air hockey

We rented an air hockey table and it was very popular. If you're lucky, maybe a family would loan one for use at your carnival.

archery / William Tell

Make a target out of plywood or foamcore (available at art supply stores) for arrows. You can use a Nerf Bow n' Arrow set or a suction tipped child's archery set. Paint the board with a fun design and cut out holes large enough for the arrows to go through. Each player gets to shoot three arrows at the target. We have an inexpensive archery set with foam arrows in our Catalog.

art pavilion

Provide an area where kids can be creative. Walk the aisles of your local craft store for ideas, or check party supply catalogs (Oriental Trading Company is especially strong on craft supplies).

Variations:

Art Exhibit: Have a student art show along with your carnival. If you like, invite local art experts  to award ribbons or prizes by grade level.

Spin Art: Rent or buy a spin art set up. You can use a salad spinner if your budget is tight. We have Spin Art supplies in our Catalog.

Painted Desert: Players fill plastic bottles with colored sand. These are also available as necklaces and key chains. We have a great Sand Art Bracelet Kit in our Catalog.

at the races

Make a "racetrack" with six lanes. You can make a sturdy track out of wood and paint the lanes on, or just use a long sheet of the wide paper used to cover bulletin boards and draw the lanes on with a marking pen. Divide each lane into about 8-12 spaces, as shown below. 

You can have up to six players at one time with this game. The player places their horse (or vehicle, animal, etc.) on a lane. The operator throws a die (the jumbo foam ones work well for this) and the player whose lane number comes up gets to move forward one space. You can also use a pair of dice, one to determine the lane that moves and the other how many spaces to move.  The first player to the finish line gets a prize. We have big foam dice and a giant foam die available in our Catalog.

Variations:

Space Race: Use spaceships as the vehicles and paint stars on the track.

Start Your Engines: Use mini cars, such as Hot Wheels, and paint the finish area like a checkered flag.

Elephant Walk: Use plastic circus or zoo elephants and paint the course like a circus ring.

Bug Racing: Use die cast Volkswagon Beetles as the vehicles.

Steeplechase: Use horses, but put "jumps" between the spaces. Ideas for building jumps include Legos, building blocks, Kinex, painted dowels, tree twigs, etc.

Balloon Animals

Hire a professional clown or recruit a volunteer to make balloon animals. You can charge one ticket or just give them away for fun. We have a balloon animal kit in our Catalog

Balloon stomp

Tuck a prize slip inside a small balloon and then inflate. You can write the name of the prize on the slip or just a number corresponding to a prize. Have lots of prize balloons ready, store in plastic bags. Player chooses a balloon and "stomps" it to pop it and see what their prize will be. We have a fun set we call "Monster Mash" in our Catalog

bank-a-shot, Flukie Ball

This is a common game at midways. Players try to bounce a ball off of a target on a easel-type stand and get the ball to land in a basket. You could use an art easel as the target and a  plastic laundry basket set at the easel's base as your basket. We have the "wiffle" type balls in our Catalog. 

Baseball Toss

Make a target out of plywood or foamcore (available at art supply stores) for baseballs. Paint the board with a fun sports design and cut out holes large enough for the baseballs to go through. Each player gets to throw three balls at the target. We have an inflatable baseball target in our Catalog. We also have rubber covered baseballs, and baseball kickballs, that work well for this game.

basketball

We have used both the standard size basketball goal and kid-sized goals. Players get three tries to make a basket. Always a long line for this! We have some fun basketballs in our Catalog. We also carry a "giant" sized inflatable basketball set.

beanbag throw

Make a target out of plywood or foamcore (available at art supply stores) for beanbags. Paint the board with a fun design and cut out holes large enough for the beanbags to go through. Each player gets to throw three beanbags at the target. It's helpful to have at least two sets of beanbags on hand so one helper can chase bags while the other helper works with the next person in line. We have a several beanbag games in our Catalog, as well as beanbags if you make your own game.

Variations:

Asteroid Blast: Use an outer space-related picture as the target. Ideas are stars, planets, or a funny looking alien. You could make the beanbags to look like asteroids by stuffing them with a few marbles among the beans. 

