21 Fun and Easy Fundraising Ideas For Kids

Raising money can be a great adventure for kids! It might be for a school fundraiser, a community project, or supporting a sports team, there are endless creative and simple ways for kids to get involved in raising money. 

These activities gather funds and teach kids crucial skills like teamwork, responsibility, and community involvement. In this blog, we will explore 21 fun and easy fundraising ideas suited for young fundraisers. 

Simple and Classic Fundraising Ideas For Kids

1. Bake Sale

One fun and easy way for kids to raise money is by holding a bake sale. Kids can bake these treats at home with the help of adults. Then, they can set up a table at a local park, outside a popular store, or at a school event to sell their baked goods.

To make money from a bake sale, you price each treat to cover the cost of ingredients and add a little extra for the fundraiser. 

For example, if a batch of cookies costs $5 to make and it makes 20 cookies, you might sell each cookie for $1. This way, every cookie sold helps raise money for a good cause.

2. Car Wash

Everyone likes a clean car, and many people are willing to pay for this service, especially when it supports a good cause.

To organize a car wash fundraiser, kids can gather in a visible, high-traffic area such as a school parking lot or a community center. They'll need buckets, soap, sponges, and water. They can advertise their car wash event by making posters and sharing the news online, in local community groups, and by word of mouth.

Here’s how kids can earn money from this: they can charge a set price for each car washed, like $5 or $10. Alternatively, they can ask for donations in any amount, which might encourage people to give more than a fixed price.

3. Lawn Services

Offering lawn services like mowing lawns or raking leaves is another excellent way for kids to fundraise. This idea works well because many homeowners need help keeping their yards tidy and are happy to hire young helpers for the job.

Kids can start by asking neighbors if they need lawn mowing or leaf raking services. They can set up a schedule and decide on a fair price for their work, such as $10 for mowing a small yard or $5 for raking leaves.

For safety reasons, kids under 12 should not operate lawn mowers. However, they can still participate by raking leaves or helping to clean up the yard. Older kids can handle the mowing with proper supervision.

Creative Fundraising Events For Kids

4. Carnival Day

Hosting a mini-carnival is a fantastic fundraising idea for kids because it combines fun, games, and food—all for a good cause. Carnival can be set up in a school yard, at a local park, or even in a large backyard.

To get started, kids can organize various game stations like a ring toss, a bean bag throw, or a mini-golf challenge. They can also set up food stands offering popcorn, hot dogs, and lemonade. 

Tickets for the games and food can be sold to raise money. For example, each game could cost one ticket, and a small snack could cost two tickets. Tickets might be sold for $1 each or 12 for $10.

5. Art Show

An art show involves children creating artwork that can be displayed and sold. It can be held at a local community center, school, or church hall.

Kids can create various types of art, such as paintings, drawings, sculptures, or crafts. Each piece of art can be priced to sell, depending on its size and the materials used. 

For instance, small paintings might be sold for $10, while larger or more detailed pieces could go for $20 or more.

Organizing an art show helps kids learn about art and gives them a platform to express themselves.

6. Talent Show

A talent show can be organized at a school auditorium, local theater, or community hall. Kids can perform acts like singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, or even doing magic tricks.

To fundraise through a talent show, an entry fee can be charged both for participants who want to perform and for those who come to watch. 

For example, it might cost $3 to enter the show as a performer and $5 for audience members. This way, everyone contributes to the fundraising effort.

A talent show is beneficial because it gives kids a stage to share their skills and gain confidence in front of an audience. 

Seasonal Fundraising Ideas For Kids

7. Pumpkin Carving Contest

A pumpkin carving contest is a festive and fun fundraising idea, perfect for the Halloween season. Kids and families can get involved by carving their own pumpkins and entering them into the contest. 

To participate, each entrant pays a fee, like $5, to submit their carved pumpkin. Everyone who comes to see the creative pumpkin designs can also pay a small entrance fee, such as $2. It helps raise more funds while allowing the community to enjoy the festive display.

