Donuts with Dad and Muffins with Mom: Breakfast Events That Fill the Cafeteria

Elementary schools have run these events for years, and the model is simple: sell tickets in advance, set up tables, serve breakfast, and send everyone off to class. It works because costs are low, setup is manageable for a small volunteer crew, and the event gives families something to look forward to that is not another request for money.

Big Fundraising Ideas has supported school fundraising programs since 1999. This guide covers what the event costs, how to price tickets, how to keep it welcoming for every child, and how to use the morning to support a larger fundraising campaign.

What the Event Actually Costs

• Food: Donuts from a local bakery or a grocery bulk order, or muffins for a Muffins with Mom version. A local bakery may donate or offer a discount in exchange for a mention on the event flyer.
• Drinks: Coffee for the adults, juice or milk for the students, plus cups, lids, and stir sticks.
• Paper Goods and Setup: Napkins, plates, tablecloths, and any decorations.
• Activity Supplies: Cardstock and markers for a craft table, or props for a photo backdrop.
• Printing: Tickets, a sign-up sheet, and a flyer sent home.

Pricing Tickets and Planning the Food

1. Add Up the Per-person Cost First: Divide total food, drink, and supply cost by expected attendance to find the break-even price per attendee.
2. Price per Person or per Family: A per-person ticket is simple, while a flat family price is friendlier for families with several children. Pick one and state it clearly on the flyer.
3. Sell Tickets in Advance: Advance sales let you order the right amount of food and reduce waste. Keep a small number of tickets available at the door for families who decide late.
4. Plan Roughly One to Two Donuts per Attendee: This is a planning estimate, not a rule. Adjust after your first event based on what was left over.
5. Set a Firm RSVP Deadline: A cutoff a few days before the event keeps your food order accurate.

Keeping the Event Welcoming for Every Child

• Consider a Name that Includes Everyone: Many schools now run Donuts with a Special Person, Breakfast with Grown-Ups, or hold Donuts with Dad and Muffins with Mom as two named events with an open invitation to any caring adult.
• Invite Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and Mentors: Say plainly on the flyer that any special adult in a child's life is welcome.
• Have a Plan for Students who Come Without a Guest: A teacher, counselor, or staff member can sit with any child who arrives alone, so no student is singled out.
• Keep the Tone Warm, not Obligatory: The invitation should never imply that a child's experience depends on who accompanies them.

Activities That Make the Morning Memorable

• A Photo Backdrop: A simple banner or balloon arch where each pair can take a picture is often the most remembered part of the morning.
• A Craft or Card Table: Children make a card or drawing for their guest, which costs almost nothing and gives the guest something to take home.
• A Short Read-aloud or Performance: A class singing a song or a teacher reading a short book fits comfortably into a 45-minute morning.
• A Classroom Tour: Inviting guests to walk to their child's classroom afterward gives the visit a natural end point.

Adding a Product Sale or a Larger Campaign

A table near the exit with a simple take-home option lets interested families contribute more without changing the morning's tone. Frozen cookie and muffin products pair naturally with a Muffins with Mom theme, and candy bars work for a small grab-and-go table. To launch a bigger campaign, hand out information for a scratch card fundraiser or discount card fundraiser and let families sign up after the event.

Food Safety and School Rules

A before-school breakfast may fall outside the school-day nutrition rules that govern food sales, but districts differ, so confirm with your principal or district office. See school food fundraiser rules for what typically applies.

For handling and allergy basics, ask volunteers to read food safety rules for fundraiser volunteers beforehand, and label any donut or muffin containing common allergens. Consider a small, clearly marked nut-free option.

Setting Up the Day

1. Confirm the Date and Space with the Principal: A weekday morning before the first bell works best, and the cafeteria or gym is the usual venue.
2. Recruit a Small Setup Crew: 4 to 6 volunteers can cover food, drinks, tickets, and cleanup. See running a fundraiser with few volunteers if help is limited.
3. Order Food and Set up the Evening Before: Tables and decorations can go up the night before so the morning is only about food and guests.
4. Time the Event to End Before First Bell: A clear end time lets students get to class without rushing.
5. Send a Thank-you Afterward: A short note to families and any donating bakery builds goodwill for next year.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should you charge for a Donuts with Dad event?

Set the price by dividing your total food, drink, and supply costs by expected attendance, then adding a modest margin. Because the event is meant to be accessible, the profit typically comes from volume rather than a high ticket price. Consider a flat family price if many families have several children.

How do you plan a Muffins with Mom breakfast at school?

Follow the same steps as a Donuts with Dad event: confirm the date and space, set ticket prices, sell tickets in advance, order food to match RSVPs, recruit a small setup crew, and plan a short activity. Only the theme and menu differ.

What activities work at a parent-child breakfast event?

A photo backdrop, a craft table where children make a card for their guest, a brief classroom performance or read-aloud, and an optional classroom tour are all simple, inexpensive options.

How do you include kids who don't have a dad or mom to bring?

Use an inclusive name such as Donuts with a Special Person, or invite any caring adult, including grandparents, relatives, and mentors. Have staff ready to sit with any child who arrives without a guest so that no one is singled out.

How many donuts do you need per attendee?

Plan roughly one to two per attendee as a starting estimate, then adjust after your first event based on what was left over. Advance ticket sales make the count much more accurate.

Can a Donuts with Dad event also support a larger fundraiser?

Yes. The crowd is engaged and receptive, so it is a natural moment to announce a scratch card fundraiser or other campaign and hand out information at each table, keeping the ask low-pressure.

Do school nutrition rules apply to a before-school breakfast event?

Rules vary by district, and a before-school event may fall outside the school-day standards, but confirm with your principal or district office. See school food fundraiser rules for the general picture.

How many volunteers does this event need?

A crew of 4 to 6 volunteers can cover food, drinks, ticket checking, and cleanup for a typical elementary school event, with most setup done the evening before.

Author Bio

Clay Boggess has been designing fundraising programs for schools and various nonprofit organizations throughout the US since 1999. He’s helped administrators, teachers, and outside support entities such as PTAs and PTOs raise millions of dollars. Clay is an owner and partner at Big Fundraising Ideas.