59 Fun and Easy School Carnival Games and Activities


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.

DIY cornhole boards painted blue and green, used for carnival games
My Frugal Adventures

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

Leap Frog

With a few pieces of wood and some basic hardware, you can build your own frog-flinging carnival game.

Two containers topped with animal heads, filled with snacks, against a pom pom garland background with a container of popcorn
@clarasham22 via Instagram

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.

Child punching through a tissue-paper covered circle in a board to pull out a prize for carnival games
Created by V.

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.

Learn more: Punch Box Party Game

Ping pong balls balanced on golf tees, with three plastic squirt guns for carnival games
Driven by Decor

Water Gun Race

Balance Ping-Pong balls on golf tees, then have players race to see who can be the first to knock them all off.

Learn more: Water Gun Race

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.

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!

Rows of glass fishbowls with ping pong balls inside, with a sign reading Ping Pong Toss
Catch My Party

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!

Learn more: Ping-Pong Ball Toss

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 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.

A hand holds a pile of beans over an array of empty egg cartons with some compartments painted in different colors
Aly’s Blog

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.

Learn more: Egg Crate Bean Toss

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.

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.

Man preparing to throw a football at a target with a variety of holes
Amazon
Child posing with stacked milk bottles and small balls for carnival games
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.

Buy it: Midway Monsters Milk Bottle Ball Toss

Golf Pong carnival game with targets, club, and balls
Amazon

Golf Pong

Golf meets cornhole in this fun game! Make the different holes worth a certain number of points, then award prizes based on a player’s total.

Buy it: Golf Pong Game

Side-by-side basketball hoops mounted on an inclined apparatus with four balls
Amazon

Basketball Shoot

Use these side-by-side hoops for competitions, or let two people play at once to see how many throws they can make in a minute.

Buy it: Giantex Basketball Hoop Arcade Game

Man being splashed by water from a bucket after a child hits a nearby target with a ball in a carnival games dunk tank
Amazon

Dunking Booth

Dunk tanks are always a carnival favorite, but they can be a little dangerous. This version is safer, plus it’s much easier to set up.

Buy it: GoSports Splash Tower Water Dunk Game

Home ball rolling game like skeeball that can be used for carnival games
Amazon
disc drop
Amazon

Disk-Drop Game

Inspired by Plinko, this easy game lets gravity do all the work. Customize the slots with your own labels to let players know what they’ve won.

Buy it: Disk Drop Carnival Game at Amazon

Two men kicking rubber balls at a large inflatable dart board
Amazon

Kick Darts

Here’s a fun twist on regular darts! It’s the perfect game for an outdoor carnival or event.

Buy it: SWOOC Giant Kick Darts

Child throwing a beanbag into the open mouth of a clown printed on a vinyl banner
Amazon

Beanbag Toss

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.

Buy it: Clown Beanbag Toss Game

Kids playing with a giant inflatable bowling set outside on a lawn
Amazon
Spinning prize wheel set up at a neighborhood market
Amazon

Prize Wheel

Everyone loves to spin and win! Write your own prizes on this big wheel, then let people step right up and take a chance.

Buy it: WinSpin 36″ Prize Wheel

Mini toy claw game with toys and prizes inside
Amazon

Claw Game

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!

Buy it: Surprise Claw Game

Two people throwing toy axes at a bristle-covered target on a blue metal frame
Amazon

Axe Throw

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!

Buy it: EastPoint Bristle Axe-Throwing Game

Basketpong game with large buckets and basketballs
Amazon

BasketPong

This one is like a supersized ball toss, with basketballs and five-gallon buckets. You can build your own, or buy this set instead.

Buy it: BasketPong

Non-Game Carnival Booths and Activities

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!

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!

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

Six free printable 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.

Need more ideas for active fun? Check out the Best Field Day Games and Activities for All Ages and Abilities.

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