Nature center auction item ideas that sell

For the general list, see our 100+ silent auction item ideas. A nature centre sells to families with young children, which makes its catalogue unlike any other land organization's.

The centre's own

• A camp place, which is the highest-value item most centres have
• A birthday party at the centre, staffed — parents will pay well and it fills a Saturday slot
• A private naturalist hike or stream study
• Behind-the-scenes with the animal care team, framed as teaching
• A family membership, or an upgrade
• A night hike, a stargazing session, an owl prowl
• First choice of camp week, where that can be operated fairly

The birthday party is under-listed everywhere. Parents are looking for somewhere to hold one, the centre has a room and a naturalist, and it converts a household into repeat visitors.

Animal-connected, within the permit

• A teaching session with an ambassador animal and its handler
• Sponsoring an animal's care for a year, with updates
• Naming an animal, where policy allows
• Feeding or enrichment observation, where the permit and the handler permit it

Permit conditions govern all of these — read them and ask the agency in writing where they are unclear. Cap the number with the handlers before opening.

For young naturalists

• A young naturalist's kit: magnifier, net, bug box, field guide, notebook
• Binoculars sized for a child
• A bird feeder and seed for a year
• A butterfly or native plant garden kit with a planting session
• Books, and a signed one from a local nature author

Family experiences

• Days out: other centres, aquariums, farms, zoos — trade reciprocally
• A cabin or campsite weekend
• Kayak, canoe or bike rental for a family
• Local family restaurants and activities

Programme sponsorship

Field trips, buses, camp places, seasonal programmes: programme sponsorship.

What to check or keep out

• Any animal item against the permit conditions, and against what the handlers agree the animal can do
• Off-site animal appearances, which permits frequently treat differently from on-site programmes
• Anything presenting an animal as a novelty rather than as teaching
• Photographs of identifiable children beyond your media consent, and field trip photographs are the school's question too
• Live animals as prizes, in any form, including fish, insects or reptiles from a supplier
• Collected natural material — feathers, nests, shells, fossils — much of which is regulated and some of which is illegal to sell

The feathers point catches centres out. Migratory bird feathers in particular are protected, they turn up in donated craft items, and a nature centre selling one is a bad look as well as a legal question.

General information, not legal advice for your centre. Permit conditions for educational wildlife, and what those animals may be used for, come from the issuing agency — ask them in writing rather than interpreting the permit yourself.