13 Wild School Fundraisers From The ’60s And ’90s That Will Never Come Up Again
Step into the time machine, crank up the disco ball—or maybe the grunge playlist—and prepare to relive the wild, weird world of school fundraisers from the ’60s and ’90s.
These weren’t your average bake sales. No sir. These were full-on spectacles that somehow combined innocent fun, mild chaos, and a complete disregard for modern safety standards. We’re talking dunk tanks, mystery meat raffles, and duct-taping teachers to walls—all in the name of raising $237 for new gym mats or the school hamster’s habitat upgrade.
Back then, fundraisers were part performance, part community event, and part “what on earth were we thinking?” And as someone who lived through these glorious shenanigans—often wearing a tutu over sweatpants—I can tell you: they were unforgettable.
So whether you sold candy bars like a door-to-door warrior or survived the trauma of the “kiss the pig” contest, these 13 fundraising throwbacks are sure to spark laughter, eye-rolls, and just a little secondhand embarrassment.
1. Cake Walks in the Gym
Imagine a gym transformed into a cake-filled wonderland. You’d enter the circle, music playing, and walk around until the tune stopped. If you were on the winning number, a magnificent cake was yours! Moms baked frantically, ensuring a variety of cakes from traditional chocolate to bizarre creations with surprise fillings.
As a kid, the thrill of potentially winning a cake was unparalleled. The air was electric with anticipation, and the scent of freshly baked goods was intoxicating. But beneath the icing was a battle of baking prowess, with mothers vying for the prize of best cake.
It wasn’t just about cakes; it was community, competition, and chaos all rolled into one. It’s hard to believe now, but back then, a cake walk was the highlight of the school calendar!
2. Selling Wrapping Paper Door-to-Door
Ah, the door-to-door wrapping paper sales—where children became miniature salespeople pitching overpriced rolls of paper no one really wanted. Armed with catalogs, we knocked on doors, hoping neighbors would take pity and purchase the glitter-laden, impractical wrapping paper.
The true motivation? Prizes. We coveted those cheap toys like they were treasure, all for selling just a few rolls of grandma-approved patterns. I remember a glow-in-the-dark pencil case that seemed more valuable than gold.
Laughing now, those catalogs were as colorful and flamboyant as the era itself. But back then, they meant business and, occasionally, a trip to the dollar store to fulfill a prize promise. Such delightful entrepreneurial spirit, now a relic of the past!
3. Dunk the Principal Booth
Who wouldn’t want to send their principal plunging into a tank of icy water? ‘Dunk the Principal’ was a beloved highlight of school fairs. It brought the thrill of seeing authority figures humbled and drenched, with kids cheering on from the sidelines.
The principal sat bravely, knowing the inevitable splash was coming. Every time a student hit the target, it was more than just a dunk; it was a victorious moment for every participant. Tickets were sold like hotcakes, each one a chance to see the principal’s dignity take a dive.
Looking back, it was oddly therapeutic—a rare chance to see the roles reversed. It’s amazing how a little water could break down barriers and build community spirit, albeit at the principal’s expense!
4. Raffle Tickets for a Meat Tray
Picture a raffle where the grand prize was a tray of cold cuts. Only in the ’60s could a platter of bologna and salami be the highlight of a school fundraiser! Families eagerly bought tickets, dreaming of bringing home the meaty glory.
I remember the thrill of anticipation when the winning ticket was drawn. It was like a culinary lottery, where meat was the currency of dreams. People cheered, not for wealth or luxury, but for the promise of a well-balanced sandwich.
The nostalgia of winning a meat tray is unmatched. It’s a reminder of simpler times when happiness could be wrapped in wax paper and shared among friends and family. An odd prize? Sure. But back then, it was the stuff of legends!
5. Jog-a-Thons with No Real Tracking
Lace up those sneakers! Jog-a-thons were the ultimate test of endurance and honesty. Kids ran laps around the school, with pledges made per lap by unsuspecting parents. The honor system was put to the test as laps were mysteriously miscounted.
Called the ‘Capri Sun Classic’ in jest, these events were more about camaraderie than competition. The collective fibbing about lap counts was a running joke, no pun intended. But the real prize was the ice-cold Capri Suns waiting at the finish line.
In hindsight, it was more of a social event than a sports one. A chance for kids to run wild, literally, and parents to bond over shared disbelief at their children’s sudden athletic prowess. A playful memory that jogs back fondness and humor!
6. Read-a-Thons with Pizza Hut Bribes
Grab a book and a flashlight, because nothing said motivation like a personal pan pizza! Read-a-thons were the most delicious way to encourage literacy. The deal was simple: read books, earn pizza. Who needed a library card when pizza was on the line?
