You don't have to leave all of the fundraising ideas and all of the work to the adults. Kids, especially highschoolers, are great at coming up with innovative, new ideas. So, the next time you sit down for a planning session, invite some students to join you! We're sharing some communty service ideas and creative kid fundraisers that you might want to try at your next charity event.
When given the task of fundraising, kids are full of fun ways to raise money. Our friends over at Life is My Lemonade blog shared some of their recent fundraising activities. They are avid volunteers and community do-gooders.
First, task your students to come up with an action plan. Where will they begin? What is relevant for the season? Think about your community and what it may need. Below, we've listed a few creative kid fundraising ideas to share in your brainstorming sessions.
From Playground Projects to Real Support
Let kids’ creativity shine — and turn it into funding. Launch your auction so families and community members can bid on their dreams, not just donate.
Launch Your Kid-Powered AuctionMany children know they want to help out in their community, but they don't know where to begin. If you don't already have a cause, brainstorm with your students. The girls at Life is My Lemonade, volunteer at a local shelter. Following the "see a need fill a need" philosopy, they organized a birthday party project to fulfill a community service project.
Mothers at shelters don't have the luxury to buy wrapping paper, goodie bags, party hats, or presents. So, every few months, the girls put together birthday party packs for the Moms in local shelters. Often, items are donated from friends or others in the community who want to help, but that doesn't guarantee they'll hit specific goals for gifts by age range. To complete their very thoughtful community service project, they need to raise funds for good.
Thinking about the upcoming season, the girls decided to make scarves to sell and requested donations from friends and family members. Many crafters have extra yarn no longer needed or they have so much they are happy to donate some to a good cause. Ask the Grandmas! With all of the donations, the girls were able to make and sell over a hundred scarves!
With the profits from the scarf fundraiser, they were able to provide 40 Birthday Party Packs to their local women's shelter, but it wasn't nearly enough. With so many families living in the shelter, the need for birthday party packs was high. So, the girls planned a new fundraiser for the following year. Each girl pitched in and donated her own gently used clothing, outgrown toys and games, and books. With the funds from the garage sale, they purchased 45 additional party packs.
Seeing how beneficial the Birthday Party Pack fundraiser was for the shelter, and how much the girls gained from participating, several other groups including a local women's club, signed on to help the cause. To date, the project has donated 160 birthdays in a box to the shelter.
If a mother needs help decorating, the girls are happy to oblige, but one of the nicest things about this project is it gives the mother back some dignity. She can pride herself in knowing that though, on her own, she might not be able to afford to throw a birthday party with presents for her children, she can choose the gift wrap and presents most suitable for her child.
There are several kid community service projects that have become popular in recent years:
Shoeboxes for Kids in Need at Christmas
After your brainstorming session, be sure to let us know your ideas. What will you do to fund your cause?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a kid-led fundraiser?
A kid-led fundraiser is an activity where children help plan, create, and promote ways to raise money—building skills while supporting a cause. Adults provide structure, safety, and approvals.
What are some easy, low-prep creative fundraisers for kids?
- Change drive / penny wars with class jars
- Kindness grams (notes + small trinket)
- Artwork postcards or calendars
- Talent show or open mic with $5 suggested entry
- Read-a-thon or math-a-thon with pledges
What creative classroom or art projects raise funds and showcase kids’ work?
- Collaborative class canvas or quilt squares
- Student-designed greeting cards or stickers
- Photo booth portraits (student-run)
- Mini makers’ market (crafts, bookmarks, slime)
What active or outdoor fundraisers work well for kids?
- Fun run / color run with lap pledges
- Field-day challenge stations (sell “all-access” wristbands)
- Bike rodeo or scooter course (helmet required)
- Community clean-up with per-bag pledges
Any STEM or learning-positive fundraisers that kids enjoy?
- Egg-drop or bridge-building challenge (sponsor a team)
- Science fair night with “vote tickets” for People’s Choice
- Robotics demo day with tip jars for teams
- Spelling bee or chess ladder with pledges per win
What music or performance-based fundraisers are kid-friendly?
- Student showcase / coffeehouse
- Caroling or song-a-thon with pledges per song
- Teacher vs. students game night (sell tickets)
- Lip-sync battle with audience “vote dollars”
What virtual or online fundraisers can kids help lead from home?
- Online art gallery with “buy now” prints
- Livestream talent show with a donation link/QR
- Peer-to-peer pages where kids share why they care
- Digital read-a-thon tracker and sponsor shout-outs
How do we keep kid fundraisers safe and well supervised? (General information)
Use age-appropriate tasks, set adult-to-child ratios, provide safety briefings, and assign a visible station lead. For off-campus activities, follow your organization’s supervision rules. General information only.
What permissions do we need for photos and publicity? (General information)
Collect media consent per school/district policy, respect opt-outs, and avoid posting identifiable info for minors without permission. Use first names or initials as required. General information, not legal advice.
How should money be handled when kids are involved? (General information)
Use cashless options (QR to donate page) when possible. If cash is accepted, adults handle boxes and counts, with two unrelated adults verifying and logging funds. General information only.
How do we keep kid fundraisers inclusive and equitable? (General information)
- Offer free participation options; avoid pay-to-play barriers.
- Provide alternative tasks for different abilities and ages.
- Celebrate effort and teamwork, not just dollars raised.
General information only.
Any tips for bake sales or food-related kids’ events? (General information)
- Label common allergens and ingredients clearly.
- Prefer pre-packaged items; follow venue and district rules.
- Provide non-food options (crafts, experiences) to include everyone.
General information, not health or legal advice.
How should we price items or set suggested donations? (General information)
Use simple tiers ($1, $3, $5) and “pay what you can” options. Keep change handling minimal and encourage QR/wallet payments. General information, not financial advice.
Do we need approvals, permits, or to collect sales tax? (General information)
Rules vary by location and item type. Check school/district policies and local regulations, especially for raffles, food sales, or public venues. General information, not legal/tax advice.
What incentives motivate kids without overstressing competition? (General information)
- Class rewards (extra recess, spirit day, teacher stunt)
- Recognition boards and milestone badges
- Random prize drawings so all participants have a chance
Focus on participation and teamwork. General information only.
How do we promote kids’ fundraisers online safely? (General information)
Share from official channels, avoid posting schedules/locations tied to specific children, and use first names/initials per policy. Provide a short link/QR to a central page. General information, not legal advice.
What’s a simple timeline to launch a creative kid fundraiser fast?
- Week 1: pick idea, set goal, secure approvals.
- Week 2: recruit helpers, prepare materials, publish page/QR.
- Week 3: promote in classes and to families; open donations.
- Week 4: hold event, post results, and celebrate.
Which roles fit kids vs. adults during the fundraiser?
- Kids: greeters, sign makers, performers, runners, emcees.
- Adults: cashless checkout, safety supervision, logistics, vendor/sponsor liaison.
How do we measure success and report back to families? (General information)
Share total raised vs. goal, participation rate, and a short story of impact within 1–2 weeks. Include thank-yous to classes, volunteers, and sponsors. General information only.
Do you have a quick starter kit checklist for creative kid fundraisers?
- Pick one kid-friendly idea + set a clear goal and date.
- Get approvals; draft safety/permission notes.
- Create a mobile-first donate page + QR + short link.
- Prepare materials (signage, tickets, art supplies, badges).
- Promote in class and to families; celebrate and report results.
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