School family night ideas strengthen the community. They provide socialization opportunities for parents, students, and school staff, and can teach valuable skills. These events can also double as fundraisers, helping schools reach their financial goals.
There are many types of family events for schools, including games and contests, arts and crafts activities, dances, and musical performances. This guide lists 21 of the best family night ideas for schools, allowing you to choose the ones best suited to your academic, socialization, and fundraising goals.
Table of Contents
What Makes a Great School Family Night?
Here are some school event planning tips to consider:
- Inclusive: Events should be inclusive, offering something for everyone to enjoy. This approach is ideal for strengthening school culture and ensures high attendance rates without making anyone feel left out. Trivia nights are ideal, while anything that requires a lot of physical activity may exclude disabled and older family members.
- Low Cost or Free: Costs can add up quickly, especially if guests are paying admission for multiple family members. Encourage attendance by making events low-cost or free. If the school hopes to raise money, it may do so by offering food, drinks, and souvenirs for sale, or by hosting a raffle or auction.
- Interactive: Guests enjoy feeling like part of the event. Include interactive elements to promote this angle. Consider events that people can participate in, or host art installations that guests can use hands-on.
- Supports School Goals: School goals come in many shapes and sizes. Your event may help raise money for the school or promote education. Ensure guests understand what the event supports to make them passionate about attending.
Family Night Ideas for K-12 Schools
You may understand the elements involved in making a great school family night, but coming up with family night ideas for schools that are easy to implement can be challenging. Here are some that will help your school bring its community together.
1. STEM Night
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is a modern approach to learning that promotes relevant skills and allows kids to 'geek out' with the latest tools. It involves engaging activities and experiments that offer a fun and approachable way to learn technical concepts. Research reveals STEM activities can improve children's confidence toward engineering by 29%, boost communication skills by 42%, and increase observational skills by 93%.
Here are some STEM family night activities you can implement in your family night events.
- Consider a STEM Fair: Encourage students to create projects related to STEM topics. They can develop presentations and demonstrate how their project works. Have guests and staff vote on their favorite.
- Create STEM Displays: Alternatively, you may also feature displays brought in by a third party. Anything from a simple chemistry experiment to a nature activity can fit the bill.
- Offer Workshops: Families may be interested in attending workshops that teach various STEM concepts or explain their benefits.
- Ensure There's Something for Everyone: STEM may seem advanced, but it can be suited for all levels, including anything from high-level coding to magnetic slime. Consider different age groups and sensibilities to ensure everyone learns something and has a good time.
2. Multicultural Celebration
It is fascinating to learn about cultures around the world. Multicultural events promote an understanding of society while strengthening community bonds. Consider multicultural night school ideas that allow people to share what their culture is about, such as:
- Cultural Potlucks: Ask each person to bring in a dish that represents their culture. Allow them to discuss the dish or place an index card next to it explaining what's in it and its significance.
- Art Exhibits: Display cultural artwork, whether it be made by your guests or commissioned from another source. Ensure guests know their meaning, whether through a presentation or literature.
- Cultural Sharing: Allow your guests to do a short presentation discussing a cultural artifact or telling a story about their culture.
- Spotlight Various Cultures: Schools may also dedicate nights to specific cultures and celebrate them with food, dances, songs, and artwork.
3. Game Night
You can't go wrong with game night. Almost everyone has a game they enjoy. The trick is finding the right one! Here are some school game night ideas for family night at school that ensure a successful event.
- Choose a Game: One approach is to plan your event around one game that everyone enjoys. Ensure it is suitable for multiple players. Trivia games are a great example.
- Choose Multiple Games: Another idea is to have multiple games available. Guests can choose the games they prefer to play from your selection. These games should also be suited to multiple players to promote socialization and ensure no one feels left out.
- Serve Snacks: Snacks and refreshments will add to the party atmosphere.
- Encourage Socialization: Avoid an atmosphere where people are so lost in their games that they don't socialize. Ensure they mingle by providing everyone with name tags. Encourage them to rotate teams so they meet new people.
4. Literacy Night
Reading is something no one can have too much of, and many of us don't have enough of. A literacy night promotes a connection to literature, and there are so many ways to carry it out. Here are some school literacy night ideas to consider.
- Book Trade: Ask guests to bring in a book they have finished so they can trade with other avid readers.
- Movie Night: Invite attendees to watch movies based on books. Ask them to share their thoughts when the movie is over.
