Autumn and Halloween bring a fantastic opportunity for schools and PTAs to get creative, boost engagement, and raise funds. Combining a seasonal event with your online PTA auction platform (such as Aucly) extends reach beyond the school hall and gives families near and far a chance to participate. Here’s how to make the most of the season.
From pumpkin trails to spooky film nights, the key is blending in-person fun with online accessibility so nobody misses out. The ideas below are designed to help you pair hands-on excitement with digital fundraising momentum, all while keeping planning manageable for busy PTA teams.
Why Autumn/Halloween Fundraising Works for PTAs
- The timing sits between the summer rush and the busy Christmas term, so families are settled back into school rhythm without overbooked calendars.
- Themes like pumpkins, costumes, trails, and crafts spark creativity and fun, which encourages participation. (Source: Parentkind)
- It’s a chance to engage pupils, parents, siblings, and grandparents — and through an online PTA auction, you can include supporters who cannot attend in person.
- Combining in-school activities (cake sale, costume day, trail) with an online PTA auction increases fundraising potential: physical participation plus digital opportunity equals bigger reach.
Fresh Event Ideas + How to Link Them to Your PTA Auction Platform
1) Pumpkin Sale / Carving Contest
Community fundraisers regularly highlight pumpkin sales where a local farm supplies pumpkins for families to decorate. (Donater)
How to tie in your auction:
- Auction a premium pumpkin bundle (giant pumpkin, carving kit, and a hot-chocolate voucher) using your Aucly platform.
- Run the carving contest on-site, then upload photos and invite remote supporters to vote or donate for a “design a pumpkin” lot.
- Promote the auction link at the stall with QR codes and newsletter mentions so every purchase drives digital traffic.
2) Dress-Up Day & Spooky Trail
Costume competitions, “make a monster” challenges, and trick-or-treat lucky dips are PTA favourites. (Parentkind)
How to tie in your auction:
- Offer a “VIP Halloween front-row experience” lot: first-choice trail slot or priority access to the costume showcase.
- Auction a “Design the School Halloween Trail” experience so the winning family helps craft the theme.
- Capture social content during the day and share direct links to your Aucly auction to keep bidding momentum high.
3) Spooky Film Night, Bake Sale & Games
Classic combinations like film nights, themed treats, and mini-games still deliver great returns. (Spencer Clarke Group)
How to tie in your auction:
- Auction a “Film Night VIP Package” with reserved seating, popcorn bundles, and a family costume photo.
- Bundle the bake sale into an online lot: bid for a “Bake-Off Champions’ Mystery Box” featuring top treats.
- Use games night signage and announcements to remind families that the Aucly auction closes soon.
Bringing Your Online PTA Auction Platform into the Mix
Seasonal fundraising only reaches its full potential when the offline buzz and online bidding work together. Keep the following pointers in mind as you plan:
- Promote early. Launch lots alongside event marketing so those who can’t attend still feel included.
- Highlight unique lots. Seasonal themes shine with experiences like “Haunted House VIP” or “Autumn Harvest” bundles.
- Make payments effortless. A platform like Aucly keeps admin light so volunteers stay focused on guests.
- Blend offline and online storytelling. Display live bids on screens, offer QR codes, and celebrate winners in real time.
- Follow up fast. Use platform data to share totals, thank donors, and highlight where funds will be spent.
Practical Tips for PTAs Running Autumn/Halloween Fundraisers
- Keep costs low and inclusive with ideas like pumpkin carving, dress-up days, and treasure trails. (Kids Just Recycle)
- Offer something for everyone: crafts for younger pupils, dance-offs or fun runs for older students.
- Bundle formats so your auction lots echo the event theme and vice versa.
- Invite local businesses to donate experiences — Halloween is a natural hook for cafés, theatres, and attractions.
- Promote across newsletters, class groups, and community channels with direct links to Aucly.
- Respect comfort levels with optional “not-so-spooky” alternatives and inclusive language.
- Capture visuals for post-event storytelling and future promotion.
- Schedule realistically: secure donations, upload lots to Aucly, and warm up your audience weeks in advance.
Why a Seasonal Event + Online Auction is a Winning Combo
- Events generate community buzz and energise supporters.
- Online auctions capture value beyond a single afternoon with remote bidders and longer bidding windows.
- Together they maximise fundraising potential instead of relying on one format.
- Using a specialised PTA auction platform like Aucly keeps things professional, transparent, and easy to manage.
Final Thought: Whether it’s a pumpkin trail, spooky dress-up day, or cosy film night, pairing your autumn festivities with a well-planned online auction can lift your results and create lasting memories for your school community.
With the right planning, engaging lots, and a PTA-first platform like Aucly, this Halloween could become one of your most successful fundraisers yet.
Ready to start? Set up your Aucly auction page, pick your theme, secure your lots, and make this autumn count.