🌈 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 - 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.

💥 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 - and schools are making them their own!

🎉 “Best event ever. We raised double what we normally raise for a ‘-thon’ fundraiser.”
🎉 “Our kindy raised over $30K and it’s back on the calendar again this year.”

It’s not just about colour — it’s about community, fun and memorable experiences.

🚀 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!)

💬 “The kids had an absolute blast - highly recommend this!”
💡 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.

💦 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!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 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
📸 Don’t forget the group photo at the end!

💰 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

🛒 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

📦 1. Use a Fundraising Supplier

✅ Great for busy committees or smaller teams
✅ 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

• 🏆 Incentive prizes for students - over 70 options, appealing to all age groups

• 📢 All marketing materials included: posters, flyers, parent letters, sponsorship forms

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

💡 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 - no more chasing loose change!

💬 “We used online sponsorship and our annual fundraiser jumped from $13K to over $25K - and it’s stayed there.”

Click here to find suppliers.

🛠️ 2. DIY Colour Run

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

You’ll need:

• A good supply of colour powder (suggested: 25kg 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)

🧪 Ingredients & Materials

You'll need:

• Cornflour (aka cornstarch) - around 3 cups per person

• Gel food colouring (for vibrant colours)

• Water

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

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

⚖️ 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 - so plan accordingly when shopping.

📌 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.

🎨 Colour Powder Calculator

🥣 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 ½ 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 (~90°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!

✅ Pros & Cons of DIY Powder

🧼 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

✅ Final Tips & Checklist

🔲 Choose a fun, safe course with optional challenges

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

🔲 Decide on DIY or supplier-led

🔲 Plan for wow factors like a foam pit or group colour toss

🔲 Get prizes, snacks, and shade sorted

🔲 Promote sponsorship

🔲 Capture photos and memories to share with your community

🌟 Make It a Signature Event

Colour runs are more than a fundraiser - 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 - you’re on to a winner.

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

🎯 Colour Runs and Other ‘A-thon’ Fundraisers

The Colour Run is a modern twist on the classic fun run - and if you're looking for other “-athon” style events, you're only limited by your imagination!

Supporters can either sponsor participants based on how many “units” they complete (laps, books, words, hoops) or just give a flat donation.

Here are some fresh takes on the format that might suit your community:

🧠 Spell-a-thon

Kids are sponsored per correctly spelled word from a grade-appropriate list - a fun and educational fundraiser (just don’t tell the kids they’re learning!).

📚 Read-a-thon

Students raise money by reading books - perfect for a longer campaign like over a month. Ask your local bookshop to get involved with prizes!

🎵 Play-a-thon

Ideal for music programs - students are sponsored to perform solos or group pieces. Perform at assembly, local markets or even a shopping centre.

➗ Math-a-thon

A brainy option: sponsors pledge per maths problem solved in a timed challenge. Keep it level-appropriate and celebrate participation.

🏀 Hoop-a-thon

Think basketball shots - how many hoops can each player sink before missing, or in five minutes?

💃 Aerobic-a-thon

Crank the tunes and let kids earn funds for every few minutes they keep dancing or moving. Bonus points for themed costumes!

🧡 Tip: ‘A-thon’ events can be run DIY or through fundraising providers that offer pre-packaged solutions and online fundraising tools.

Make it an annual tradition, compete between classes or even run an inter-school competition. And don’t forget to involve local businesses - they’re often keen to sponsor prizes or supplies that match the theme.