Ping Pong fish - Gold Fish Game
Lucky Dip - kids pay to just pull a bag (with prizes in it) out of a box
Fishy Business - go fishing with either a magnet or "hook"
Tic Tac Toe - bean bag throw on X's and O's board
Tombola - numbers put into a shackable container, child draws a number and either gets a prize or not
Ring Toss - throw rings over items to win the prize
Tin Pan Alley - Knock tins down with bean bags
Splat the Rat - better to place this outside as it's water balloons.
Balloon Pop
Dunk Tank
We just finished our Spring Carnival last Saturday and had a pretty good turn out. Not as big as last year's due to heavy wind and rain most of the day.
We used to have a carnival service do our carnivals but that stopped about 3 years ago because our school had a major renovation project. But it was costing us and hardly ever made a profit. Although I have been told several times that this was not suppose to be a fundraising event but a community service to the families of our school.
Anyway, last year was our 1st carnival in the new building. We had some games donated to our PTO through one of our members. All hand made games (made out of plywood and paint). They had a fish pond made with a painted shower curtain (little mermaid theme). The Batman wheel, body parts game and a hockey shoot out. Also one of our very dedicated Mom made a Bean toss game and this year she made a lollipop three and a ring toss. All made with plywood and paint. They were just neat.
Last year we ordered out of several catalogs but this year only used Oriental Trading and Rhode Island Novelty (www.rhodeislandnovelty). We made a list of the games, decided on how the prize system according to each game (1st, 2nd, etc.) Depending on how many tickets it was to play the game we wanted to have worth it prizes. For example on the USA Ring Toss, each player had to get a ring on each letter of USA to win 1st prize (USA belt clip, Oriental Trading, on sale for $3.95/dz). If they got two rings on any letter they got a USA kick ball, also from OTC.
It is a bit more time consuming but it is better than the chip and prize room system.
We decided to spend a bit more on prizes this year and make it worth it for the kids. We also held our Carnival on a Saturday from 11-2.
I think I can help you find prizes for your festival...I have ran the carnival at my school for the past three years. I have found some great resources for finding incredible prizes at amazing prices...Try these:
www.sav-on-closeouts.com
> This is a great one, click on the liquidation page and you can find airplace gliders for $.05 ea (for example)I also got some reptile beanies for $.25 ea., stovepipe hats for $.20, Pokemon Markers $.10 ea the people are great and they offer our school Net 10 days.
www.surplus.net/hj
I also use H & J Liquidators - they have a ton of stuff. Click on the dollar store page. We bought some great Captain Planet pins for $.05 ea., Frisbees, Tote Bags, & more. You won't believe the selection. The update the sites with new items all of the time ...
Hope this helps you - email me with any questions
A popular game at our carnival last year was win a gold fish. Children tried to throw a ping pong ball into small gold fish bowls. If they made it in they won a goldfish!
