Events and Programs Archive

We know planning great family events is a big part of what your group does. There are tons of ideas in the articles below for new and better ways to connect with parents, even planning events around holidays. Find more helpful tools and info on the Events & Programs resources page.

Articles with a plus sign () are available to PTO Today Plus members only.

• How To Plan a School Field Day - Tips for organizing and running a day of outdoor play, with involvement from parents and teachers.
• Student Book Club Gets Kids Reading - The PTO-sponsored school book club has students excited about reading new things.
• Sausage Supper Becomes a Delicious Tradition - This communitywide event has been bringing together generations of volunteers for more than 30 years.
• Count Day: Enrollment Census Is a Schoolwide Celebration - How one PTO turned an official attendance-taking day into a fun event for students and teachers.
• Pierogi Palooza - Raising funds and building community, one dumpling at a time.
• How PTOs Bring Arts Enrichment to Schools - Budget cuts have taken a toll on arts education in many school districts. But parent groups have found fun and creative ways to promote the arts.
• Doughnuts With Dad and More - Muffins With Mom, Doughnuts With Dad: Tips for a successful family breakfast-theme event, no matter what time of day you hold it or who’s invited.
• PTO Tailgating Night: Pep Rally for Academics and Fitness - Families loved this PTO-planned event to promote math, reading, and staying fit.
• How To Run a Successful Family Night - Make your School Family Night a hit with these planning tips, ideas for themes, and more.
• PTO Family Dance Night: Boogie Down! - Parents, students, and teachers went all out to show their disco style at the PTO’s annual dance night.
• How PTOs Celebrate Halloween - Halloween events are more than a chance for students to show off their costumes. They’re a way to provide some family fun and build a sense of community at school.
• Family Event: Eco-Chic Fashion Show - The 2011 Parent Group of the Year for Outstanding Family Event planned an outrageous night featuring student-designed fashions made from recycled materials.
• Multicultural Outreach: Diverse Roots at International Night - PTO Today's 2011 Parent Group of the Year for Outstanding Outreach to a Multicultural Parent Base created a fun, educational, free family night that got the entire school community involved, from administrators on down to students.
• PTO Events That Rock - Some events just have more “wow” than others. We profile PTO events that got the whole community excited and asking for more.
• Great School Science Events - Science can be fun and exciting for students. Use these ideas and approaches to create engaging science-related activities.
• Messy Art Night: PTO Family Event for All Ages - An arts-based family event brings out the child in everyone with multiple ways to get creative.
• Tips and Ideas for Middle School Events - Check out these suggestions for events and programs that work at the middle school level.
• Community Night Helps Families Find Resources - Each September, families get a chance to socialize with each other and learn about local organizations and services, too.
• School Carnival Planning Basics - School carnivals are a hit with students and parents alike. Here’s how to make yours shine.
• 6 Outdoor Events for Spring - Welcome the warmer weather with one of these ideas for fun family activities.

Holidays

• 7 Ideas for Celebrating Leap Day - 2012 is a Leap Year! Celebrate that extra day in February with some of these fun and educational activities.
• How PTOs Celebrate Halloween - Halloween events are more than a chance for students to show off their costumes. They’re a way to provide some family fun and build a sense of community at school.
• 7 Fun Valentine’s Day Ideas - Get students involved in the spirit of the holiday with these school projects and family activities organized by your PTO or PTA.
• Celebrate Earth Day at School - How green is your parent group? Here are some ways your school community can reduce its environmental impact on Earth Day and beyond.
• Creative Ideas for Valentine’s Day - Share feelings of friendship, affection, and appreciation in your PTO’s school community with these Valentine’s Day ideas.
• Celebrate Presidents’ Day at School - Honor the highest office in the land by marking Presidents' Day at school. Here are some ideas to get your PTO started.
• How To Celebrate Martin Luther King Day - 5 ideas to help your school observe Martin Luther King Jr. day.
• 9 Special Event Ideas To Spice Up Your Year - From old favorites like Read Across America Day to new traditions (National Pi Day on March 14, maybe?), these noteworthy dates make learning fun.
• 12 Holiday Ideas for Your PTO or PTA - The holidays are a natural time to showcase your school parent group with festive activities and events. Not sure where to begin? Here are 12 ideas to choose from.