Additionally, prizes can be awarded for the best carvings, adding excitement and a competitive element to the event.

8. Holiday Gift Wrapping

Many people find themselves busy during the holidays and might not have time to wrap presents. This is where kids can step in and offer their help for a small fee.

Holiday gift wrapping can be set up at a local mall, community center, or school event where holiday shopping happens. Kids can set up a table with wrapping paper, ribbons, and tags. They can charge a fee for each gift wrapped, such as $2 for small gifts and $5 for larger ones.

Gift wrapping is a good fundraiser because it serves a real need during a busy time.

9. Holiday Fun Run

A holiday fun run is a lively and healthy way for kids to raise money. It can be themed around any holiday, like a Turkey Trot at Thanksgiving or a Jingle Jog in December. Kids and families can run or walk together, making it a community-building activity.

To organize a fun run, kids can set up a course at a local park or school. Participants pay an entry fee, like $10, to join the run. To make it even more festive, participants can dress up in holiday-themed costumes.

Plus, local businesses can be asked to sponsor the event or donate goods for race day, like snacks and water.

Educational Fundraising Activities For Kids

10. Read-a-Thon

A Read-a-Thon is an excellent fundraising idea that encourages kids to read while raising money. 

In this event, kids ask family members, friends, or neighbors to pledge a certain amount of money for every page they read or for every minute they spend reading over a set period, like a week or a month.

To get started, each participant sets a reading goal and gathers pledges from supporters. 

For example, a supporter might pledge 10 cents per page or $1 for every 10 minutes of reading. At the end of the event, the total number of pages or minutes read is calculated, and the pledges are collected based on these totals.

11. Science Fair

Organizing a science fair is another educational way for kids to raise money. In this event, kids create science projects to display, and the community is invited to view and learn from these experiments. 

Participants can enter their projects by making a donation, such as $5 or $10.

To set up a science fair, find a space like a school gym or community center. Participants can sign up in advance, and everyone from the community is encouraged to attend. You could charge a small entrance fee for visitors who want to see the science projects.

12. Spelling Bee

A spelling bee event involves kids competing to spell words correctly. It's perfect for schools or community centers where kids can showcase their spelling skills. Participants pay an entry fee, like $3 or $5, to join the competition, and the audience can also pay a small fee to watch.

To organize a spelling bee, you'll need a list of words suitable for different age groups, a venue, and a few judges. 

You can gather prizes for the winners through donations from local businesses, which could include books, school supplies, or gift certificates.

Fun Competitions For Kids

13. Dodgeball Tournament

A dodgeball tournament involves teams competing in a friendly game of dodgeball, where they try to eliminate players from the opposing team by hitting them with a soft ball. Teams pay an entry fee, like $10 or $20, to participate in the tournament.

At the end of the tournament, you can arrange some sponsor gifts from local businesses for the winning team.

To set up a dodgeball tournament, you'll need a safe indoor or outdoor space, dodgeballs, and equipment to mark the playing area. You can also sell snacks and drinks at the event to raise additional funds.

14. Rubber Duck Race

A rubber duck race is a quirky and fun fundraising idea. 

Participants buy rubber ducks in this event, which are then raced in a local river or pool. Each duck is numbered, and participants can buy one or more ducks, typically for a small fee, like $1 or $2 per duck.

To organize a rubber duck race, you’ll need a safe waterway and plenty of rubber ducks. You can also secure permission from local authorities if using public waters. On race day, all the ducks are released at the same time, and the first one to cross the finish line wins. 

Prizes can be awarded to the owners of the winning ducks.

It's a low-effort event for participants, as they simply purchase ducks rather than needing to be physically present to compete. 

15. Cooking Contest

In a cooking contest, you can invite young chefs to showcase their culinary skills by preparing their favorite dishes. 

An entry fee can be charged for each participant who wants to cook, and a small fee can be charged for attendees who wish to taste the dishes.

