We have done a spring carnival for many years. We first select a theme(this year it's Our Town-family reunion). We then think up games or modify games we have used before to go with the theme. We will be basing our games on places and businesses in our community(the businesses will sponsor the booths) Some of the games are Aerobics at the YMCA/YWCA(hula hoop contest), the local bowling alley has a portable game they will bring, and a golf putting game sponsored by a miniature golf business. We are a railroad community so you will follow railroad tracks to the Game Depot. We have a beautiful park so the restaurant area will be Crapo Park and decorated with checked table cloths and hopefully an outdoor mural. Selecting a theme seems to really help us come up with ideas more easily.
We also buy our prizes through Oriental Trading and we ask for donations for our raffle, restaurant, and candy for prizes from local businesses. Last year the grand prize in our raffle was a trip for four to a St. Louis Cardinals game(airline tickets from our local airport and game tickets from a car dealer who has season tickets). Biggest tip-coordinate folks to be in charge of each area so things get done without confusion and duplication.
One of our biggest attractions/sellers is our Teacher Raffle table. We have a separate raffle table with large prizes (usually a PS2, DVD player, American Girl Doll, etc.) but the kids really like the Teacher Raffles.
Each teacher in our school decided what they are raffling off whether it be lunch with them in their room, a dance party in their room after school, being their helper for the day, etc. Our Principal even raffled off chances to throw pies in his face!
Each child pays a dollar per raffle ticket and then places the ticket in the teacher's raffle box of their choice. After the fair, we choose 1, 2, or whatever was specified prior names from each box and announce the winners Monday morning at school.
It's really neat to see what ideas the teachers come up with for their raffles, especially if they are creative!
We even go one step further and have teachers manning that Raffle Table at the Fair.
We've been doing our school Fun Fair for over 10 years, we have a budget of 7000.00, and have an enrollment of over 750. If you have any other questions, please feel free to email.
You guys are so lucky!!!! We have four teachers at our carnival at the most! :confused: I don't know why they don't participate more. PTO held a booth decorating contest and the class that had the most creative and decorative booth won an all expense paid trip to the IMAX Theater, and each student gets to take up to two guest. All paid for by the PTO. Still, just a couple of classes participated and that was because the parents did everything. I need all the help I can get to get these teachers more involved!
We have 450 students and our teachers are soooo supportive. Last year was our 1st year and they done their own booth knowing there would be one booth chosen to win $50 for each teacher. This year we have done so well with our fundraising that we thought it would be good to give them all the money that their booth raised but must be used in the classroom. They seem excited and so far no complaints!! PTO is serving dinner plates and having about 6 booths of our own so we will also make some money. Its all for the students so we don't plan to make alot of money. Just have fun! Good Luck!
AWatkins, How big is your school? We have around 500 students and this K-9. That idea is great about the teachers doing their own booth and keeping the profit for their own classroom. Did the teachers mind doing this? We have a lot of problems getting our teachers to participate.
This will be our 2nd carnival and we're right in the middle of planning!! We're doing the same as last year but adding somemore booths. We get all our prizes from Oriental Trading. Teachers pair up to create a booth and they get all the profit their booths brings in to be used in their classrooms. PTO will have a moonbounce, slide, rock climbing, base ball throw, glow stickes, hairspray painting, sale dinner plates, popcorn, nachos, pickles & drinks. Also, a radio station will be doing a live broadcast. Its alot of work but alot of fun. Teacher booths are 2 tickets (.50) and rentals are 4 tickets (1.00). Last year we made $6000 and this year we hope to do better. Our parents didn't realize how much we were going to have and so I hope this year and come more prepared with their pockets open!!! Good luck and try to have alot of help. You will need it!!!
