A free sign-up sheet alternative for class parties and volunteers

Short answer: If you're sick of chasing people to fill in a sign-up sheet, share one link with every item or volunteer slot, and let each parent or volunteer draw one at random. DrawDibs is a free sign-up sheet alternative for class parties, bake sales and volunteer shifts. Nobody needs an account, every slot goes to exactly one person, and the organizer can see what's still open.

Sign-up sheets vs. random assignment

• Who picks: a sign-up sheet is first come, first served. A random draw lets the wheel decide.
• Easy items: on a sheet, the easy ones go in minutes. A random draw spreads them out fairly.
• Accounts: sign-up sites often need one. DrawDibs needs none.
• Setup: a sheet means building a form or spreadsheet. Here you paste a list.

Random assignment is best when items are roughly equal and you mostly need everything covered. If people need to choose (allergies, a specific skill), DrawDibs can also let them pick instead. See the options below.

How to run a class party sign-up with a random draw

1. List what the party needs. Snacks, drinks, paper goods and volunteer stations ("Volunteer: craft station"). Check your school's allergy and food rules first.
2. Create the list on DrawDibs. Name it ("Room 12 winter party") and paste the items, one per line, up to 100.
3. Tap Create & share, then send the link in the class group chat, newsletter or email. You can also print or display the QR code at pickup.
4. Parents draw an item. Each parent opens the link, taps Draw my dibs, and gets a random open item. They enter their name and tap Send to host to send it back to you.
5. Keep an eye on what's left. Your list page shows claimed and open items and refreshes automatically. Open each reply link on the device you created the list on to see who has what. Save results gives you a copy-and-paste summary for a reminder message.
6. Fill the gaps. Remove items you no longer need, or add new ones and share the updated link.

Tip: Start from the ready-made Class Party Sign-Up, Bake Sale Sign-Up or Classroom Jobs lists.

When people need to choose

Under Advanced: guest options:

• Take all the fun out of it. Guests see the full list and choose their item instead of spinning. This is good when parents need to pick around allergies or budgets, and it still stops two people taking the same item.
• Keep the other items secret. Each person only sees the item they get.
• Picker style. Choose a wheel, slot reel, card shuffle, or instant result, and optionally let guests change it.

More ways teachers and group leaders use it

• Classroom jobs: spin for line leader, plant waterer and messenger on the board.
• Report topics: every student draws a different planet, country or author, like the Solar System Report Topics.
• Group project roles: researcher, writer, designer, presenter, as in Group Project Roles.
• Volunteer shifts: setup, ticket table, concessions, cleanup.

FAQ

Is DrawDibs a free SignUpGenius alternative?

For simple "who brings what" or "who does what" lists, yes. It's free, needs no accounts, and every slot can only be claimed once. It doesn't send email reminders or collect contact details. Guests send a reply link to the organizer instead.

Do parents need to download anything?

No. The link works in any phone or computer browser.

Is any student or parent information stored?

The list text and names travel inside the link and are saved on people's devices. DrawDibs' server never receives them. It stores only a random code, the number of items, and which item numbers are taken, and lists are deleted after about four months.

How many items can a list have?

Up to 100, each up to 80 characters.

Can I manage the list from a different device?

Not right now. The list is kept on the device that created it, so manage it from that phone or computer.

Start a sign-up list or browse classroom and group lists.