As everyone settles back into the routine of school, it’s time to start thinking about fall events. This time of year is perfect to kick off your school year and promote a feeling of community amongst families, raise some much-needed funds, and most importantly, have fun!
Start by choosing your event. Remember you don’t always have to go with the tried & true. If your school has a tradition of hosting the same event year after year, mix it up a bit and try something new. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Animal Extravaganza – Find a local farm or petting zoo to bring the animals to the school yard. Pony rides, petting zoo and Animal exhibits are a hit with kids of all ages.
- Pumpkin Carve-a-thon – sell pumpkins for a small fee. Have everyone carver or paint them. Give prizes for the most creative and scary. Sell Halloween or fall themed treats. The week of Halloween display ALL the pumpkins in the school yard. It can be a magical sight!
- Family Fitness Day – host a fun run, walk or bike-a-thon, hold jump rope competitions, basketball shoot-offs, or Frisbee throws. The sky is the limit. You’ll promote fitness and fun, and provide an alternative to the usual school events.
- Night at the Museum – see if a local museum would bring their display to your school. Or have each class create a display of art, science or history projects.
- Community Service – volunteer to do fall clean-up at a local park or trail, or even in your own school yard, then celebrate with a lunch and some fun activities
Planning tips:
- Set the date well in advance and get volunteers organized.
- Delegate, delegate, delegate. Don’t try to do it all yourself. One of the biggest mistakes event-planners do is trying to do it all themselves. Get parent and staff volunteers, even recruit kids to work the event. Check with local business and civic groups, that might be willing to donate prizes, goods or services.
- Consider selling treats and goods that can help make the event profitable for your school
- If you have a school store, this is a great time to open it up so parents and families can do some shopping.
Use these helpful free download carnival guide to help plan your event:
Remember to keep it simple and keep it fun. Don’t go overboard planning little details. Keep the goals in mind: promote community, raise funds and have fun.