15 Low Cost and Effective Preschool Fundraising Ideas 2024

Preschool fundraising is like planting seeds for a garden.  It's not just about raising money; it’s about building connections, sparking creativity, and creating a strong foundation for your little ones to grow.  Good soil for your little plants! It’s a way to support the kids while bringing parents, teachers, and the local community together.

In this blog, we’ll share some affordable preschool fundraising ideas that can still make a big impact. Let’s find the perfect fundraising idea for your preschool!

1. Artwork Auction

Think about the little masterpieces your preschoolers create with their tiny hands! An artwork auction is a fun way to turn their creativity into a successful preschool fundraising event. 

First, set up an art day where the kids can paint, draw, or craft something special. You can also ask parents to help with projects at home. Once you have enough artwork, display it in a simple gallery-style setup in the school or online. 

This is one of those easy fundraising ideas for daycares or kindergartens that doesn't require a lot of resources – just some art supplies and a bit of time. The kids’ creations will do the rest! 

Pro Tip: Offer a "Buy It Now" price for each piece of art. This way, families who don't want to bid can still support the cause and ensure they get their child's artwork. 

Host your online auction for free at BetterWorld and keep all the funds you raise! Request a demo today to find out more.

2. Storytime Marathon

Turn a cozy storytime into a preschool fundraising event!

Gather a collection of favorite children’s books and invite parents, teachers, and even local community members to take turns reading. You can host the marathon in your preschool's library or a classroom, with each reader signing up for a 15-30 minute slot. 

Families can pledge donations for every hour read or sponsor specific readers.  To keep the event engaging, add interactive stories or a theme, such as a pajama party.

This idea works well as a small-scale event, which makes it perfect for fundraising ideas for small preschools. 

Pro Tip: Set up a snack and refreshment stand during the event. Parents can also donate goodies to sell, adding an extra layer of fundraising without much effort.

3. Preschool Talent Show

A preschool talent show is a fun way to celebrate the unique abilities of young children while raising funds for your preschool. It’s one of those preschool fundraising ideas that can be simple and impactful.

Start by inviting the kids to participate with any talent they’re excited to share. It could be anything from singing a favorite song to showing off a silly dance or telling a short story. 

Keep the performances short to maintain the audience’s attention and ensure every child feels comfortable and supported. You can hold the event in your school’s gym or a classroom and charge a small fee for family and friends to attend. 

Pro Tip: To make the event even more memorable, consider recording the performances and offering the videos to parents for a small donation. 

4. Parent-Child Craft Night

A parent-child craft night event is all about creativity, connection, and fun, making it one of the best preschool fundraisers that’s both engaging and low-cost.

Choose a craft project that’s easy for parents and children to do together, like making holiday decorations or personalized picture frames. Set up crafting stations with all the necessary supplies and have a few volunteers to assist with the projects. 

Charge a small participation fee, which can cover the cost of supplies and contribute to your preschool fundraising goals. You could also offer light refreshments or snacks to make the evening more enjoyable.

Pro Tip: Encourage families to bring their own crafting supplies as a donation. It keeps costs down and adds a personal touch to the night. 

5. Mini Sports Day

Turn a regular day of fun into a preschool fundraising event with a mini sports day. 

Organizing it is pretty simple. Set up a few simple activities like sack races, relay races, an egg and spoon challenge, or even a toddler-friendly obstacle course. You don’t need fancy equipment—just some space and enthusiasm. 

Invite families to cheer on their little athletes and ask for a small participation fee or donations. To make it more exciting, you can offer ribbons or small prizes.

Pro Tip: Consider having parents join the fun by organizing a parent-child race or activity. This will increase participation and add a layer of family bonding.

6. Book Fair

Book Fairs can be perfect for combining education with fundraising. It’s a win-win—kids get excited about new books, and you raise funds for your preschool.

To get started, partner with a local bookstore or collect book donations from families. Set up tables in the school gym or a large classroom and organize the books by age group or genre. 

Invite families and the local community to browse and buy. You can also include a “gently used” section for affordable options. 

Pro Tip: Consider adding a “Story Corner” where a teacher or volunteer reads aloud to the kids. This will create a warm atmosphere and encourage families to stay longer, increasing the chance of more book sales during your preschool fundraising event.

7. Fundraising Products

Did you know school groups raise more than $1.5 billion every year selling products? That’s a big number, and your preschool can get in on the action too. (Source)

To make this work, choose products that families and the community will actually want, such as custom t-shirts, tote bags, or even tasty treats. The key is to keep it simple. Send order forms home with the kids, set up an online store, or even sell products at a school event. 

This type of fundraising is tried and tested, making it one of the best preschool fundraisers.

Pro Tip: Focus on products with a personal touch, like items featuring the school’s name or mascot. People are more likely to buy when they feel a connection.

Don't forget to check out our guide on How to Plan Successful Fundraisers for Schools. 

8. Outdoor Movie Night

A movie night is one of the classic preschool fundraising ideas and works well even for kindergarten and daycare. 

Start by picking a popular movie that will appeal to kids and parents. You can rent a projector and screen, or if you’re on a budget, use a large blank wall as your screen. 

Set up in a spacious area like the school playground or a local park. Ask families to pay a small fee to attend and bring their own seating. To add to the fundraising, sell popcorn, drinks, and snacks during the movie. 

