33 Fun Snack Fundraisers for Schools That Pay Off

Looking for snack fundraiser ideas that actually work? Tired of the same old bake sales that barely break even? Wondering what snacks will excite students, work across age groups, and still be easy to run? Need fundraising ideas that fit your school’s schedule, budget, and resources, without burning out your volunteers?

If you’re stuck trying to raise money and keep kids engaged at the same time, you’re not alone — and you’re in the right place.

Finding the perfect Snack Fundraisers for Schools is about creating events that students love, parents support, and everyone remembers. That’s why this list of 33 snack fundraiser ideas checks every box: it’s diverse, age-appropriate, fun, and high-earning.

This list has carefully included snacks that appeal to all grade levels, from silly interactive events for elementary kids to cool, creative ideas for high schoolers. It balances sweet and savory, healthy and indulgent, low-effort grab-and-go sales with high-impact themed events, and everything in between. Seasonal ideas, repeatable fundraisers, interactive snack bars, and classroom cart deliveries, it’s all here.

Each idea factors in effort, cost, engagement, profit margins, and variety. Whether you have access to a kitchen or none at all, whether you’re fundraising for a field trip, uniforms, or tech upgrades, you’ll find ideas here that students will love and that raise serious funds.

Let’s make your snack fundraiser a standout success, with snacks that sell themselves.

33 Snack Fundraisers for Schools That Sell Out

This article is packed with 33 creative, student-approved Snack Fundraisers for Schools that are guaranteed to get attention and raise real money. It’s a strategically curated mix of low-effort, high-reward ideas and themed snack events that are fun, flexible, and built for success. Whether you’re running a fundraiser for a field trip, sports team, school supplies, or club, this guide gives you everything: snack variety, seasonal options, age-appropriate engagement, and profit potential. This is the only list you’ll need to make your next school snack fundraiser a hit.

Low-Effort Snack Fundraisers for Schools

1. $1 Popcorn Day

A simple crowd-pleaser with almost no prep and high return. Popcorn fundraisers can be wildly successful.

• Buy pre-popped popcorn or pop it at school
• Bag it ahead of time or scoop on-site
• Set up near the cafeteria or playground
• Sell for $1 a bag during lunch or after school
• Add flavor shakers for variety

2. Treat Trolley Tuesdays

Turn snack sales into a moving treat shop.

• Use a rolling cart or wagon
• Fill with chips, juice, candy, and fruit snacks
• Visit each classroom during a set period
• Price everything at $1 or less
• Rotate volunteers to push the cart

Related Articles:
15 Impactful Fundraising Ideas for Teachers

3. Mystery Snack Bags

Surprise bags make snack time fun and boost quick sales.

• Fill brown bags with 2–3 small snacks
• Mix sweet, salty, and one fun item
• Seal and decorate bags with stickers
• Sell for $2 during lunch or pickup time
• Add 1–2 “golden ticket” bags with bonus prizes

4. Holiday Snack Grams

Perfect for themed sales around any holiday.

• Buy small snacks in bulk (candy, cookies, chips)
• Attach a tag or holiday message
• Let students buy and send them to their friends
• Collect orders with names and homerooms
• Deliver on a set day during class time

5. Donut-on-a-String Contest

A fun game, students pay to play — no hands allowed.

• Tie donuts to a string and hang from a bar or doorway
• Students race to eat the donut hands-free
• Charge $2–$3 per turn
• Give a small prize to the fastest
• Great for field day or spirit week

6. Club Snack Wars

Clubs compete by selling their snacks to raise money.

• Let each club or class run a snack table
• Give a set time (lunch hour, event night)
• Track which table earns the most
• Reward the winning group with a prize or recognition
• Creates school-wide hype and friendly competition

7. Cram Snacks Before Exams

Quick snacks that help students fuel up for tests, and one of the cheap fundraising ideas for schools.

• Sell brain-boosting snacks like granola bars, trail mix, and fruit
• Set up a table before school starts during exam week
• Keep prices around $1–$2
• Add “Good luck!” tags for extra motivation
• Easy win for high schoolers

8. Spooky Snack Walk

A Halloween-style twist on the cake walk.

