03/13/2026
One of my favorite fundraising ice-breaker games is **Heads or Tails**. It’s quick (usually 5–8 minutes), gets the whole room laughing, and if marketed properly it can easily raise **$800–$1,000 before dinner even starts**.
**How it Works**
Guests purchase a necklace (typically $20 each) to enter the game. I recommend using inexpensive Mardi Gras–style beads from somewhere like Oriental Trading or even the dollar store. The lower your cost on the necklaces, the better.
Guests can purchase **multiple necklaces**, which increases their chances of staying in the game longer.
When the game begins, I ask everyone who purchased a necklace to come up to the front of the room. I then explain that they will be guessing the outcome of a coin flip by placing their hands on either their **head (heads)** or their **“tail” (hands on their backside)**.
It always gets a laugh when a room full of parents suddenly has to grab their rear-end in front of their friends and fellow parents. Never fails.
I flip the coin.
* If a guest guessed correctly, they stay in the game.
* If they guessed incorrectly and only purchased one necklace, they’re out.
* If they purchased multiple necklaces, they hand one over and continue playing.
This process repeats until there is **only one person left with a necklace still around their neck**. That person wins the featured prize.
From start to finish, the game typically takes **5–8 minutes** and works great early in the evening to get people energized.
**Why It Works Well for Fundraising**
The success of Heads or Tails usually comes down to three things:
1. **A high-demand mid-level prize** that gets people excited to play (restaurant packages, sports tickets, premium liquor, vacation raffles, etc.).
2. **Allowing guests to purchase entries before the event** so some necklaces are already sold before the game even starts.
3. **Motivated volunteers (“runners”) selling necklaces in the room.**
This last part is where the real magic happens.
I’ve seen volunteers walk around for 15 minutes simply asking people if they want to play, without explaining the game or creating excitement, and they come back with $40.
On the other hand, I’ve grabbed 15 necklaces, worn them all around my neck, made a quick lap around the room greeting people with a handshake and a smile, and sold out immediately.
My quick pitch usually goes something like:
“If you're looking to start the night on a winning streak, for $20 you can take a shot at winning **[insert prize here]**. All you need to do is grab a necklace and wait for the announcement.”
When the prize is appealing and the necklaces are actively sold, the game becomes a fast, fun way to raise a meaningful amount of money in just a few minutes!
