Ideas for Church Carnivals

There are many fun games to play at a church carnival.

A church carnival has a slightly different focus than a school carnival or other event with a carnival theme. While fun is a focus, the games and activities should also focus on Christian themes, such as stories from the Bible or biblical themes, such as fruit of the spirit or missionary journeys. With a little creativity and foresight, it is possible to host a church carnival that satisfies both requirements.

Face Painting

Set up an ark painting booth. The face painter dresses as Noah and paints animals onto the children's faces. If you have a large event, then dress another face painter as Noah's wife. You could also paint biblical abstract images, such as a candle to represent light, a heart for love, a vine for the branches of the church or bread to represent that Jesus is the bread of life. Paint crosses or fish for traditional Christian imagery.

Candle Shooting

Use this game to illustrate the point of how Christians should try to be the light of the world. Set up several candles into small fish bowls or shallow candle pans. Make some flames of the candles visible and some slightly hidden below the top of the bowl. The players must use squirt guns to try to shoot out the lights from the candles. Set a time limit for children to follow, such as one minute, and award prizes based on the number of candles they are able to extinguish.

Whale Beanbag

Cut out a shape from cardboard into the shape of an open whale's mouth. Tell the children that the beanbags represent Jonah and the whale. The children should each get three beanbags per game. If the children can get all three bags through the whale's mouth, then they win a prize. Make it harder for older children by making them stand back from further from the whale. You could also set up the whale on rollers and move it back and forth for an advanced game.

Knock Down Jericho

Decorate cans to look like blocks of stone. You could also use large foam or cardboard building blocks to make up the wall of Jericho. Set up the blocks to make a wall, with more blocks on the bottom than on the top rows. Give children a beanbag or ball to throw at the wall. If the children are able to knock down the entire wall, then they earn a prize. You could also award a smaller prize for knocking down some of the bricks.

References

• School Carnivals: Games with a Religious Theme
• Volunteer Spot: Fabulously Fun School Carnival Ideas