- Book Club: Book clubs require readers to read chosen books and discuss the plot lines and meanings.
- Themed Events: A themed event helps guests celebrate their favorite literature. Consider a 1920's themed Great Gatsby event or ask people to dress up as their favorite book character.
- Guest Speakers: If possible, invite authors and other literary professionals to speak at your event.
5. Talent Show
A talent show allows guests to display their creativity and provides an entertainment outlet for attendees. Performers will invite their families and friends, guaranteeing a good turnout. The following guidelines will make your event a success.
- Provide a Signup Sheet: Place a signup sheet in a convenient location, allowing guests to register for the event. In addition to helping with organization, it will make people excited about the talent show.
- Establish Guidelines: Your guidelines will establish the type of talent accepted and how long each performer can perform. Ensure your talent understands the need to keep it PG!
- Get the Necessary Equipment: Your talent show may require a stage, a PA, and special lighting. Ensure you can access the equipment you need.
- Get a Voting Panel: Choose the winner based on audience voting, or get a panel of judges to make the event more exciting.
6. Art Showcase
Art is a healthy past time, and a learning experience. It's also great for mental health. Crown Counseling reveals it can reduce depression and anxiety by 73% and is especially beneficial to autistic children. An art showcase is an ideal family night activity that can be implemented as follows:
- Choose a Theme: Selecting a theme is optional, but it can enhance family engagement in education and improve attendance. Themes can include certain periods, artistic styles, or media types.
- Determine a Source: You can ask for art from students, families, local artists or a combination of these options.
- Decide on a Display Area: Art can be displayed in various sections of the school or event venue. It can be hung in hallways, auditoriums, libraries, or classrooms. Consider a layout that allows everyone to view as they walk along.
- Make it a Contest: Add some excitement by turning your showcase into a contest. If the art is sourced from the student body, choose different winners by age group to ensure fairness.
7. Movie Under the Stars
A movie under the stars is the perfect warm-weather event. Families gather to enjoy entertainment in a social setting. They can laugh and cry together as the plot unfolds.
- Decide on the Movie: Choose a movie that everyone will enjoy. Ensure it's family-friendly.
- Licensing and Permission: Showing movies in public spaces, even schools, requires a license. Swank Motion Pictures, Inc. and Fun Flicks provide licenses specifically for school events. You can also contact the distributor.
- Get the Right Equipment: Movie showings typically require audio and video equipment such as a projector, screen, and speakers. Ensure you can access the equipment you need.
- Consider Seating Options: Outdoor movie nights typically require families to bring their own seating, such as blankets and beach chairs. Mention this on your flier when promoting school events to families.
- Make Alternate Plans for Rainy Weather: Consider that it might rain. Present alternate options like hosting your movie night indoors or establishing a rain date.
8. Sports and Fitness Night
Many of us try in vain to reach our fitness goals. A sports or fitness night can provide the catalyst we need. Here are some approaches.
- Create a Sports or Fitness Event: Invite families to participate in a yoga or aerobics workout or a sports event.
- Gather Fitness Experts: With this approach, families would meet with fitness experts to discuss their goals and determine how to achieve them.
- Biggest Loser Style Contest: This idea promotes a supportive environment for families to reach their fitness goals. Guests meet once a month (or more often) to talk about fitness challenges, make suggestions, and provide support. A weigh-in takes place, promoting friendly competition.
9. Science Fair
Science fairs have been around forever, but they have yet to lose their appeal. They allow students to work together and get creative while learning about science. Here's how you can turn your science fair into a fun family night.
- Collaborate with Your Science Teachers: Science teachers typically oversee the fair, helping students understand the guidelines and timetable involved. They also ensure each student works with a partner.
- Set Up the Fair: Lay out your tables, ensuring each student has space to display their projects. Ideally, they should come in the afternoon to set up their displays so they are ready for the nighttime event.
- Organizing the Presentation: Once doors open, guests walk through to visit the various displays and enjoy the student presentations.
- Choose a Winner: Guests or school judges can determine a winner. To ensure fairness and engagement, consider having both a people's choice and technical winner.
10. Bingo Night
Bingo is a game everyone can play and enjoy. You can have a 'just-for-fun' Bingo night or charge admission and turn it into a fundraiser. Here are some organizational tips.
