Create a Cupcake Stall

Top 10 Tips for a Winning “Create a Cupcake” Stall

Cupcake Stall Ideas for School Fetes and Fundraisers

A “Create a Cupcake” stall is a fun, interactive way to raise funds at a school fete, market, or even as a special lunchtime activity. It’s colourful, creative, and appeals to kids (and plenty of adults too!). Here’s how to set yours up for maximum fun and maximum fundraising dollars.

1. Create Atmosphere with Bunting and Bright Decorations

A cupcake stall should look as delicious as it smells! Simple bunting, tablecloths, and colourful signage make the stall stand out and draw in hungry customers.

2. Keep Cupcakes Consistent

You can request uniced cupcake donations from families, but for a more consistent look (and easier icing), consider running a big bake-a-thon or asking a small group of bakers to follow the same recipe and size. Smaller, flatter cupcakes are easier for little hands to decorate and yes, they can be baked ahead and frozen.

3. Save Time with Bulk Cupcake Mix

Buying muffin or cupcake mix in commercial quantities makes large-scale baking easier and often cheaper. To make it even cheaper again, get parents to donate box mixes. It’s a time-saver when you’re producing hundreds for a busy event. Set up a 'Baking Bee' in the tuckshop or canteen a one or two days before the event and ask for volunteers to lend a hand.

4. Partner with Hospitality Students

Reach out to your local high school or TAFE hospitality department - they may be keen to help with baking as a class project or let you use their kitchen facilities.

5. Make Icing Swaps Easy

Serve icing in small plastic bowls so they can be swapped out quickly when they get messy. This helps keep everything looking fresh and reduces wastage.

6. Use Self-Standing Patty Pans

Cupcake cases that stand on their own let you fit more on a tray and have extras prepped for quick changeovers during peak times.

7. Stock Up on Popular Lollies

Kids love loading up their cupcakes, so have plenty of decorations ready. Popular picks include chopped sour straps, halved snakes, Smarties, small marshmallows, bullets, Jaffas, and freckles. Buy in bulk from a confectionery supplier or ask families for specific donations in the lead-up to the event.

8. Keep It Simple for Young Decorators

While pretty inspiration pictures are nice, most young decorators will be more excited about piling on as many toppings as possible. Keep options fun, colourful, and easy to handle.

9. Portion Control for Less Mess and More Profit

Pre-pack small bundles of decorations (e.g. 4 Smarties, 2 freckles, 1 snake) in cling wrap or snap-lock bags. This keeps hands out of the lolly tubs, speeds up decorating, and avoids the awkward “greedy police” role.

10. Turn Cupcakes into a Photo-Op and Competition

Set up a mini “winner’s podium” or backdrop with your event name and snap a quick photo of each finished cupcake. Send it to parents as a keepsake and award prizes for the best creations by year level at the end of the day.

💡 Fundraising Whisperer Tip: 

A “Create a Cupcake” stall is more than just a food fundraiser, it’s an activity that gets families involved, kids excited, and your fundraising total rising. Plan ahead, keep it simple, and make it colourful for sweet success!