Hobbies And Interests
Balloon Darts
Make a small version of balloon darts, the classic carnival game, to play at home. Use a piece of plywood, some tacks, balloons and darts. Blow up the balloons and tack them to the piece of plywood. Lay the board up against a fence in the backyard and let your children throw the darts to try to pop the balloons. Use plastic darts for young children that are safer than metal darts but still sharp enough to pop the balloons.
Ring Toss
Set up several bottles on the floor for a game of ring toss. Purchase metal or wood rings from your local craft store that are about 2 inches larger than the width of the tops of the bottles. Alternatively, use large wooden or plastic curtain rings. Add sand to the bottles to add weight so they can stand. Let your children try to toss the rings around the bottles. The first player to ring a bottle wins the game.
Beanbag Clown Toss
Draw a clown face on a large poster board; tape it to the bottom of a cardboard box. Cut out the clown's eyes, mouth and nose, cutting through both paper and cardboard. Set the cardboard box against a wall and let the children toss beanbags in the clown's eye, nose and mouth. You can find beanbags at many crafts stores, or you can make your own bags using socks, rice and rubber bands. The player who gets the most beanbags in the box wins the game.
Polka Dot Penny Toss
Buy a piece of polka-dot material and lay it on a dark tablecloth, which you have placed on a table or on the floor or ground. Give each of your children 10 pennies to try to toss on the polka dots. The child who lands the most pennies on the polka dots wins the game.
Carnival Bowling
Using regular craft paints, paint 10 2-liter sodas bottles to resemble clowns and place them in the shape of a triangle. Mark a line about 20 feet from the "bowling pins." Have the children stand at the line. Use a tennis ball, volleyball or soccer ball to have the kids try to knock down as many pins as possible. The player who knocks down the most pins wins the game.