Planning a school reading fundraiser is an exciting opportunity to celebrate reading while rallying your community to support your school’s needs. A well-chosen theme can make your fundraiser more engaging, memorable, and fun for all involved. It also makes it easier to design print materials and communications and pick prizes that tie it all together. Once you have your theme set, the rest of your fundraising plan is ready to get pulled into place!
So, how do you pick the right theme? Here are some tips to craft a theme that will inspire students, energize teachers, and delight families.
1. Celebrate Your School’s Spirit
Start with what makes your school unique! Incorporate your school mascot, colors, or a beloved tradition into the theme. If your mascot is a lion, tiger, or cougar, for example, your theme could be “Roaring Readers” or “[Your School Name] Roars for Reading.” Pair this with banners, decorations, and prizes in your school colors to boost school pride.
Some more reading fundraiser theme ideas for popular mascots:
- Soaring with Stories (Eagles) - encourage students to let their imaginations take flight as they conquer their reading goals.
- Knights of the Reading Round Table (Knights) – transform students into noble readers on a quest for knowledge and stories.
- Bulldogs Bark for Books (Bulldogs) - Combine enthusiasm and school pride as students celebrate their excitement for reading.
For more school-spirit-themed ideas, click here.
2. Keep it Age-Appropriate
Consider the age range of your students when brainstorming themes. Younger students might enjoy whimsical themes like “Under the Sea Reading Adventure” or “Dino-Mite Readers,” while older students might prefer themes that tie into science, music, art, or even pop culture (“In Our Reading Era,” anyone?). Aligning with students’ interests ensures higher engagement.
3. Take Your Prize Cues From Your Theme
Prizes can reinforce your theme and motivate participation. For example:
- Space theme: Offer rocket-ship stickers or glow-in-the-dark bookmarks.
- Jungle theme: Think plush animal keychains or explorer hats.
- Superhero theme: Consider capes or comic book-style certificates, or have teachers dress up as superheroes when your school reaches a special fundraising milestone!
Ensure prizes are meaningful and accessible at various levels to celebrate effort as much as achievement.
4. Embrace Popular Trends
Themes inspired by current trends, pop culture, or a popular literary series can build buzz. If kids are obsessed with a particular craze—whether it’s a trendy animal like an axolotl or llama, wizarding school, or superheroes—leverage that excitement! Just ensure your theme is inclusive of ages and genders and doesn’t focus on a single commercial property.
5. Tie Themes to Reading Goals
Encourage students to connect their reading accomplishments with your theme. For example:
- Travel the World Through Books: Set milestones based on continents, countries, or landmarks.
- Reading Olympics: Celebrate bronze, silver, and gold reading milestones; create badges for “Reading Olympians In Training” or various badges tied to different sporting events.
- Book Heroes Unite: Create badges that celebrate students’ favorite literary characters through history.
6. Get Input from Students and Staff
A quick poll or brainstorming session can uncover creative gems while fostering a sense of ownership over the fundraiser. The more people feel connected to the theme, the more likely they’ll participate enthusiastically. Ask teachers to engage your students in coming up with theme ideas, or have your media specialist tally “votes” during library time for the top ideas!
Bring Your Theme to Life
Once you’ve chosen your theme, weave it into every aspect of your fundraiser—from promotional materials and reading challenges to decorations and celebration events. A cohesive theme adds excitement and makes the event truly special. Having a theme is a great creative constraint to help you unleash fun ideas for on-theme prizes, banners, flyers, badges, awards, and more.
Looking for more specific theme ideas? Check out our blog post with detailed inspiration here.