Adding foam is a great way to add excitement to your next school Fun Run. It may seem a bit daunting, but with the right team, a good plan, and the right fundraising software, it doesn’t have to be complicated.
A Foam Fun Run includes most of the same elements that a regular Fun Run would; music, drinks, and lots of cheering parents. The only difference is with a Foam Fun Run, we’ll be adding a foam party with soapy bubbles at the end. As you can imagine, the foam gets the kids into party mode pretty quickly.
Here are a few tips:
Foam Machines
The first thing you will need to organize for your foam party is the foam machine. It’s possible to make your own foam without a machine but using a foam machine is much easier and less messy.
Speak to a party planner or do some research online to find out where you can rent one in your area.
Outdoor Foam Parties
During nice weather, the easiest and most logical solution would be to hold the foam party outside. This leaves less mess to be cleaned up later and there is no risk of water damage.
For younger students, a bouncy house can be a great addition, as it provides you with a way to contain the bubbles in a closed off area and also gives kids a safe environment to jump and play without the risk of slipping.
Indoor Foam Parties
For indoor parties, find a location that is large enough to accommodate the number of students, as too many people crowded into one small area and surrounded by foam can get unpleasant pretty quickly.
You will need a large plastic sheet that is big enough to cover the whole floor. Make sure you attach them securely with duct tape so that the foam can’t seep between the cracks and cause water damage.
You may also want to consider covering the walls, sockets, and electrical equipment with a protective plastic.
Where possible, use furniture that can’t be damaged by the foam, such as plastic lawn chairs and tables.
Saftey Tips
Soap
Most foam parties simply use dish soap, as it tends to foam up quite well. However, using plain dish soap could cause irritations and rashes in those with sensitive skin.
Consider using a hypoallergenic or at least mild shower soap or bath foam that is made for using on the skin and won’t be as irritating.
Advise your guests to wear shoes
People may be inclined to show up at a foam party in flip flips or even bare feet, but this is not ideal in wet and slippery conditions. For one thing, flip flops are likely to get lost in the foam, but another problem is that the foam will be covering people’s feet, which means that the likelihood of feet getting trodden on is quite high.
Don’t allow sliding and skidding
While it is certainly tempting to have a quick slide or skid on the slippery floor, this can lead to collisions and neck or back injuries.
To play it safe, put some rules in place to prevent people from getting too wild and purposely skidding on the floor or trying out other stunts.
Have people leave cell phones and electronic devices at home
Foam machines do use water and things tend to get pretty damp, so for obvious reasons, it is best to leave all electronic devices at home.
Sample Campaign
Want to see a sample Foam Fun Run campaign? Send an email to schools@99pledges.com, and we’ll send it over right away.