Carnivals are always fun, and so are craft fairs – so why not combine the two for a fundraiser that will give everyone something to do! This fundraiser has minimal supply needs; you’ll need light grade wire, a variety of glass, wood and metal beads, a few pairs of pliers, a package of blank index cards, a fake crystal ball, and normal carnival fare (hot dogs / corny dogs, lemonade / soda, popcorn and candy). Grocery stores will often donate foodstuffs for a school event, and local craft and hobby stores can donate supplies for bracelet making.

The school parking lot is a great place to set up your Gypsy Fair. Set up tents or awnings with curtains around them for the fortune tellers. Make a simple ‘tarot’ deck by decorating the index cards with hearts (love) dollar signs (money) and exclamation marks (exciting events).  One costumed fortuneteller can address the crystal ball, while the other can draw a card to perform a ‘reading’ for the willing.

Make bracelets from the wire and beads, twisting the ends together with pliers and poking the ends back inside the beads. You can have an assortment ready for sale, and a table set up for kids to make their own creations, with volunteers finishing off the wire. Sell the bracelets for $3 each, or two for five – they’ll go like hotcakes. You can make necklaces too, if you get clasps for the ends.

You can circle volunteers’ and teachers’ vehicles around if you are outdoors and decorate them with scarves and other sundries to form the gypsy caravan. You can hand out candies from the tailgates, and bring a larger crowd. Set up a large table for refreshments, and bring in even more revenues.

You can add many things on to this carnival; a fake snake charmer, a man on stilts, a bearded lady and a juggler are all great additions if you have willing and talented volunteers. You can set up a dunking booth, a guess your weight or age stand, and even ring tosses or balloon target dart throwing practice for the younger kids. Have them fish behind the curtain for small treats, or ask the man in the mask the answer to questions drawn on a card.

For large carnivals, consider working the ticket plan – sell tickets for a quarter of fifty cents each ($10 minimum) and charge tickets for each event or booth. This is a great carnival for late summer, as everyone can use a little fun! Just remember to have plenty of bottled water on hand if it is still hot, and consider spraying for bugs the day before if you plan to hold your carnival outdoors.

Have fun with your costumes – many costume shops rent ridiculously cheaply in the off season, or if you have talented seamstresses in your group make sure to call on them for help. Thrift stores are great places to find outlandish clothing.

Gypsy Beads and Bangles Fundraiser is a post from: Elementary School Fundraising Ideas