How to Create Carnival Games

Bean bags are perfect for a bean bag toss carnival game.

Carnivals are an excellent way to raise money for a school or charity organization. Carnivals are also a creative party theme. Many carnival games are easy to recreate on your own. Unlike games at large fairs, contestants also can win prizes, instead of playing a rigged game. Stay away from games that take intensive preparation, such as a dunk tank. Those types of carnival games often involve higher skill levels and create a mess. Create carnival games that work well in small spaces, such as a bean bag toss, fish pond, William Tell and dart throws.

Things You'll Need

• Beanbags
• Plywood board
• Table saw
• Paint
• Paint brush
• Wooden milk bottles
• Small table
• Softballs
• Kids’ pool
• Small magnets
• Rubber fish
• Hemp cord
• Scissors
• Balloons
• Thumbtacks
• Darts

Instructions

1. Build a bean bag toss by cutting circle-shaped holes of various sizes in a plywood board with a small table saw. Paint the board a bright color and keep plenty of beanbags on hand for players. Vary the bean bag toss by having players shoot foam arrows through the holes and call it a William Tell game instead.

2. Set up a bottle knockdown game by building a pyramid of 10 wooden milk bottles on a small table. The pyramid should have four bottles on the bottom layer, then a layer of three bottles, then two and end with one top bottle. Supply softballs for players to throw at the bottles.

3. Fill a plastic kids’ pool halfway with water. Stick small magnets to the bottom of rubber fish and test the fish to make sure they still float in the water; if not, use smaller magnets. Tie a 4-foot long strand of hemp cord to one end of a wooden rod and attach a magnet to the loose end of the cord so that players can “fish” with the pole.

4. Blow balloons up to a variety of sizes and attach using thumbtacks to a large piece of plywood for a dart throw. Use brackets to hold the plywood against a wall and supply darts to throw at the balloons.

Tips & Warnings

• Include face painters and balloon animal designers with the carnival games for a bonus touch.

• If you will have younger children at the carnival who can’t participate in as many games, set up an art area. Splatter painting and colored sand jars are kid friendly and supplies are inexpensive.

• Dart games should be played by older children and adults and should always be monitored by adults for safety.

• Use caution when working with a table saw and don’t allow children to handle the tool.

References

• “Carnival Secrets: How to Win at Carnival Games, Which Games to Avoid, How to Make Your Own Games”; Matthew Gryczan; 1988