10 Brilliant (and Profitable) Ideas for Your School Summer Fair – Featuring a Crowd-Pulling Science Gadget Shop Stall

The school summer fair is a beloved fixture on the calendar: bunting fluttering, sizzling barbecues, excited children and, most importantly, a golden opportunity for the PTA to raise funds. If you’re keen to refresh the line-up for 2025 and maximise takings, try these ten tried-and-tested ideas—each packed with practical details to help you hit the ground running. Idea #1 is our personal favourite: a Science Gadget Shop that delivers a STEM wow-factor and a healthy profit margin with zero up-front cost.

1. Run a Science Gadget Shop 🔬

Why choose it?

• Instant magnet for families: volcano kits, gold panning, crystal growing, dino digging, make your own bouncing balls and more!

• Curriculum brownie points: Every gadget doubles as a mini science demo, so teachers can tick the STEM engagement box.

How to set up:

1. Order a kit from Popcorn Education (delivery usually within five working days).

2. Position the stall near the entrance or main pathway so families spot it early.

3. Arrange a small “hands-on” demo table—e.g. use rattle magnets or a gold panning kit.

4. Price items clearly (typical RRP £0.50 – £2.00) and offer a multibuy deal to encourage bigger baskets.

5. At the end of the day, box up unsold goods for free collection or keep them for your next event.

Profit guide: Schools routinely clear £300 – £600 in one afternoon, depending on footfall.

2. Human Fruit Machine 🍒🍌🍒

Set-up: Three staff members (or Year 6 jokers) crouch behind a screen. Each holds a stack of laminated fruit cards on a stick. A pupil pays 50p, pulls a rope, and the “reels” spin as the volunteers flip their cards.

Top tips:

• Build simple plywood “slots” to keep the cards upright.

• Use a classroom bell for “Jackpot!” moments.

• Offer tiered prizes—a lollipop for two matching fruits, a small cuddly toy for three.

Expected profit: £50 – £120 (30-second turns keep the queue moving).

3. Eco Tombola ♻️

Give the classic tombola a sustainable twist. Ask families to donate “green” items (seed packets, reusable straws, bamboo toothbrushes, beeswax wraps). Mix with eco-themed gifts from local businesses.

Running it:

• Charge £1 for five ticket strips.

• Mark winning numbers with a leaf-shaped stamp for extra flair.

• Display an information poster about the school’s eco initiatives next to the stall.

4. Penalty Shoot-Out v Headteacher ⚽

Equipment: Portable goal, spot marker, a keeper’s outfit for the head (or brave deputy), whistle, scoreboard.

Game play: £1 for three shots. Record each scorer’s tally on a flipchart; top three win medals at the end of the fair.

Enhancements:

• Hire your local club mascot for photo ops.

• Sell “Power Shot” wristbands (50p) that allow one extra kick—all pure profit.

5. Build-a-Bug-Hotel Workshop 🐞

Charge families £3 – £4 for a DIY kit: a small terracotta pot, bamboo canes, twine, a biodegradable name tag. Provide hot-glue guns and supervision tables.

Add value: Invite the Eco-Council to explain why bug hotels matter and create a display of minibeast facts.

Cross-sell: Place the Science Gadget Shop’s insect viewers beside the workshop—perfect upsell!

6. Craft-Your-Own Keyring Station 🎨

Stock list: Wooden blank shapes (order in bulk for pennies), split rings, paint pens, stick-on gems, quick-dry varnish.

How it works: Pupils pay £2, design a keyring, then leave it to dry on a labelled rack while they explore other stalls.

Why it earns: Materials cost <50p per child, leaving a generous margin and a personalised keepsake.

7. Sponge-the-Teacher Stocks 💦

Old faithful—and still hilarious. A DIY wooden stock frame, a tarpaulin backdrop, a bucket of water, and biodegradable sponges. Teachers take 10-minute shifts; pupils pay £1 for three throws.

Safety note: Use warm water if the day is chilly, and provide towels for volunteers.

8. Storybook Corner & Pre-Loved Book Sale 📚

Transform a quiet corner with picnic blankets, fairy lights and hay bales. Invite a local author or the headteacher to read every half-hour. Around the perimeter, sell donated children’s books (3 for £1).

Extra earnings: Offer parents barista-style coffee nearby—nothing pairs better with a story.

9. Mini Olympics Obstacle Course 🏅

Layout: Hula-hoop weave → balance beam → tyre hop → tunnel crawl → sprint finish. Use sports-day kit you already own.

Entry fee: £1. Pupils race in pairs, times recorded on a leader board. Small medals (order in packs of 50) for the top three, participation stickers for all.

Upsell: Position a cold-drink stall and sunscreen spray station at the finish line.

10. Silent Auction of “Experiences” 🔨

Parents often bid higher for access than for hampers. Crowd-source prizes such as:

• “Headteacher for the Morning”

• “Prime Parking Space for a Term”

• “VIP Family Pass to the Nativity”

• “Cake of the Month (baked by the school chef)”

Process: Create A4 bidding sheets with starting amounts and a “Buy Now” price. Close the auction 30 minutes before the fair ends to announce winners.

Ready to Add STEM Sparkle and Boost Takings?

A Science Gadget Shop stall combines curiosity, education and guaranteed profit without risking PTA funds.

1. Book your kit at popcorneducation.co.uk/sciencegadgetshop (just a two-minute form).

2. Receive a box of gadgets, price cards and display tips - all free up front.

3. Sell, thrill and fundraise - Schools typically earn £1–£2 profit per item, funding everything from new science resources to playground markings.

Final Thoughts

Blend a handful of these stalls with your traditional favourites (raffle, BBQ, tombola) and you’ll create a summer fair that feels fresh, fills the coffers and fires children’s imaginations—all while strengthening community spirit. Here’s to sunshine, science and record-breaking fundraising totals!