Lion Tamer: Set up a hula hoop so it stands up securely. Player tries to throw a small stuffed (or beanbag) lion or tiger through the hoop. Decorate the hoop with colored paper to look like flames.

Circus Beanbags: Use a circus-related picture as the target. Ideas are a clown or jester, circus elephant, or tiger. You could make the beanbags to look like juggling balls for an added effect. 

Feed the Cows (or Pigs): Use a picture of a pig or a cow as the target. You could make the beanbags out of felt to look like corncobs, or use dried or plastic corncobs. 

beat the dealer

This is basically blackjack for kids. It's more fun with giant playing cards, but regular cards work fine too. Just as with blackjack, the player tries to beat the dealer's hand without going over 21. We have the giant cards in our Catalog.

bingo

This can be a big moneymaker, especially if you can get local businesses (and/or parents) to donate prizes. You can rent or buy bingo cages and numbers, cards are inexpensive to buy. We have a bingo set in our Catalog.

bouncing structure / inflatable Rock Climb

Bouncing structures, also called Moonwalks or Joy Jumps, are very popular at carnivals. Check your local Yellow Pages (usually listed under Party Rentals) for a rental company in your area. Be sure to ask how many children can go through in an hour. You don't want to have a long line and frustrated children (and parents!). As with any rental, ask for, and CHECK references. Make sure the company has a good record for showing up on time and maintaining the equipment well. 

bowling

You can use real bowling pins, a kid's bowling set, or empty 2 liter pop bottles weighed with a little sand or water. We have several fun bowling sets in our Catalog.

brain teasers

We had a table where parents used the Brain Quest cards and asked grade-appropriate questions. I had my doubts whether this would be popular, but the kids really had fun with it!

break-a-plate

Set up specially made carnival break-a-plates in front of a background. Player throws three rubber baseballs to try and break a plate. 

Variations:

Picnic Plates: Set up the game with a picnic-patterned tablecloth as a background. Don't forget to add some plastic ants for atmosphere. 

bucket toss

Nail 3 to 6 small buckets to a board about 6" apart. The player tries to toss a ball into the buckets in order, from the closest to the farthest away. 

Variations:

3-2-1 Blastoff: Paint the board to look like a rocket and use red, white, and blue buckets.

Build a bear

Like the very popular franchise of the same name, kids get to choose a bear and then choose accessories. We did this with 5" tall bears and used inexpensive bead bracelets on elastic (for bear necklaces), small bandanas (sewn by yours truly), and fleece vests (cut out by yours truly) for accessories. A bit hit with both boys and girls! We now have a version we call Dress a Bear in our Catalog.

bumper cars

Construct a short straight "track" that a small car or truck can run freely up and down. We've found the cars available at Chevron gas stations work very well for this game and they come in lots of great designs, including a school bus.

Variations:

Monster Truck Rally: Use big-tired monster trucks as your vehicles.

Beetle Bump: Use Volkswagon Beetles as your vehicles.

bushel basket toss

Nail 1-3 large bushel baskets onto a board. Angle the board to tilt the baskets about 45 degrees. Players try to toss a softball into the basket so it does not bounce out. Harder than it sounds! We have rubber baseballs for this game in our Catalog.

cake (or cookie or pie) walk

Players walk in a circle of numbered squares while music plays. When the music stops, the operator chooses the winning numbers from a hat. Players standing on a winning number get a prize. Check with local codes if home-made goods can be used, otherwise use prizes like Hostess Cupcakes, Twinkies, Fruit Pies, or packaged cookies. Often local grocery stores will donate goods, or check with local fast-food outlets for gift certificates for ice cream cones, cookies, etc.  

can knockdown

Stack six cans in a pyramid. Each player gets to throw one to three balls at the cans. You can use tennis balls, rubber baseballs, or other types of balls for this game. You can decide if they must knock down all or just a few cans to win a prize. We have a set we call Crazy Cans in our Catalog.

