Children’s fundraising ideas
Whether you’re raising funds for causes that impact children or looking for fundraiser ideas that kids can participate in, we’ve got you covered.
From t-shirt design contests to a much-needed parents' night out, these kids and family fundraising ideas offer fun, engaging ways to raise money for schools, clubs, sports teams, and more.
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Student art auction
Auction off student art projects online, in person, or both! Add photos and descriptions of each masterpiece using auction software for easy bidding and sharing.
Teacher “jail”
Challenge students to meet a fundraising goal. If they succeed, their teacher gets “locked in jail” (aka gets to relax in the teachers’ lounge) while students take over the classroom for fun and games. Use a custom fundraising page with a live goal bar to build excitement!
Farmer’s market
Approach a local farmer’s market with a sponsorship proposal and see if they can host a special fundraising event for your cause or dedicate a certain percentage of their Saturday morning profits to your campaign. Be sure to outline all of the perks that vendors can expect from the collaboration, like free publicity.
Superhero run
Charge an entry fee to participate in a costumed fundraising run. Encourage runners to raise even more for your cause through their own peer-to-peer fundraising pages, and award prizes for race winners, best super hero costumes, and most donations raised!
Parents’ night out
This fundraising event can be a fun gathering for parents—or a chance for grownups to drop off their kids for a few hours in exchange for a donation to your cause. Charge an hourly rate or flat “entrance fee” and give caregivers some priceless peace and quiet.
Board game night
Host a pay-to-play fundraising event where participants can compete against their friends in games like UNO or Sorry. Sell goodies for competitors to snack on to make this event extra sweet.
Postcard drive
Handwritten messages can make a huge impact on your fundraising by helping donors feel seen and appreciated. During your next campaign, have volunteers write and mail postcards to your contacts asking for support.
Add a modern twist by including a short URL that links directly to your fundraising page.
Used book sale
Reserve a space and ask your community to donate their gently used books for a cause. Set a price for each book and use scan-to-donate or Venmo to easily accept payments on the spot.
Virtual concert
Ask local musicians or bands to perform for a livestreaming audience and invite viewers to make donations or purchase tickets to attend virtually right on your event page.
Make sure to feature a donation thermometer on your page to encourage viewers to make extra donations and get you closer to your goal as they enjoy the music.
Pancake breakfast
There’s nothing like pancakes to bring a community together. Charge an entry fee for an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, or ask a local restaurant to sponsor the event to make it even sweeter.
Mystery art show
Invite local artists, students, and other enthusiastic community members to contribute small paintings or other works for an anonymous community art sale.
Charge an entrance fee and invite supporters to purchase pieces all at the same price—without knowing who their artist is until the end of the event!
Holiday wreath sale
Partner with a local nursery to sell holiday wreaths made of fresh greenery. Create a fundraising page where supporters can purchase them with ease.
Donut fundraiser
Some bakeries like Krispy Kreme sell their doughnuts at a discounted price to individuals and groups raising money for a good cause.
Create a fundraising page or donation form to promote your efforts and make it easier to sell your sweet treats with multiple payment options wherever you are.
Movies in the park
Invite your community to enjoy a summer movie series in the park. Screen a classic or trending film somewhere scenic, and sell popcorn, drinks, and other refreshments.
Sell tickets online, check guests in with your mobile app, and offer easy payment options like scan-to-donate for on-the-spot donations.
Beach Games
Ask participants to pay a small fee to register and raise even more funds by selling cold drinks and ice cream.
Dodgeball tournament
Put teams together and face off to see who truly is the best when it comes to dodgeball. Charge teams an entry fee, sell tickets to watch the games, and sell refreshments to raise even more funds.
Invite participants to set up team fundraising pages so they can also compete to see who can raise the most funds for your cause.
Apple bobbing
Set up a stall where people can try apple bobbing in exchange for a small donation. This activity works especially well as part of a fall festival or Halloween event with a range of seasonal activities for families to enjoy.
Holiday cookie sale
Whip up some sweet treats to sell at your next fundraising event, group gathering, or around town. Consider setting up a station for supporters to decorate their own cookies or create kits for families to bring home in exchange for a donation.
Streamline the buying process with scan-to-donate—which guest can use to make their payment instantly right from their phones!
Holiday movie marathon
With user-friendly fundraising event features for online ticket sales and in-person donations, organizing this event can be as easy as hitting play on your favorite festive film.
Frequently asked questions
What can kids make to give to charity?
Kids have plenty of options when it comes to crafting items for charity. Some of the best kid-friendly fundraiser ideas tap into their creativity, like designing t-shirts or baking tasty treats to sell at bake sales or fundraising events.
What are the most popular fundraising ideas for kids?
Car washes and lemonade stands are two great fundraising ideas for kids. Shoe drive fundraisers offer an easy way for kids to engage with local community members, while hosting a walk-a-thon in your local park gives them a chance to get active while boosting fundraising efforts through pledges, small donations, or sponsorships from local businesses.
Pro tip: Offering small prizes at the end can help keep motivation high!
What are some easy fundraising ideas for kids?
Easy kids' fundraising ideas require minimal resources or adult supervision. Game nights and read-a-thons, for example, are two great fundraisers for kids that keep things simple while still providing fun, memorable experiences.
What are the best fundraising ideas for kids with short attention spans?
For children with short attention spans, look for active fundraising events with activities that don’t take long to complete. Try water balloon fights, color runs, costume contests, or kids vs. grown-ups field days.
How do I keep both parents and kids engaged in the same event?
To keep everyone engaged when raising money for a cause, focus on fundraising campaigns that bring families together. Bonus points if there’s a little friendly competition—like a scavenger hunt, trivia night at a local restaurant, or a family-friendly talent show. Share updates and photos on social media, and use fundraising tools like team pages or leaderboards to keep excitement high.
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