Hosting a carnival is a great way to raise funds and bring a community together.
Whether for an elementary school, church, or charity organization, hosting a carnival is a great way to raise funds and bring together members of your community. It is important to have a variety of games and activities to cater to attendees of all ages. While some organizations may opt to rent out carnival equipment, many booths and games can be constructed for a reasonable price with supplies from local hardware stores or discarded items from garages and sheds.
Cola Ring Toss
This game can be set up with old-fashioned cola or root beer bottles purchased at a grocery or wholesale store. Carnival Savers recommends setting up a square of 2 to 4 dozen cola bottles to give an ample playing area. Packages of plastic rings can be purchased from carnival supply websites for only a few dollars. Offer a variety of bottled sodas for those who win.
Duck Pond
A Duck Pond is an easy game that can get even the youngest of children involved in the festivities. Fill a child-sized swimming pool with water. Using a permanent marker, write the numbers 1 through 3 on the bottom of various ducks, with each number corresponding to a level of prize. Place the ducks in the pool and let players pick a duck for a prize.
Bean Bag Toss
Bean Bag Toss, or cornhole, is another carnival game that can engage a variety of attendees. Create a design that reflects the theme of your carnival on a piece of plywood. Using a jigsaw, cut holes of various sizes in the design. Support the plywood with angled two-by-fours. Bean bags can easily be made with fabric scraps sewn into squares and filled with seeds or dried corn kernels. Set up a variety of lengths to toss from, making it more difficult for adults.
Pumpkin Toss
A Pumpkin Toss is a great way to incorporate the season if you're hosting a fall carnival. Set up pumpkins of different sizes a variety of distances away from the throwing line. Use hula hoops for the rings. Offer pumpkins as the prizes.
Sailboat Race
Create a simple Sailboat Race using leftover roof gutter pieces. Fill the gutters with water and set a small plastic sailboat at one end. Have participants use straws to blow the sailboat from one end to the other. The first to the finish line wins.
Wheel of Fortune
Like the bean bag toss, Wheel for Fortune offers entertainment for kids of all ages. Prize wheels can either be purchased online or built from plywood and bolts. Paint the wheel with a variety of different prizes such as extra tickets for games, stuffed animals, or coupons for food.
Cake Walk
A Cake Walk is a simple game that can save money by involving members of the organization. Have community members bring a variety of baked goods including cakes, brownies, and cupcakes to offer as prizes. Tape numbered laminated sheets to the floor as place holders. Play music as participants walk around the circle, occupying one number at a time. When the music stops, draw a number. Whoever is standing on that number wins a dessert of their choice.
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