Candle shootout

Firmly anchor candles in dishes, players try to shoot out the candle flame with water (squirt) guns. A barbecue lighter is handy for relighting the candles. Have plenty of water guns on hand so some can be refilled while others are in play. Don't use the ultra powerful water guns, they'll knock over your whole set up! We have some great sea animal water squirters in our Catalog, as well as a version of this game that we call "Great Eyeballs of Fire."

Variations:

Ping Pong Shootout: Instead of using candles, set ping pong balls on top of weighted 2 liter pop bottles. The player must shoot the ball off the bottle using a water gun. We have inexpensive ping pong balls in our Catalog.

dancing

Line dancing and square dancing are fun for everyone. Keep the dances as simple as possible so no one feels intimidated. Hire a professional caller if you can't find an experienced volunteer.

dart throw

Make a backboard out of plywood and attach inflated balloons with push pins. Many suppliers have 4" to 5" balloons specifically made for this game, along with wooden or plastic darts. Each player gets to throw three darts at the balloons. You can award prizes based on the number of balloons popped, or attach a tag to each balloon that states the prize won. This game requires alert operators, don't let kids run this game! We have a darts

 in our Catalog.

Variations:

Shooting Stars: Use balloons printed with stars.

Poster Darts: Use small inexpensive posters as the targets. Player wins a poster like the one they hit. We have finally found a source for kid-friendly posters and now offer them in our Catalog.

Card Shark Darts: Use oversized playing cards as the targets. You can decide what the winning throws are; examples would be two of the same suit, two matching numbers or face cards, or make it into blackjack and try to beat the next player's "hand" by getting closest to 21 without going over. We have jumbo playing cards in our Catalog.

Go Fish Darts: Use a deck of "Go Fish" playing cards as the targets. Player wins by hitting matching cards with their darts.

dinosaur dig

Fill a wheelbarrow or rigid plastic wading pool with sand. Bury small plastic dinosaurs in the sand. Give the player a small shovel and let them dig up their prize. This one is popular with the smaller players! We have some dinosaurs in eggs for this game in our Catalog.

duck-O-War

You have two players at either end of a small pool, long tub, or a wallpapering tray. Each player has a squirt gun and a floating duck is set in the center of the pool. The challengers try to get the duck to the opposite side of the pool to win.

duck pond

I once won a live duckling at a fair, but you'd better stick with the plastic kind for your carnival. The player selects a duck from the wading pool "pond," the number on the bottom of the duck determines the prize. The player can just pick the duck up or you can use a net to scoop it up. We have several types of  ducks and an inexpensive pool for this game in our Catalog. 

Variations:

Fish Pond: Instead of ducks, use plastic fish with a small metal washer attached. The player uses a fishing pole with a magnet on the end to "catch" their numbered fish. You could mix a few plastic sharks and/or octopuses in with the fish for fun. See our fishing games in our Catalog.

dunk tank

Dunk tanks are fun (unless you're the one getting wet!) if your carnival is outdoors. "Reverse" dunk tanks are also available where the water pours down from above rather than the person dropping into the water. Check the Yellow Pages or the internet under Party Rentals.

Face Painting

Kids love to have their faces painted! Keep the designs simple and provide a limited number of choices so you can move lots of kids through. Face paint is available from party suppliers and costume shops. We have a selection of  Face Painting Kits in our Catalog. Include a Hair Salon (see below) for more fun!

Feed the animal

Paint a board with a picture of an animal. Leave a hole for the "food" to be thrown into. Player gets three tries to throw the "food" into the hole. To make the game harder, have the player use a slingshot to toss the food. We have a game using Velcro bananas that we call "Feed The Monkey" in our Catalog.

Variations:

Hungry Elephant: Paint an elephant on your backboard and have the players throw peanuts into the elephant's trunk. For more fun, make a trunk out of a curved tube like a section of dryer vent or PVC pipe and have that extend out from your backboard.

Monkey Business: Paint a monkey on your backboard and have the players throw plastic bananas into the monkey's mouth or hand. 