• Number the floor tiles or paper plates in a circle
• Play music as students walk
• When music stops, pull a number
• The student with that number wins a snack
• Charge $1–$2 per round

9. Summer Snack Packs

End-of-year snack boxes that students take home.

• Pack snacks in a themed bag or box
• Include 4–5 treats like chips, juice, candy, gum
• Pre-sell for $5–$7
• Deliver the last week of school
• Optional: add a “Have a great summer!” note

10. Easter Egg Snack Hunt

Kids hunt for plastic eggs filled with snacks and small prizes.

• Fill plastic eggs with wrapped candy or snack bites
• Hide around a set area (field or gym)
• Sell tickets for $5 per student
• Let kids collect 5–10 eggs each
• Use different colored eggs for age groups

11. March Madness Snack Bracket

Let students vote on their favorite snacks each week.

• Create a bracket with 8–16 popular snacks
• Students vote weekly on matchups
• Sell the winning snack at the end of each round
• Announce winners with posters or over the intercom
• Builds hype over multiple weeks

12. Healthy Snack Challenge

Offer one healthy snack per day during a themed week.

• Plan 3–5 simple snacks (yogurt cups, fruit sticks, veggie bags)
• Promote with signs and morning announcements
• Sell during lunch for $1–$2
• Reward students who buy each day with a bonus snack
• Great for wellness weeks

13. Take-Home Snack Boxes

Easy to prep, great for sending home with kids.

• Pack small boxes with chips, cookies, juice, and fruit snacks
• Optional: add a theme like “Friday Fun Pack” or “Movie Night Box”
• Pre-sell for $4–$6
• Hand out at dismissal or Friday pickup

14. Build-Your-Own Trail Mix

Let students make their mix from a variety of toppings.

• Set out bowls of raisins, chocolate chips, cereal, pretzels, nuts (optional)
• Hand out snack-size bags or cups
• Students choose 3–4 scoops per pack
• Sell for $3–$4 each
• Add fun mix names like “Study Fuel” or “Snack Boost”

15. Giant Soft Pretzel Fridays

Simple, warm, and always a hit.

• Order soft pretzels from a local bakery or supplier
• Pre-sell or sell during lunch on Fridays
• Offer dips like cheese or mustard for extra
• Price at $2–$3 each
• Works great during cold weather months

16. Cookie Decorating Booth

Great for events, holiday fests, or after-school fun.

• Set up a table with plain sugar cookies, frosting, and sprinkles
• Students decorate their own for $3–$5
• Provide gloves and napkins for quick cleanup
• Keep it short and simple — 5–10 minutes per student

High-Effort Snack Fundraisers for Schools

17. Snack Subscription Boxes

A monthly box full of snacks that keeps funds coming in all year.

• Choose 3–5 snacks per box (sweet, salty, fun)
• Offer monthly or quarterly plans
• Price at $10–$12 per box
• Use plain boxes with school logo stickers
• Deliver to classrooms or offer parent pickup

18. After-School Ice Cream Party

A ticketed event with scoops, toppings, and music.

• Set a date and promote with flyers
• Buy tubs of ice cream and toppings
• Offer 2 scoops + 3 toppings for $5–$6
• Add music, balloons, and games for extra fun
• Sell tickets in advance and at the door

19. Bake-Off Fundraiser

Let families bring their best snacks, and charge to sample and vote.

• Ask parents and staff to submit baked snacks
• Set up tables with numbered entries
• Charge $3–$5 for a “judge pass” to taste and vote
• Announce winners and give small prizes
• Offer snack boxes with extras for sale

20. DIY Chocolate Bar Station

Students create their chocolate bar with fun toppings.

• Buy plain chocolate bars in bulk
• Set out toppings like mini marshmallows, pretzels, cereal, and sprinkles
• Let students pick 3–4 toppings
• Wrap bars in foil with custom school labels
• Price each at $4–$5

21. Smoothie Pop-Up

Blend fresh smoothies and sell during lunch or after school.

