I want to make it clear that this was not my school's carnival. I realize I know nothing about the planning of this event.
I was asked to go to a carnival at a neighboring school because they used the same service that we were considering using.
I wanted to share some tips that I thought were pretty obvious but now realize need to be said:
1. Do not have students run games by themselves. You can have parent-student teams but anyone younger than 16 shouldn't do it alone - even if the parent is running the next game over.
It isn't fun and they don't give out the prizes correctly. According to the rep who was there - he had tried to warn them that they could loose money rather than make it, but some people didn't listen.
2. Simplify. Don't make it a huge maze to find the pop vendors. I had to wander though the super crowded halls to reach the refreshments. When I realized I forgot the drinks I was already forced out the building and had to brave the whole thing all over again to get them.
3. Don't set tables on a hill. Things slide off. It's uncomfortable.
4. Consider printing a map if you put things in different places throughout the building. Use the fire escape maps as a template.
5. Don't put games in the halls. It's very crowded and uncomfortable.
6. If you do a cake walk, try to make the cakes attractive. One layer of cake with frosting is not hard to put together. If you take an extra 30 seconds to put a trim with a star icing tip, it will look wonderful even if you've never decorated a cake before. Add a few sprinkles for color. It's all in the presentation on cakes.
7. If you have a redemption booth, have separate exits and entrances. Everyone using the same door is not fun.
8. Try not to have it on the lawn. My husband had to leave because we couldn't get anywhere with the stroller. It has also rained earlier and the uneven lawn held the water in puddles you couldn't see until you were in them.
9. Make enough room to move. Try to find a way to keep a path between games so people can move.
The end result was that my 6 year old had a blast but my husband and I don't ever want to try it again. I saw the rep from the amusement company on the way out and he looked a little sheepish when I told him why I was there. His final words were, "At least the kids had fun," implying that a lot of parents didn't.
That pretty much summed up our experience.
Don't get unhappy with me - I KNOW how much work went into it. Remember, I'm the one who planned a Silent Auction and Carnival with absolutely no help. I'm just pointing out things that might be avoided by others in the future.