Shark Bait: Paint a shark on your backboard and have the players throw plastic fish into the shark's mouth. If you can make or borrow one, it would be fun to have the player stand on a surfboard. 

fishing pond

This is a classic. Player extends a small fishing pole over (or through a hole in) a screen. The operator in back of the screen attaches a prize to the line. Fishing poles can easily be made from bamboo sticks or wooden dowels with a clothespin or paper clamp on the end of a string. Paint the screen with lively underwater designs for more fun. We have a Catch A Fish game and fishing poles in our Catalog.

Football Toss

Make a target out of plywood or foamcore (available at art supply stores) for small footballs. Paint the board with a fun sports design and cut out holes large enough for the footballs to go through. Each player gets to throw three footballs at the target. We have an inflatable football target in our Catalog. We also have soft footballs that work well for this game.

fortune teller

We had our principals dress up as fortune tellers and decorate their office as their booth. Both they and the kids really enjoyed the "game." We gave (donated) fortune cookies as a treat, the cookies had messages specially designed for kids. You can get cookies made with your own message(s) if you plan ahead.  

FRISBEE Throw

Make a target out of plywood or foamcore (available at art supply stores) for Frisbees. Paint the board with a fun design and cut out holes large enough for the Frisbees to go through. Each player gets to throw three Frisbees at the target. It's helpful to have at least two sets of Frisbees on hand so one helper can chase Frisbees while the other helper works with the next person in line. 

Variations:

UFO Throw: Paint a solar system scene on plywood as the target. Make UFO shape cutouts big enough to let the Frisbee pass through. To slow down the Frisbee, you can put a sheet behind the cutouts. 

Earth Invasion: Cover a hula hoop with blue paper and then cut out and glue on (or paint on) green "continent" shapes. Player tries to land their Frisbee on the "earth." You can decorate the Frisbees to look like UFOs: Glue an inverted disposable clear plastic cup to the top, with or without an alien inside. We did this as a school party game and the kids had fun making their own aliens out of pompoms and pipe cleaners.

Funny Photos

Paint foam core or plywood with funny bodies (circus performers, aliens, farmers, etc.) cut out holes for faces. Take Polaroid or digital pictures. 

goldfish toss

Set up a row of empty goldfish bowls and let the player try to toss a ping pong ball into a bowl. The prize is a living goldfish (in a plastic bag), available for very little cost from your local pet store. You might try to earn a little extra by selling inexpensive goldfish bowls to the winners. 

guess how many

Fill a large clear jar with jelly beans, buttons, or other small colorful objects. Players write their guess as to how many objects are in the jar on a slip of paper. At the end of the carnival or at a set time, announce the winner and award a large prize.

Hair  SALON

The colored hair spray booth is always very busy at our carnival. The kids love to get streaks of purple, green, etc. Just be careful on very blond or colored hair, it may not wash out very well! Colored hair spray is available at party supply stores. We have a comb-in hair color in our Catalog.

Haunted house

Haunted houses are so popular that we've added a special section just for them. Check out our Haunted House Ideas and then visit the Haunted House category in our Catalog.

high striker

This is "official" carnival name for the game where you try to ring the bell by striking a platform with a mallet. I've never tried to build one of these, but they are widely available as rentals. Ask the rental company if they have have versions available for children.

Variations:

World's Strongest Human: Use a circus-strongman theme.

Rocket Launch: Use a space rocket theme.

hockey

Use a kids hockey set. Mark out numbers with tape (or use chalk outside) that correspond to prizes. The player hits the puck with the stick and gets a prize corresponding to the number the puck lands on.  

Variations:

Goal!: Have the players aim for a hole cut in a piece of foamcore or plywood. They get three chances to get the puck through the hole. Paint the target to look like a goalie guarding the net.

hoopla

Player throws a hoop to try and ring a prize and the Hoopla stand. A Hoopla stand is basically a box with a dowel sticking out of the top on which a prize is attached. The hoop must be completely around the prize and the stand to win. To make the game harder, use a smaller hoop. To make it easier, use a large hoop such as a hula hoop. We have a nice mid-sized Hoopla Ring in our Catalog.

