Carnival Party Ideas for Guests of All Ages
Maddie Sheely
Account Specialist + Contributor
Are you looking for a unique and fun party theme for your upcoming celebration? Between the exhilarating games, hysterical entertainment, and iconic food, there’s something for everyone at the carnival. Imagine the surprise on your guest’s faces when they see all their carnival favorites right in your backyard!
Whether you’re planning an end of summer get-together, state fair inspired fall party, or a birthday party for a child or adult, these carnival party ideas will bring your celebration to life. What are you waiting for? Step right up to plan your carnival themed party now!
Keep reading for unique carnival party ideas…
Stilt Walkers
Imagine your guests walking around your own personal carnival, and their shock of looking up to see a stilt walker towering above them. Stilt walkers can roam about your party, snap pictures with you and your guests, and take your celebration to new heights—literally! If you really want to bring the magic of the carnival to life, consider booking a human statue.
Game Booths
There are tons of carnival party ideas and games you can easily DIY for this themed celebration. One of our favorites is the classic lucky duck fishing pond. To recreate this all you’ll need is a kiddie pool filled with water, plenty of rubber ducks, and a permanent marker. Label the bottom of the ducks in numerical order and have each number correspond to a prize.
Another favorite is balloon darts. Inflate plenty of small balloons, secure them to a wall or board, and have guests take turns aiming to pop them with darts. Of course, make sure you get some good prizes too!
Carnival Signs
Make sure you have the proper signage throughout your carnival showing your guests where to go. We love the idea of having a concession stand sign, bathroom sign, and a sign for the guest of honor for their carnival birthday party.
Corn Dogs
Corn dogs are a staple at the carnival, plus a major crowd pleaser! Whip up traditional corn dogs or even mini corn dogs for a more kid-friendly carnival party food idea. Don’t forget the dipping sauces like ketchup, mustard, or ranch dressing.
Lemonade Stand
With all the delicious food options, your guests are bound to get thirsty. Nothing screams an authentic carnival experience more than a refreshing cup of lemonade. Feature a lemonade stand that your guests can visit at any time during the celebration, making a perfect carnival party theme idea
Face Painters and Balloon Twisters
If you’re looking for kid-friendly entertainment and ideas for a carnival party, consider hiring a face painter and balloon twister! Both are fun and exciting for your kiddos to not only wear home but take home a piece of the party with them. Guests of all ages will love the excitement of being transformed into the favorite animal or character with a balloon accessory to match.
Ring Toss
Who doesn’t love a good, old-fashioned game of ring toss? This one is super easy to do on your own, just get as many bottles as you’d like and some plastic rings. Then, set up your own layouts, patterns, or shapes for a unique version of a carnival ring toss.
Candy Apples
For guests at the carnival themed party with a sweet tooth, candy apples are a more creative option than your classic birthday cake or cupcakes. Better yet, you can serve caramel apples too! You can make these ahead of time at home, during the party, or even find a company to prepare them.
Clowns
We know that clowns aren’t for everyone, but they could be another great carnival theme party idea. Some may be able to paint faces or even twist balloons that combine three carnival elements into one! If you have a fear of clowns, a magician is the best alternative.
Magical Martinis
We’re all about themes, so maintain the carnival vibes by creating Magical Martinis! Start with your favorite gin or vodka martini recipe and add different flavors like pickles, cotton candy, or caramel corn for that extra festive flare.
Pro tip: Pour sparkling cider, lemon-lime soda, or ginger ale over cotton candy for a fun carnival mocktail.
Food Trucks
We all know one of the best parts about any carnival is—the food! The Bash has you covered with some great options for food truck rentals, so take a look and book one (or a few for different options) to bring the carnival vibes right to your house or party venue! This will help create the quintessential carnival feel right at home.
Fried Food
You know what the best part of the carnival food selection is? Fried food. What’s even better? Fried anything. From pickles and mozzarella sticks to Oreos and Twinkies, you really can’t go wrong with any of these for carnival party food ideas. If you want to fry it, go for it. Anything goes at the carnival!
Prize Booth
What would carnival games be without prizes? Instead of giving out individual prizes at each game, guests can collect ticket depending on how well they do. Once they’ve accumulated enough tickets, you can direct them to your prize booth filled with everything from Squishmallows to snacks and even gift cards!
Carnival Plates and Cups
If you’re having a sit down meal, you’ll want to make sure your guests have the appropriate (and themed) basics like plates and utensils. Especially if throwing a carnival themed party for your kiddo, they’ll appreciate the small details like the place setting. For a more sophisticated tablescape, we love these party supplies for a grown up party.
BBQ Favorites
No party is complete without food to match! If you decide not to hire a food truck, make sure your guests have plenty of options, that’s the beauty of BBQ. We think a menu that involves BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, baked beans, mac & cheese, and coleslaw will cover all the bases and satisfy your guests’ taste buds.
Pro tip: If cooking isn’t up your alley, consider booking a caterer to whip up plenty of carnival inspired snacks.
Carnival Rides
To keep with the carnival theme party ideas you can easily recreate, renting some carnival rides or games will definitely be the highlight of your guests' experience. Choose from bounce houses, race car simulators, or golf simulators to get guests of all ages involved and having fun.
Funnel Cake
Is it even a trip to the fair without a funnel cake? This carnival staple can be served sweet with powdered sugar and chocolate sauce or savory with marinara sauce and parmesan cheese. Either is a delicious treat that will fill bellies and put smiles on faces. For a unique carnival birthday party idea, swap the traditional birthday cake for mini funnel cakes!
Carnival Table Skirts
The carnival theme should be obvious throughout the party, from the activities, to the food, and the decorations. An easy way to incorporate the carnival aesthetic into the party is with table decor, because you know you’ll have a few tables anyway. Grab some table skirts to help capture the theme in a simple yet practical way.
Popcorn
If you’ve ever been to a carnival before, you know that popcorn is always available! Make your own popcorn and use these adorable goody bags to hand out as guests arrive or leave the festivities. You could even book a food cart to pop up kettle corn or popcorn for an additional themed touch.
Drink Pouches
Whether your guests are 6 or 60, they’ll be big fans of these carnival drink pouches. Not only are they fun to sip out of, but will be easier than carrying cups while they’re playing games, eating snacks, and enjoying the carnival!
Carnival Photo Booth
Don’t forget about the pictures! You can either look into hiring a mobile photo booth from The Bash, or create your own photo booth area of the carnival. Make sure to have a Big Top themed backdrop and plenty of accessories for people to wear as you make memories at your own private carnival!
Hot Dogs
What’s a more classic carnival food to add to your celebration than hot dogs? We love the idea of an old-fashioned hot dog stand where your guests can customize and add their favorite toppings. Make sure to have chili, relish, and all the fixin’s!
Juggler’s Juice
Juggler’s Juice is meant to be fun and colorful, so you can add anything you want for this punch! Start by combining lemonade, pineapple juice, cranberry juice, and a splash of ginger ale for a fruity and fun mocktail. For the adults in attendance, spike with rum or vodka to make a delicious grown up version. This carnival party idea is sure to be a hit among guests of all ages.
Find more party themes and inspiration on The Bash.
