With the coming of fall, there are all sorts of changes. The kids go back to school, the weather starts to cool down, the leaves begin to turn, and all of your favorite fall activities start to appear. And what’s more classic in the fall than a carnival? If you’re considering throwing a party – whether for a birthday or simply for a fun gathering of friends – consider hosting a fall carnival. The fun and playful atmosphere will be a sure-fire hit among all of your guests.
In order to create the right mood for your carnival, the first thing you’ll want to do is create your games. Classic games include a fortune teller booth, a squirt gallery (which you can create with water guns, foam bricks, and a “squirtable” object such as a ping pong ball), and a dunk tank. Other fun activities including bobbing for apples, cake walks, and face painting. You can even put a spin on such classics like a “kissing” booth by filling a large jar with Hershey kisses and then creating a guessing contest of how many are in the jar.
To help establish the carnival feel with your booths, don’t forget to print tickets. You can create a ticket booth at the entrance of your party, and then have your guests give the required amount of tickets at each booth. Create fun prizes at each booth that each guest could win.
Don’t forget your decorations! Hay bales, scarecrows, and pumpkins all give a great fall flavor to your yard or building. You can even set up a hay bale maze for the little kids to run through.
One great addition to any fall carnival is the addition of a photo booth. Create or rent a backdrop that encourages your guests to have fun while taking their photos. Consider having carnival-appropriate props or costume pieces for them to use while taking their pictures. And don’t forget to create a picture board so that everyone can see the different poses.
One of the most important aspects of any carnival is the food. Fall favorites, such as popcorn and candied apples, will be big hits. Consider renting a popcorn machine so that you can have the warm, buttery smell permeating throughout your carnival. Another great rental option is a cotton candy machine.
A fall carnival is a great way to celebrate the season. Try out your own ideas and see what fun you, your family, and friends can have.
