When it comes to school fundraising, one size definitely doesn't fit all. The key to a successful fundraiser is offering products that resonate with your students' interests, and that often depends on their age. From kindergarten to high school, we’ve broken down the best fundraising items by grade range to help you choose what’s most likely to spark excitement (and sales) for your next fundraiser.
Grades K–2: Bright, Fun, and Sensory
At this age, kids love color, texture, and things they can squeeze or sniff. Fundraising items should be playful, easy to use, and safe for little hands.
Top Picks:
• Smencils – Scented pencils that make writing extra fun. Kids love collecting all the different smells.
• Smelly Gellies – Can be used as a crayon or highlighter, these gel coloring sticks smell deliciously fruity and fun to collect.
• Smickers – Scented stickers make rewards and personalizing items fun and interactive.
• Backpack Buddies – Scented plush keychains that clip onto backpacks. These are super popular in lower grades.
Grades 3–5: Collectible and Interactive
Kids in upper elementary are more into trading, collecting, and personalizing their school supplies. They want items that feel a bit more grown-up but still playful.
Top Picks:
• Smens – The pen version of Smencils with scented gel ink and fun designs.
• Smelly Ballz – A colorful and scented sensory ball that kids love to play with or clip onto their bags.
• Backpack Buddies – Still a hit in this range, especially new characters or limited editions.
• Smickers – A fun item for decorating notebooks, folders, and more.
Grades 6–8: Silly, Smart, and Social
Middle schoolers enjoy humor, self-expression, and cool-looking accessories. Items that stand out or make them laugh are usually a win.
Top Picks:
• Fart Monsters – A hilarious and collectible hit with middle schoolers who love anything goofy.
• Geladough – Scented, squishy dough with collectible containers. Great for stress relief or playing with friends.
• Smens – Still a solid choice, especially with bolder scents and sleeker packaging.
• Keychains – Fun and trendy keychains let them personalize backpacks and lockers.
Grades 9–12: Cool, Useful, and On-Trend
High school students lean toward products that feel more mature or stylish. Scented items can still appeal if they’re cleverly packaged or serve a functional purpose.
Top Picks:
• Smens – Scented pens with a clean look are still great for note-taking and exam prep.
• Keychains – Minimal or funny keychains are always popular.
• Smelly Ballz – These can double as stress relief for teens juggling busy schedules.
• Geladough – A fun, quirky gift item teens enjoy at school or home.
While product preferences vary by grade, variety is key. A fundraiser that offers a mix of items across age groups ensures there’s something for everyone from the youngest students to their older siblings and even parents.
Through Scentco Fundraising, choose age-appropriate items to boost engagement, sales, profits, and smiles all around.
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