The summer fete is usually THE big event in the PTA calendar. With a little (or usually a lot of) planning and some great entertainment, your summer fete is sure to be one to remember! We thought we would help you out by providing some summer fete ideas that you can start using.

1. A big ticket activity

Having one big ticket activity or game is sure to excite your community. Last year, when running my child's local school summer fete, we opted to hire two fairground rides; one suitable for younger kids and one more suited to the older kids. It was a bit of a hit on the budget but these summer fete ideas usually prove to be a massive crowd pleaser!  You can also set your ride price to cover your costs, meaning you should be able to make your money back at least.

This was by far our biggest success last year. Although these types of fete ideas are a bit more expensive upfront, you usually have someone from their company running the activity on the day, freeing up staff to focus on other things.

A trend that has been appearing at school fetes recently is a circus. Many companies offer a few shows in a circus tent on school grounds. This is becoming popular because they provide all the entertainment, while all the school has to do is advertise, sell tickets, and provide food and refreshments - which is often the biggest money maker at these events!

2. Bouncy castle

The bouncy castle is always a hit at fairs and parties, especially for kids. It's perfect for letting them burn off energy and have a blast. Safety is super important, especially when setting up outdoors. Just follow the guidelines to make sure everyone has fun without any worries.

This summer fete idea can be used by kids of different ages, from little ones to teenagers. But it's important to check the castle's size and rules from the company. Smaller kids might need more help, while bigger kids can play more on their own. Just make sure everyone follows the rules and has a good time!

Sharesy also has venues on the platform, such as Oakleigh School, that have built in soft play facilities. These are great longer term summer fete ideas that require more upfront cost, but mean they can use the benefit all year round.

3. Mini golf

Mini golf is a sure-fire hit at any summer fete. At our most recent fete, it was a huge success with families. It's a great game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities, encouraging social interaction and friendly competition.

Plus, mini golf can be set up in various ways – from simple layouts with a few obstacles to more complex courses with multiple challenges. This makes it an adaptable activity that can be tailored to the needs and preferences of event organisers and attendees. What's more, many people can have a go, meaning more money for your PTA!

4. Face painting

Face painting is a popular activity at fetes for kids of all ages. They will love getting their faces painted with their favourite characters, ranging from superheroes to princesses. Ask your parents to help out; you may have creative mums, dads, or grandparents who will happily volunteer to paint tigers! Glitter art is also popular and you can now get eco-friendly glitter so you can glitter art without guilt.

To paint faces at a school fetes, get safe paints, brushes, and sponges. Set up a spot with good light and seats. Have lots of designs to pick from. Keep things clean by using fresh tools and giving hand sanitizer!

‍5. Raffle 

There are plenty of activities to enjoy at a summer fete, and one of the most popular is the raffle. It's a great way to raise money, especially if you can get businesses and people in the community to donate prizes. Participants can buy tickets, and then have the chance of winning something special.

People love the thrill of not knowing what they might win, so it's no surprise that raffles are a hit at summer fetes. Whether it's a big prize or a small one, everyone loves the excitement of winning something.

6. Penalty shoot out

This is a really popular and simple activity to set up and run. You will usually find parents who are willing to help with this. All you need is a goal, a ball, one parent to be the goalkeeper, and one parent to take money.

You will have a line of kids wanting to take part! It is worth asking your school if they have a sports coach or company they use who would be willing to donate their time for this activity, as the answer may be yes. They might even be willing to give a raffle prize for your event.

7. Tombola

This classic game involves players purchasing a ticket and selecting a number. If their chosen number matches one of those on a gift on the table, they win the prize! This is a cost-effective activity as it is possible to request donations from the school community and local businesses.

It may be beneficial to start collecting tombola prizes after the Christmas break as many parents are likely to have unwanted gifts they may be happy to donate. The only downside of this event is the time taken to prepare it. Don’t underestimate the time it takes to stick the tickets onto each prize and fold tickets into the tombola tub.

There are some great websites to hire tombolas, including Funday and JS Fun Events

Sharesy makes finding summer fetes near you easy. It's simple to use and helps you discover local events quickly. We've got plenty of options to plan your fun summer outings right in your neighborhood.

If you are looking for a venue to hold an event then check us out here!

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Images by:

1. Photo by Feliphe Schiarolli on Unsplash

2. Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash

3. Photo by Randy Laybourne on Unsplash