PTA+ Events - Fairs

Design and build custom-made games and stalls

Custom-made games are guaranteed to give your summer fair the 'wow' factor. Creator, engineer and PTA chair Richard Brigg reveals how to build games that will leave a lasting impression, by Carol Rogerson

Top 10 summer fair games and stalls

Roll up, roll up for our big winners

Spring and summer main attractions

To draw bigger crowds and generate greater profits, shake up your spring or summer fair by calling in the pros, says Zena Alli

Look after your fair volunteers

Ensure that your volunteers keep on supporting you in years to come

Boosting support: Volunteers

It takes a lot of manpower to run a fair, so every volunteer counts - read our top tips on how to encourage people to sign up

Boosting support: Sponsors

Build relationships with local businesses and ease your outgoings by seeking sponsorship

Boosting support: Visitors

Visitors are crucial to a summer fair - attract more with a strong marketing campaign

All about fair prizes

It's one thing thinking up engaging and exciting game stalls for your fair, but what will you give away as prizes? Here's our guide...

Is your PTA buying toys safely?

Just because a toy is for sale in this country doesn't necessarily mean it conforms to UK safety standards

Top 10 refreshment stalls

Food and refreshment stalls are likely to be some of the biggest earners at your fair. Here are a few of the most popular ideas...

Stall ideas for visitors of all ages

Keep all your visitors happy - from toddlers to adults - with this selection of stall ideas, as recommended by PTAs...

Student-run fair stalls

Enlist the help of pupils to run stalls at your summer fair. Run a young enterprise challenge to boost competition

One-person game stalls

If you're struggling for manpower, these one-person game stalls mean you can have a lot of variety with limited volunteers

Year 6 enterprise stalls

Manpower can be a battle when it comes to PTA events, so enlisting the help of pupils is a fantastic way to spread the workload

Face painting tips

Children with faces decorated to look like fairies, tigers or superheroes are a PTA summer fair staple. Professional face painter Caz Robertson shares her advice on getting happy customers and managing the queue

May fair event ideas

Thinking about holding a May fair? These PTAs successfully raised funds while dancing round the maypole

Unusual fair games ideas

Bored with tombolas and hook-a-duck? Follow in these schools' footsteps and try something different

Summer fair success stories

PTAs share how they planned and organised sizzling summer fairs

Summer fair checklist

Take the stress out of planning the big day by crossing tasks off our handy checklist to make sure have everything covered

Always-updated guide to summer fair games and stalls

Our ultimate guide to the most popular and profitable games and stalls for your PTA summer fair

Plan a PTA summer fair

Here's our guide on how to organise the biggest, most complex event in the PTA calendar - the summer fair

Five ways to raise more at your summer fair

Holding a big event this summer? Pick and mix from our top five ways to increase your takings

Turn your fair into a festival

Take your summer event to the next level by incorporating elements of family-friendly festivals, says Daniel Etherington

Summer fair event logistics

Plan, control and manage your logistics to make sure everything runs smoothly on the big day says Carol Rogerson

Make your summer fair more sustainable

It's vital we all do our bit for the planet. Here's how you can raise funds at your summer fair while being more mindful of the environment

Summer fair publicity

Let everyone know about your summer fair with our publicity tips

Summer fair hacks

It's probably your biggest fundraising event, so how can you get even more out of it? Here are our top tips to reduce stress and increase profit

Add more to your summer fair

Make your summer fair even better by adding a competition, auction or mini-festival

Creative stall ideas for summer fairs

Hands-on, creative stalls will keep your audience busy and entertained for longer, pull in a profit and give the children a souvenir to take away

Summer fair themes

Giving your spring or summer fair a theme will add magic and excitement. It also makes it easier to come up with related stalls and attractions

Main summer fundraisers

Refresh your summer fair with these alternative school summer fair ideas

Summer fair prices: How much to charge

The prices you charge at your summer fair can affect profit, footfall and inclusivity. Here are our top tips on how to price various elements at your fair

Planning a Covid-safe summer event

If you're hoping to hold a PTA fundraising event this summer, Carol Rogerson looks at what might be possible as restrictions ease

Ideas for Covid-safe summer events

Pick and mix from our ideas to create the perfect summer celebration for your PTA

Ultimate Christmas fair food

Daniel Etherington whets our appetite with food inspiration for your Christmas fair

Christmas fair success stories

Get inspired for your own event with these Christmas success stories

Reindeer and snowman poop

Bags of edible reindeer and snowman poop are easy to make and guaranteed to make the children giggle. Read our guide to making profits from poop!

Always-updated guide to Christmas fair games and stalls

Choosing the stall and games is the best part of planning a Christmas fair. Get stuck in with our ultimate guide

Our guide to virtual Christmas fairs

Virtual fairs are looking like the way to go for 2021, and we're here to show you how to make yours amazing

14 Christmas fundraisers for socially distanced PTAs

If you're worried about holding in-person events, try an activity that doesn't need face-to-face contact

Christmas fair themes

Give regular stalls a facelift, and use your imagination to build up a theme and let new stall ideas roll on from there...

Christmas fair countdown checklist

The earlier you start planning your Christmas fair, the more time you and your team will have for your own riot of Christmas parties and shopping!

How to run Santa's Grotto

Visiting Santa at the Christmas fair is an exciting experience for children, so make it truly magical!

Grotto alternatives

A successful Santa's grotto can reign in a big profit, but are you keen to try something new for your Christmas fair this year? Take a look at these alternatives...

Making mulled wine

Having mulled wine at your Christmas fair is almost a given. Read advice from PTAs on preparing, heating and serving this festive drink

Does Santa need to be DBS checked?

The team at NSPCC provide child protection advice for PTAs running a grotto and searching for a Santa...

Last-minute Christmas fair ideas

Grab that extra profit with these simple last-minute fair additions!

Christmas fairs: From big to small

As your PTA starts to plan the Christmas fair, we look at three different-sized schools (from big to small!) to discover their tips and successes

Low-cost stalls

These stall and game ideas are ideal for keeping the PTA's costs down at your school's Christmas fair

Ready-made stall packs

Are volunteers in short supply? Stalls that require very little input, both in pre-fair preparation and on the day will be key for you...