65+ Carnival Games for Kids | Fun Ideas & Party Tips

Kids Carnival Games are an amazing way to add fun, excitement and healthy competition to any party or event. These games are not only entertaining, but also promote creativity, coordination, and socialization among children of any age. Classic ring toss and duck pond games to fun spin-the-wheel and balloon darts are only a few of the ways to choose something to fit every theme and space. The carnival games may be hosted in a home or school event that will change a normal event into one that will be remembered and will be filled with laughter and jest.

Games can also be tailored to suit the theme of a party by parents or organizers, so that each child feels welcome. Furthermore, carnival games are not expensive and can be made on a DIY basis. No matter what you are celebrating, a birthday, school fair, or block party, when it comes to having kids playing, carnival games are the sure way to have hours of fun, memories that last a lifetime, and smiles on the faces of the children.

Carnival Games for Kids

1. Classic Toss Games

1. Ring Toss – Toss rings onto bottles or pegs; use colorful bottles for fun.

2. Bean Bag Toss – Throw bean bags into targets or holes; perfect for indoor/outdoor.

3. Balloon Darts – Pop balloons on a board with soft darts; add candy prizes.

4. Hoop Shoot – Toss hoops over cones or objects; good for skill building.

5. Coin Toss – Toss coins into cups; simple yet entertaining.

6. Can Knockdown – Stack cans in a pyramid and knock them with balls.

7. Bucket Toss – Toss balls into buckets at different distances for points.

8. Frisbee Toss – Hit target rings with frisbees for outdoor fun.

9. Ring-a-Bottle – Mini version using soda bottles; colorful and easy to set up.

10. Ball Toss Game – Throw balls at moving targets; fun for multiple kids at once.

2. Spin & Wheel Games

11. Spin the Wheel – Colorful wheel with prizes or challenges.

12. Wheel of Fortune – Kids spin for points or candy.

13. Lucky Spin – Add a prize for landing on a special color.

14. Mini Prize Wheel – Small tabletop version; good for indoor parties.

15. Fortune Spinner – Kids spin to get fun tasks like “Do a Dance.”

3. Water & Splash Games

16. Duck Pond – Pick floating ducks for prizes; assign numbers under ducks.

17. Water Balloon Toss – Toss water balloons without breaking them.

18. Fishing Game – Magnetic fishing rods catch fish for small rewards.

19. Spray Target – Aim water at targets for points; perfect for summer.

20. Sponge Relay – Pass a wet sponge without dropping it; fun for teamwork.

4. Skill & Obstacle Games

21. Mini Obstacle Course – Crawl, jump, or run through small challenges.

22. Ring Jump – Jump through hoops; good for physical activity.

23. Balance Beam Challenge – Walk across a safe beam without falling.

24. Hula Hoop Contest – See who can hula the longest.

25. Mini Bowling – Roll small balls to knock pins.

26. Hopscotch Game – Traditional fun; draw patterns with chalk.

27. Balloon Pop Relay – Pop balloons by sitting or stomping.

28. Target Throw – Throw soft objects at pictures or targets.

29. Cup Stack Challenge – Stack cups as fast as possible.

30. Puzzle Race – Solve a small puzzle fastest to win.

5. Candy & Prize Games

31. Pick a Prize Bag – Kids choose mystery bags for candy or small toys.

32. Lucky Dip – Fish for prizes in a bucket of shredded paper.

33. Treasure Hunt – Hide small toys or coins for kids to find.

34. Pin the Tail – Classic pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey game.

35. Guess the Candy – Count candy in jars; closest guess wins.

36. Prize Fishing – Fish toys from a small pool using nets.

37. Ring the Bell – Hit a target to ring a bell for a treat.

38. Spin to Win – Small spinner with candies as rewards.

39. Ball Grab Game – Kids pick balls from a bin to win points.

40. Cup Surprise – Lift cups to reveal hidden prizes underneath.

6. Carnival Physical Games

41. Sack Race – Classic jumping race in sacks.

42. Three-Legged Race – Pair kids up and race.

43. Wheelbarrow Race – One child holds legs, another walks on hands.

44. Tug of War – Fun group game for outdoor carnivals.

45. Relay Races – Pass a baton or small object in teams.

46. Musical Chairs – Classic game for large groups.

47. Simon Says – Fun activity requiring listening skills.

48. Freeze Dance – Dance until music stops; freeze when it does.

49. Parachute Game – Lift and run under a parachute.

50. Bean Bag Balance – Walk holding a bean bag on head.

7. Creative & Craft Games

51. Face Painting Booth – Kids paint faces with safe paints.

52. Temporary Tattoo Station – Fun, safe designs to apply.

53. DIY Hat Decorating – Kids decorate party hats for prizes.

54. Coloring Contest – Print carnival-themed pages; judge fastest or best.

55. Make Your Own Mask – Mask craft activity for fun prizes.

56. Cupcake Decorating – Simple DIY cupcakes with toppings.

57. Bead Stringing – Make bracelets or necklaces to take home.

58. Balloon Animals – Kids learn simple balloon twisting.

59. Sticker Hunt – Hide stickers; collect the most to win.

60. Craft Corner – Kids make carnival-themed crafts for keepsakes.

8. Miscellaneous Fun Games

61. Photo Booth Fun – Props and backdrop for silly pictures.

62. Mini Golf Challenge – Small putt-putt setup.

63. Obstacle Balloon Pop – Pop balloons while navigating a small maze.

64. Sponge Toss Game – Toss wet sponges into buckets.

65. Lucky Draw Box – Kids pick from a box with small surprises.