Ten amazing fundraising ideas for kids

Fundraising is for people of all ages. But it is particularly fun when involving kids. So, why not give parents a break, give the kids something excited to do, and give back to charity at the same time?  

 

Here we run through ten brilliant fundraising ideas for kids, all with a few tips on how to make the most of them. 

 

 

1. Treasure Hunt

 

A treasure hunt should preferably take place on a treasure island and should involve pirates. If you’re unable to find a treasure island or pirates, then just do it in the local park, or town hall, or anywhere else where you can get permission at a low cost. 

 

Ask people to donate to join. And, as ever, pop some additional fundraising options around with QR codes, numbers for text-to-donate, and even tin buckets. Perhaps get the people holding the buckets to dress as pirates.  

 

And remember, treasure hunts can be virtual, with people leaving clues to follow around the Internet. You can create your own with a little ingenuity, some reliance on Google Maps, fundraising buttons, and a lot of patience. 

 

 

2. Game night

 

Game night is the most basic of all fundraising nights. For the physical game night, simply get some board games together, ask for donations for entrance fees, then sell soft drinks on the night. You could ask for kids and adults to get involved, so find games that both find enjoyable.  

 

For older kids, you could rent arcade games or find classic consoles and put on a retro games night. Get the classics, from Donkey Kong to Mario Kart, and put on various challenges and competitions to keep spirits high. 

 

Remote virtual games nights are even simpler. Pick an appropriate game online, perhaps using an app, find some kids and parents who want to play, join together for an evening on Zoom or another videoconferencing platform, and ask for donations.  

 

Alternatively, you could go full Gaming for Good, streaming yourself playing and asking viewers to donate money. For more information on Gaming for Good, check out some of the below articles: 

• Gaming for Good: the landscape for 2022
• Gaming for Good: the best games to raise funds
• Gaming for Good: how to connect with influencers

 

3. Lemonade stand

 

It is a classic and it raises money for charity. Choose your location, preferably somewhere where people walk, preferably somewhere away from other shops, supermarkets, and other lemonade stands.  

 

Then make some lemonade. There are loads of great recipes online, but you probably don’t need them. Just do lemon, sugar, water, and mix until perfect. It is as simple as that. 

 

Consider adding some other treats, too. Bake some brownies or cakes, perhaps throw in some shop-bought chocolates and charge excess. Make sure your stand looks great and perhaps consider advertising on Facebook and other places to bring in local customers. 

 

4. Easter Egg hunt

 

Ask shops to donate chocolate and ask vendors to serve food and drink. Get older kids to hide the eggs so that you do not have to, offering payment in the form of chocolate. Then ask younger kids to start hunting. 

 

Make the hunt an event by adding loads of other fun activities, including face-painting, raffles, and other village fete-style games, like the one where you fish for a duck. 

 

 

5. Art attack

 

Run an art competition in local schools, community centres, youth clubs, churches, or communal spaces, and ask kids to submit their paintings, drawings, sculptures, and other masterpieces. If you really want to challenge, pick a theme for the event. 

 

Have someone judge the competitors, offering various small prizes for some of the painters that took part.  

 

Consider making the paintings come to life with an exhibition for the contributors and parents. Hang up the art and offer canapés and glasses of orange juice in flutes.

 

Consider auctioning the pieces, with all proceeds going to charity. You can do that in-person, with a gavel and some fast talking, or you can host a virtual auction.