Chica and Jo Chica and Jo

DIY tutorials, party ideas, recipes, crafts, and tips for everyday life

Chica and Jo Chica and Jo

DIY tutorials, party ideas, recipes, crafts, and tips for everyday life

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15 DIY Carnival Games with Tutorials (Ranked by Cost, Difficulty, and More)

by: Chica
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15 DIY Carnival Games with Tutorials (Ranked by Cost, Difficulty, and More)
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Whether you're organizing a school carnival, PTO fundraiser, church festival, scout event, carnival-themed birthday party, or neighborhood block party, carnival games are often the highlight of the day.

And when budget is an issue, making your own DIY carnival games is top priority. So we've gathered together a bunch of our favorite games and some great DIY tutorials for each.

Which DIY carnival game should you choose?

Choosing the right game for your event can depend on factors such as cost, time and effort, player age and skill level, and game storage and reusability.

Questions to ask when choosing a DIY carnival game:

  • Which DIY carnival games are easy to build?
  • Which DIY carnival games are affordable for my budget?
  • How long will it take to build DIY carnival games?
  • Will it take long to set up my DIY carnival games?
  • Are these carnival games suitable for young kids, older kids, or adults?
  • Can I reuse these DIY carnival games and how much space will it take to store them?

To help you evaluate the games below, I've read through them and graded each one on the following characteristics:

  • Build Difficulty: Easy / Moderate / Advanced
  • Cost to Build: $ / $$ / $$$
  • Build Time: Under 30 min / 30-90 min / 2+ hours
  • Best for: Young Kids / Older Kids / Adults / All Ages
  • Use: Indoor / Outdoor / Either
  • Setup Time: Under 5 min / 5-15 min / 15+ min
  • Storage space: Minimal / Average / Large
  • Reusability: One Event / Several Events / Built to Last

Okay, let's get to it!

Ring Toss

The ring toss is a classic game that never goes out of style, and can be played with very little supervision or setup.

This game is easy to adapt to different difficulty levels for players, with larger or smaller rings and by placing the target closer or farther away.

1 Wood and Rope Ring Toss

→ View at MomEndeavors.com

This version of the classic ring toss game from Mom Endeavors is easy to DIY with a few wood elements from the hardware store. The rings are made of rope covered in duct tape, making it easy to customized with different colors to suit your event.

At a Glance:
Build Difficulty: Easy
Cost to Build: $$
Build Time: 30-90 min
Best for: All ages
Use: Indoor or Outdoor
Setup Time: Under 5 min
Storage Space: Average
Reusability: Several Events

2 Paper Plate Ring Toss

→ View at Crayola.com

This super easy ring toss game from Crayola is made from inexpensive household supplies — paper plates and a paper towel roll. The kids will enjoy making it as much as playing it.

At a Glance:
Build Difficulty: Easy
Cost to Build: $
Build Time: Under 30 min
Best for: Young Kids
Use: Indoor
Setup time: Under 5 min
Storage Space: Minimal
Reusability: One Event

OR BUY INSTEAD:

If time is limited, you can skip the DIY and buy a ready-to-go ring toss game and get straight to the fun.

Bean Bag Toss

If cornhole has taught us anything, it's that tossing bean bags is a fun outdoor game. It's equally great at a carnival, and everyone knows how to play right away.

A bean bag toss is also an easy game to adjust the difficulty of in order to suit different skill levels and player ages.

3 Upcycled Bean Bag Toss Game

→ View right here on our blog!

Our very own upcycled bean bag toss game makes use of old jean pockets for the bags and planter saucers for the targets. The saucer size and placement make it adjustable to any skill level.

At a Glance:
Build Difficulty: Easy
Cost to Build: $$
Build Time: 30-90 min
Best for: All Ages
Use: Outdoor
Setup time: Under 5 min
Storage Space: Minimal
Reusability: Built to Last

4 Wooden Bean Bag Toss Game

→ View at ThriftDiving.com

This wooden bean bag toss game with stand from Thrift Diving is big and bold enough to stand out at a carnival, and with its hinged stand, it's a snap to set up and store later.

At a Glance:
Build Difficulty: Moderate
Cost to Build: $$
Build Time: 2+ hours
Best for: All Ages
Use: Outdoor
Setup time: Under 5 min
Storage Space: Average
Reusability: Built to Last

OR BUY INSTEAD:

If time is limited, you can skip the DIY and buy a ready-to-go bean bag toss game and get straight to the fun.

