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Directions for Making Carnival Games

People use carnival games for fundraisers at schools, churches and private events. Carnival games come in all shapes and sizes. Old-fashioned carnival games are often a hit at fundraisers because people recognize them, and they know the rules of the games. You can make carnival games easily and cheaply, attract people and help raise money for your cause.

Things You'll Need

Rectangular cardboard box, 3-by-3-by-6 feet
Compass
Utility knife
Acrylic paint
Paintbrushes
Disposable cups
Water
Black and red wide tip color makers
Poster board
Scissors
6 small foam footballs
Clothes basket
Table
Small swimming pool
15 rubber ducks

Instructions

Ball Toss Bull's Eye
- 1
  Place the box on a flat surface with one of the 3 foot sides facing up. This is the direction the Bull's Eye booth sits when you play it.
- 2
  Cut a 6-inch round hole in the box, so the center is four feet from the bottom of the box. Draw a circle around the cut hole five inches larger than the hole using a pencil. Draw another hole 10 inches wider than the circle, and another hole 15 inches larger than the hole. Continue this pattern until you reach four inches away from the edge of the box.
- 3
  Cut a hole in the bottom of the box on the side opposite the round hole. Make the hole large enough to slide a laundry basket in and out.
- 4
  Paint each circle around the hole with a different color of acrylic paint, or use two colors in a repetitive pattern. Paint the rest of the box in a solid color, and let it dry thoroughly.
- 5
  Move the box to the location for the booth. Slide a clothes basket inside the box, so the balls fall in it. It's easier removing the balls when they fall into the basket.
- 6
  Place a table 10 feet in front of the bull's eye side of the booth. Make a poster with the game's name and price using markers and poster board, and put it on the front of the booth. Put a basket full of 3 to 4-inch foam footballs on the table, and the booth is ready.
- 7
  Explain the rules of the game to customers. Each person gets three balls per ticket. You win a prize if all three balls go through the bull's eye, or give a small prize for one ball, medium prize for two balls and a large prize for three balls.
Ducks In A Pond
- 8
  Label the bottom of the rubber ducks with numbers. Write "1" on four ducks, "2" on four ducks and "3" on four ducks.
- 9
  Place the swimming pool where you want the booth set up. Fill the pool with water. Put all the rubber ducks in the upright position, so they float in the swimming pool correctly.
- 10
  Make a poster with the game's name and price using markers and poster board, and put it on the front of the booth. Hang the prizes on the sides of the poster.
- 11
  Explain the rules to the customers. Each ticket lets a contestant reach out with their hand, and lift out one duck. Every duck is a winner. If your duck has a number "1," you win a small prize. If it has a number "2," you win a medium prize, and if it has a number "3," you win a large prize.

Kids Games