Variations:

Ring Around Saturn: Use a ball as the prize. Space-theme balls are available, or use a basketball or beach ball. 

Teddy Bear Toss: Use a stuffed teddy bear as the prize.

Hog Calling: Use a stuffed pig as the prize.

Prizewinning Pumpkin: Use a pumpkin as the target, could also be the prize or use a stuffed animal or other prize.

horseshoes

Player must make at least one "ringer" to get a prize. Indoor versions are available, ask around your group to see if anyone has a set you can borrow. We have an indoor/outdoor foam Horseshoes Set in our catalog.

jail

Decorate an area as the "jail" and have volunteers dress as police officers or sheriffs.  A person is arrested when a "friend" pays one ticket to have them jailed. They then have to pay one ticket to get out. This game works better with older children and teens.

lollipop Tree

You set up a wood or cardboard "tree" with lots of lollipops on it. The lollipops are marked on the stick end with a color that corresponds to a prize or number of tickets the player will win. The player chooses a lollipop and wins that prize, plus gets to keep the lollipop. We have some miniature Tootsie Pops that work well for this game.

lucky Lei

The player chooses a lei that might glow as a "winner" when held next to a black light. The winning leis have been sprayed with an invisible paint that is only visible under black light. The player takes their lei to an area where you have set up a black light to see if it is a winner. We have leis available in our Catalog. You can find glow in the dark spray paint at craft stores or online.

 

lucky key

I haven't tried this one yet, but it sounds fun! Player selects a key from a large pile of keys and tries to unlock the "treasure" chest. Only a few keys will open the lock and get a prize.

milk bottle knockdown

Stack six wood or aluminum milk bottles in a pyramid. Each player gets to throw one to three rubber baseballs at the bottles. You can decide if they must knock down all or just a few bottles to win a prize. We have Aluminum Milk Bottles in our Catalog.

milk can toss

Player tries to throw a baseball into a large metal milk can. Harder than it sounds! 

mini-golf

Whether it's a single hole or a 9-hole course, miniature golf is always fun. Someone in your organization may have (or have access to through their company) a mini-golf set up. They are also available for rent from party suppliers (check the Yellow Pages). We have a chip shot Golf Set w/ Velcro Balls, Circus Golf Set and Golf Putter Set in our Catalog. 

Variations:

One Giant Step or Golfing on the Moon: Set up a mini-golf hole across a thick foam pad to simulate a moon walk. Cut on hole in the pad for the ball to go in.

paratrooper landing

Player throws a figure with attached parachute at prizes scattered on the floor. Player gets the prize they land nearest to. We have some alien paratroopers in our Catalog.  This is a very simple game to set up and works well for class and birthday parties.

Variations:

Alien Landing: Use the small 3" Frisbees instead of a paratrooper. These are available from most party suppliers. We have also used full-size Frisbees with a clear plastic cup inverted on the top. The kids made their own pom-pom "aliens" to ride in this "spaceship."

penny Pitch

Player throws a penny at targets on a floor or table. You can award tickets or prizes for landing on a target or on a specific spot on a target. One year we used funny photos of the teachers as targets. 

petting zoo

Petting zoos can be hired, or you may find a volunteer in your group that will bring in some tame animals. Just be aware of insurance liabilities and provide a place for the kids to wash up after petting the animals. 

pick my pocket

Volunteers wear colorful aprons with lots of pockets and circulate throughout the carnival. Each pocket holds a different prize. Player gets to choose the pocket. 

Variations:

Grandma's Apron: Have the volunteers wear gray wigs (if needed!) and granny glasses.

pie throwing

Try to find some good sports among your teachers or principals who will act as  targets for shaving cream pies.  

Variations:

Blue Ribbon Pies: Add a country fair atmosphere to the booth with real (or construction paper) prize ribbons as decorations. 

ping pong ball toss

Use goldfish bowls as the targets. Each player gets to throw three ping pong balls. You can color-code the bowls to prizes or use 1-3 balls in to determine the prize. It's helpful to have at least two sets of balls on hand so one helper can chase balls while the other helper works with the next person in line. We have ping pong balls in our Catalog.

