School Fair Toolkit: how to run a Smartphone Free Childhood stall

Setting up a stall at your school summer fair is one of the easiest  –  and most enjoyable  –  ways to start conversations with other parents about children and smartphones.

And if the idea feels slightly daunting, that’s completely normal.

Lots of parents worry nobody will stop to chat, or that they’ll need to be an expert. In reality, people are often surprised by how many warm, positive conversations they have  –  especially with parents who are relieved to discover they’re not the only ones thinking about this stuff.

Whether you’re completely new to Smartphone Free Childhood or already involved locally, running a stall is a simple, positive way to help your school community feel more connected and supported.

And we’ve made it easy. We’ve created flyers, posters, banners, stickers, signup materials and conversation starters so you don’t have to figure it all out yourself.

👇 Downloads: Everything you need in one place

Why school fairs matter

A friendly SFC stall helps parents realise they’re not alone in their worries about smartphones, social media and childhood.

It creates a calm, non-judgemental space where people can:

• Ask questions
• Share experiences
• Discover practical support
• Meet like-minded parents

You do not need to be an expert. You just need to care.

In fact, many parents who run stalls say the same thing afterwards:

“I was nervous beforehand  –  but people were so much more open and supportive than I expected.”

The goal isn’t to pressure or persuade anyone. It’s simply to:

• Start conversations
• Build local connections
• Reduce the isolation many parents feel
• Help shift the culture in your school community over time

How to run a great SFC stall

Keep it simple and welcoming

The best stalls feel friendly, approachable and low-pressure.

A simple:

“Hi  –  feel free to take a flyer.”

…is often enough to begin.

Some parents will stop for a long conversation. Others may quietly take a leaflet and move on. Both matter.

Curiosity and warmth go much further than pressure or statistics.

Make your stall interactive

People are far more likely to stop if something engaging is happening.

Simple ideas that work well:

• A live survey poster or interactive ball survey
  (“What age do you think children should get smartphones?”)
• Stickers or badges for children (double up as free marketing around the fair)
• Free fruit or snacks
• Brick phones (maybe accompanied by an older sibling to demonstrate how they work!)

The aim is to create a stall that feels approachable, community-led and positive.

Prepare a few simple talking points

You do not need a script, but it helps to have a few calm responses ready.

“What is Smartphone Free Childhood?”

→ A parent-led movement helping families feel less alone in delaying smartphones and social media for children.

“Isn’t it inevitable?”

→ Many parents feel pressured into giving smartphones earlier than they’d like. When communities act together, families often realise they can wait longer than they thought.

“Are you anti-technology?”

→ No. This isn't about banning kids from tech or the internet. This is about protecting childhood, supporting healthy development, and helping families make intentional choices around smartphones and social media.

Very often, parents respond with some version of:

“We’ve been worrying about this too.”

That shared sense of relief is what makes these conversations so powerful.

Make it easy to stay connected

Have a simple way for parents to follow up afterwards.

You could include:

• A QR code for your school WhatsApp group
• Information about your local Parent Pact
• Details of future meetups or talks

The easier you make it to reconnect later, the more momentum your local community can build.

Don’t worry about getting it perfect

You do not need a professionally designed stand.

You do not need expert knowledge.

And you definitely do not need to persuade everyone.

Just showing up matters.

Want to do more? Become an SFC School Organiser

If you’ve run a school fair stall, you’re probably already acting as a Smartphone Free Childhood School Organiser.

School Organisers help by:

• Connecting interested parents
• Sharing resources and updates
• Organising conversations and events
• Supporting Parent Pacts
• Helping create lasting culture change in your school

You do not need expertise, loads of spare time, or a polished plan.

You just need a willingness to help parents feel less alone.

[.style-link]Find out more about being a School Organiser[.style-link]

Thousands of parents across the UK are already helping build smartphone-free momentum in their schools  –  one conversation at a time.