Planning a school carnival or want to add some non-athletic activities to your next field day? These carnival games are perfect for school events or parties at home. You’ll find DIY options plus ready-made games you can purchase to save time. Just pick up some fun prizes and you’re ready for a day of fun!
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DIY Carnival Games
If you’re handy, there are lots of fun carnival games you can make yourself to delight kids and adults alike!
Flamingo Toss
So fun! Float inflatable flamingo drink holders in a kiddie pool, then challenge players to toss a Ping-Pong ball into a flamingo to win a prize.
Buy the supplies: Set of 36 Floating Flamingo Drink Holders at Amazon
Cornhole
Cornhole is a Midwest classic, and it makes a terrific carnival game. You can make your own boards with a few pieces of wood, and customize them to fit the theme of your event.
Learn more: DIY Cornhole at My Frugal Adventures
Buy the supplies: Beanbags at Amazon
Leap Frog
With a few pieces of wood and some basic hardware, you can build your own frog-flinging carnival game.
Learn more: DIY Leap Frog on YouTube
Buy the supplies: 6-Piece Toy Frog Set at Amazon
Guessing Game
Here’s another easy one—simply fill some large jars with candy or other items, counting how many pieces are in each. Then, have everyone take a chance to guess how many items are in each jar.
Prize Punch Board
Everyone’s a winner with prize punch board! Players simply choose a circle and punch their way through to grab their loot. You can make a basic board with just cardboard, paper lunch bags, and tissue paper.
Learn more: Punch Box Party Game at Created by V.
Water Shooter Race
Make a single water gun race game by sticking golf tees into a block of Styrofoam. Balance Ping-Pong balls on the golf tees, then have players race to see who can be the first to knock them all off.
Buy the supplies: Ping Pong Balls, Golf Tees, and Water Shooters at Amazon
Cake Walk
It’s kind of like musical chairs but for cake. Players walk from mark to mark, stopping on a number when the music stops. Then, draw a number to see which one is the winner. You can give away full cakes or use individual cupcakes instead.
Balloon Darts
This is one of those classic carnival games that everyone loves. Remember: You can make things harder by under-inflating the balloons!
Buy the supplies: 500 Balloons and 10 Darts Set at Amazon
Lollipop Ring Toss
Here’s another easy one with the prizes built right in. Simply drill holes into a board, spaced far enough apart for the size of your rings. Insert a lollipop, stick-down, into each hole. Players toss rings to win a treat.
Buy the supplies: Tootsie Roll Pops and 1.5-Inch Colorful Rings at Amazon
Beanbag Ladder Toss
Beanbag Ladder Toss is easy to set up but tricky to master. Set up a ladder and label each step with a point value: lower rungs have fewer points, while higher ones earn more. Players try to land beanbags on the ladder steps to earn points. It’s harder than it looks!
Buy the supplies: Beanbags at Amazon
Ping-Pong Toss
Here’s another carnival game classic. Set up rows of empty fishbowls, then have players try to toss Ping-Pong balls into the bowls to win a prize.
Buy the supplies: Ping Pong Balls and 12-Pack Small Fishbowls on Amazon
Lucky Duck Pond
There are several different kinds of duck pond carnival games. In the easiest version, simply draw a star on the bottoms of several ducks. If players pull one with a star, they win a prize. You can also number the ducks and offer a prize based on the number they draw. Or mix things up a bit by drawing different shapes on pairs of ducks. Players try to pull two matching ducks to win.
Buy the supplies: 50 Mini Rubber Ducks at Amazon
Fish Pond
This is similar to the duck pond but with a magnetic fishing game. Players use a special rod to “catch” a fish, which you can mark in advance with numbers or symbols. Check the number or symbol on the fish to see which prize they win.
Buy the supplies: Magnetic Fishing Game at Amazon
Soda Bottle Ring Toss
Here’s another game that comes with its own prizes. Simply set up bottles of soda pop, then give players small rings to try to toss around them. If they ring it, they win it!
Buy the supplies: 1.5-Inch Colorful Rings at Amazon
Lollipop Pull
This easy game ensures everyone gets a prize! Drill holes into a piece of wood, and insert lollipops by their sticks. Color the bottoms of some of the sticks black. Players pull a sucker from the tray. If the bottom of the stick has a black dot on it, they win a bigger prize. If not, they get to keep the lollipop as a consolation prize.
Buy the supplies: 400 Ct. Dum-Dums Suckers at Amazon
Knock Down the Cans
This one’s so easy to set up, and you can change the difficulty by using empty cans or full ones that are harder to knock down. Use beanbags or softballs to knock down the cans.
Buy the supplies: Beanbags and Softballs at Amazon
Egg Carton Bean Toss
Paint a few random compartments of egg cartons using three different colors, and assign each color a point value. Players toss five beans, then add up their score to see if they have enough points to win a prize.
Plinko
It’s actually really easy to make your own version of the classic The Price Is Right game. Use a pegboard, dowel rods, and some wood dividers at the bottom, then use plastic lids for playing pieces.
Treasure Dig
Use your sandbox or fill a kiddie pool with sand instead. Then, bury plastic treasure chests (you can also use plastic eggs), each with a prize or number inside. Numbers lead to bigger prizes, while prizes inside the chests or eggs can be candy or small toys.
Buy the supplies: Plastic Treasure Boxes at Amazon
Cup Pong
This game is super popular and so easy. Players bounce Ping-Pong balls off the table and into cups (if they can!). Award points based on colors of the cups or the number of shots kids make.
