How to Throw a Carnival-Theme Birthday Party

If your child loves the excitement of playing games and winning prizes, then it's time for a carnival theme birthday party. Guests of all ages will have a great time if you plan fun games, crafts, food and activities.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Carnival birthday party invitations
• Carnival games
• Bean bag toss game
• Ball toss game
• Coin toss game
• Fishing game
• Duck pond game
• Inflatable games or bouncers
• Brown paper bags or buckets
• Peanuts, popcorn, corn dogs or ice cream
• Rented snack machine

1. Decide on a location for your carnival party. You will need plenty of space for your games and crafts tables. You may also need access to electrical outlets for inflatable games or bouncers.

2. Print party invitations in a carnival admission ticket design. You may also use basic pre-printed invitations and add your own note about the games and activities that you've planned for the party.

3. Choose the games that your guests will play. Popular carnival games include the bean bag toss, ball toss, coin toss, fishing games, duck pond and guessing games. Inflatable versions of pin the tail on the donkey, the ring toss or various ball games can also add some excitement.

4. Arrange a play area for the kids. You can use items that you already own such as a sand box, swing set, baby pool or other outdoor toys. You may also rent an inflatable bouncer or water slide.

5. Set up a table for kids to decorate their own brown paper bags or buckets to hold their prizes. You can supply markers, crayons, stickers and glitter glue.

6. Serve popular carnival food such as peanuts, popcorn, corn dogs and ice cream. Popsicles are always a hit, especially on a hot day. Rent a cotton candy, hot dog or popcorn machine if your budget allows.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't serve peanuts if you know that a guest has a peanut allergy or if you aren't sure whether one does.
• Balloons or items such as a lollipop tree can serve as decorations and as party favors or treats.

Resources

• Find carnival theme party supplies at Oriental Trading Company, Inc.

[Marythemom]

on 1/21/2008 If you have a digital or polaroid camera you can set up a silly photo booth. Have an artistic person draw bodies on cardboard and cut out the face (mermaid, clown, gorilla...). Kids stick their face through the hole and say cheese!