59 Fun and Easy School Carnival Games and Activities

Flamingo Toss

So fun! You’ll need floating drink holders for this one, plus Ping-Pong balls and a kiddy pool. Players try to toss their balls into the floating flamingos to win a prize.

Cornhole

Cornhole is a Midwest classic, and it makes a terrific carnival game. You can make your own boards with a few pieces of wood, and customize them to fit the theme of your event.

Learn more: DIY Cornhole

Leap Frog

With a few pieces of wood and some basic hardware, you can build your own frog-flinging carnival game.

Guessing Game

Here’s another easy one—simply fill some large jars with candy or other items, counting how many pieces are in each. Then, let people take a chance to guess how many items are in each jar.

Prize Punch Board

Everyone’s a winner with prize punch board! Players simply choose a circle and punch their way through to grab their loot.

Learn more: Punch Box Party Game

Water Gun Race

Balance Ping-Pong balls on golf tees, then have players race to see who can be the first to knock them all off.

Learn more: Water Gun Race

Cake Walk

It’s kind of like musical chairs but for cake! Players walk from mark to mark, stopping on a number when the music stops. Then, draw a number to see which one is the winner. You can give away full cakes or use individual cupcakes instead.

Lollipop Ring Toss

Here’s another easy one with the prizes built right in. Simply drill holes into a board and insert some lollipops. Players toss rings to win a treat!

Beanbag Ladder Toss

Beanbag Ladder Toss is easy to set up but tricky to master. Players try to land beanbags on the ladder steps to earn points. It’s harder than it looks!

Ping-Pong Toss

Here’s another carnival games classic, using fishbowls and Ping-Pong balls. It’s easy to set up and always a favorite!

Learn more: Ping-Pong Ball Toss

Lucky Duck Pond

There are several different kinds of duck pond carnival games. In the easiest version, simply draw a star on the bottoms of several ducks. If players pull one with a star, they win a prize. You can also number the ducks and offer a prize based on the number they draw. Or mix things up a bit by drawing different shapes on pairs of ducks. Players try to pull two matching ones to win.

Fish Pond

This is similar to the duck pond but with a magnetic fishing game. Players use a special rod to “catch” a fish. Check the number on the fish to see which prize they win.

Lollipop Pull

This easy game ensures everyone gets a prize! Players pull a sucker from the tray. If the bottom of the stick has a black dot on it, they win a bigger prize. If not, they get to keep the lollipop as a consolation prize.

Soda Bottle Ring Toss

Here’s another game that comes with its own prizes. Simply set up bottles of soda pop, then give players small rings to try to toss around them. If they ring it, they win it!

Knock Down the Cans

This one’s so easy to set up, and you can change the difficulty by using empty cans or full ones that are harder to knock down.

Egg Crate Bean Toss

Paint a few random compartments of egg cartons using three different colors, and assign each color a point value. Players toss five beans, then add up their score to see if they have enough points to win a prize.

Learn more: Egg Crate Bean Toss

Plinko

It’s actually really easy to make your own version of the classic The Price Is Right Game. Use a pegboard, dowel rods, and some wood dividers at the bottom, then use plastic lids for playing pieces.

Treasure Dig

Use your sandbox or fill a kiddie pool with sand instead. Then, bury plastic treasure chests (you can also use plastic eggs), each with a prize or number inside. Numbers lead to bigger prizes, while prizes inside the chests or eggs can be candy or small toys.

Cup Pong

This game is super popular and so easy! Players bounce Ping-Pong balls off the table and into cups (if they can!). Award points based on colors of the cups or the number of shots kids make.

Bucket and Ball

Mount some bushel baskets to a pallet for this easy DIY carnival game. The trick is to put them at a very slight angle, so only the gentlest toss can keep them from bouncing out.

Milk Bottle Ball Toss

These wooden milk bottles are safer than glass, since they can’t break. Remember that the official rules say you must not only knock over all three bottles, but also completely knock them off the stand.

Buy it: Midway Monsters Milk Bottle Ball Toss

Golf Pong

Golf meets cornhole in this fun game! Make the different holes worth a certain number of points, then award prizes based on a player’s total.

Buy it: Golf Pong Game

Basketball Shoot

Use these side-by-side hoops for competitions, or let two people play at once to see how many throws they can make in a minute.

Buy it: Giantex Basketball Hoop Arcade Game

Dunking Booth

Dunk tanks are always a carnival favorite, but they can be a little dangerous. This version is safer, plus it’s much easier to set up.

Buy it: GoSports Splash Tower Water Dunk Game

Disk-Drop Game

Inspired by Plinko, this easy game lets gravity do all the work. Customize the slots with your own labels to let players know what they’ve won.

