I need some ideas for a non-profit children's community tent. (i.e. games, crafts, etc.) Any suggestions?

Question

Our annual fall event is upcoming and our organization offers a free tent to children with games, popcorn, Morgan Nick/Amber Alert. I would like to somehow make it much more interesting than it has been in the past but am working on a very limited budget. Any suggestions for games, crafts would be helpful.

Answer 1

I have worked with non-profits and have gotten a lot of donations from the community. You can write a letter on letter head asking for a specific donation and then follow up a week later with a call or you can just go into the stores with your credentials and ask. I have had Dairy Queen donate coupons for ice cream cones, God Father's for small pizzas, Barnes & Nobles donated books, Food from grocery stores, gift certificates for haircuts, movies, bowling, video game coins--the possibilities are endless. You can also gather "white elephant" gifts from people in the community (it is a used item a person has in their home that is in good shape such as a nik-nak. Families and bakeries can also donate cupcakes (or cakes) for a cupcake walk where you play music while the kids walk on numbers, stop the music and draw a number to determine the winner. Get to know people who have specific talents such as artists, dancers, singers who may be able to do some easy activities to teach children something.

(The letter writing suggested by a previous person is a great idea also).

Anyway, get out the yellow pages and see what kind of businesses and people are out there to approach for donations. They usually don't mind donating because they get tax breaks for it.

Good Luck-- I love planning these events.

Answer 2

Birth 1 Lily Else Birth 2 Esmae Rose Birth 3 Phoebe India and Alvie Dylan Birth 4 Emma Jade Birth 5 Jacob Phoenix Birth 6 Rachelle Imogen Birth 7 Harper Olivia And Poppy Eden Birth 8 Jasmine Pearl Jessica Skye Reece James Max Jacob X

Answer 3

Why not have them do something that could make a difference? I realize that they're kids, but never too young to give back.

They could make cards or artwork for seniors in a long-term care facility...Or crafts. If it's a fall event, how about artwork with leaves or harvest themed?

If they're old enough, how about making thank-you cards for veterans at your local VA hospital? Or writing thank-you notes to our soldiers overseas?

All could be done for relatively little money, and not only entertain the kids, but make someone else's day a little brighter, too!

Answer 4

Two things I have seen as big hits - face painting and balloons (making animals, if possible).

I did face painting at a field day and didn't have a moment's rest, but the kids LOVED it. We were painting arms, too. I am not an artist and had never done it before, but it went well.

And balloons - if someone can make the sword, hat and giraffe, that would be plenty are enough.

Answer 5

I have used duck ponds in the past. A child sized swimming pool, a set of 4 or 5 rubber duckies with shapes, numbers or colors on the bottom...depending on the age group and prizes for each duck. Good luck!! :-)

Answer 6

You can have them make oragami? It's fun, easy and there is no mess ^^ either that or you can get some old beads, or collect beads from the parent's of the children and you can have them either make necklaces or they can make a picture with them on paper. I did that in girl scouts before.

You could also have them try to make their own game up. Like give them some paper and or cardboard and they can draw out a game board and make their own pieces from sticks to ice cream?

Answer 7

Where I come from this was called a 'dip'. You have shredded paper or sawdust in a large box or other container, and buried inside of this are little gifts wrapped in colorful paper for the children to 'dip' down and find. The gifts are relatively inexpensive eg. things from the dollar store. Good luck.

Answer 8

ask your local law enforcement to donate fingerprinting kits and then teach someone how to do it. Call your fire department and ask them if they'll send out the ladder truck and or an ambulance to let the kids' climb on. We got the forest service to come out and have the kids answer questions about the forest for prizes. keychains with lanyard lace and beads are relatively inexpensive to. Try www.orientaltrading.com for some more ideas.

Answer 9

How about kiddie carnival-style games? Have kids purchase tickets and set up booths where kids can trade tickets to play games and win prizes. I know it might sound expensive but that's what I can think of at the moment.

Answer 10

different colors of sand and they put this into a jar!