Carnival Games Are A Great Way to Raise Money for Your Fundraiser

Now that the school year has begun, children everywhere are looking to join after-school activities. Getting involved in after-school activities is a great way for your child to learn about teamwork and make friends in the process. After-school activities have a history of enriching childhood education and showcasing hidden talents. Unfortunately, schools across the country are battling tight budgets and cutting the necessary funding for after-school activities. As much as you may want your child to remain active, without school funding, who's going to pay for the coach to direct the soccer team or the artist to teach your child how to paint?

More and more, parents are finding solutions to fundraising issues. For instance, by organizing a fundraiser, your child can remain involved in after-school activities. Planning a fundraiser doesn’t have to be difficult. Just follow these simple steps: First, determine how much money must be raised. Next, ask other parents and members of the local community if they'd like to participate. When it comes to fundraising events, you have options. But, since the fundraiser supports after-school activities for children, why not make the fundraiser fun? A carnival fits the occasion perfectly. 

Before you can create posters, hand out flyers and focus on garnering interest, you need to set up your day of events. Fortunately, we provided a list of carnival games that are sure to please guests. Since each game gives players a chance to win, be sure to have enough prizes.

1. Balloon Darts: Blow up twenty balloons about the size of a softball. Use thumb tacks to pin the tail of the balloon to a wall. Using darts, each plays gets three chances to pop a balloon with a dart.

2. Ring Toss: Line up two to four dozen classic Coke bottles on a table. Each player is given five carnival rings to throw and ring around a bottle.

3. Bean Bag Toss: Using a large piece of wood, cut out five holes. Place the board on an angle, leaning slightly backwards. Each player is given three bean bags to toss into the holes.

4. Duck Pond: Fill a small pool with water. Using ten to fifteen rubber ducks, place a number on each duck. Children pick a duck out of the pond and each number wins a different prize.

5. Can Knockdown: Stack six cans in a pyramid. Each player is given three balls to throw at the cans and knock them down. A popular version is the milk bottle toss.

With all of these great games, you will need to find supplies on a budget. Look around our website and find all the materials you need for your carnival games to run perfectly.

Fun Party Game Ideas For Your Child's Next Birthday

Year after year you throw a birthday party for your child and come to realize that the planning and organization process becomes easier. You eventually put down the pen and paper and remember the to-do list in your mind. You have to fill out and send invitations, buy or make a cake, decorate your home and purchase birthday party supplies. But, figuring out what games to play is a challenging question you have to answer each year.    We provided a list of fun and creative games for your child's next birthday party. These games are easy to set up, simple to play and they won't leave a mess.  

Although traditional games, such as pin the tail on the donkey and musical chairs are popular, you want to spice up the games this year, in addition to being recognized as the parent who threw the "cool" party.

1. Scavenger Hunt: Divide the children into teams and give each team a list of items they have to find. The first team to come back with all of the items wins a prize.
2. Musical box:  Similar to musical chairs, children sit in a circle and pass around a wrapped gift while the music plays. When the music stops, the child holding the gift unwraps a layer of wrapping paper. Children keep playing until there's no more wrapping paper. Whoever receives the unwrapped box keeps the gift inside.
3. Wrap a Mummy: Split the children into teams and give each team a roll of toilet paper. The team that can wrap each member in toilet paper the fastest wins.
4. Who am I?: Place a picture or the name of someone, such as a cartoon character or celebrity, on the back of each child. The children have to find out who is on the picture by asking other children around them questions. But, these can only be "yes" or "no" questions.
5. Egg Race: Each child lines up holding an egg on a spoon. They have to race to the other side without dropping the egg. To keep the race clean, use hard boiled eggs.
6. Sack Race: Give each child a sack to stand in. Holding the sack with both hands, children have to race to the other side.
7. Balloon Stomp: Tie one balloon to the ankle of each child. Children then have to stomp on other balloons, but also be careful no one steps on theirs. The last child with a balloon on his or her leg wins.
8. Water Balloon Toss: Pairing up in teams, two children stand across from each other, tossing a water balloon to each other, without dropping it. Every so often, the children have to extend the distance between each other and continuing throwing the balloon. The last team left with a balloon wins.
9.  Obstacle Course: You can set up an obstacle course with ropes, swings, slides and tubes for children to compete in teams.
10. What's in the Bag?: Take the first letter of each child's name and place an object in the bag that begins with that child's name. For example, "A" for Ashley, and place an apple in the bag. Without looking,  but allowed to feel the bag, children have to guess what's in the bag.