Preschool Fundraising Ideas: 14+ Ideas Families Love
Tuition’s high. Parent schedules are packed. And now you’re being asked to organize, or participate in, another fundraiser?
We hear it all the time from preschool directors and PTO leaders: “Our families want to help, but they’re overwhelmed.” It’s not that people don’t care.
Quite the opposite!
Parents do want to support their schools, but when every flyer feels like another thing on their to-do list (or worse, another hit to the wallet), the whole process starts to feel more like a burden than a boost.
Here’s the good news: fundraising doesn’t have to be frustrating.
With the right mix of fun, creativity, and low-lift ideas (plus a few clever tools that make life easier), preschool fundraising can become something families look forward to, not something they dread.
Let’s make fundraising fun again. Shall we?
Preschool Fundraising Ideas That Actually Work
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel to run a successful preschool fundraiser. The best ideas are the ones that blend creativity, simplicity, and a little kid-powered charm. Below are seven tried-and-true fundraisers that preschool directors and parents love (because they’re fun, easy to manage, and genuinely effective).
1. Alphabet Auction
This one’s a classroom favorite, and for good reason.
Each class picks a letter of the alphabet and builds a themed basket around it. Think “B is for Books,” “C is for Crafts,” or “T is for Treats.”
On family night, baskets are auctioned off to the highest bidder. It’s playful, interactive, and generates buzz both in and outside the classroom.
Bonus: teachers can weave it into the letter-of-the-week curriculum!
2. Read-a-Thon (With a Twist)
Parents love anything that makes their kids excited to read, and this fundraiser does exactly that. Students earn pledges for each book they read (or have read to them), and you can track progress with simple tools or even peer-to-peer platforms.
Want to boost momentum? Wrap it up with a pajama reading party and award certificates to every participant.
Literacy + fundraising = a winning combo.
3. Family Photo Day
Capture this fleeting season of sticky fingers and big grins! Hire a local photographer (many offer discounted rates for schools), set up seasonal backdrops, and offer packages parents can purchase as keepsakes.
Grandparents love gifting these, and digital downloads add extra profit with zero extra effort.
4. Little Chefs Cookbook
Nothing says “home” like a preschooler’s favorite mac & cheese recipe.
Invite families to submit their go-to meals (bonus points for stories or hand-drawn illustrations), then compile them into a class cookbook.
Print physical copies to sell or create a digital version for easy sharing. It’s a heartfelt fundraiser that celebrates your school community and fills the kitchen.
5. Preschool Pop-Up Market
Turn your school into a one-day marketplace! Host a craft fair, a mini bake sale, or even invite local vendors and makers to set up tables.
Families can shop while their kids do crafts or games, and you can charge booth rental fees, entry tickets, or take a percentage of sales. It’s a community builder, and a money-maker, all in one.
6. Silly Hat Parade
Kids get to design their own wild, whimsical headwear at home, then strut their stuff in a parade around the classroom or playground.
Families can vote with their dollars for “Wackiest Hat,” “Tallest Creation,” or “Best Use of Glitter.” It’s low-effort and high-laughs, and who doesn’t love that?
7. Tiny Theater Performance
Nothing pulls a crowd like preschoolers on stage. Whether it’s a short play, sing-along, or even a mini holiday pageant, parents are thrilled to buy tickets and see their little stars shine.
Add simple concessions, themed decorations, or even a digital recording families can purchase. The memories are priceless, but the fundraising dollars are real.
Fundraising Ideas That Don’t Target Parents (Because Not Everyone Can Donate)
We get it, parents already give a lot. Time. Energy. Tuition.
And when you stack fundraiser after fundraiser on top of all that? It starts to feel like too much. Some families just can’t donate every time, and that’s okay. The most inclusive fundraisers are the ones that don’t always ask your own community to do all the heavy lifting.
Here are four preschool fundraising ideas that bring in funds without putting extra pressure on already-stretched families.
8. Local Business Discount Cards
This fundraiser supports your school and your neighborhood economy.
Partner with local shops, restaurants, or service providers to offer small discounts (10–20%) in exchange for exposure on your school’s discount card.
Sell these cards to the broader community, parents’ coworkers, extended family, neighbors. Everyone loves a deal, and you’ll be surprised how far those $10–$20 cards can go when the value is clear.
9. Dine-Out Nights
This one’s a win-win-win: parents skip cooking, kids eat their favorite nuggets, and your school gets a check at the end. Many restaurants offer fundraising nights where a percentage of all sales tied to your school gets donated back.
Bonus: The restaurant usually helps promote the event. That means more foot traffic, more sales, and more fundraising dollars, without your team having to sell a thing.
10. Sensory Play Day (Community Invite)
Think of it as a mini carnival built around tactile play: bins of rice, kinetic sand, bubble foam, water beads, and finger paints. Charge a small entry fee for non-enrolled families and offer affordable take-home sensory kits as upsells.
Advertise it on local parenting groups, bulletin boards, or through neighboring daycares. When done right, this event feels like a gift to the community, and still raises money for your school.
11. Rummage Sale or Swap Event
Every family has a pile of gently-used toys, books, and clothes they’re ready to part with. Instead of asking them to buy something new, invite them to donate what they already have.
Then host a Saturday morning rummage sale or swap event and open it up to the public.
It’s a sustainable way to raise funds and get the whole neighborhood involved, no pressure on parents’ wallets required.