Duck Pond

If you're planning a carnival that includes preschoolers or younger elementary-aged children, a duck pond is a must. Players simply choose a floating rubber duck and win the prize associated with the number on the bottom.

This game is simple enough that every child feels successful, making it one of the most popular booths at many school carnivals.

5 Duck Pond Game

A duck pond is probably the most classic carnival game and the easiest to DIY, because all it takes is a shallow pool and floating ducks. For Jo's daughter's carnival themed birthday party, we used a galvanized tub and filled it with ducks.

At a Glance:
Build Difficulty: Easy
Cost to Build: $
Build Time: Under 30 min
Best for: Young Kids
Use: Indoor and Outdoor
Setup time: 5-15 min
Storage Space: Average (Minimal if pool is inflatable)
Reusability: Several Events

OR BUY INSTEAD:

If time is limited, you can skip the DIY and buy a ready-to-go duck pond kit with inflatable pool and get straight to the fun.

Can Knock Down Game ("Tin Can Alley")

Few things are as satisfying as knocking down an entire stack of cans with one throw. This carnival classic is inexpensive to build, requiring just recycled cans, a table, and a few tennis balls or baseballs.

This game is also perfect for customization with colors and images to match your event theme.

6 Upcycled Tin Can Knock Down Game

→ View at DIYnCrafts.com

This upcycled tin can knockdown game from DIYnCrafts is simple perfection — just save your soup cans and decorate them with paint or tape.

At a Glance:
Build Difficulty: Easy
Cost to Build: $
Build Time: 30-90 min
Best for: Older Kids and Adults
Use: Outdoor
Setup time: Under 5 min
Storage Space: Minimal
Reusability: Several Events

OR BUY INSTEAD:

If time is limited, you can skip the DIY and buy a ready-to-go can knock down set and get straight to the fun.

Balloon Pop Dart Game

A balloon pop wall instantly makes your carnival feel like a traditional midway. Fill balloons with prize tickets, coupons, or special surprises for an extra element of excitement.

The colorful display also serves as a fantastic backdrop for carnival photos.

74th of July Balloon Dart Game

→ View at GigglesGalore.net

While this American flag balloon dart game from Giggles Galore was designed for the 4th of July, it's easily adaptable to use other colors. The tutorial perfectly shows how to start with a pegboard base and add the balloons (with prizes inside!)

At a Glance:
Build Difficulty: Moderate
Cost to Build: $$
Build Time: 2+ hours
Best for: Older Kids and Adults / All Ages
Use: Outdoor
Setup time: 15+ min
Storage Space: Average
Reusability: One Event

OR BUY INSTEAD:

If time is limited, you can skip the DIY and buy a ready-to-go balloon pop game and get straight to the fun.

Fishing Pond

A fishing pond is one of the most charming carnival games for younger children. Magnetic fishing poles and colorful fish create an activity that's simple to understand and fun to play.

Because every player catches something, it's especially popular with preschoolers and kindergarteners.

8 Pool Noodle Magnetic Fishing Game

→ View at Orvis.com

This easy game with a pond filled with pool noodle fish from Orvis is adorable and fun. The cleverly cut noodles look like hungry fish, ready to snap onto the magnet at the end of the line.

At a Glance:
Build Difficulty: Easy
Cost to Build: $$
Build Time: 30-90 min
Best for: Young Kids and Older Kids
Use: Outdoor
Setup time: Under 5 min
Storage Space: Average
Reusability: Several Events

9 Paper Cup Hook Fishing Game

→ View at HandmadeCharlotte.com

These quirky paper cup fish from Handmade Charlotte are ready to be caught with a makeshift pole and hook. With no water required, this game works well indoors or outdoors and has a much faster setup.

For an added activity, consider letting the kids decorate the fish before playing.

At a Glance:
Build Difficulty: Easy
Cost to Build: $
Build Time: 30-90 min
Best for: Young Kids
Use: Indoor and Outdoor
Setup time: Under 5 min
Storage Space: Minimal
Reusability: Several Events

OR BUY INSTEAD:

If time is limited, you can skip the DIY and buy a ready-to-go fishing game and get straight to the fun.

Wooden Maze Games

If you've got the woodworking chops, consider investing some time in a maze game that will last for several years.

These can offer a more polished look for a larger carnival event, and can be customized with your colors or theme.

