Guess the lollies in the jar
People pay a small amount to guess the count (or weight); the closest guess wins the jar.
Typically raises
$60
$20–200 per eventest.
About $40 per organiser hour
Based on one jar at one event, 30-60 guesses
Is it right for us?
- Money
- Under $500
- Work
- An afternoon
- Helpers
- 1–2 people
- Lead time
- A week or less
- Red tape
- Light
Common: a gala and fair staple everyone recognises
- People
- 1
- Organiser time
- 1-2 [Estimate]
- Lead time
- 1 week
- Up-front cost
- Jar and lollies $15-$40 [Estimate], or donated. Negligible.
- Risk
- Negligible: the jar and lollies cost $15-$40, or are donated.
How it works
The money, as an example sum
Sell at $1 a guess, keep $1, so 80 guesses = $80, or about $60 after about $20 of costs. That’s about the typical result.
Using the figures on this page. Your prices and costs will differ.
Where the money figure comes from
[Estimate] $1-$2 a guess; the jar costs $15-$40 or is donated.
Last checked October 2026. Ran this? Tell us what you raised and we’ll use real results to improve the figures.
Step by step
- Count the lollies and seal the jar; write the count in a sealed envelope.
- Display the rules: price, closing time, tie-break and how the winner is told.
- Record each guess with name and phone.
- Keep the guess sheet with the jar; no volunteer who knows the count may enter.
- Close, open the envelope publicly, contact the winner.
Getting the word out
Even a well-run plan fails if nobody hears about it. There are two asks, and the first one goes out first.
- Ask for help
- Someone to take entries, and a business to give the prize.
- Ask people to buy
- People to enter.
- When to start
- Ask for helpers first, as soon as the date is set. Start the public ask about 1–2 weeks out, and book newsletter and paper notices before that: small newsletters close early.
Where to put it
- Asking people yourselfMost yeses come from someone asking directly. Give every member a short message they can send to family and workmates.
- PostersPosters at the school gate, the clubrooms and shop windows, with the date, place, price and how to pay.
- School, club and church newslettersYour own newsletter is free and read by the families most likely to say yes. Check when it closes.
- Email lists and group chatsYour members’ email list and the class, team or church group chats. Short, with one date or one link.
The full guide to getting the word out: every channel from flyers to the evening news, with lead times and costs.
What you’ll need
- Place
- Not neededNone needed
- Landowner’s permission
- Not needed
- Council permit
- Not needed
- Food rules
- Not neededNo food sold
- Alcohol
- Not neededNo alcohol sold
- Gambling rules
- NeededClass 1: prizes and the value of all tickets printed both $500 or less. If an individual runs it, all the money goes back as prizes. Sold in person only. Our rule: a numbered paper ticket for every entry
A paid-entry prize competition: run by a society, prizes at least 20% of potential takings, tie-break stated in advance. Free entry is not gambling.
What you can get donated
Families or a local dairy (the lollies).
Tips
- Pairs well with a 'name the teddy' or 'guess the weight of the cake' stall.
Watch out for
- No tie-break rule leads to disputes.
- A volunteer who knows the count entering.
Guess the lollies in the jar: checklist
0 of 10 done
Before
On the day
After
A paid-entry prize competition: run by a society, prizes at least 20% of potential takings, tie-break stated in advance. Free entry is not gambling.
Also pairs with: school gala
Sources
* General fundraising information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Money figures are examples and estimates, not promises. Check current official requirements before you commit. About this guide