As a self-proclaimed bookworm, I devoured novels just for that cheesy reward. War and Peace by flashlight was a small price to pay. The anticipation of biting into a slice made every chapter worthwhile.
These events turned reading into a competitive sport, where the real reward was not just the pizza, but the stories discovered along the way. For a pizza-loving reader like me, it was a match made in literary heaven.
7. Selling Magazine Subscriptions Nobody Wanted
Time-travel back to the world of magazine subscriptions, where kids became door-to-door sales experts. We were on a mission to sell Field & Stream, TV Guide, and other glossy publications no one ever read. The prize? A collapsible neon ruler, the envy of every classmate.
This was the era before the internet, where a magazine offered a window to the world. The real challenge was convincing neighbors they needed a new subscription. The reward of that ruler, however, made all the awkward sales pitches worthwhile.
Looking back, it was a test of perseverance and charm. Each sale was a victory, and that flimsy ruler was a badge of honor. Just imagine kids today trying to sell a printed magazine—what a time capsule of nostalgia!
8. “Kiss the Pig” Contests
If you ever wanted to see a teacher pucker up to a pig, these contests were the ticket. ‘Kiss the Pig’ events were a blend of humor and humility, where the teacher with the most student donations had to plant one on a porcine pal.
It was a spectacle unlike any other. Kids rallied to see their favorite (or least favorite) teacher lock lips with a snout. The resulting spectacle was laughter and a surprising amount of cheer for the brave volunteer.
In today’s world, such antics seem absurd. But back then, it was pure fun, a collective giggle that brought everyone together. It’s a celebration of silliness that lives on in the memories of all involved.
9. Penny Wars That Became Violent
Bank robberies had nothing on the chaos of a penny war. Each grade competed to fill jars with pennies, while sabotage was encouraged with silver coins to offset the total. It was a war of currency, where sabotage was strategy.
Friendships were tested, alliances formed, and coins flew across classrooms. It was less about fundraising and more about a battle of wits and cunning. As the war raged, so did the laughter and camaraderie.
The penny war taught us the value of teamwork and the thrill of friendly competition. It was a mini-economy of mischief and ambition, where every penny counted, and every nickel was a saboteur’s tool. Fond memories of clinking coins and victorious cheers!
10. Car Washes Run by People Who Shouldn’t Touch Cars
Soap suds, squeaky sponges, and a group of kids eager to clean cars—car washes were a beloved school fundraiser. Guided by enthusiasm rather than expertise, children wielded hoses like they were power tools, often to the chagrin of parental supervisors.
The water fights were legendary, often overshadowing the cleanliness of the vehicles. The combination of soap, water, and laughter turned every car wash into a splash zone. Each shiny, streaked car was a testament to youthful zeal.
The charm of these car washes lay not in the spotless finish, but in the shared joy of teamwork and muddy mischief. It was more about the journey than the destination, where fun took the wheel, not precision cleaning!
11. Balloon Races With Note Cards Inside
Imagine a sky filled with balloons, each carrying a note card with dreams of a distant reply. Balloon races were magical events where hopes soared as high as the balloons themselves.
Every launch was a celebration of imagination and possibility. Kids watched with bated breath, hoping their balloon would travel furthest, bring back a message. It was a blend of science and whimsy, a testament to the power of simple joys.
These races are now a thing of the past, banned by modern environmental laws, but their spirit of exploration and adventure lingers. Memories of balloons dotting the sky are vivid reminders of childhood wonder and the limitless skies of our imaginations.
12. Bake Sales With Mystery Brownies
Bite into a time when taste testing was a daring adventure. Bake sales were a staple of school fundraising, but the mystery of the brownies was where the thrill lay. Unlabeled, untested, each bite was a gamble between cocoa delight and carob disaster.
The unpredictability was part of the charm. The joy of finding a perfect brownie kept customers returning, while the odd carob surprise added humor to every sale. Kids manned the tables, selling treats with the earnestness of seasoned bakers.
The bake sale was more than fundraising; it was a community event filled with laughter, stories, and the occasional culinary mishap. A deliciously unpredictable slice of school life that left sweet memories behind.
13. “Tape the Teacher to the Wall” Day
Ever wanted to see a teacher on the wall? ‘Tape the Teacher’ days offered just that spectacle. For a small fee, students could buy strips of duct tape to adhere a willing teacher to the wall, turning them into a human art installation.
The laughter echoed through the halls as layer upon layer of tape was applied. The final reveal was a teacher stuck in place, a beacon of patience and humor. It was a lesson in creativity, teamwork, and gentle rebellion.
Looking back, it was a testament to the strong bond between students and teachers, where fun took precedence over formality. The slow slide down was a perfect metaphor for the fleeting nature of youth and the lasting impact of shared silliness.