Carnival Party! Host a Backyard Carnival Bash

Carnival Games

Kissing Booth
Fill a large jar with Hershey Kisses and put a stack of paper and pencils to the side. Have the kids guess how many Kisses are in the jar -- whoever comes closest to guessing the number of Kisses in the jar wins the chocolate jackpot.

Squirt Gallery
Cover 3 foam bricks with contact paper and tape together in a pyramid shape. Press golf tees into blocks, set ping pong balls on top, and have the kids fire away with water guns.

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Admit One

Get your guests in the mood with a prize-ticket invitation.

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You're Here

Make a sign so your guests will know they've come to the right place.

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Pin Drop

Write point values on circular pieces of paper and place them under various sized jars on the lawn. Lay a hula hoop around the grouping of jars and have the kids drop clothespins into the jars to win points and tickets.

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Ready, Aim, Pie!

Fill disposable pie tins with whipped cream and top with a cherry. A brave volunteer takes it in the face with whipped cream and cherries. (We recommend the volunteer sport some heavy-duty rain gear.)

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Time to Eat

Hot dogs, cotton candy, and popcorn -- the perfect carnival food.

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Fortune Teller

Make a "crystal ball" by resting a fishbowl in a dog's aluminum water dish. Add a decorative fringe to the dish and fill the bowl with fortune cookies. Reach into the "crystal" fishbowl to get a fortune (cookie).

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Cute Loot

After the fun and games, the kids cash in their tickets for trinkets.


Originally published in the July 2008 issue of Parents magazine.

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