Board game break or tournament
Take a break from the usual routine and make time to play.
Set aside a lunchtime or a few hours for classic board games, organise a friendly tournament or turn an ordinary meeting, lesson or get-together into a board game session. It is a simple way to bring people together, have some fun and raise money during Be a Kid Week.
How the activity works
Choose a few games that people can pick up and play easily. You can keep things relaxed with different games available for people to join in with, or add some friendly competition by running a tournament.
You could try:- Classic family board games
- Card games
- Quick-fire tabletop games
- Team games
- A knockout tournament
- A board game challenge between departments, classes or groups
Ask people to make a donation to take part, pay to enter a tournament or collect sponsorship for their team.
Plan your activity
- Choose when and where you will hold your board game session.
- Decide whether it will be a relaxed drop-in activity or a tournament.
- Gather a selection of suitable games.
- Decide how people will take part and how you will raise money.
- Invite people to join in and share the details in advance.
- If you are running a tournament, agree the rules and how you will keep score.
How to raise money
Choose one simple fundraising idea or combine a few approaches to suit your group, activity and available time.
There is no required fundraising target. Choose an amount that feels realistic for the size of your group and focus on making it easy and enjoyable for people to get involved.
You could:
- Ask everyone taking part for a suggested donation
- Charge a small entry fee
- Ask people to sponsor participants
- Invite donations for additional attempts
- Charge teams to enter a tournament
- Ask people to donate to vote for the winner
- Combine the challenge with refreshments, a raffle or bake sale
- Set up an online fundraising page
Helpful things to think about
Adapt it for your group
Schools and colleges
Run a board game session at lunchtime, during a tutor period or as part of a wider Be a Kid Week activity.
You could set up different games around the room and let pupils or students choose what to play, or organise a simple class or year-group tournament.
For older students, you could include strategy games, card games or team challenges. Younger pupils may prefer familiar, quick-to-learn games.
Taking part should remain optional. Pupils and students who do not want to play can still support the fundraiser by donating, helping to keep score or cheering on their classmates.
Businesses
Turn a lunch break, team meeting or Friday afternoon into a board game break.
Set up a few games in a communal space, organise a department-versus-department competition or run a knockout tournament across the day.
Remote or hybrid teams could take part using online versions of familiar games or simple virtual team challenges.
People who do not want to play can still donate, help organise the tournament or vote for a winning team.
Community groups
Use a regular meeting, club night or social event as an opportunity to bring out some familiar games and raise money together.
You could ask members to bring along a favourite game from home, create different activity tables or organise a friendly competition between teams.
For groups with a wide age range, choose a mix of games so there is something suitable for everyone.
What you will need
You will need:
- A selection of board games, card games or tabletop games
- Tables and chairs
- A suitable space to play
- Pens and paper if you need to keep score
- A simple tournament plan if you are running a competition
- A way to collect donations
You do not need to buy anything new. Ask colleagues, families or group members if they have games they can lend for the activity.
Make it safe and inclusive
Choose games that are suitable for the age, abilities and needs of the people taking part.
Make sure there is enough space around tables and keep bags, boxes and other items out of walkways.
Try to include a mixture of games with different levels of difficulty and avoid making speed, reading ability or physical dexterity the only way to succeed.
Explain the rules clearly before people begin and be prepared to adapt them where this helps someone take part.
If children or young people are involved, follow your organisation's usual supervision and safeguarding arrangements.
Most importantly, keep the competition friendly. The aim is to make time for play, bring people together and have fun while supporting Acorns.
Looking for another idea?
Explore more playful fundraising ideas in the Be a Kid Week Play Hub.
Why your fundraising matters
Be a Kid Week is part of the Acorns Time Machine appeal .
The money you raise will help power the specialist care Acorns provides to children with short lives and their families. By managing pain, symptoms and medication and providing expert care whenever it is needed, Acorns helps families make more of the time they have together.
Your activity will help give seriously-ill children more time to simply be kids.
Ready to help childhood take over?
Sign up to Be a Kid Week and download your free fundraising pack, full of ideas and practical guidance to help you get started.
