30 Preschool Fundraising Ideas

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30 preschool fundraising ideas that are profitable and easy. Creative activities families love—from dinners to craft nights that raise real money. It’s part of running a home daycare. We all know it’s not a big money-making venture!

• Discover practical fundraising strategies designed specifically for preschools and daycare centers that engage families and build community support.
• Learn the key benefits of different fundraiser approaches so you can choose the option that works best for your program’s goals and resources.
• Get answers to frequently asked questions about running successful preschool fundraisers, from planning to execution.

Tips for Fundraising ideas for daycare

I hear providers say they would never do preschool fundraising, that they should provide all the supplies, but it costs a lot to provide care, and I want to keep some profit to support my family. I also know that schools do it for all of their programs and I see nothing wrong with parents helping out.

In the past when I’ve done a fundraiser, I told parents they could either participate in selling and making it a success or donate, whichever they preferred. And they all helped sell and participated. They were grateful I was doing something to make the daycare better.

Especially if you run a preschool program in your home daycare. The supplies for that are even more costly. And parents understand. You can have your group take orders out of a brochure and collect the money, or order a product and have them sell it in a preschool fundraiser.

Find an online goal calculator and use it to track your progress and keep everyone motivated. Have a fundraiser kick-off meeting or even do it in a Facebook event page. Plan a start and end date. Let parents know how much they each need to sell. Remind them a few days before the end to turn in their orders and money.

Daycare fundraising ideas

Here are some preschool fundraising ideas I’ve been playing around with and some of them I’ve already done.

• Grow vegetables in a school garden and sell the produce
• Save seeds from the garden to sell for next year’s seeds and plants. (I do this regularly on etsy, our store is here)
• Create an art calendar to sell. (Using children’s art, make a calendar and sell them at a profit)
• Sell t-shirts. You can design one and have it made and sell it for $5 more than it cost to have it made.
• Sell cookbooks (like these kid’s cookbooks we make). You can have them made on shutterfly or another service and then sell them for $5 more than what you paid.
• Fill a 2 liter bottle with dimes. I have heard it holds nearly $700!
• Hold a penny war. Let the kids collect pennies from everywhere and race to see what team gets the most. You can do a bedlam battle for sports or divide teams another way.
• Offer portraits for sale (book a photographer and make a split with them so each of you make profit)
• Have a bingo night
• Do a carnival and sell tickets
• Have a Karaoke night or talent show and charge entry fees
• Host a movie night and sell tickets
• Garage sale. Families can donate unused items.
• Sponsered night at a local restaurant. Sign up to earn a percentage of profits from what they sell that night and invite others to eat there.
• Maker day with classes to create crafts. Have some creative people host different classes that you charge a fee for.
• Make a slime factory. Let kids sign up and pay an entry fee and make tons of slime to play with. You could even do this outside.

Fundraising ideas online

• Silent auction. Have families donate something to auction off and have sign up sheets to bid on them.
• Corporate matching donation drive. Get corporations to match whatever donations you can collect. You’d be surprised what you can get businesses to help with.
• Have a read a thon. Make a pledge sheet, have people pledge per book and then read away!
• Have a trike a thon like the read a thon but let the kids make laps on their trikes.
• Have a walk a thon the same way.
• Pet walk a thon. Walk the pets for pledges.

Fundraising ideas food

• Bake sale
• Breakfast with Santa
• Cooking classes

Fundraising raffle ideas

• Raffle a prize such as an i-pod, big toy, tablet, childcare for a night out, home cooked dinner, or something like that.
• Raffle a free week of daycare.
• Raffle a gift basket.
• Raffle tickets to a sporting event, play, restaurant meal, etc.

I know you are inspired to get started on collecting for your big project or dream and one of these ideas is going to help get you there. I can’t wait to hear all about your success with your preschool fundraising!

Preschool fundraising can be a fantastic way to engage the local community, raise much-needed funds for classroom supplies or playground equipment, and have a little fun along the way. With a bit of careful planning and the right ideas, your next daycare fundraiser or preschool fundraising campaign can be both successful and memorable. It’s all about choosing easy fundraising ideas that connect with your school’s personality and community.

One of the best preschool fundraising ideas is a fun run or thon fundraiser. These events are a fun way to get the whole family involved while promoting physical activity. Charge a small participation fee, offer small prizes at the finish line, and even invite community members to cheer the kids on. Adding a personal touch like custom t-shirts or ribbons can boost school spirit and make the day even more meaningful.