Variations:

Floating Bowls: Use bowls on floating rings as the targets. These are available from carnival suppliers. A little petroleum jelly in the bowl makes the ball stay in easier.

Cupcake Pans: Use cupcake pans as the targets. Color the bottom of each pan to determine the prize.

pirate's chest

We had a lot of fun with this one. We decorated the booth to look like a pirate's cave with a treasure chest. In the chest were those little "tooth saver" boxes in the shape of treasure chests. We wrote a number inside each little box. The player selected a box and received the prize corresponding to the number. Prizes ranged from eye patches and cardboard pirate hats to plush parrots and inflatable pirates. It was important to collect the used boxes and set them aside as we had a set amount of prizes corresponding to each number. We have the Pirate's Chest game for sale with or without prizes in our Catalog.

pony rides

Check your Yellow Pages to find a pony ride operator in your area. If you are lucky, you may have a willing horse or pony owner in your group who will volunteer. With either a volunteer or a professional, check that insurance issues are covered.

put up the pickles

Player tries to toss plastic pickles into glass jars. You could color-code the jars to determine the prize, or just give different prizes for getting one, two, or three pickles in. We have some imitation pickles in our Catalog.

Quarter drop

Set up an aquarium with a small container on the bottom (a little treasure chest would be fun). Fill the aquarium with water and add decorations if desired. The player drops a quarter or other small object (marbles would also work).  

Ring Toss

Player tries to toss wood, plastic, or rope rings over a target. We have both wood and plastic rings in our Catalog, as well as several Ring Toss games.

Variations:

On the Farm Ring Toss: Use farm animals as the targets. The bendy animals on a ring toss frame would work great here.

Floating Ring Toss: Use a floating target to add a bit of splash to the game. 

Flamingo Ring Toss: Use plastic lawn ornament flamingos as the targets. Player tries to toss the ring around the flamingo's neck. We have an inflatable Flamingo Ring Toss game in our Catalog.

Pop Bottle Ring Toss: This is always a very popular game at our carnival. We use 2-liter bottles of pop (donated) as the targets. Rings made from rope work much better than wood or plastic rings for this game as they don't bounce off as much. I have also seen this game done with cans of pop (set up on shoe boxes) and wooden rings. We also have a foam Bottle Ring Toss in our Catalog.

sheriff's reward

To play this game, the player has to find the designated "sheriff" who is carrying a bag full of small plastic sheriff's badges. The sheriff can wander through the carnival. The player gives the sheriff a ticket to receive a badge with a number written on it. The player returns the badge to the prize table to receive a prize corresponding to the number on their badge. We did the game at a free event (no tickets) and just stamped the player's hand so we knew who had already played. It was important to collect the used badges and set them aside as we had a set amount of prizes corresponding to each number. 

Soccer Kick

Make a target out of plywood for soccer balls (or use a portable goal). Paint the board with a fun sports design and cut out holes large enough for the soccer ball to go through. Each player gets to kick three balls at the target. We have an inflatable soccer set in our Catalog.

speed pitch

Our local police department will bring their radar gun to carnivals and set it up to measure the speed of a baseball throw. We post the fastest pitches by grade on a dry-erase board. Check with your local police to see if they have a similar program. There are baseballs that will measure the speed of a pitch, there is also a radar device that can attach to a baseball glove. We have a speed pitch baseball in our Catalog.

sponge toss

A volunteer stands behind a backboard with only their face showing through a hole. The player gets three tries to hit them in the face with a wet sponge. Put a plastic tarp in front of the backboard to keep the sponges clean. Provide goggles and maybe a poncho to your brave volunteer. You can even have two lines, one to throw sponges and one to be the target! With the current popularity of SpongeBob Squarepants, this could be a big hit.

stargazing

Find a volunteer with a telescope and knowledge of constellations to man this station. Obviously this won't work unless it's dark and you can go outside!

surprise bag / grab bag

Put a small prizes in bags, player gets to choose one bag. This could easily be done in a treasure chest theme. We have