High-Energy, Low-Cost Events Kids Will Love
The best preschool fundraisers are the ones that feel nothing like a fundraiser.
When you tap into the natural energy, creativity, and wiggle-factor of preschoolers, you create events that kids adore, and families are thrilled to support. These high-impact ideas are low-cost, easy to run, and filled with moments you’ll want to frame on the fridge.
12. Obstacle Course Day
Turn your playground or gym into a pint-sized ninja course!
Use cones, cardboard boxes, pool noodles, whatever you’ve got on hand. Parents can donate to register their child, and you can offer add-ons like race bibs or medals for extra fun.
Want to turn up the excitement? Host a teacher vs. student relay and invite families to cheer (and maybe toss a donation into the “winner’s jar”).
13. Bubble-a-Thon
Simple supplies, major joy. Give every child a bubble wand or foam tray, and set a timer for full-on bubble madness.
Parents pledge per minute or per bubble (if you’re brave), and you can sell bubble kits for home use. It’s a favorite for outdoor spring days, and cleanup is just part of the fun.
14. Art Calendar Fundraiser
Let your preschoolers’ creativity shine month after month!
Choose one piece of artwork from each child, scan and compile them into a 12-month calendar. Families love these as holiday gifts, and you can even include school dates or birthdays.
Want to go the extra mile? Create custom versions labeled “Class of 2025” or add QR codes that link to classroom videos.
It’s a keepsake fundraiser that parents treasure, and proudly display all year long.
How to Make Your Preschool Fundraiser Succeed
See how Fun Pasta Fundraising helped Prince of Peace Preschool reach their goal
If you’ve ever thought, “We’ll be lucky to get a handful of families to participate,” let us introduce you to Sandra from Prince of Peace Preschool. Her team achieved 100% participation, yes, every single family, using just email updates and a few smart incentives.
Their secret? Clear goals, meaningful motivation, and a plan that respects families’ time. Here’s how successful directors are setting themselves (and their fundraisers) up to win:
Set a Specific Goal
Vague asks like “we need money for school stuff” don’t inspire action. But something concrete, like “We’re raising $1,500 for a new sensory wall in the preschool hallway”? That’s powerful.
When families know exactly what their efforts are supporting, they feel connected to the outcome. Share visuals, get kids involved, and update everyone as you get closer.
Use Incentives That Work for Parents and Kids
You don’t need to spend big to inspire big results.
Sometimes, a simple “hat day” or “pizza party for the top-selling class” is all it takes to get kids excited. Parents love incentives that feel meaningful, like free museum passes or water park tickets.
And yes, we’ve seen these little extras take a fundraiser from meh to amazing, fast.
Promote with Purpose
One of the biggest mistakes? Sending one flyer and hoping for magic.
Instead, break your messaging into friendly, short updates. Use email segmentation if you can: one message for families who’ve started selling, and another to those who haven’t jumped in yet.
Include progress updates, simple reminders, and little wins.
Kick It Off Right
First impressions matter.
Whether it’s a pasta fundraiser, a cookbook, or a calendar sale, show families what they’re supporting. Set up a table with product samples, let kids take home flyers, or send a quick video of what the end result will fund.
Why Fun Pasta Fundraising Works So Well for Preschools
“This was the easiest fundraiser we’ve ever run.”
“It didn’t melt like chocolate. And the kids LOVED the shapes.”
We hear feedback like this all the time, and not just from one preschool director. From coast to coast, Fun Pasta Fundraising has become a go-to favorite for preschool fundraisers because it checks every box: fun for kids, simple for organizers, and successful for schools.
Here’s why it works so well, especially in the preschool world:
Unique, Whimsical Shapes
Think animal shapes, ABCs, sports teams, holidays, you name it. These are not your grandma’s noodles. Our pastas are themed, colorful, and made to delight. They’re the kind of products kids love to show off and families love to gift.
Healthy, Shelf-Stable & No Melting
Unlike chocolate or frozen foods, our pasta doesn’t spoil, melt, or require refrigeration. That means no stress over delivery day, even in hot climates or during long school breaks.
Easy to Run Online or In-Person
Whether you prefer sending home order forms or running a fully digital fundraiser, we’ve got you covered. Each seller gets a custom online link so you can track sales by student, perfect for friendly competitions or classroom incentives.
No Upfront Costs or Minimums
No hidden fees. No “you must sell this many or else.” Whether you’re a large preschool or a small co-op, you can launch your fundraiser with zero financial risk.
Flexible Timing
Fall, spring, or anytime in between, our fundraisers are designed to fit your school calendar and your families’ schedules.
After 20+ years of partnering with schools, we’ve learned that the best fundraisers are profitable and fun. They make parents smile, they get kids excited, and they remind everyone why raising money together can be a good thing.
That’s what we’re all about.
Ready to Raise Money Without the Stress?
If you’re tired of fundraisers that feel like a chore, for you and your families, let’s flip the script.
With Fun Pasta Fundraising, you’ll get a preschool-friendly program that’s fun, easy to manage, and delivers results (without the meltdowns… or the melting chocolate).
✨ No upfront costs
✨ Kid-approved, parent-loved pasta shapes
✨ Simple online setup with tracked student sales
Whether you’re a first-time organizer or a seasoned PTO pro, we’re here to help you run a fundraiser your whole school will love.