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Colour Fun Runs: Ultimate Guide

2 April 2025

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🌈 The Ultimate Guide to Running a Colour Fun Run at Your School

Tips, Ideas & Real Stories from Aussie School Communities

If you’re looking for a fresh, exciting and super-fun way to raise funds for your school or club β€” it’s hard to beat the Colour Fun Run!

What started as a bright new take on the traditional lapathon has grown into one of the most popular and inclusive school fundraisers in Australia. Whether you're planning your first run or looking for ways to make it even more fun, we’ve gathered the best advice, inspiration and practical tips from Aussie fundraising communities and event experts.


πŸ’₯ What Makes Colour Runs So Popular?

Originating in the US in 2011 and inspired by the Hindu Holi Festival, colour runs are now embraced around the world β€” and schools are making them their own!

πŸŽ‰ β€œBest event ever. We raised double what we normally raise for a β€˜-thon’ fundraiser.”
πŸŽ‰ β€œOur kindy raised over $30K and it’s back on the calendar again this year.”

It’s not just about colour β€” it’s about community, fun and memorable experiences.


πŸš€ Add Excitement: Real Ideas from Real Schools

We asked the fundraising community: How did you take your colour run to the next level? Here's what they shared:

🫧 1. The Foam Pit: A Show-Stopping Addition

A massive favourite! One school created a DIY foam tunnel using:

  • A roofless gazebo frame

  • Cling wrap or pallet wrap as side walls

  • Hired foam machines (with colour powder added for extra wow!)

Colour Run Foam Station

πŸ’¬ β€œThe kids had an absolute blast β€” highly recommend this!”
πŸ’‘ Tip: Keep the foam going while kids pass through for continuous excitement!


🎨 2. The Colour Bomb Countdown

Let kids end the event with a big group colour toss:

  • Hand out a packet (or ziplock bag) of colour powder

  • Gather everyone together, count down from 3… and let it fly!

  • Creates a rainbow explosion – and an epic photo moment.


πŸ’¦ 3. Water Fun & Obstacles

Depending on the weather, include:

  • Sprinklers or water pistols (even with food colouring!)

  • Simple obstacle stations like hoops, cones, or hay bales

  • A mud pit or bubble tunnel for the adventurous

  • Invite the Fire Brigade and see if they have spare water they can spray on you!

Colour Run Ideas


πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦ 4. Get Everyone Involved

  • Invite teachers, support staff – even the principal to join in!

  • Encourage siblings and parents to run too for a family event

  • Some schools involve local fire and police for a community feel

  • Cater for students who don't want to get mucky, perhaps a smaller separate circuit or have a lap first off before any water or powder is used (get school leaders in on this one too to make sure it's fun)

🎭 Staff in costumes = guaranteed crowd-pleaser
πŸ“Έ Don’t forget the group photo at the end!

Colour Run Fire Brigade


πŸ’° Turning Fun into Funds

A few extra tips from organisers:

🎯 Set a fundraising target

  • Use sponsorship forms or digital platforms

  • Offer individual or class-based prizes for top fundraisers

  • Some schools provide t-shirts, caps or fruit ice blocks as part of the entry

πŸ›’ Easy Fundraising Add-ons

  • Sweet treats: Rainbow jelly, popcorn, Zooper Doopers, fairy floss

  • Merch tables with glow sticks, wristbands, or colour-themed goodies

  • Take pre-orders to help with quantities and reduce waste


🧠 Organising Your Event: Two Ways to Go

πŸ“¦ 1. Use a Fundraising Supplier

βœ… Great for busy committees or smaller teams
βœ… All-in-one support with less stress and higher returns

Why schools love this option:

  • 🎭 Includes many of the obstacles and set-up on the day

  • 🎨 Colour powder included as well as other goodies such as sunglasses, wristbands

  • πŸ† Incentive prizes for students β€” over 70 options, appealing to all age groups

  • πŸ“’ All marketing materials included: posters, flyers, parent letters, sponsorship forms

  • 🌐 Online fundraising platform makes it easy to collect donations digitally β€” and boosts fundraising potential significantly

πŸ’‘ Online fundraising = bigger reach + easier donations.
Parents, grandparents, and friends can donate from anywhere. Some schools have reported doubling their proceeds thanks to online sponsorship tools β€” no more chasing loose change!

