Events
20 Back to School Event Ideas for Schools and PTAs

20 Back to School Event Ideas for Schools and PTAs

Back to school event ideas move from “someday” to “right now” faster than most organizers expect. By midsummer, many PTAs and school groups are already choosing dates, reserving spaces, recruiting volunteers, and deciding what fits their budget.
This list includes 20 back to school event ideas for schools and PTAs, organized by event type. You’ll find school-wide events, welcome activities, school spirit builders, and fundraisers, along with practical tips to make each one easier to organize. We’ve also included resources for collecting payments, managing sign ups, and staying organized from planning through event day.

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How to Run a Concession Stand: Ultimate Guide & Checklist

How to Run a Concession Stand: Ultimate Guide & Checklist

Ready to serve up fan favorites that make the crowd go wild? Learning how to run a concession stand is your ticket to a wildly successful game day, school event, or nonprofit fundraiser. With a little upfront organization, you can transform your booth into a buzzing hub of excitement and a major moneymaker for your team or club that parents and volunteers will absolutely love working at.
This complete guide walks you through every step of setting up a concession stand for schools, booster clubs, youth sports teams, and fundraisers. You’ll receive all of the best concession stand tips, including how to pick your menu, recruit and schedule volunteers, handle payments smoothly, and avoid the mistakes that cost groups money every season.
Whether this is your first concession stand or you’re overhauling a tired setup, you’ll leave with a complete process, including a helpful concession stand checklist, that you can hand off to next year’s organizer.

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7 Different Types of Fundraisers (With 50+ Proven Examples)

7 Different Types of Fundraisers (With 50+ Proven Examples)

If you’re tired of defaulting to the same bake sale year after year, then it might be time to explore the many types of fundraisers that will help you reach your fundraising goals.
One fundraiser format can’t do everything. Some raise fast cash, others build long-term donor relationships, and a few quietly generate revenue with almost no volunteer hours.
When you understand the different types of fundraisers available to your organization, it opens up dozens of possibilities you’ve probably never considered!
This guide breaks down seven main fundraiser types and pairs each one with proven examples you can adapt to your group’s size, budget, and goals. Ready to get started?Truth bomb: relying on one single type of fundraiser can limit your reach and exhaust your donor base over time.

Whether you’re a group leader in charge of raising funds for your community or a nonprofit organizer building a fundraising plan, it’s no secret that a mix of fundraising strategies can help you build a more resilient and sustainable financial foundation for your organization’s long-term goals.

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The Best Fundraising Event Planning Guide + Template

The Best Fundraising Event Planning Guide + Template

Fundraising event planning can feel chaotic! Too many group texts, not enough lead time, and a race to find last-minute volunteers leaves many organizers with a headache. Sound familiar?

Luckily, there are tactics you can use to avoid common planning mistakes. For example, a fundraising event planning template gives your whole team the same starting point and keeps you organized from the get-go.

Whether you’re a first-timer organizing a school fundraiser or a seasoned nonprofit volunteer tackling your fifth annual gala, this guide walks you through planning a fundraising event from locking in your date to wrapping up after the event.

You’ll get a practical checklist and timeline for fundraising event planning, as well as specific guidance on the best fundraising event management platforms that keep everything on track. Let’s get started!

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Fall Activities for Preschoolers: 20+ Classroom and Outdoor Ideas for Ages 3–5

Fall Activities for Preschoolers: 20+ Classroom and Outdoor Ideas for Ages 3–5

Fall is one of the easiest seasons to make exciting for preschoolers. The colors, the textures, the smells. But if you are a teacher building out a fall lesson plan or a parent trying to fill a few October afternoons, the challenge is finding fall activities for preschoolers that are achievable for ages 3 to 5.
Preschoolers do not need elaborate activities. They need interesting materials, a little space, and permission to explore. Everything on this list is designed with that in mind.
Classroom autumn and fall activities work best when they tie into something kids are already learning. Counting, sorting, color recognition, and fine motor skills all have natural fall connections. Here are seven ideas that pull double duty as both fun and educational.

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Preschool Fall Festival Ideas: Games, Activities, and Booth Ideas for Little Learners

Preschool Fall Festival Ideas: Games, Activities, and Booth Ideas for Little Learners

Fall festivals are one of the best events on the preschool calendar. Kids arrive in their coziest outfits, teachers get to see big personalities light up, and the whole school community comes together in the best way. But planning a festival for 3- to 5-year-olds takes a different approach than planning one for older kids. The games need to be simpler. The booths need to be sensory-friendly. And the whole thing should feel like pure fun, not competition.
This guide covers age-appropriate games, booth ideas, fundraising tips, and practical planning advice for teachers and parent volunteers running a preschool fall festival this season.
Preschoolers are in a sweet spot for fall festivals. They love sensory experiences, simple repetitive activities, and the excitement of something that feels special. A well-designed festival gives them exactly that, without the pressure of rules they can’t follow or wait times that are too long.
The key is keeping expectations age-appropriate. Most kids ages 3 to 5 are not ready for elimination games, complex instructions, or long lines. But give them a pile of leaves to jump into or a pumpkin to decorate, and you will have their full attention.

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