To organize a cooking contest, you’ll need a venue with kitchen facilities or enough space for portable cooking stations. Local food businesses might be interested in sponsoring the event or providing ingredients. 

You can create categories like desserts, main dishes, or healthy snacks, and offer prizes for the best dishes in each category.

It’s important that kids do not operate stoves or any open fire and that all cooking is done under adult supervision. 

Community Engagement Ideas For Kids

16. Neighborhood Clean-Up

Organizing a neighborhood clean-up is a meaningful way for kids to help their community and raise funds at the same time. In this event, kids and volunteers come together to pick up litter, tidy public spaces, and beautify their local area.

To organize the clean-up, kids can enlist the help of a community center or local school to gather volunteers. They can also ask local businesses for support, such as donating gloves, trash bags, and snacks for the volunteers. 

Participants can seek donations from family, friends, and neighbors who want to sponsor their effort, either as a flat donation or based on the amount of trash collected, like 50 cents per pound of litter.

17. Pet Parade

A Pet Parade is a delightful fundraising event combining community spirit and animal love. 

Kids can invite pet owners to register their pets for a parade, where dogs, cats, and other friendly animals can strut their stuff in a fun, themed procession. A registration fee, such as $5 or $10 per pet, can be charged to raise funds.

Select a safe route in a local park or community area to organize the parade. Participants can dress up their pets in cute or funny costumes, and you might even offer prizes for categories like "Best Dressed" or "Most Creative." 

Partnering with local pet shops or veterinary clinics for support and prizes is a good idea.

18. Book Sale

A book sale event can be set up at a school, local library, or community center.

To start, kids can gather book donations from families, friends, and neighbors. They can organize the books by category, like children's books, novels, and non-fiction, to make it easier for shoppers to find what they're interested in. 

Each book can be sold for a small price, such as $1 for paperbacks and $3 for hardcovers.

A book sale not only raises funds but also promotes reading and recycling of used books. It's a great way for kids to learn organizational skills and responsibility as they manage the collection, sorting, and selling of books.

Using Technology for Fundraising

19. Online Gaming Tournament

An online gaming tournament is a modern and exciting way to raise funds. Kids can organize a tournament where participants compete in popular video games. Players pay an entry fee, like $5 or $10, to join the competition.

To set up this event, select a game that is popular and suitable for all ages involved. 

Ensure you have a reliable online platform or gaming system where everyone can connect and compete safely. You can also livestream the tournament to engage a larger audience and add a viewing fee or ask for donations.

This type of fundraiser allows participants to join from anywhere, expanding the potential number of participants beyond the local community.

20. Virtual Concert

A virtual concert event features performances by local student musicians broadcasted online, where viewers can watch and donate to support the cause.

To organize a virtual concert, gather a group of student musicians who can perform a variety of music, ensuring there’s something for everyone. 

For hosting the concert, BetterWorld is an excellent choice. It’s a platform that offers real-time, perfectly synced virtual events, ensuring that donors can enjoy a seamless experience no matter where they are located. Plus, it’s free, so kids don’t need to spend any money to use it.

Promote the event through community groups, schools, and social media to attract a wide audience. Viewers can be encouraged to donate a suggested amount, like $5 or $10, to access the live stream. 

21. Crowdfunding Campaign

Last on the list of fundraising ideas for kids is a crowdfunding campaign. This digital campaign allows kids to share their fundraising goals online and collect donations from a wider audience.

To launch a successful crowdfunding campaign, kids can use BetterWorld, a platform designed specifically with ease of use in mind. 

It’s perfect for those who aren't tech-savvy, thanks to its user-friendly design and easy-to-reach customer service. Best of all, it’s free to use, so kids can focus on raising funds without worrying about costs.

Kids can create a campaign page where they explain their goals and how the funds will be used. They can share this page through social media, email, and other online channels to reach potential donors. 

Encouraging personal stories and clear objectives can make the campaign more engaging and likely to attract support.