10Gruyere - Hole Maze Game

→ View right here on our blog!

Our very own "Gruyere" hole maze game challenges players to pull strings to navigate a ball past the holes to the top of the board. And it's dual-sided, making it perfect for competitive game play. The folding design makes it easy to store for reuse many times. Get our full build plans here.

At a Glance:
Build Difficulty: Advanced
Cost to Build: $$$
Build Time: 2+ hours
Best for: All Ages
Use: Indoor and Outdoor
Setup time: Under 5 min
Storage Space: Large
Reusability: Built to Last

11 Game

→ View right here on our blog!

Our very own DIY Plinko board game is a guaranteed delight with guests of all ages. Drop the puck from the top and give out prizes based on the slot it lands in. Get our full build plans here and paint your board in fun carnival colors!

At a Glance:
Build Difficulty: Advanced
Cost to Build: $$$
Build Time: 2+ hours
Best for: All Ages
Use: Indoor and Outdoor
Setup time: Under 5 min
Storage Space: Large
Reusability: Built to Last

Lollipop Pull ("Pick a Pop" or "Sucker Pull")

A lollipop pull is incredibly easy to set up and is perfect for younger players. Game play is simple -- just pick a lollipop from the board. The lollipop itself is the prize, unless yours happens to have a dot on the bottom of the stick, and then you get something extra.

The colorful display also makes a great visual attraction for your carnival midway.

12 Lollipop Tree

→ View at PartyLikeACherry.com

This lollipop grab game from Party Like A Cherry is as easy as it can be... just stick the lollipops into a Styrofoam cone and set it on the table. This can be assembled way ahead of time for instant setup on carnival day.

At a Glance:
Build Difficulty: Easy
Cost to Build: $
Build Time: 30-90 min
Best for: All Ages
Use: Indoor and Outdoor
Setup time: Under 5 min
Storage Space: Minimal
Reusability: One Event

13 Lollipop Tree

→ View at CarnivalSavers.com

This lollipop tree pull game from Carnival Savers takes it next level with a custom cut shape that's painted to look like a tree. This brings an extra special visual touch to your space. (Just be sure nobody can peek at the back and spy which ones have dots!)

At a Glance:
Build Difficulty: Moderate
Cost to Build: $$
Build Time: 2+ hours
Best for: All Ages
Use: Indoor and Outdoor
Setup time: 15+ min
Storage Space: Large
Reusability: Built to Last

OR BUY INSTEAD:

If time is limited, you can skip the DIY and buy a ready-to-go lollipop trees and get straight to the fun.

Ping Pong Fish Bowl Toss

Nothing brings back memories of childhood carnival visits like tossing ping pong balls into fish bowls for a chance to win a goldfish. But these days, the live fish really aren't needed. Instead, you can get the same feel with fake alternatives.

14 Toy Fish Ping Pong Toss Game

→ View at Chickabug.com

This fish-friendly alternative ping pong toss from Chickabug uses blue cellophane to mimic water and little rubber fish instead of live ones. The game play and fun are still the same — just toss the ping pong balls in to win.

At a Glance:
Build Difficulty: Easy
Cost to Build: $$
Build Time: Under 30 min
Best for: Young Kids and Older Kids
Use: Indoor and Outdoor
Setup time: 5-15 min
Storage Space: Minimal
Reusability: Several Events

15 Plastic Cup Ping Pong Toss Game

→ View at CarnivalSavers.com

This fish ping pong toss game from Carnival Savers skips the fish bowls entirely and opts for clear plastic cups instead, making it a super affordable alternative that's just as fun.

At a Glance:
Build Difficulty: Easy
Cost to Build: $
Build Time: Under 30 min
Best for: Young Kids and Older Kids
Use: Outdoor
Setup time: 5-15 min
Storage Space: Minimal
Reusability: Several Events

OR BUY INSTEAD:

If time is limited, you can skip the DIY and buy a ready-to-go ping pong fishbowl kits and get straight to the fun.

More DIY Carnival Ideas

If you're looking for more DIY carnival ideas, check out these other posts here on our blog.

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15 DIY Carnival Games with Tutorials (Ranked by Cost, Difficulty, and More)
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Chica and Jo

Hi there! We are Chica and Jo, best friends who love to create whenever we can. From fun DIY projects to elaborate parties to delicious recipes, you're sure to find ideas that will inspire you. Take a look around and follow us @chicaandjo to see what we're up to today.

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