The art teacher in our elementary has each student make a Christmas ornament to sell. They offer the parents a chance to buy their own child's ornament (which of course they always do). This would not work for an auction, but an easy moneymaker.
Our top selling items at our auction were handpainted wooden toy boxes by the second graders. They worked on them in art class and each had a theme. Each child brought in a new item to fill the toy boxes too.
Another school I know of painted large umbrellas,wooden bird houses, large terra cotta pots and even vinyl shower curtains. All of those were top ticket items for them.
We purchased unfinished bookcases and child chairs that each class decorated in art class. Each item had a different theme based on what the teacher was working on with that grade, i.e., Monet, Raindow Fish, Abstract Art. The items were also signed on the back by the students. We displayed the items before the auction so any parents who would not be attending could send in a bid. Parents had a great time bidding on these items. This year we hope to expend to other unfinished furniture such as toy chests, mail boxes, flowers boxes.
If you go by a theme for your action, then each class can make a basket full of goodies. Usually, parents bid on their childs classrooms basket. Quilts are always a great item.
I would really appreciate it if anyone can give me a description of the 1,2 or 3 "top-grossing" auction items MADE BY STUDENTS. This is for a 1st through 8th grade elementary school kids. Your experience and knowledge would be very appreciated. I am in charge of this and I don't know what to recommend to the classes!
