Ideas for Harvest Carnival Games

Spinning Wheel

• Section off squares and paint a different autumn or farm-related object in each square. Make or buy a circular spinning wheel and create sections that feature each of the same objects. Players place a coin or ticket on any square. The wheel is spun and the winner is the one who chooses the same object on which the wheel's pointer lands.

Cornucopia Throw

• Secure a cornucopia basket in place. Give players a carrot or other vegetable or fruit (either real or crafted) that they must throw into the basket. Long, circular or irregular shaped fruits and vegetables make the game more challenging. Give players two or three chances.

Ring Toss

• Cover a long table with slender glass root beer bottles. Leave about two inches between each bottle. Give each player three lightweight rings to toss over the bottle tops. Add weight to the bottles, if needed. Give prizes based on how many rings go over the bottles.

Bowling

• Create wooden lanes with higher sides that extend from the front to the back of the booth. Eighteen to 20 inches is a good approximate width. Set up three or more aluminum milk bottles at the end of each lane in a triangular pattern--just like bowling pins. Paint the bottles bright autumn colors to add a festive touch. Winners must knock over all the pins with two turns of rolling a ball or small round fruit down the lane.

Coin Toss

• Fill a long table with a bunch of small plates and bowls decorated in fall colors or images. Place them at different heights and relatively close together to make the game more challenging. Use boxes, crates and other objects, and fill in empty spaces with hay, pumpkins, corn stalks and other fall items for decoration. Players toss coins and try to land them on or in a plate or bowl. Winners get a prize or the plate or bowl.

Apple Pond

• As a variation of the popular duck pond game for little ones at most fairs, fill a tub of water with apples that are marked at the bottom with numbers or letters. Each player picks up one apple and receives a prize corresponding to the letter or number drawn.

Scarecrow Hat

• Make a few large scarecrows (without hats), and place them into the ground away from the players. The object of the game is to throw a farmer's straw hat so that it lands on top of a scarecrow's head. Give players three tries.