A variety of carnival games, including solo and multiplayer games, can help bring any school party, carnival-themed party, or county fair to life.
Create your own collection of carnival games and carnival game supplies to bring innovative carnival game ideas to life. Avoid dishonest carnival game operators who run dishonest games against unsuspecting players with homemade carnival games.
Check out our carnival party ideas and selection of carnival games, from classic mini-games like Bean Bag Toss to modern-day games like Cosmic Bowling!
1. Bean Bag Toss Game
Bean Bag Toss Game is a favorite carnival game that is always a hit at family festivals. To play, aim to toss bean bags on a board with a hole in the center.
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2. Spin The Wheel
In this spinner game, players gather around the spinning wheel, eagerly awaiting their chance to see what type of prize they’ll get, from medium-sized prizes to larger prizes like stuffed animals.
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3. Water Coin Drop
This game of chance involves doing a coin toss into a pool or bucket of water. Players can use any type of coin to play, like pennies, nickels, dimes, or quarters.
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4. Plinko
This classic carnival game is played by dropping a small disc or “Plinko” from the top of the pivot board with the intent to land in one of the numbered slots at the bottom, each bringing its own reward. It’s a simple, fun game that children and adults can enjoy!
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5. Balloon Dart Game
This game of chance involves shooting darts at balloons for prizes. The player who pops the most balloons wins. For a safer balloon game, use a water gun or a stick to burst water-filled balloons. Game signs help ensure that all safety regulations are followed.
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6. Milk Bottle Knockdown
A traditional carnival game where players throw an extra ball at a row of milk bottles, trying to knock as many down as possible. It is usually set up in free-standing game booths with attractive game fronts.
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7. High Striker
This is one of those outdoor carnival games where players use a mallet to try to hit a bell at the top of a tall pole. If the force used is powerful enough, then a weight at the top of the tower will rise and trigger the indicator scale to rise to different levels. The higher the level reached, the bigger the prize.
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8. Skeeball
One of those classic and popular carnival games where players roll balls up an incline and try to get them into high-scoring holes.
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9. Duck Matching Game
Party guests take turns trying to match the rubber ducks in a row, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. These redemption games allow players to exchange their prized cards for a variety of prizes from separate prize tiers.
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10. Magnetic Fishing Game
This game with magnets would involve a child-sized fishing pole and a large magnetic fishing hole. The child must try to catch as many magnetic fish as possible using their fishing pole.
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11. Cosmic Bowling
Don’t forget to include this skill game in your fun party ideas. It combines traditional bowling with a high-tech light and sound show. Random players can enjoy bowling under the glow of neon lights while energetic music plays.
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12. Ball Bounce
Players receive a set number of balls—golf balls, ping pong balls, tennis balls—and must try to land them in the target to win a prize. The drop game requires skill and practice, as the target is often quite small, and the balls bounce unpredictably.
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13. Donut Eating Game
It may not sound like a difficult game, but players have to eat a donut hanging from a string, and the first one to finish wins!
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14. Whack-a-Mole
Another possible indoor carnival game is where players use a mallet to try to hit plastic moles as they pop up out of holes.
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15. Stack of Cakes
This game, created by RAD Game Tools Inc., requires players to stack a tower of cakes while competing against the clock. This carnival game requires quick reflexes and strategic thinking.
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16. Unfriendly Clowns
One of those cool carnival games online with a range of sound effects and visuals accompanying it to create a more immersive experience.
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17. Carnival Characters with Wacky Headgear
Players dress up different characters, each with unique and wacky headgear. Players must try to collect as much headgear as possible, often through various sets of mini-games.
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