We had a giveaway like this one year with our carnival. I just made a big poster listing all the prizes, hung it on the wall behind the table and as we drew names, we taped them next to the prize won. The families then stopped by the table, looked for their child's name and prize and collected it from the volunteer. The volunteer marked off the name/prize as they were picked up.

I would choose the prize and then draw the winner. Let the children trade if they want to afterwards. I think you have a good solution. I would enlist the help of someone who knows most of the children so they do not actually "check in" Our school secretary know children and parents, so it would be safe to assume all children in the family would be there if she saw an adult. Instead of labels, you could print them on paper and cut out the names as the families arrive.

I would just pick the order of prizes you are going to give out and then do it that way... such as a Dr. Seuss book-pick the book then draw the winner for that prize, then the next prize would be a game and vice versa.
I like the idea of each child's name and teacher on a paper- do they get the prize even if they are no longer there?
If they do, if the teachers name is on the ticket as well- it will make things a lot easier for you. sounds like you have already put a lot of work into a great event- DO NOT let someone else that doesn't run the event tell you, you are doing something wrong-- if there wasn't any criteria for running the event or specific rules to follow, then this PTO person has no place in telling you what you are do supposed to do, that's why you are chairing the event... Good luck with this great and fun event for the kids

We always do a family fun night to kick of March is reading Month. I am in my second year of being a PTO volunteer and I am the chair of this event this year. Our PTO board doesn't really give us too much information on how things are run. So I am kind of on my own.

I have 77 books and 22 board games/cards/games to give away on this night. It is a very busy night. We are having an ice cream social in the Art room, a book fair in the library and in the gym we are having the high school come and teach the kids dances from High School Musical.

Our event runs 2 1/2 hours with people coming and going to each activity. How should I raffle the prizes? First they wanted me to give each kid a raffle ticket as they walked in the door (only students of course). But I really think it will be nuts trying to call numbers with everyone in different rooms.

So I thought, I would type up the kids name by classroom on address labels. And then as they come in they check in and I put there name on a piece of paper and put it in the drawing bin. Then when we pull winners, we know their name and can find them easier.

Then I also have another dilemma, do I just let each kid choose their own prize. They could be up there forever choosing. Should I have them draw another ticket that either says BOOK or GAME? And then that would be the section of prizes they could choose from. I really don't know what to do. And we have someone on our PTO that will definitely tell me when I do something wrong. Please help me!!!!