Pro Tip: Partner with a local business to sponsor the event in exchange for some promotion. It can help cover costs and increase your fundraising total

9. Garden Day

Transform an area of the schoolyard into a lively garden with the help of your preschool community. Garden Day is a hands-on, feel-good way to raise funds while teaching kids about nature.

To set it up, invite families to bring plants, seeds, or gardening tools. Spend the day planting together, creating a space that the kids can watch grow over time. 

You can ask for a small donation for each plant or even sell the produce later in the season. It’s a simple yet effective approach to preschool fundraising that leaves a lasting impact.

Pro Tip: Add a photo station where families can take pictures with their garden creations. Offer prints or digital copies for a small donation.

10. Themed Dress-Up Days

Kids love any excuse to wear something fun, so why not use themed dress-up days as a fundraising opportunity? Themed dress-up days are a simple yet exciting way to bring in funds without much hassle.

Start by picking a few themes—like pajama day, superhero day, or crazy hair day—and schedule them throughout the year. 

To participate, ask families for a small donation. You can even add a little competition by offering a prize for the most creative outfit. 

Pro Tip: Add a themed photo booth on dress-up days. Charge a small fee for families to snap a picture of their child in costume. It’s a simple add-on that can boost your fundraising efforts while giving parents a cute keepsake.

11. Preschool Carwash

Kick off a fantastic fundraising event with a preschool carwash! 

First, choose a location that’s easy for people to access, like a school parking lot or a nearby community center. Once the spot is set, gather supplies like buckets, soap, sponges, and towels. 

Have parents and teachers team up to wash the cars while the preschoolers help by holding signs or handing out supplies. To attract more cars, have the kids make colorful signs to hold up near the road. You could also play some fun music to grab attention.

Pro Tip: Combine the carwash with a small bake sale or snack stand. This will give drivers something to enjoy while they wait and add another fundraising stream to your event.

12. Sensory Play Day

Celebrate a day when every color, texture, and shape becomes part of a fun learning experience. A sensory play day can be a magical and engaging fundraiser for curious little learners. 

Create sensory stations featuring water play, sand tables, play dough, bubble wrap, and rice bins. Each station should offer a unique tactile experience. Remember to include activities that stimulate all five senses. 

A sensory play day provides an enriching environment for kids and is also one of the best preschool fundraisers because it directly involves educational play. 

Pro Tip: Charge a small entry fee for families to participate and consider selling sensory kits that parents can take home. These kits can include items used during the event, allowing the sensory fun to continue at home.

13. Fundraising Competition

Turn up the excitement with a peer-to-peer fundraising competition! This preschool fundraising idea uses the power of community by encouraging families to work together towards a common goal. 

It’s perfect for those who love a little friendly competition and want to make a big impact.

Start by signing up on BetterWorld for FREE.  Each child or family can create their own fundraising page. The goal is for each participant to reach out to friends, family, and neighbors to collect donations. 

To add excitement, you can turn it into a competition by offering small prizes to the top fundraisers or the class that raises the most money.

Pro Tip: Kick off the competition with a special event, like a launch party or a fun day at the school. This gives families a chance to gather, celebrate their community, and get pumped up about the competition.

14. Nature Walk Fundraiser

Invite your community to step into nature and support a great cause with a nature walk fundraiser. 

Start by choosing a local park or nature trail that is safe and accessible for families with young children. Then, set a date and map out the route, ensuring it is suitable for little legs. 

You’ll want a path that is not too long but offers plenty of interesting sights. Next, you can register participants by setting up a simple online sign-up where families can join. You can ask for a registration fee, which is the primary way to raise funds.

Make the day special by having themed checkpoints along the way. At these checkpoints, children can learn about different plants, animals, and local history. Volunteers can man these stations, providing snacks or water and sharing knowledge about each spot.

Pro Tip: To add value, contact local businesses for sponsorships or donations.

15. Preschool Cookbook

What if you could turn your preschool’s favorite recipes into a keepsake that also raises funds? A preschool cookbook does just that.

Start by inviting parents, teachers, and kids to contribute their favorite family recipes. These could be anything from simple snacks to cherished holiday dishes. 

Once you’ve gathered enough recipes, organize them into sections like breakfast, lunch, and treats. You can also add a special section for fun, easy-to-make recipes kids can help with.

Use online tools to design and print the cookbook to keep it manageable. Plenty of user-friendly platforms make it simple to create a professional-looking book without spending too much. Once your cookbook is ready, you can sell it to families, friends, and even at local events. 

Pro Tip: Add a personal touch by including illustrations or artwork from the kids throughout the cookbook. 

Make Preschool Fundraising Fun and Easy with BetterWorld

We understand how important it is for your preschool to raise funds, which is why BetterWorld offers an easy-to-use online tool specifically designed for schools and PTOs.

Setting up your preschool fundraising at BetterWorld takes only a few minutes. It's an easy and convenient way to receive funds and manage your fundraising efforts all in one place. 

The best part? BetterWorld is free to use, so you keep all the money you raise.

It doesn't matter if your fundraiser is in-person, virtual, or a mix of both. Just share your campaign link, and you're ready to start raising funds right away.

Sign up for free to turn your preschool fundraising ideas into successful campaigns!