Carnival Theme Parties

Your backyard is the ideal setting for a small-scale carnival. Begin with sheets, blankets and tablecloths in bright primary colors for decorations. Hang sheets from clotheslines to make impromptu tents and booths. Cover tables with cloths and set up old-fashioned games such as fishing for prizes, a cake walk, a beanbag toss and a hula hoop throw. Serve lemonade, cupcakes, popcorn, jello and freezer pops. Schedule fun activities such as face painting, a clown performance, a pet show, a sack race, tug of war, a hula hoop contest, a soccer match, jump rope and jacks. Conclude with everyone getting a prize or a party bag.

Large groups can invest in party rentals to throw a large-scale carnival in a community park, school or church. For food, consider renting a cotton candy machine, a popcorn machine, a soft-serve ice cream stand, a snow cone booth, a popcorn machine or a hot dog stand. For amusements, there are inflatable slides, bouncy castles, ball pits and carnival booths. People can volunteer to work as clowns, face painters, game operators, balloon artists, magicians, musicians, jugglers and sidewalk chalk artists.

Evoke the fun of a beach boardwalk full of amusements with a beach carnival party. Decorate with shells and tropical flowers. Set up a sand play area and supply buckets, shovels and water for a sand castle contest. Play Polynesian music and serve fruit salad and fruity drinks, or host a barbecue. Play limbo, beach ball toss and volleyball. Create boardwalk-style diversions by setting up tables and chairs with fishing games, beach ball tosses and Popsicle walks. Create photo booths by painting silly beach scenes and cutting out a circle for people's heads.