Backyard carnivals are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a neighborhood party, birthday party, or community event. It’s the perfect way to get guests of all ages excited to participate and have a great time. Here are a few tips to help you organize a carnival of your own!
Set the scene.
To start, be sure to prepare for unexpected weather. Renting one or more large tents ahead of time is a great way to cover your bases. Keep in mind that most vendors have very reasonable cancellation policies regarding tents, so you can decide closer to the event whether or not you’ll be needing the tents. Consider hiring a Party Decorator to design colorful signs for each of your carnival’s attractions. Don’t forget the classic carnival music to give the real carnival feel.
Add some snacks.
Now, let’s move on to food. Classic carnival foods such as hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones, and lemonade are a must. Hire concessions to whip up tasty treats for your guests.
Provide the fun!
Family-friendly entertainment options for a carnival are endless and can fit any budget. Games like ring tosses, bean bag tosses, balloon darts, dunk tanks, cake walks, fishing ponds, goldfish tosses, and mini golf are classic carnival attractions. Buy tickets and prizes for the winners! Most carnival prizes are cheap; get some fun things like costume jewelry, bouncy balls, small stuffed animals, and key chains.
Aside from games, you can dazzle your guests with performers and services. Booking a fortune teller, having pony rides, a petting zoo, a face painter, balloon twister, or a juggler are just a few ways to captivate your guests. Alternatively, inflatables and other rides would be great as a main attraction at your carnival. Inflatable rock climbing walls, bounce houses, slides, obstacle courses, and carousels are sure to be a guest favorite. Games, party rentals, and inflatables can all be rented from various vendors. You could also set up a Photo Booth so your guests can bring home film strips as a fun souvenir.
Now that you have set the mood and supplied the food and entertainment, you are ready for your carnival party to get rolling! Remember that if the planning proves to be too much for you or you simply would rather leave it to the pros, you can always hire an Event Planner to make your carnival a smash hit. If you don’t have the budget for the full-blown carnival, you can pick and choose other types of outdoor party entertainment that can liven up any event. No matter how you choose to do your backyard carnival you are sure to create a unique and fun-filled day that leaves all your guests with smiles on their faces!