state school in a mixed area with lots of different domestic situations. I don’t see why you were so unpleasant in your response - that’s un-called for.