πŸ’¬ β€œWe used online sponsorship and our annual fundraiser jumped from $13K to over $25K β€” and it’s stayed there.”

Click here to find suppliers.


πŸ› οΈ 2. DIY Colour Run

βœ… Greater flexibility
βœ… Lower cost if you have a strong volunteer base and time to plan

You’ll need:

  • A good supply of colour powder (suggested: 10kg per 100 people)

  • Volunteers to manage the course and throw powder

  • Printed sponsorship forms, promotional materials, and prize organisation

  • A decision on charging an entry fee or providing fundraising packs

🧼 Colour powder is typically corn starch-based and non-toxic.
🎁 Prizes and entry packs (like sunnies, T-shirts, popper drink) can boost motivation and turnout.


🎨 How to Make Your Own Colour Run Powder (DIY Recipe)

πŸ§ͺ Ingredients & Materials

You'll need:

  • Cornflour (aka cornstarch) β€” around 3 cups per person

  • Gel food colouring (for vibrant colours)

  • Water

  • Mixing bowls, baking trays, and a sieve or food processor

πŸ’‘ Tip: Gel colours are brighter than liquid dyes but can be more expensive. Buy in bulk or seek donations to reduce costs.

βš–οΈ How Much Powder Do You Need?

Most organisers allow for 350–400g of powder per participant, which equals roughly 3 cups of cornflour per person. One bottle of gel dye colours about 4 cups of cornflour β€” so plan accordingly when shopping.

πŸ“Œ Example cost: If cornflour is $4/kg and gel dye is $5 per bottle, your cost per participant will be around $5, unless you get items donated or on sale.

πŸ₯£ DIY Method: Make It at Home

Here's a simple and effective way to make vibrant colour powder at home:

  1. Mix: In a bowl, combine 2 cups of cornflour with Β½ bottle of gel food colouring and a little water to make a smooth paste.

  2. Dry: Spread the coloured paste thinly on a baking tray and either:

    • Bake it at a low heat (~90Β°C) for 1–2 hours, OR

    • Air dry it for 1–2 days, stirring occasionally to prevent mould.

  3. Crush: Once dry, break it into chunks and pulse it in a food processor or push it through a sieve to make a fine powder.

  4. Store: Keep powders in labelled containers or ziplock bags until event day.

🎨 Repeat the process with different colours!

βœ… Pros & Cons of DIY Powder

ProsCons
Lower cost (especially with donations)Time-consuming to make in bulk
You control what goes into itCan get messy
Great for small groups or creative classesColours may be less vibrant than commercial options

🧼 Is It Safe?

Yes! DIY colour powder made with cornflour and food dye is non-toxic and safe for use in outdoor events. Just be sure to:

  • Avoid using near open flames (cornflour is combustible in very high concentrations)

  • Offer protective eyewear or sunglasses

  • Keep water nearby for easy clean-up


βœ… Final Tips & Checklist

πŸ”² Choose a fun, safe course with optional challenges

πŸ”² Have first aid kits on hand and ensure there are clear instructions for participants regarding the colour powder.

πŸ”² Decide on DIY or supplier-led

πŸ”² Plan for wow factors like a foam pit or group colour toss

πŸ”² Get prizes, snacks, and shade sorted

πŸ”² Promote sponsorship

πŸ”² Capture photos and memories to share with your community


🌟 Make It a Signature Event

Colour runs are more than a fundraiser β€” they’re a memory-maker, community-builder, and a highlight on the school calendar. Whether you go all out with a foam pit and fire brigade, or keep it simple with colour, laughter, and a water spray β€” you’re on to a winner.

✨ Have tips or photos from your Colour Run? We’d love to feature them!
πŸ“² Follow us on Facebook and join the growing community of Aussie fundraising legends in our wildly active and helpful Facebook group :-)


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