Activity Ideas
Ideas on how to sell, promote and use Fairtrade products
Fashion show modelling clothes made with Fairtrade cotton
There are normally plenty of aspiring models in a school. And those that don’t want to strut their stuff on the catwalk can help out with the hair and make-up, set, lighting, music, announcing… Some suppliers will provide clothes on a sale-or–return basis, so you won’t need to spend lots of money.
Fairtrade football / rubgy / basketball match using Fairtrade balls
Organise a competition between different school teams or different schools using Fairtrade footballs. These are available from Oxfam shops among others. Hannah in Leeds says:
“Some schools I’ve worked with have done this, and it’s worked brilliantly. They found they couldn’t get insurance for a staff against pupil game, so they organised a teacher versus teacher one instead which most of the school came out to watch and laugh… I mean cheer on!”
Beat the Goalie
Competition at a school fete.
Running a Fairtrade stall or café
There is a huge amount of fun to be had selling Fairtrade snacks and other goods. It’s a brilliant project to introduce business skills or other organisational skills such as sorting out the decor, music, marketing…
Fairtrade cookery club
Make your own food using Fairtrade ingredients. It’s great fun whether it’s a one-off event, a regular meeting, during lessons, at lunch time or after school.
Fairtrade Easter egg hunt
This isn’t just for primary school age groups, grown ups love it too, so don’t forget to hide some in the staffroom or caretaker’s room!
Fairtrade treasure hunt
As an alternative to the Easter egg hunt, a treasure hunt can be done all year. Give lots of clues and hide lots of Fairtrade ‘treasure’.
Fairtrade wine tasting evening
A great fundraising idea for your school, or could be organised in conjunction with a parents’ evening or at the end of a staff training day.
Fairtrade cotton sock-hurling contest
Test how far a pair of socks made with Fairtrade cotton can be thrown! Everyone who enters must buy their own pair of Fairtrade cotton socks.
Get your school uniform available in Fairtrade cotton
You can find details on suppliers of Fairtrade cotton and manufacturers of Fairtrade school uniforms from the Fairtrade Foundation at http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/ Fairtrade breakfast or lunch A good way to start the day is to invite friends to a pre-school breakfast club, where you could use Fairtrade fruit juices, muesli, fresh fruit (and tea, coffee, sugar for staff).
Ideas on how to promote and take action for Fairtrade
Have a Fairtrade rich / poor lunch
Use the dining hall or school canteen to show how unequal the world is. Everyone pays the same amount for a ticket, but some get a huge banquet and others just get rice.
Hold a quiz
A quiz is always good fun. Organise people in groups of four or five and provide Fairtrade refreshments and questions.
Fairtrade Funfair / Fun day / Festival
Do a taste test! Show and taste Fairtrade products (try doing this blindfold), sign petitions, raise awareness, have speakers…
Fairtrade food
Why not produce a Fairtrade recipe book, have a baking competition, cake sale or even a Christmas hamper?
Start a Fairtrade Box scheme
Supply Fairtrade products. Start simple, with people in school and then think about parents, families, local organisations and even other schools!
Discover Fairtrade Town links
Find out if you have a local Fairtrade Town campaign (Fairtrade Towns ), and where you can contribute. They may be able to help you out with resources and speakers.
Spread the word
Give a presentation about Fairtrade at a coffee morning for older residents, toddler groups or in local schools. Don’t forget governors and parents too!
Post a poster
Organise a competition for the best poster encouraging people to buy Fairtrade products.
Get dressed up
Use fancy dress. Pupils at Tranmere Park Primary dressed up as Fairtrade products when they took part in the Guisley Carnival.
Advertise Fairtrade
Create an image that could be used as a computer screensaver.
Get out there!
Take a Fairtrade petition, request, posters or banner to your local shops, council or businesses.
Make a media splash
Make sure that the whole world (well, your little bit of it anyway) knows what you’re doing, and why.