Another great opportunity is to partner with local businesses for a community yard sale or plant sale. Families can donate items or plants, and proceeds can help fund field trips, art supplies, or other special events. You can also reach out on social media to help spread the word, increasing both attendance and donations from beyond your immediate school community.

For something a little more interactive, a scavenger hunt, pajama day, or Easter egg hunt at a local park makes for fun events that bring in donations through a small admission fee or ticket sales. These types of fundraising activities are engaging for young children, parents, and even elementary schools looking to support younger programs. Add face painting or snacks like ice cream to round out the experience.

An art auction or art sale is also a unique opportunity to showcase the creativity of preschool students. Invite families and staff members to contribute and bid on student artwork. This not only raises money but also strengthens community involvement and gives children a chance to shine.

Never underestimate the power of a penny drive. It’s a simple way to raise extra money with very little cost. Set a fundraising goal, offer a little friendly competition between classrooms, and celebrate the hard work once the goal is met. With the right place, the right ideas, and a lot of heart, your fundraising efforts can support a wide range of projects and help young learners thrive.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Fundraising can be a great way to support your preschool or daycare garden, classroom projects, special activities, or supplies, but a few mistakes can make it more stressful than successful.

• Choosing fundraisers that are too complicated. Keep it simple for families, children, and staff. If there are too many steps, deadlines, or products to manage, participation may drop.
• Setting unrealistic fundraising goals. Start with a clear, attainable goal and let families know exactly what the money will be used for.
• Putting too much pressure on families. Not every family has the time, money, or connections to participate. Fundraising should always feel optional.
• Forgetting about expenses. Consider the cost of supplies, fees, shipping, prizes, and other expenses when calculating how much the fundraiser will actually earn.
• Picking fundraisers that aren’t age-appropriate. Preschoolers can help decorate, plant, create, sort, or share, but adults should handle money, online sales, deliveries, and other complicated tasks.
• Trying to do too many fundraisers. Families can quickly experience fundraiser fatigue. A few meaningful, well-planned events are often more successful.
• Not communicating clearly. Give families simple information about the purpose, dates, prices, payment methods, and deadlines.
• Ignoring licensing or food-safety requirements. If you’re selling homemade food, plants, or other products, check any rules that may apply to your program.
• Making competition the focus. Avoid rewards that leave children feeling excluded because their family couldn’t sell as much as someone else’s.
• Forgetting to celebrate and say thank you. Share the results with families and show them what their support accomplished. A picture of the new garden beds, supplies, or project can make supporters feel like they were truly part of it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Preschool Fundraising

What are the best fundraising ideas for preschools?

The best preschool fundraisers are simple, inexpensive, family-friendly, and easy for young children to participate in. Plant sales, art projects, family events, bake sales, raffles where permitted, and garden-themed fundraisers can all work well.

How can a preschool raise money without selling products?

Consider hosting a family event, accepting donations, organizing a read-a-thon or walk-a-thon, offering a parents’ night out, or partnering with a local business for a fundraising event.

How can preschoolers participate in fundraising?

Young children can create artwork, decorate signs, plant seeds, make simple crafts, help prepare displays, or tell their families about the project. Adults should handle money, orders, and other responsibilities.

How much should we charge for preschool fundraiser items?

Prices should cover your expenses while still being affordable for families. Calculate your cost per item first, then choose a price that leaves enough profit to make the fundraiser worthwhile.

How long should a preschool fundraiser last?

For many fundraisers, one to two weeks is plenty. A shorter timeframe creates excitement and helps prevent families from losing interest or forgetting deadlines.

How do we get more families to participate?

Make participation easy, explain exactly what you’re raising money for, provide plenty of notice, and send a friendly reminder before the deadline. Avoid making families feel pressured to participate.

What can fundraising money be used for?

Funds can help purchase garden supplies, playground equipment, classroom materials, books, art supplies, field-trip expenses, special activities, or other resources that benefit the children.

Are there rules for preschool fundraisers?

There can be. Childcare licensing requirements, food-safety regulations, tax rules, raffle or gaming laws, and local ordinances may apply depending on the fundraiser. Check the requirements in your area before getting started.

How often should a preschool hold fundraisers?

A few thoughtfully planned fundraisers throughout the year are usually better than constantly asking families to participate. Choose fundraisers that have a clear purpose and provide real value to your program.

How do you thank families after a fundraiser?

Tell families how much was raised and, most importantly, show them what their support accomplished. Photos of the new garden, equipment, books, or supplies help families see the difference they made.

If you still need to produce more income, check out some of these side hustles for daycare providers to get you through the lean times.