PTA - idea's for fundraising needed

[kslatts]

I am going to the Parents Association AGM at the school my kids attend next week, I feel the PTA do a fantastic job, but in the past I haven't really got too involved, I now feel I should make the effort and attend.

I would like to put forward some fundraising ideas that I could organise, but I work full time so it needs to be something I could organise easily out of work hours, I don't mind taking a day off for the event. As a working Mum I cherish the time I get to spend with my two dd's so ideally something they would enjoy helping with.

The idea I am thinking of is a pool party, I know a local outdoor pool does private hire and another local school held a pool party there and it was a great success, it would obviously have to wait until the summer term though.

Any other idea's woul be greatly appreciated.

We charged £2 for adults, £1 for child or £5 family ticket. This included free cup of tea/coffee/juice and biscuits halfway through. Just need then to supply pencils, dice and paper plus copy of rules for each table (we had about 6 people) at each table. We also had a small raffle for the children for which parents had donated a few items. It's chaotic but great fun and the children love it!

Sorry I meant we had about 6 people round each table!

What about cake sales? We do one for the kids on the last friday of every half term. We ask parents to donate either home made or bought mainly small fairy cakes and plate them up in 5's and sell them for £1. They really do sell like hot cakes and it's a good way to make a quick £200 ish.

also....
Christmas and summer fairs (huge planning needed here, but very lucrative)
Tea towel printing try www.countrysideart.co.uk for this and calendars etc
Book sales (Scholastic)
Non-uniform/mad hair days
Quiz nights

BTW we stay away from bumpy castles for fear of accidents - you may well get insurance, but still have the stigma attached to the school of the accident happening in the first place .

what about a fancy dress day where the children have to dress up or not wear uniform and the teachers have to dress up as pirates and fairies......would pay good money to see the teachers make a fool of themselves lol

Our junior school PTA puts on a huge bonfire night every year. It raises £2,000 - £3,000 (before costs of over £1,000). They sell hot food and drinks on the night. Loads of parents get involved in collecting wood, lifting turf, building the bonfire, selling tickets, manning the gate, selling food, being fire marshalls, and replacing the turf the next day. A local firm runs the firework display. It is the major PTA event of the year and a highlight in the social calendar in our neck of the woods.

Bumpety bump