PTA Summer Fair

Pricing options to cover costs and keep the fair accessible

The inflatables cost £400. These options are designed to help cover costs, raise funds for PTA activities, and remain affordable for families.

Option 1

Free entry + higher wristband

  • Entry: free
  • Inflatables: £6 advance / £7 on the day
  • Stalls & games: parent-led pricing
  • Suggested guide: £1 for simple games, £2 for more involved activities such as arts & crafts

Most accessible, but relies more heavily on wristband and stall sales.

Option 2

£2 family entry + standard wristband

  • Entry: £2 per family
  • Inflatables: £5 advance / £6 on the day
  • Stalls & games: parent-led pricing
  • Suggested guide: £1 for simple games, £2 for more involved activities such as arts & crafts

Balanced and simple: keeps entry low while giving more certainty on covering costs.

Option 3

£2 adult entry with token included

  • Entry: £2 per adult, children free
  • Included: 1 raffle ticket or 1 game token
  • Inflatables: £5 advance / £6 on the day
  • Stalls & games: parent-led pricing, suggested guide of £1–£2

Paid entry may feel better value because families receive something back.

Realistic estimate

Estimated attendance and revenue

These figures use cautious assumptions for a school summer fair: around 70–80 families attending, only around 30 children buying inflatable wristbands, a mix of advance and on-the-day wristbands, and modest stall/game spending. They exclude extra income from refreshments, cakes, second-hand sales, uniforms or sponsorship.

Option 1 estimate

Free entry + higher wristband

Families attending
80
Children buying wristbands
30
Average wristband price
£6.50
Average stall/game spend
£4 per family
Entry: £0 Inflatables: £195 Stalls/games: £320

Estimated total: ~£515

Estimated margin after £400 inflatable cost: ~£115

Option 2 estimate

£2 family entry + standard wristband

Families attending
75
Children buying wristbands
30
Average wristband price
£5.50
Average stall/game spend
£4 per family
Entry: £150 Inflatables: £165 Stalls/games: £300

Estimated total: ~£615

Estimated margin after £400 inflatable cost: ~£215

Option 3 estimate

£2 adult entry with token included

Families attending
70
Paying adults
105
Children buying wristbands
30
Additional stall/game spend
£3.50 per family
Entry: £210 Inflatables: £165 Additional stalls/games: £245

Estimated total: ~£620

Estimated margin after £400 inflatable cost: ~£220

Based on these assumptions, Option 2 is the strongest practical balance: simple, accessible, and the most likely to cover the £400 inflatable cost while still raising PTA funds.

Rain risk

What happens if the weather is poor?

Rain is the biggest risk because it can reduce attendance, lower wristband uptake, and reduce casual spending at stalls. These estimates assume the £400 inflatable cost still needs to be covered.

Light rain / showers

Likely impact: around 20–30% fewer families and lower stall spending.

  • Option 1: ~60 families, ~20 wristbands, estimated revenue ~£310, margin ~-£90
  • Option 2: ~58 families, ~22 wristbands, estimated revenue ~£411, margin ~£11
  • Option 3: ~54 families, ~20 wristbands, estimated revenue ~£408, margin ~£8

In light rain, Options 2 and 3 still give a safer base because entry income helps offset the reduced turnout.

Heavy rain / poor conditions

Likely impact: attendance could fall by 40–50%, and inflatables may be less attractive or even unusable.

  • Option 1: ~40 families, ~10 wristbands, estimated revenue ~£145, margin ~-£255
  • Option 2: ~38 families, ~12 wristbands, estimated revenue ~£218, margin ~-£182
  • Option 3: ~35 families, ~10 wristbands, estimated revenue ~£231, margin ~-£169

In heavy rain, none of the options fully protects the PTA if the full inflatable cost is still payable.

How to reduce the rain risk

  • Check the inflatable supplier’s wet-weather cancellation, postponement or partial-refund policy.
  • Prioritise indoor-friendly stalls such as cakes, raffle, second-hand toys/books, uniform and simple games.
  • Encourage advance sales where possible, especially wristbands or family entry.
  • Have a wet-weather plan for moving stalls indoors or under cover.
  • Avoid relying on inflatables alone to cover the £400 cost.

Rain-risk conclusion: Option 2 remains the strongest practical option because the £2 family entry gives some guaranteed income without making entry feel too expensive.

Quick comparison

Most accessible Option 1
Most practical balance Option 2
Best perceived value Option 3