Buy it: Disk Drop Carnival Game at Amazon

Kick Darts

Here’s a fun twist on regular darts! It’s the perfect game for an outdoor carnival or event.

Buy it: SWOOC Giant Kick Darts

Beanbag Toss

If you don’t feel like making your own beanbag toss game, buy this simple vinyl banner instead. It comes with a few beanbags, but you may want to buy extras just in case.

Buy it: Clown Beanbag Toss Game

Prize Wheel

Everyone loves to spin and win! Write your own prizes on this big wheel, then let people step right up and take a chance.

Buy it: WinSpin 36″ Prize Wheel

Claw Game

Kids love to try to beat the claw. You might be able to rent a full-size machine, but you can also buy this cute toy version. Fill it with any prizes you like!

Buy it: Surprise Claw Game

Axe Throw

Axe throwing has become trendy, but it’s not exactly safe around kids. Instead, try this bristle board option with plastic axes. Offer prizes to anyone who can hit the bullseye!

Buy it: EastPoint Bristle Axe-Throwing Game

BasketPong

This one is like a supersized ball toss, with basketballs and five-gallon buckets. You can build your own, or buy this set instead.

Buy it: BasketPong

Rock-Climbing Wall

Many areas offer mobile walls for rent now, and they’re a fun activity for school carnivals and field days. (Be sure to follow all necessary safety procedures.)

Face Painting

Recruit your art teachers or call on talented parents to help out at this carnival booth. You can offer a set of specific designs, or let people make their own requests.

Petting Zoo

Kids love petting zoos! But it’s important to do your research and make sure the animals you bring in are well treated and cared for properly. Done properly, though, this is a cool way to expose kids to creatures they might not otherwise get to see in person.

Photo Booth

Create a collection of photo props and backgrounds folks can use to make their photos memorable. If you have a school mascot, they can come and pose for pics with people too.

Balloon Stand

Buy or rent a helium tank and sell balloons. It’s an easy way to raise some funds. Just be sure to remind everyone to hang onto their balloons, since letting them go can be harmful for ecosystems and wildlife. You might even consider selling biodegradable balloons instead.

Bounce House

These are always a huge hit with kids. You can even make it part of your carnival prizes: Use tickets that kids can redeem for five minutes in the bounce house. Tip: Consider having one for grown-ups only, because adults love bounce houses too!

Sand Art

Layering colored sand in bottles is a fun and soothing activity that both kids and adults love to try. Set up your own booth with a variety of small bottles and colored sand. Folks purchase the bottle of their choice, then fill it up with sand in a pattern they love.

Used-Book Swap

Start with a booth full of used books. You can offer them for sale, or let people bring their own used books to trade in instead. Consider offering prize tickets that kids can trade in for a book too.

Slime Station

There are a few different ways to get in on the slime trend. One is to simply offer premade slime and “mix-ins” like beads, glitter, or tiny clay shapes that kids can add to their container. Or provide the basic supplies and help participants make their own slime. It’s a terrific STEM activity!

Learn more: 4 Easy Ways To Make Your Own Slime

Caricatures

Here’s another opportunity for art teachers or parents with artistic talents. Sell the drawings at a few bucks apiece for an easy fundraiser.

Popcorn

Rent a popcorn machine for the day, or make it in advance. Try flavored popcorn, kettle corn, or caramel corn too.

Cotton Candy

Bring in a local vendor, rent a machine, or buy premade packages. No matter what, it’s sure to be a hit!

Foot-Long Hot Dogs

Hot dogs are always popular, but foot-longs make it more of a fun party food. Don’t forget all the fixin’s!

Sweet Shoppe

Buy a variety of wrapped candies in bulk, then let customers create their own sweet mix! You can sell by weight, or charge by the bagful instead.

Hot Pretzels

Salty hot pretzels, with or without cheese, mustard, chocolate sauce, and other dips, are always a carnival food favorite.

Caramel Apples

These are really easy to make. Offer them plain, or dip them in chocolate chips, sprinkles, or other yummy bits.

Lemonade Stand

This is the classic carnival beverage. Bring it up-to-date with different flavors (strawberry lemonade, blueberry lemonade) and low-sugar options.

Churro Stand

Sweet and cinnamony crispy fried tubes of deliciousness! They’re amazing on their own, or they can be dipped in chocolate, caramel, or whipped cream.

Fruit Skewers

Treats can be healthy too, as these fruit skewers prove. (Of course, you can always offer options like chocolate dipping sauce!)

Roasted Corn

Here’s another healthy carnival food option, one that’s perfect for fall festivals.