15 School Fete Ideas to Make Your Event a Success

Organising a school fete is one of those jobs that sounds simple until you actually sit down and plan it. You need stalls people want to visit, activities that keep kids busy for hours, and enough variety to pull in parents, grandparents and the wider community. Get it right and you'll raise good money for the school while giving everyone a proper day out.

Below are 15 fete ideas for schools that work well whether you're running a small village school event or a bigger secondary school fundraiser. Mix a handful of these together and you'll have a fete that people actually look forward to each year.

Some of these ideas cost next to nothing and rely on donations from parents and local businesses. Others need a bit of budget and advance booking, particularly if you want entertainment that draws a crowd. A good mix of both keeps the day varied without putting too much strain on the school's fundraising committee.

1. Hire Inflatables and Bouncy Castles

Start with the one thing that gets kids running through the gates the moment the fete opens. Wacky World Hire supplies bouncy castles, obstacle courses and inflatable games for events across Preston, and booking one or two for the day gives you a reliable draw that keeps children entertained from start to finish. Options range from a simple bouncy castle for younger kids to bigger inflatables like the climbing wall or the Rock'N'Roll Gladiator Duel for older pupils, so you can pick something that suits the age range of your school.

Having an inflatable on site also frees up staff and volunteers. Once it's set up, kids queue up and play on their own, which means fewer parent helpers are needed to run games and more hands are free for the stalls that need constant attention, such as the cake stand or the raffle table.

2. Book a Mascot for Photos and Meet-and-Greets

Alongside the inflatables, a costumed mascot adds something extra for younger children. Wacky World Hire also runs a mascot hire service with a wide range of characters, so you can book a couple of favourites to wander the fete, pose for photos and say hello to pupils. It's a small addition that makes the day feel more like an event and less like a standard fundraiser.

3. Run a Cake and Bake Stall

A classic for a reason. Ask parents to bake and donate cakes, biscuits and traybakes, then sell them by the slice or the box. Add a couple of allergen-free options so nobody misses out, and price things simply, such as fifty pence a slice, so volunteers aren't doing maths under pressure.

4. Set Up a Tombola

Tombolas are cheap to run and popular with both kids and adults. Ask local businesses and parents to donate prizes, from bottles of wine for the grown-ups to sweets and small toys for the kids. A one pound ticket for a guaranteed prize keeps the queue moving and the stall busy all afternoon.

5. Organise a Coconut Shy or Traditional Games Stall

Traditional fete games like the coconut shy, hook a duck or splat the rat bring a bit of nostalgia and don't cost much to set up. They're also easy for a single volunteer to run, which helps if you're short on helpers for the day.

6. Add a Raffle with Bigger Prizes

Sell raffle tickets in the weeks leading up to the fete as well as on the day itself. Bigger prizes, such as a family meal out, a spa voucher or a hamper donated by a local shop, tend to sell more tickets than small novelty items, so it's worth reaching out to businesses in your area early.

7. Run a Book and Toy Stall

Ask families to donate books and toys their kids have outgrown, then sell them cheaply on the day. It's a good way to clear out clutter for donating families, gives budget-conscious parents an affordable option, and adds another stall to the mix without much setup cost.

8. Set Up a Plant and Produce Stall

If any parents or staff are keen gardeners, a plant stall selling seedlings, cuttings and home-grown produce does well, particularly at spring or summer fetes. It also gives older members of the community a reason to stop by and browse.

9. Add Sports and Skill Games

Simple games like a beanbag toss, hoopla, or a football target board work well for a school fete because they're active without needing much space or equipment. Give out small prizes or stickers for a go, and you'll keep kids moving between the inflatables and the stalls.

10. Host a Guess the Weight or Guess the Name Competition

Guess the weight of the cake, count the sweets in the jar, or name the teddy. These games cost almost nothing to set up, work for all ages, and can raise a decent amount from a small pot of entries at fifty pence or a pound each.

11. Set Up a Photo Booth

A simple photo booth with props and a fun backdrop gives families something to do together and adds a nice keepsake from the day. It doesn't need to be fancy. A tripod, a printed backdrop and a box of hats and glasses will do the job.

12. Bring in Food Stalls and a BBQ

A BBQ, hot dog stand or pizza stall keeps people at the fete for longer, since nobody wants to leave when there's food on offer. Pair it with a drinks stall selling squash, tea and coffee, and you've got a solid food offer that covers most tastes.

13. Try a Dunk Tank or "Soak the Teacher" Stall

If your school has the space and a good sense of humour, a dunk tank where kids can pay to soak a teacher or headteacher in water is always a hit. It's the kind of stall that gets talked about long after the fete ends, and queues tend to form fast.

14. Add Live Music or a School Performance

A small stage with performances from the choir, a school band, or even a local musician gives the fete a bit of atmosphere and gives parents a reason to stick around between stalls. Keep sets short so the schedule stays flexible around the rest of the day.

15. Run a Treasure Hunt or Trail

A simple trail with clues hidden around the school grounds keeps older kids busy and adds a bit of structure to the day. Hand out a small prize, such as a sticker or sweet, for finishing the trail, and you'll give families a reason to explore the whole site rather than sticking to one corner. Themed trails linked to a book character or a school topic add a bit more interest, and teachers often enjoy helping write the clues.

Planning Tips for a Successful School Fete

A few points worth keeping in mind once you've picked your fete ideas for schools:

• Book big attractions early. Inflatable hire, mascots and entertainers get booked up fast during the busier months of the school calendar, so contact suppliers as soon as you've set a date.

• Balance free and paid activities. Some families will have less to spend on the day, so make sure there's plenty to do that doesn't cost extra, alongside the paid stalls that raise funds.

• Recruit volunteers early. Stalls need people to run them, so put a sign-up sheet out at least a month before the event.

• Plan for weather. Have a wet weather backup for outdoor stalls and check whether any inflatables need a covered space or a dry surface.

• Keep pricing simple. Round prices such as fifty pence or a pound make it easier for volunteers to handle cash and keep queues moving.

A good school fete comes down to variety. Mix a big draw like an inflatable or a mascot with a handful of classic stalls, add some food, and give people a reason to stay for a few hours rather than a quick visit. If you're looking to book entertainment for your event, Wacky World Hire can help you sort inflatables and mascots so you can focus on the rest of the planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best fete ideas for schools on a small budget? 

Tombolas, guess the weight competitions, book and toy stalls, and traditional games like hoopla all cost very little to set up. Ask local businesses to donate prizes and ask parents to donate items, and you can run a full fete with a small starting budget.

How much does it cost to hire a bouncy castle for a school fete? 

Prices vary depending on size and hire duration, but a standard bouncy castle typically costs between £60 and £150 for the day. It's worth getting a quote directly from a hire company, since prices depend on the equipment and how long you need it for.

How far in advance should we book entertainment for a school fete? 

Book inflatables, mascots and any outside entertainers at least four to six weeks ahead, especially if your fete falls during a popular time of year such as the summer term. Popular dates and equipment get booked up quickly.

What stalls make the most money at a school fete? 

Tombolas, raffles and food stalls tend to raise the most, since they appeal to a wide range of visitors and have a low cost per item sold. Cake stalls and bouncy castle or inflatable hire also do well when priced sensibly.

How many volunteers do we need to run a school fete? 

This depends on the size of your fete, but a good rule of thumb is one volunteer per stall, plus a few extra for setup, entrance and general support on the day. Larger fetes with more stalls and attractions will need a bigger volunteer team.