How about a Hoe-down/Chili Cookoff? Play sum country muzak, get some bales of hay. Maybe a line dance instructor! This works and is a blast for both kids ad adults.
How about a family picnic away from the school at a local park? Dj, volley ball sack races, egg toss...you get the idea.
PTO Awards ceremony accompanied w/silent auction- Black Tie affair Parents, teachers, administrators, school alumni and sponsors
Give a teacher of the year,
Volunteer awards
students can have their own fun awards
best smile, wildest hair etc
(This IS a major production and takes a dedicated team) We are already in the mid to finalizing stages and our dinner will be in May!
I noticed a Family night with Radio Disney for a Halloween party. Was it a costume event?
How much money did this cost and how much do you charge families?
We did a "Family Game Night" in late January this past year. Families were encouraged to bring games from home, such as board games, cards, checkers, chess, Twister, etc... It was a free event for the families, which I think was greatly appreciated. PTO Today was kind enough to print an article and photo in the March 2005 issue that detailed the event (thanks, Patty Catalano!). The only cost incurred was for simple refreshments and butcher paper.
I don't see movie night on your list - it's an easy event that costs us less than $250 to put on. Easy to offer as a free family night out (if you limit the tickets to match your capacity). We just show a movie and offer movie-type snacks for sale. Good to do in January/Feb when it's cold out.
We are just coming up a very successful year with special events. We are up to 70% participation from just 25% last year!!
This year we held the following events:
*Back to School Rollerblading/Scooter Party;
*Reading Under the Stars;
*Radio Disney Family Fun Halloween Night;
*Holiday Shoppe;
*New Year's Eve Dance;
*Basket Raffle Night;
*Muffins with Mom;
*Donuts with Dad; and
*Year End Family Fun Days BBQ at a local Mini Golf Course!
Now here is my question -- what can we offer that is different next year? I am looking for any ideas of events that were very successful in your district. We are going to change events from year to year because we were told many of the events that were held year after year became stale. We are thinking about keeping 3 or 4 of the above events and mixing them with 3 or 4 new ones.
We want to replace the Holiday Shoppe -- any feedback on holiday related events as well as any other ideas for other events would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, MJ
