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!
Plus, make sure to download our free printable carnival signs bundle with more than 75 signs!
Myranda McDonald for We Are Teachers
DIY Carnival Games
If you’re handy, you can make lots of fun carnival games yourself to delight kids and adults alike!
Flamingo Toss
So fun! You’ll need floating drink holders for this one, plus Ping-Pong balls and a kiddy pool. Players try to toss their balls into the floating flamingos to win a prize.
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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.
With a few pieces of wood and some basic hardware, you can build your own frog-flinging carnival game.
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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, let people take a chance to guess how many items are in each jar.
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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.
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.
Lollipop Ring Toss
Here’s another easy one with the prizes built right in. Simply drill holes into a board and insert some lollipops. Players toss rings to win a treat!
Beanbag Ladder Toss
Beanbag Ladder Toss is easy to set up but tricky to master. Players try to land beanbags on the ladder steps to earn points. It’s harder than it looks!
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Ping-Pong Toss
Here’s another carnival games classic, using fishbowls and Ping-Pong balls. It’s easy to set up and always a favorite!
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 ones to win.
Fish Pond
This is similar to the duck pond but with a magnetic fishing game. Players use a special rod to “catch” a fish. Check the number on the fish to see which prize they win.
Lollipop Pull
This easy game ensures everyone gets a prize! 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.
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!
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.
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Egg Crate 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.
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.
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.
Bucket and Ball
Mount some bushel baskets to a pallet for this easy DIY carnival game. The trick is to put them at a very slight angle, so only the gentlest toss can keep them from bouncing out.
Carnival Games You Can Buy
Not into DIY? Save the time and hassle and buy ready-made carnival games instead.
Amazon
Amazon
Milk Bottle Ball Toss
These wooden milk bottles are safer than glass, since they can’t break. Remember that the official rules say you must not only knock over all three bottles, but also completely knock them off the stand.
If you don’t feel like making your own beanbag toss game, buy this simple vinyl banner instead. It comes with a few beanbags, but you may want to buy extras just in case.
Kids love to try to beat the claw. You might be able to rent a full-size machine, but you can also buy this cute toy version. Fill it with any prizes you like!
Axe throwing has become trendy, but it’s not exactly safe around kids. Instead, try this bristle board option with plastic axes. Offer prizes to anyone who can hit the bullseye!
Carnival games aren’t the only way to entertain the crowds! 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.
Petting Zoo
Kids love petting zoos! But 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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
Foot-Long Hot Dogs
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.
Get Your Free Printable Bundle of Carnival Signs
Myranda McDonald for We Are Teachers
Make sure to grab our free printable carnival signs to make setting up your event a breeze. Just click the button below to fill out the form to get instant access to more than 75 signs for games, activities, food and more.
