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How to Make Tabletop Carnival Games

Carnival games are simple games in which participants attempt to complete a task, such as knocking over cans with a ball or throwing a ring around a pole. If you are throwing a party with a carnival theme, adding some games that would be found at an actual carnival is a great way to set the tone. The ring toss is a tabletop game where players stand about 8 feet away from a table with a ring toss set up on it and attempt to throw rope rings around pegs.

Things You'll Need

Plywood, 3/4 inch thick
Ruler
Pencil
Saw
Wood clamps
Power drill
Screws, 1 inch long
Belt sander
Wood dowels, 1/2 inch diameter
Wood glue
Rope, 1/2 inch diameter
Electrical tape

Instructions

- 1
  Cut two pieces of plywood 1 1/2 inches by 16 inches, and four pieces of plywood 1 1/2 inches by 7 1/4 inches.
- 2
  Arrange the two 16-inch-long pieces in the shape of a cross, with the center of one piece atop the center of the other piece.
- 3
  Place two 7 1/4-inch planks under the top piece, with one on either side of the bottom piece, and two 7 1/2-inch pieces atop the bottom piece, on either side of the top piece, creating a plank cross that is 1 1/2 inches thick. Secure with wood clamps.
- 4
  Drill 1/4-inch-deep holes, with a bit slightly larger than the heads of your screws, into the cross. Make two holes in each arm of the cross, centered across its width, and two holes in the square section in the center of the cross, with the holes in the center in opposing corners of the square.
- 5
  Drive a screw threw each hole with the drill and a screwdriver bit.
- 6
  Round the edges of each arm of the cross using a belt sander.
- 7
  Drill a 1-inch-deep hole, using a 1/2-inch bit, into each arm of the cross, with the holes near the end of the arms. Drill an additional hole in the center of the square in the middle of the cross.
- 8
  Cut five dowels 5 inches long, then round the ends with a belt sander.
- 9
  Paint the cross and dowels the colors of your choosing. If you paint the dowels different colors, they can represent different scores.
- 10
  Glue a wood dowel into each hole drilled on the cross.
- 11
  Cut the rope into three sections, each 16 inches long.
- 12
  Bend a length of rope around so its ends touch, then wrap it with electrical tape to secure the rope in a ring. Repeat for the remaining two lengths.

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