- Ensure You Have the Supplies: You will need tables and chairs, enough cards and chips for everyone, a tumbler or Bingo cage and number balls.
- Hire a Bingo Caller: Hopefully, you know of someone who will volunteer to be your Bingo caller so you can save money. Choose someone with an outgoing personality who will help the guests have fun.
- Finalize the Rules: Determine what constitutes Bingo. Will one row need to be covered, or do winners need to cover the entire card? Should they clear their cards between rounds? Ensure players are familiar with the rules.
- Consider a Theme: You may attract more guests by giving your Bingo night a theme. Animal, beach party, and superhero Bingo are some popular choices.
- Provide Prizes: Provide inexpensive prizes for the winner such as $10 gift cards and small souvenirs.
11. Reading Picnic
Reading is great, but it can be even more pleasurable when food is involved. That's what makes a reading picnic the perfect family night idea. Here are some suggestions for organizing this event.
- Choose an Outdoor Space: Your venue can be a school football field or a nearby park.
- Organize the Food Items: Food items can be simple and snacky, like crackers and cheese. You can save money by turning the event into a potluck.
- Choose a Book: Your reading picnic should follow a 'book club' theme. Choose a book, have people read a certain section, then discuss. Reading picnics can be held regularly to discuss different pieces of literature.
12. Family Dance Night
Many people enjoy letting loose and dancing, especially on the weekends. Consider hosting your Family Dance Night on a Friday or Saturday night. This type of event is easy to organize, requiring the following steps:
- Find the Ideal Venue: A dance night requires a wide open space. The gymnasium is ideal. You may also rent out a club or host your event outdoors.
- Choose a Playlist: Choose a playlist with songs everyone can enjoy-ensuring they are PG. There may also be students and volunteers eager to deejay. A live deejay will make the event more exciting.
- Get Lights: Make the venue vibey by investing in lights and perhaps a disco ball or two.
13. Career Exploration Night
A career exploration night is ideal for high school students looking to join the workforce and parents who may be unemployed or seeking a new career path. It requires hard work on behalf of the organizer, but provides priceless benefits to the community. Here's what's involved.
- Reach out to Employers: One approach would involve turning your event into a job fair. It would require reaching out to employers in the area who may be hiring for positions that suit your target audience. Invite them to the event to connect with potential employees.
- Connect with Employment Experts: Alternatively, your event could help people find jobs by providing resources like resume improvements, advice on the best career paths, and helpful hints on where to find jobs. Invite employment experts who may offer free consultations to prepare people for the job market.
- Set Up Booths and Table: You may choose to host a job fair, career resource fair, or a combination of both. Either way, you should set up booths or tables for each organization. These can serve as interview areas where recruiters can get to know candidates, and guests can learn more about their companies and the available positions.
14. Gardening or Eco Night
Gardening and eco night are both ideal family night ideas that promote an appreciation of the environment. You may split them into different events or combine them into one big event as follows:
- Gather a Team of Experts: Your team of experts can explain the dangers of climate change and the benefits of adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle that includes gardening. They can also explain gardening techniques.
- Provide Interactive Activities: Interactive activities can include planting seeds or engaging with simulated displays that demonstrate the impact of climate change.
- Establish Goals: Make the event more engaging by asking guests to commit to eco-friendly goals. You can establish a forum or host additional events to learn how people have progressed.
- Serve Eco-Friendly Food: Set up a craft table with organic fruits and vegetables for snacking and to demonstrate the benefits of gardening and clean living.
15. Back to School Bash
A back-to-school bash starts the year off right. It also gives kids who dread returning to school something to look forward to. Here are some back-to-school family night ideas that will make your event a success. .
- Something Silly from the Teachers: Students often feel nervous around their teachers, contributing to anxiety at school. Teachers can soften the blow by engaging in a silly activity like a sports event or talent show. It will break the ice and set the tone for a positive school year.
- Welcome the Freshmen: Upper-class students may look forward to seeing old friends, while freshmen may feel anxious about starting a school year in a strange environment. Schools should ensure freshmen feel welcome at this event. Consider matching them with a senior so they can show them the ropes.
- Other Entertainment: Provide events that promote socialization, such as craft tables, games, photo booths, and other fun activities.
16. Parents vs. Kids Trivia Night
Trivia is a game most people enjoy. It promotes friendly competition and gets the brain working. Put a fun spin on it with a parents vs. kids approach. Kids will get a kick out of beating their parents.
