What I found that seemed to work amazingly well this past year was to have one "major" event every 2 - 2.5 months or so. For example, here's what we did...

- Back to School Ice Cream Party - first day of school - free
- Harvest Party (nice way to say Halloween party) - Near end of Oct - $3 per child ($5 cap per family - and free passes for those in need)
- Hearts Family Social (nice way to say Valentine's) - February - $3 per child ($5 cap per family - and free passes for those in need)
- Field Day/Family BBQ - end of the year - free

Personally I wouldn't mind trying to fit a December event (though it is always hard with the religious issues) and maybe even another in between the Feb and June events.

We also run many smaller events in between these bigger ones. For example, BINGO/book nights for each grade, Open House raffles, fundraisers, roller skating parties, a Golf Tournament, and much more. But these were our big family nights.

You can go as big as you want...

For the Harvest Party we had free raffles, a DJ and games, mini harvest games (gourd bowling, ring throw with pumkin stems as the target, and a bean bag toss using a huse wooden pumpkin I made with the mouth, eyes and nose cut out. We had a mini-"sppok" house, which wasn't really spooky since we are a K - 4 school. It consisted of an entryway, a mad scientists lab (with neon lights, static orbs and experiments, etc.) and then a old hag room with two crones mixing a brew. The kids could help grab the pieces that the hags were asking for out of the containers. This was by far the most anticipated area of the event. We also had a bake sale and sold pizza and juice pouches. It was a break even event, but we actually made a little bit of profit.

Oh, if you do go with the Harvest Party make sure you make the costumes optional. There's always that one parent who will complain.

Good luck,
PresidentJim

Dr. Seuss Night
Monster Mash
Trunk or treat
Jingle bell jog
Muffins with Moms/Donuts with Dads
Reading Club
Chess Club
Math Club
Alumni Night
Swim Night
Movie Night (you mentioned)
Holiday Craft Night
Ice Cream Social

all sorts of goodies out there

We have a themed March Family dance every year and it is a big hit! We have had a luau,a sockhop,a western Ho down and a Disney theme so far. We only charge $7 per family just to cover the DJ and we serve cookies (baked by our parent bakers )and water. We get tons of positive responses from the parents every year. This year we are trying a game night in January as well. We shall see how this turns out.
(Going into my second year as PTO President as well - Good luck)
Kathy

I agree with WFS. Family Fun Nights should be free. They should serve as an example to families that spending time together can be fun.

We recently had a Family fun night and Book exchange. We held it in congunction with National turn off the TV week. We had an amazing turn out. I told all of the kids all week that they were not allowed to watch tv and gave them great ideas for different activities. I sent out notes for children that did not have books at home so that we could provide them books, I was very passionate about that.

We had Family activities in the gym. We followed the coaching sheets given by PTO today and it was a blast. instead of the cheap toys we gave tickets and the kids could go pick from the 100's of new and gently used books we had donated.

Granola and water and fresh fruit were the snacks served. I only spent $70.00 of the kids money.

It was amazing the response we had. This was my first program and I can't wait till this Thursday we are having a Luau and Picnic to celebrate the end of the year!!

We gave over 300 books to children who did not have books at home!!!!!

And made alot of others very happy with brand new books from the exchange!

Catherine
Remington Point PTA

Our family fun nights do not involve admission other than an item of food that is donated to our local food pantry. Family fun nights (in my opinion) should be all inclusive and not be a money-maker. It's to give an example of how families can have lots of fun at a low or no expense. Hopefully, they will do it at home as well.
PTO can offer bingo nights, movie nights, game night & book swaps, make your own sundae's. Our costs for these are very, very low but the rewards is huge! Families have a great time and we collect a substantial amount of food for the pantry.