The Best Snack Bar and Concession Stand Ideas

One of the best ways to boost the fun factor at any event is to set up a concession stand filled with everyone’s favorite snacks. Whether you’re considering starting a concession stand as a small business or are simply looking to stock a snack table to sell goodies during intermission at a school play, we’ve got plenty of creative snack stand ideas for you.

Read on for the best snack bar ideas for any situation, from birthday parties to at-home movie nights, to sporting events, and more. Let’s start snacking!

School Concession Stands

Are you a member of a PTA/PTO or are you volunteering for a school event? It’s worth looking into how to start a snack bar as a way to raise funds. School concession stands are a great idea for both indoor and outdoor school events, such as carnivals, field days, school concerts, and many more instances. Focus on best selling concession stand items to maximize your fundraising potential.

Of course, there are different budgets and needs when it comes to school concession stands. Sometimes you need single-serve shelf stable treats, and other times you may want a full setup with hot lunch items. Here are some ideas for what should be in a snack bar depending on budget and event type:

• Simple snack bar ideas: Let’s say you want to set up a simple folding table and sell snacks during intermission of a school play. In that case, offer individually packaged snacks for kids like popcorn, chips, candy, granola bars, and Welch’s^® Fruit Snacks.
• Full-service snack stand ideas: Maybe you’re having a school carnival or other outdoor event, with the flexibility to serve warm and cold items. What is the best snack to sell in that situation? Try soft pretzels with dipping sauce, nachos with cheese, slushies, cotton candy, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and other kid-approved treats.
• Lunchtime concession stand ideas: What are the best foods to sell at a concession stand at lunchtime? Go for ever-popular concession stand ideas that can double as lunch—such as burgers, hot dogs, fries, chicken tenders, and pizza. You can also create value combo deals, such as a burger and fries together for a special price.

Snack Bar for Birthday Party: Candy Buffet

Instead of handing out traditional birthday party goodie bags at your child’s next celebration, consider setting up a snack bar for birthday party guests.

One of our favorite snack stand ideas for birthday parties is a colorful, self-serve candy buffet that kids can enjoy during the party or take to-go on their way out the door. Provide clear plastic goodie bags and let kids choose from a wide variety of treats, such as:

• Lollipops
• Mini chocolate bars
• Coated chocolate candies
• Peppermint sticks
• Licorice
• Gumballs
• Hard candies
• Sour candies
• Welch’s Fruit Snacks^® – Consider allergy-friendly options to accommodate all guests, such as mouthwatering Welch’s^® Fruit Snacks.

Get creative with different concession stand ideas that tie in with kids birthday party themes and colors. For example, If you’re having a beach-themed party, use plastic pails to hold treats and scatter the snack table with seashells.

Movie Night Concession Stand Ideas

Hosting a movie night in your home? Make it feel more like a trip to your local theater with classic concession stand snacks like popcorn, candy, soda, and other treats. Set up a simple folding table with a tablecloth or take it up a few notches with a fully decked-out booth. Here are some simple snack stand ideas for movie nights:

• Popcorn: Make microwave popcorn and serve it in large cups or individual red-and-white striped popcorn boxes. Offer up different popcorn toppings for a customized experience, such as cheddar, ranch, or caramel sprinkle seasonings.
• Candy and treats: What should be in a snack bar in terms of movie theater sweet treats? Many stores sell candy in rectangular movie theater-style boxes, which can give your event an authentic feel. Serve different types of candy to suit every taste. Be sure to offer up other tasty single-serve goodies, like delicious Welch’s^® Fruit ’n Yogurt Snacks.

Best Snack Bar Ideas for Sports Games

Every team parent knows that sports and snacks go hand in hand. Rather than sell snacks at a concession stand, most teams designate “snack parents” who take turns bringing in snacks for the team.

To keep things fun and organized, consider setting up an informal “concession stand” on a portable table so kids can grab snacks during the game. Bring soccer chairs to keep nearby so that parents can stay comfortable. Some of our favorite half-time snack ideas to help fuel young athletes at their next big game include:

• Protein bars. Protein bars or energy bars are great snack stand ideas for athletes because they typically contain a combination of carbohydrates, protein, and fiber for sustained energy.
• Orange slices. An iconic sports treat, orange slices are one of the best snack bar ideas for gametime. They’re juicy, refreshing, hydrating, and high in Vitamin C, potassium, and other nutrients. A total win!

• Pretzels. Pretzels offer carbohydrates for energy and a satisfying crunch. These simple snack bar ideas are usually a safe bet for everyone, including picky eaters.
• Trail mix. Serve trail mix made from granola, nuts, dried fruit, and other healthy snack items. Add mini chocolate chips or colorful chocolate-coated candies for a touch of sweetness.
• Squeezable applesauce pouches. What should be in a snack bar for the tiniest players? We think applesauce pouches are great concession stand ideas for younger kids since they’re yummy, shelf stable, and easy to hold.
• Welch’s^® Fruit ‘n Yogurt™ Snacks. Made with real fruit surrounded by creamy yogurt, Welch’s^® Fruit ‘n Yogurt™ Snacks are an excellent source of Vitamins A & C, a good source of Vitamin D and Calcium, and have natural flavors. With a delicious taste everyone is sure to love, they’re the perfect addition to any concession stand lineup.

That wraps up our list of concession stand ideas for events including birthday parties, movie nights, gametime, and school events. No matter what the occasion, ensure your snack bar or concession stand is well stocked with crowd-pleasing options like Welch’s^® Fruit Snacks!