Fun Fall Read-Athon Ideas for Schools & Parent Groups

Yes, it’s true — a School Read-Athon is traditionally a springtime favorite. But here’s the secret more and more schools are discovering: fall is actually one of the best seasons to host one! Between fresh back-to-school energy, Scholastic book fairs, and the natural coziness of autumn, it’s the perfect time to build a fundraiser that families will love.

If you’re a PTO, PTA, or parent group leader looking for an engaging way to raise funds and support literacy, a Fall Read-Athon might just be your golden ticket.

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Why Fall is the Perfect Time for a Read-Athon

When you’re planning your school’s fundraising calendar, fall often feels crowded: Fun Runs, spirit wear sales, and holiday events are competing for attention. That’s exactly why a Read-Athon works so well — it’s flexible, inclusive, and can tie into the season in ways other events can’t.

A fall Read-Athon helps schools:

• Build reading routines early. Hosting in September or October sets the tone for the whole school year.
• Pair with book fairs. Scholastic fairs are already happening — a Read-Athon makes the perfect companion event.
• Engage every student. Reading is an activity all students can enjoy, whether they read independently or are read to by parents, grandparents, or siblings.
• Celebrate the season. Kids (and families!) love a theme. Lean into fall’s cozy, festive energy.

Cozy Fall-Themed Read-Athon Ideas

Here are five tried-and-true fall Read-Athon themes, complete with real-life school examples to inspire your own event!

🍂 Fall Into a Good Book

Village Elementary Charter hosted “Fall Into Reading” and set simple but powerful goals: each student aimed to read (or be read to) for 20 minutes a day for 10 days. Parents and teachers logged minutes on FundHub, and the results were inspiring:

• $13,900+ raised
• 32,000+ minutes read
• Top readers got a pizza lunch with the principal
• $250+ earners spun a prize wheel stocked with local business donations (see below!)

💡 This theme works beautifully in September or October. It’s easy to promote with fall imagery (leaves, cozy blankets, pumpkins) and simple to track with FundHub’s Activity Counter.

👻 Spooktacular Stories

Calvin Smith Elementary leaned into Halloween with a Spooktacular Read-Athon that delivered major results:

• $23,600+ raised
• 37,400+ minutes read
• Top earners mummified the principal in toilet paper
• Top readers earned bags of new books
• A winning grade enjoyed a spooky movie + popcorn night

They even planned a pajama-and-blanket reading day where the whole school turned into one big cozy story time, check it out below. Halloween themes like this are a natural win in October. Add in costume contests and spooky decorations to make it extra memorable.

🏃 Fall Frenzy: Read or Run

Edward C. Killin Elementary combined two of the most popular fundraisers — the Fun Run and the Read-Athon — into one Fall Frenzy event. Students could choose to participate by reading, running, or both. Check out their promo below, which they combined with a Superhero theme!

This is a great way to engage students with different interests and abilities. Some kids thrive on movement, others love books, and giving both options ensures high participation and inclusivity for your event.

🦃 Gobble Up a Good Book

Point Fermin Elementary turned November into reading month with their Gobble Gobble Read-Athon. Their results were jaw-dropping:

• $38,000+ raised
• 197,678 minutes read (!!)
• Participation and donation supported by an awesome Read-Athon bingo game!

Hosting a Read-Athon in November is a fun alternative to a Turkey Trot. Pair it with a gratitude theme or encourage students to read books about family, thankfulness, and community. Check out the Point Fermin event video for more ideas!

🎄 Polar Express Read-Athon

Jack Elementary makes December magical with their annual Polar Express Read-Athon. The event has become a beloved tradition, raising over $20,000 each year and inspiring students to read 190,000+ minutes in just one month.

The extras are what set a December Read-Athon apart:

• Hot chocolate bar and visits from Santa
• Gift-wrapping station for book fair purchases
• Milestone prizes like Whoville visitors, the principal dressed as Elf on the Shelf, and even a spring foam party for meeting the overall goal (all examples from Jack Elementary!)
• Student-led “Conductor Club” holding signs at pickup to boost registrations (check out those helpful elves below!)

December is often short on fundraising days due to winter break. A Read-Athon is easy to manage, can run mostly at home, and keeps students engaged in the midst of holiday excitement.

Tracking Student Reading with FundHub

Running a Read-Athon doesn’t have to be complicated. With FundHub, your school gets:

• Activity Counter to log and track reading minutes in real time
• Chairperson Dashboard to monitor donations and participation at a glance
• Automated communication tools to keep parents engaged and updated
• Flexible prize tracking to reward readers for both minutes and donations

💡Use FundHub’s reports to spotlight top readers and classrooms. Recognition goes a long way in keeping momentum high!

Get Movin’ Fundraising has helped thousands of schools run successful Read-Athons. Whether you want to “Fall Into a Good Book” or host Spooktacular Storytime, we’ll equip you with the tools and support to make your event easy, fun, and profitable.

👉 Schedule a Demo Today and see how FundHub can power your next Read-Athon.