- Choose a Trivia Theme: You may use a pre-existing game or create trivia questions yourself. Either way, you should choose a theme to make the event more exciting. Choose something both kids and parents should know about.
- Make Teams: In most scenarios, families would form teams. But here, children play against their parents. Have them sign up their teams in advance or you can divide them into teams randomly to promote socialization.
- Consider Prizes: Consider giving prizes to the winning team to make the event more interesting.
17. School Carnival
A school carnival is a huge undertaking, but it will get your students excited. It's the perfect way to boost morale or show appreciation for special goals like graduation. Here's what's involved.
- Find a Carnival Company: Choose a carnival company available on the desired date. Consider factors like cost, safety, reputation, and the rides offered.
- Determine if You Need a Permit: Requirements vary from city to city, but you may need a permit, especially if the carnival is taking place outside of school property.
- Learn How to Personalize It: The carnival company will handle all the rides, but you may be able to personalize the event with activities like a teacher dunking booth or pie-throwing contest. Your volunteers may also provide face painting or man some of the booths to add to the fun.
- Charge Admission: Ideally, school events should be free or low cost, but a school carnival is expensive, so you will need to charge your guests. However, you can promote attendance by keeping costs low and making money from food sales or games if possible. You can also make the festival free, but require guests to pay for each ride.
18. Holiday Craft Night
A holiday craft night is an ideal way to help your community find gifts for the holidays while supporting local artisans. Here are some family fun night ideas for schools that support successful execution.
- Invite Vendors: Vendors play a crucial role in your holiday craft night. Advertise that you are looking for vendors through social media or reach out to local businesses. Also, send the word out through internal channels, as some of your students and parents may want to sell their goods.
- Set Up for Craft Night: Choose a large area to double as your marketplace. A gymnasium or outdoor space could be ideal. Set up tables for your vendors or invite them to bring their own.
- Decorate: Get everyone in a festive spirit by hanging holiday decorations. You may also invite vendors to sell cookies and hot chocolate to set the mood.
19. Ice Cream Social
An ice cream social is an event no one can resist. It's all about eating ice cream and being social. Here's what you should do to prepare.
- Consider a Caterer: An ice cream social may require a caterer because it may be challenging to keep the ice cream cold throughout the event. A caterer may have special equipment. Otherwise, you can chill the ice cream with dry ice, ice packs, and pre-chilled plates and containers.
- Plan Your Menu: Choose a variety of ice creams to ensure there is something for everyone. Then decide on toppings, cones, and syrups.
- Get other supplies: Other supplies include ice cream bowls, spoons, and scoopers.
- Hire a Server: It's best to have a server when you're serving ice cream. Otherwise, things can get pretty sloppy! Hopefully, a school volunteer will come forward to save you money. Allow guests to add their own toppings for extra fun.
- Consider Other Activities: Your ice cream social will be even more social with added fun activities like a photo booth or selfie station.
20. Potluck Dinner
Potluck dinners are ideal because they save schools the expense of purchasing food. They also allow amateur (and perhaps professional) cooks to showcase their favorite meals or try out new ones. These suggestions will guide your efforts.
- Create a Centralized Menu to Prevent Duplicates: Create a centralized sign-up sheet where cooks can enter their meal submissions. This approach prevents several parents from preparing similar dishes.
- Set Up Your Potluck Area: Determine the best area for your potluck. You will need to choose a large space with plenty of seating. The cafeteria is ideal because it has everything you need for meal prep and serving.
- Consider a Theme: A theme can make your potluck more exciting. If it's near the holidays, consider a holiday theme. Cultural dishes can also add fun to the event.
21. Pajama Storytime
Pajama storytime is the perfect event for younger children. They can come in their pajamas and listen to stories with friends- kind of like a sleepover, but they get to sleep in their comfy beds. The following tips will make it a success.
- Make the Area Cozy: Choose an intimate space like the reading nook of the school library. Set the atmosphere by laying down pillows and blankets, and dim the lighting.
- Choose Various Books: Consider the age group you are catering to and choose the appropriate books. Include various genres like adventure, fantasy, and friendship to please all readers.
- Consider the Timing: Ideally, pajama storytime will take place in the evening, getting kids ready for bed. You may also offer the service on a Friday or Saturday night, allowing parents some free time for date night. However, you should also give parents the option to attend.