Buy the supplies: Ping Pong Balls and Unbreakable Plastic Tumblers at Amazon
Ball in the Basket
Mount some bushel baskets to a vertical pallet for this easy DIY carnival game. Players try to toss softballs into the baskets. The trick is to put them at a very slight angle, so only the gentlest toss can keep them from bouncing out.
Buy the supplies: Softballs at Amazon
Carnival Games You Can Buy
Not into DIY? Save the time and hassle and buy ready-made carnival games instead.
Non-Game Carnival Booths and Activities
Carnival games aren’t the only way to entertain the crowd. These activities and take-home crafts are incredibly fun, and they can be a good way to raise some funds too.
Rock-Climbing Wall
Many areas offer mobile walls for rent now, and they’re a fun activity for school carnivals and field days. (Be sure to follow all necessary safety procedures.)
Face Painting
Recruit your art teachers or call on talented parents to help out at this carnival booth. You can offer a set of specific designs, or let people make their own requests.
Buy the supplies: Face Painting Kit at Amazon
Petting Zoo
Kids love petting zoos! It’s important to do your research and make sure the animals you bring in are well treated and cared for properly. Done properly, though, this is a cool way to expose kids to creatures they might not otherwise get to see in person.
Photo Booth
Create a collection of photo props and backgrounds folks can use to make their photos memorable. If you have a school mascot, they can come and pose for pics with people too.
Buy the supplies: Photo Booth Props Set at Amazon
Balloon Stand
Buy or rent a helium tank and sell balloons. It’s an easy way to raise some funds. Just be sure to remind everyone to hang onto their balloons, since letting them go can be harmful for ecosystems and wildlife. You might even consider selling biodegradable balloons instead.
Buy the supplies: Helium Tank and Biodegradable Balloons at Amazon
Bubble Station
Build a bubble wonderland! Turn on bubble machines and play music for dancing among the floating orbs. Offer giant bubble wands that kids can use, along with other fun bubble wands and toys.
Buy the supplies: Bubble Machine, Giant Bubble Wand, and Bubble Toys at Amazon
Bounce House
These are always a huge hit with kids. You can even make it part of your carnival prizes: Use tickets that kids can redeem for five minutes in the bounce house. Tip: Consider having one for grown-ups only, because adults love bounce houses too!
Cool Hairstyling
Stock up on colored hair chalk and colorful clip-in extensions to give folks cool new hairdos! You can offer color alone, or pick up some inexpensive accessories and provide styling services too.
Buy the supplies: Colored Hair Chalk and Colorful Clip-In Extensions at Amazon
Sand Art
Layering colored sand in bottles is a fun and soothing activity that both kids and adults love to try. Set up your own booth with a variety of small bottles and colored sand. Folks purchase the bottle of their choice, then fill it up with sand in a pattern they love.
Buy the supplies: 60 Small Plastic Bottles and Colored Sand at Amazon
Used-Book Swap
Start with a booth full of used books. You can offer them for sale, or let people bring their own used books to trade in instead. Consider offering prize tickets that kids can trade in for a book too.
Rock Painting
Encourage creativity by letting kids decorate smooth river rocks with poster paints, glitter glue, stick-on gems, and more. They can take them home, or contribute to a communal rock garden on school grounds.
Buy the supplies: Smooth River Rocks, Poster Paints, Glitter Glue, and Adhesive Gems at Amazon
Bead Bar
Buy beads in bulk and elastic string, then let people create their own bracelets from your supplies. Be sure to include alphabet beads, as they’re always a popular pick.
Slime Station
There are a few different ways to get in on the slime trend. One is to simply offer premade slime and “mix-ins” like beads, glitter, or tiny clay shapes that kids can add to their container. Or provide the basic supplies and help participants make their own slime. It’s a terrific STEM activity!
Learn more: 4 Easy Ways To Make Your Own Slime
Caricatures
Here’s another opportunity for art teachers or parents with artistic talents. Sell the drawings at a few bucks apiece for an easy fundraiser.
School Carnival Food Booths
It’s not a carnival without some delicious treats! Give them away, or sell them to bring in a little extra cash for your school.
Popcorn
Rent a popcorn machine for the day, or make it in advance. Try flavored popcorn, kettle corn, or caramel corn too.
Cotton Candy
Bring in a local vendor, rent a machine, or buy premade packages. No matter what, it’s sure to be a hit!
Hot dogs are always popular, but foot-longs make it more of a fun party food. Don’t forget all the fixin’s!
Sweet Shoppe
Buy a variety of wrapped candies in bulk, then let customers create their own sweet mix. You can sell by weight, or charge by the bagful instead.
Hot Pretzels
Salty hot pretzels, with or without cheese, mustard, chocolate sauce, and other dips, are always a carnival food favorite.
Caramel Apples
These are really easy to make. Offer them plain, or dip them in chocolate chips, sprinkles, or other yummy bits.
Lemonade Stand
This is the classic carnival beverage. Bring it up-to-date with different flavors (strawberry lemonade, blueberry lemonade) and low-sugar options.
Churro Stand
Sweet and cinnamony crispy fried tubes of deliciousness! They’re amazing on their own, or they can be dipped in chocolate, caramel, or whipped cream.
Fruit Skewers
Treats can be healthy too, as these fruit skewers prove. (Of course, you can always offer options like chocolate dipping sauce!)
Roasted Corn
Here’s another healthy carnival food option, one that’s perfect for fall festivals.
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Need more ideas for active fun? Check out the Best Field Day Games and Activities for All Ages and Abilities.
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