Mennonite
Central
Committee

Auctions for Children

 

Purpose

This activity features items for children or made by children. The activity teaches children how to bid and buy. Children will also learn that money can be used to help others through MCC and they may not get everything they might want. "The looks on their faces was precious" wrote one auction organizer.

 

Pre-Event Planning

1. Solicit approximately 85 items for children or made by children. This will be enough to last for one hour. If you have too many items, consider holding a second auction at another time of the day.

"At our children's sale we sold Beanie Babies, Lego sets, stuffed animals, a sled, a wagon, two hamsters. We also sold toy tractors, ball, bat, games, puzzles and someone made wooden fences and a doll quilt."

2. Choose nurturing and encouraging auctioneers who can slow the pace and enjoy teaching children how to bid and buy. Give the auctioneer information to share during the auction regarding what $1.00 can buy in another country etc.
3. Recruit a story-teller to open the auction so children know they can make a difference.
4. Recruit 6 helpers for the following tasks:
   1. 1 person to register and give auction numbers
   2. 1 person to hand items to the auctioneers
   3. 1 person to record the auction numbers and the amount owed
   4. 2 runners who move information to the cashier
   5. 1 runner standing by at a designated area to make sure cashiers have the needed change.
5. Arrange an appropriate space at the event (away from loud engine noises, the adult auction, etc.)
6. Prepare auction numbers for the children. Consider pasting a number on a large flat lollipop. The children will enjoy "hoisting" their lollipop when they bid and will have a take-home treat to enjoy when the auction concludes.

 

Preparing for the Auction - Day of Event

1. Control the space by designating an area in front with a rug. Place chairs or straw bales behind the rug. This will give the auctioneers space to move and provide some floor seating for small children if/when all the chairs are taken.
2. Number and arrange items for sale and display for several hours prior to the actual auction. Display auction items attractively on a semi-circle group of tables at the front of the auction area. Build visibility for each item by placing items on upside-down decorated cardboard boxes. A variety of heights adds interest to the display.
3. Post a sign above the items "These items will be auctioned at (11 am is an ideal time.)
4. Control distractions by curtaining off at least two sides of the area (or set up a tent)
5. Control the crowd by limiting the number of adults occupying seats. Insure a "children's event" by inviting adults to stand at the back or along the side.
6. Issue children's auction numbers that are separate from the adults. All payments for goods received will happen during the auction or immediately following the auction at the children's auction center.
7. Total the proceeds from the children's auction and post on a big sign.
8. Offer a small give-away to every child who participates in the auction as a way of soothing feelings about items on which they were not the highest bidder.