| Plan a carnival party for your next event. Whether it | | | | Stuffed animals and small toys like finger traps, |
| is a kid's birthday, a fundraiser for an organization you | | | | match box cars, bouncy balls, or a slinky are great |
| are involved in, or a get together with friends, a | | | | for kids. Also give them all party favors like a balloon |
| carnival party provides good food, good | | | | or a bag of carnival candy. For adults, the prizes |
| entertainment, and plenty of fun! | | | | should be on their level like a restaurant gift card, |
| Here are some ideas to help you along the way. | | | | scented candles, a bottle of wine or liquor, specialty |
| Games | | | | coffee or coffee mugs, picture frames, a board |
| Games make the party have a true carnival feel. | | | | game, or anything they would find useful but still fits |
| They provide laughs, friendly competition, and fun for | | | | in your budget. The dollar store is a great place to |
| all. Decide on your game selections depending on the | | | | find prizes. |
| type of guests. If you are entertaining young | | | | Food and Drinks |
| children, the games should be at their level. If you are | | | | Think of the great food smells when you walk into a |
| hosting a party for adults, be sure to have games | | | | carnival. It helps create the mood. Now, these are |
| that will challenge them. These can be rented or self | | | | not going to be the healthiest foods for a party but |
| designed. The games should have ticket winnings that | | | | it's your one night to let go of the diet and join in on |
| everyone can cash in at the end for a prize. | | | | the fun! |
| Ideas Include: | | | | Ideas include: |
| - Bobbing for Apples- Float apples in water, blindfold | | | | - Cotton Candy- use store bought cotton candy or |
| the contestant, and have them bob for however | | | | rent a cotton candy machine |
| many they can pick up with their mouth in a minute | | | | - Snow Cones- rent a snow cone machine or replace |
| time. | | | | the idea with popsicles or push up pops |
| - Hoopla Game- Line up plastic or wooden bottles in a | | | | - Popcorn- get a popcorn machine or buy bags of |
| pattern and see how many wooden rings | | | | popcorn |
| contestants can get around the bottles. | | | | - Hot Dogs- use a grill or special hot dog equipment |
| - Fish Game- Have a bunch of cardboard fish with a | | | | like a roller machine to get the real carnival dog taste |
| metal paperclip glued to them in a waterless baby | | | | - Soft Pretzels- order a tray of mini pretzels from |
| pool. Blindfold contestants and give them a small | | | | your local soft pretzel franchise |
| fishing rod with a magnet on the end. See how many | | | | - Caramel Apples- purchase beforehand or have it be |
| fish they can capture in a minute. | | | | part of the activities so guests make their own |
| - Tabletop Bowling- Line pins up at one end of a long | | | | - French Fries- buy restaurant style fries and keep |
| waist high table. Have contestants stand at the | | | | them crispy under a warming tray |
| opposite end and bowl to see how many pins they | | | | - Lemonade- buy cartons of lemonade or have a |
| knock over. | | | | fresh squeezed lemonade maker |
| - Bean Bag Toss- Create a wooden box with a hole | | | | - Iced Tea- buy cartons of iced tea of use a big |
| the size of a coffee can or use a Baggo board. Have | | | | clear container with a spigot like you see at the |
| the contestants stand t one end and see how many | | | | carnivals To add an additional carnival feel to the |
| bean bags they can get into the hole in a minute or | | | | food and drinks purchase carnival style paper |
| two. Besides the games that have winning tickets, it | | | | products like red and white popcorn boxes, |
| is good to have some activities for those that do not | | | | decorated fry tubs, white hot dog doilies, cotton |
| wish to compete. Have a face painting station, a | | | | candy sticks, snow cone holders, and plastic cups, |
| dress up area where they can get their picture taken | | | | lids, and straws for refreshments. |
| in funny clothes, have a clown to make balloon | | | | To create a true carnival feel, consider purchasing |
| animals, or even rent a card reader for the party. | | | | concession stand equipment and accessories. If your |
| Prizes/Party Favors | | | | organization or your family plan on throwing carnival |
| Prizes should reflect the age range of the guests. | | | | parties in the future the investment is well worth it. |