• Use 1–2 blenders or pre-make batches
• Offer 2–3 flavors with fruit and juice
• Use clear cups with dome lids and straws
• Price at $4 per cup
• Promote as a “healthy boost” during sports or exam week

22. Wings & Things Night

Host a casual dinner night with finger foods.

• Partner with a local restaurant or caterer for boneless wings
• Add fries, drinks, and dessert
• Sell meal tickets for $10–$12
• Host in the cafeteria or gym
• Include raffles or music for added fun

23. Snack Wrap Challenge

Offer creative wraps, students build or buy, sweet and savory.

• Prep tortilla wraps with fillings: PB&J, Nutella-banana, ham & cheese
• Sell during lunch for $3–$4
• Let students vote on their favorite
• Reward the top seller with a small prize
• Run for 3–5 days to boost profits

24. Haunted Snack Lab

A spooky Halloween event with themed snacks and weird effects.

• Use dry ice or LED lights for setup
• Offer snacks like slime drinks, “monster mix,” “ghost chips”
• Set up 3–4 stations with creepy decor
• Sell entry wristbands for $5
• Add a costume contest for bonus fun

25. Gourmet Popcorn Bar

Upscale popcorn with sweet, spicy, and cheesy toppings.

• Pop plain popcorn in bulk
• Set up a toppings bar with seasonings, caramel, and cheese drizzle
• Let students build their mix in paper cones or bags
• Price at $4 per serving
• Great for school movie nights or fall fests

26. Winter Wonderland Snack Fair

A holiday-themed indoor market entire of snack booths.

• Set up 4–5 stations: cocoa bar, cookie booth, gingerbread bites, candy cane dip
• Decorate with lights, fake snow, and music
• Charge per booth or sell $10 wristbands
• Invite families and sell extra items for take-home

27. Rice Krispies Pop Shop

Fun, sticky, and easy to customize.

• Make large batches of Rice Krispies treats
• Cut into squares, insert sticks
• Dip in chocolate and roll in toppings
• Wrap in clear bags with ribbon
• Price each at $3

28. Nacho Bar

Savory snacks with lots of options to build hype.

• Offer tortilla chips with cheese, salsa, beans, and sour cream
• Set up as a lunch pop-up or after-school booth
• Let students add 3 toppings
• Price at $5 per bowl
• Add fun names like “Cheesy Friday” or “Nacho Average Fundraiser.”

29. Fries & Dips Pop-Up

Sell waffle or curly fries with a mix of dips.

• Cook or cater fries in batches
• Set up a dip station with cheese, ranch, spicy mayo, and ketchup
• Use cups or trays for serving
• Price at $4–$5 combos
• Add theme music or “Friesday Friday” promo

30. Mac & Cheese Cups

Comfort food in a cup — always a hit.

• Pre-make mac and cheese in batches
• Serve in small paper cups with forks
• Offer topping add-ons like bacon bits, hot sauce, or green onions
• Price at $4 per cup
• Serve during winter lunch weeks for extra sales

31. Staff vs. Students Smoothie Showdown

Students vote with their dollars on the best smoothie made by teachers or student teams.

• Let 2–4 teams create a smoothie flavor
• Pre-blend and label each entry
• Set up a tasting booth
• Students buy samples for $1–$2 and cast a vote
• Winner gets a small prize and bragging rights

32. Strawberry Shortcake Day

Fresh fruit and sweet treats for spring or the end of the year. It is easy to make and worth the little effort.

• Buy shortcakes or sponge cakes in bulk
• Add sliced strawberries and whipped cream
• Serve during lunch or at a school picnic
• Price at $5 per bowl
• Keep chilled and prep just before serving

33. Chocolate Bar Station (custom toppings)

A sweet, interactive booth perfect for Valentine’s or holiday events.

• Buy chocolate bar molds and melt chocolate
• Let students pick 2–3 toppings to add to in molds
• Chill until set and wrap for pickup
• Sell each for $4–$6
• Add a name tag for a custom touch