Hobbies And Interests
Ring Toss
The ring toss is a game of skill. The object is to toss a ring onto an open-topped pole only slightly smaller than the ring's diameter. To make the shot, you need to make sure the ring lands in just the right spot, at the perfect speed, and the correct angle. It takes a true aim to get it right, and your reward is often a giant stuffed animal or some other large toy. Sometimes, ring toss games have different poles, each one offering a different reward depending on the level of difficulty. There are several variations on this game, such as tossing a ball or a beanbag into a small hole, like a clown's mouth or a a bull's eye. In each case, the decisive skill is good aim.
Juggling
One of the great carnival crafts is the juggling act. No carnival would be complete without somebody dressed up in a crazy costume showing off his or her equally incredible juggling skills. Jugglers might juggle as many as 7 objects at once, from balls to flaming torches, with one hand or both, sometimes while hopping on one foot or even riding a unicycle. Whatever their extra touch of showmanship, jugglers have been around as long as carnivals. Juggling is difficult to master, and so fascinating to watch that jugglers continue to be a draw today.
Horse Race
In this game of chance, up to 6 players compete to be the first to take their horse across the finish line. In the horse race, the host of the game draws a life-size playing board on the ground in tape or chalk, with one lane for each player. Players use horse-shaped chairs and participate in the game as jockeys. The host divides each lane into an equal number of spaces. To play, the host rolls a large foam die, and the player whose number comes up gets to move forward one space from the starting position. This continues until somebody wins. A popular variation is to incorporate an element of skill by requiring the person whose number is rolled to answer a trivia question or perform a physical feat of strength or dexterity before he or she can move forward.
Temporary Tattoos and Face Painting
Body art is a popular craft at carnivals. Some very popular forms of body art include tattoo-style drawings, usually on the arms or shoulders, and fanciful face paintings in the style of a clown or a circus performer. Many folks go for body art because they like having that exotic look. It adds to their enjoyment of the carnival experience, and it is just plain fun all by itself. Also, unlike true tattoos or body piercings, these kinds of decorations are temporary and will fade or wash away in the hours or days ahead. People tend to appreciate that, since there is life after the carnival.