Many PTAs across the region are finding it harder than ever to come up with fresh fundraising ideas and there’s only a month to go.
The cost of living crisis means there’s only so much that can be asked of parents, carers, pupils, and even the local community, who already give so much of their time, energy, and money to support their schools. At the same time, school staff are under increasing pressure, and PTAs are keen to find ways of raising funds that are low-cost, easy to organise, and enjoyable for families without creating extra burdens.
So, we’ve come up with fun and affordable Halloween fundraising ideas that are low-cost, family-friendly, and won’t break the bank:
- Pumpkin decorating contest
Families bring their own pumpkins (or make paper/cardboard versions if too pricey). Small entry fee (50p–£1). Display them at school for judging, with small prizes (donated if possible).
- Frightful fancy dress day
Pupils pay £1 to come to school in costume (or with a simple “spooky accessory” like a hat, mask, or face paint to keep it inclusive). Teachers can join in for extra fun!
- Spooky cake sale
Parents and carers donate their bakes (biscuits, buns, fairy cakes with Halloween themes). Keep prices low (20–50p per item) so all children can join in.
- Halloween disco (after school)
Charge a small entry fee (£2–£3). Keep costs down with homemade decorations and Spotify playlists instead of hiring DJs. Sell squash, popcorn, and crisps for extra funds.
- Trick-or-Treat treasure hunt
Hide paper pumpkins, ghosts, or bats around the playground. Kids pay 50p–£1 to join the hunt and win a small sweet-treat at the end.
- “Guess how many sweets in the Jar”
Classic, low-cost game. Charge 20–50p a guess. Winner gets the jar and its yummy contents!
- Scary story time
Teachers or older pupils read short spooky (but age-appropriate) stories. Children pay a small fee to attend (like 50p–£1), maybe bring a blanket and torch or school provides battery powered candles for extra effect.
- Halloween movie night
Screen a family-friendly film in the school hall (“Casper”, “Hotel Transylvania”, “Coco” and suchlike). Small entry fee (£2–£3) and sell popcorn/snacks.
- Window display walk
Instead of costly pumpkin carving, invite local families to decorate windows/doors with spooky displays and create trail maps for children to complete and find clues. Sell trail maps for £1–£2.
- Sponsored Halloween challenge
Why not try something different like a Sponsored spooky walk, silly costume relay or pumpkin roll race? Pupils gather sponsorships (even 50p–£1 each adds up).
Tips to keep costs low:
Ask local shops for small prize donations (sweet bags, vouchers). Reuse school decorations year after year. Keep inclusivity in mind; allow free participation in some activities so no one is left out.
Bundle activities together (e.g., disco + bake sale + “guess the sweets”) for bigger impact.
A quick way to earn cash for your school if your PTA struggling to find ideas for spooky fundraising ideas this Halloween is to install one of our FREE textiles recycling bins on your school grounds!
Just donate pre-loved clothes, paired shoes and household textiles and your school could earn a much-needed £400 per tonne for reusable donations. That’s 40p per kilo which is the best market price around. By simply the bin full of out-grown and unwanted garments, unclaimed lost property, or clothing cleared out from your wardrobes and cupboards at home, you can get a cash sum paid directly to your school – and the best bit is, if the market price increases, so does what we pay you!
Together we can work towards giving donated textiles a second lease of life and keeping it out of landfill. We hope you can use some of our ideas and if you’d like to have a FREE school branded recycling bin installed on your grounds for donations all year round contact us today to start your own recycling fundraiser.
Let’s work together to turn clothes into cash! Contact our friendly team today to get started with your free branded recycling bin and discover just how easy it is to make a difference and inspire the next generation to recycle, reuse, and reimagine a better future.
Blog written by www.wendyjenningscreative.co.uk
KIDS JUST RECYCLE
