How to Host A Carnival Game Themed Party

Are you looking to host a birthday party with a unique theme? Well, everyone loves a carnival, so why not host a carnival themed birthday party. Don't worry, you don't have to go find a pony for pony rides at your party. Instead you should base your food, games, and prizes on the carnival theme.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• hot dogs
• hamburgers
• rolls
• cotton candy
• funnel cake batter
• vegetable oil
• buckets
• ping pong balls
• balloons
• corkboard
• prizes

How To Host A Carnival Themed Birthday Party

1. Prepare carnival type food. One of the thing most people remember about a carnival is the fun food they have. For the main course, this means food that isn't exactly the healthiest in the world for you. Make sure you have plenty of hamburgers and hot dogs. To add a little extra carnival flair to the birthday party, dip some of the hot dogs in batter and deep fry them in the oil to create some corn dogs on a stick. Make sure you save some of that oil to prepare your dessert.

2. Play a variety of carnival style games. At your carnival themed birthday party you need to have carnival games. Carnival games are easy to come up with but sometimes hard to prepare. The first carnival game you should prepare is a bucket toss. On a wall, line up a row of fifteen buckets. On the front of each bucket put a random number from one to fifteen so all fifteen numbers are represented. Next let each child throw three ping pong balls. Give each child a coupon with the number of points they won in that game. The points they win is equal to the the point value of each bucket they can throw a ping pong ball into from 20 feet away. Then proceed to game number two.

3. Prepare a piece of corkboard prepared ahead of time with a grid of 50 small inflated balloons. Set these up on the corkboard in five rows of 10 ballons each. Attach them to the corkboard using either tape or a tack attached to the end of the balloon that is uninflated and the cork board. Next, have all the contestants line up. Give each child one dart to throw. If she pops a balloon she gets a point, if she misses, she receives no points. Whether she get a point or not the child gets in the back of the line and waits for her next turn. The game continues until all the balloons are popped. The points from this game are added to the score sheet for each child's points from the first game. Then it is time for the third game.

4. Make the third game is a guessing game, sort of like the weight or age guessing game at the local carnival. To make it more friendly, I would suggest avoiding having the children guess each other's weight. Instead ask each child to create a list of all the other children in order from who they think is the oldest to the youngest. As the host you should have the answer sheet for this game. Give each child two points on their score sheet for every child they put in the correct order for the age guessing game.

5. Total the points and declare a winner. Have prizes for each of the three individual games, as well as a prize for the overall winner. To go along with the carnival theme, I would suggest giving away various stuffed animals to the children as their prizes.

6. Serve dessert after the games. Instead of the typical cake and ice cream, follow the carnival theme with cotton candy and funnel cakes. Prepare the funnel cakes in pot of hot vegetable oil, or better yet a deep fryer. Let the children participate by sprinking powdered sugar on their own funnel cakes that you prepare for them. While they are waiting for the funnel cakes, have an assortment of pre-purchased cotton candy at the birthday table for them to enjoy with their friends.

7. As each child leaves give him a goody bag with miniature carnival themed souvenirs. These could include small stuffed animals, inflatable beach balls, and stickers and candy in each bag.

Tips & Warnings

• Prepare the games ahead of time before the children arrive. It's best if you have the games in a separate area of the house from the rest of the party so they are a surprise.

• Be very careful when cooking with hot oil or a deep fryer when young children are around the party.