Tips to Boost Turnout and Engagement
Your events won't be worth the time and effort if no one shows up. They should also be engaging to ensure guests attend future events. Here are some tips that will help them succeed.
- Promote Early with Flyers and Emails: Start promoting early to ensure everyone saves the date and doesn't make other plans. Send fliers home with students and hang them around the school and in community centers. Post them on social media and send them out via email. Continue promoting the event so people don't forget about it.
- Offer Food or Prizes: People will be more likely to attend your event if you offer food and prizes. Offer prizes for games like trivia and Bingo. Serving food does more than satisfy your guests. It prevents them from wandering off for food, keeping them at your event longer, and selling food could help generate revenue.
- Ensure Events are Inclusive and Accessible: Your events should be inclusive to people of all age groups, abilities, and cultures. Ensure the activities you offer are accessible to everyone. Select ADA-friendly venues and charge reasonable admission fees to ensure accessibility and affordability.
- Highlight Partnerships with Local Orgs: Some events may integrate partnerships with local organizations. For example, you may partner with a business or agency to sponsor the event, or you may invite them as vendors. Highlighting these partnerships will encourage fans of the organization to attend and can also make the organization more excited about your event.
- Provide Take-Home Resources: Offering take-home resources, such as reading lists, kits, and brochures, is especially useful at events like career nights, eco-nights, and fitness nights. Guests will find these resources enhance the event's benefits. They may also keep the resources in their home, reminding them to pay attention to future events at your school.
Make It Count: Align Family Nights with School Goals
Family nights that align with school goals support academic success, making the event more essential. Keep these tips in mind as you plan your event for optimal results.
- Reinforce Academic Priorities: Make academic priorities the theme of your event. Great examples of academic enrichment events include science fairs, STEM nights, and literary events.
- Boost Family-School Communication: School events are another way to reinforce parent-teacher involvement and communication. Ensure families are aware of this benefit by emphasizing the many ways they can get in touch. Encourage staff members to engage with families at school events to foster connections.
- Increase Parent Volunteerism: Events are ideal for encouraging parent participation in school. Parents can volunteer, foster relationships with staff, and become an integral part of the school community. Ensure parents are aware of volunteering opportunities and feel welcome to provide their services.
- Support School Fundraising and PTA Efforts: School events often double as fundraisers, raising money for school supplies and programs. Consider charging admission, or selling food or goods to generate revenue.
How Vanco Helps Schools Strengthen Family Engagement
Vanco offers several tools that help with event planning and building family engagement. Here are some examples:
- Online Payments: Our online payment system makes it easy for families to pay for school community events in advance. Once tickets are purchased, attendance is locked in.
- School Event Ticketing: Our school event ticketing platform has everything you need to sell and track tickets for your event. It also offers templates that boost engagement and attendance. Best of all, it's free for free events.
- Planning Checklists: We offer family event checklist templates and other checklists that ensure every school event runs smoothly.
- Event Management: Vanco's event management software allows you to handle various tasks, including volunteer management, donation collection, automated communication, and performance tracking.
FAQs
What are good family night ideas for elementary schools?
Any family night idea can be ideal for elementary schools. However, you must adjust them to the appropriate age group. For example, if you are hosting a trivia night, ensure the questions are ones young children can answer. A literary night should cater to typical reading levels.
How do you plan a family night for schools?
Your approach to planning will vary depending on the type of event, but it generally includes:
- Choosing a Venue: Select a venue, whether inside or outside the school, that can accommodate your needs and guests.
- Gather Supplies: Ensure you have all the necessary supplies to make your event a success.
- Hire Staff/Volunteers: Reach out to people who may volunteer at your event or offer discounted services.
- Promote: Get the word out about your event to ensure it's well attended.
What activities can you do at a school family night?
The 21 events listed in this article are all great school family night ideas. However, you may get creative and choose other activities. Anything goes, as long as you keep the following in mind:
- Keep it PG: Ensure all elements of your activity are suitable for school and family.
- Make It Enriching: The activity should offer some sort of enrichment, whether educational, physical, or social.
- Consider Inclusivity: Choose an event that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy.
Prepare for School Events with Free Checklists
There’s a lot to keep track of with any school event. That’s why we built three checklists, which will work for most school events, to simplify event management. The checklists and guides include the following…
- Prom event planning checklist.
- Homecoming event planning checklist and guide.
- A general school event planning checklist.