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Handmade Church Carnival Games

Church carnivals attract children and teenagers from youth groups as well as their parents. Depending on who the carnival is geared toward, parents may supervise and play games with their children or work game and activity booths. Though some carnival companies offer games for rent specifically for church functions, you can keep money in your budget by creating games yourself. Plus, you can gear handmade games toward specific themes such as a jungle-adventure vacation Bible school theme or toward a single story, such as Noah's ark or the journey of Moses and the Israelites.

Loading the Ark
- This game combines the story of Noah's ark with the strongman's game. The game structure begins with a board about 5 feet long and 2 feet wide. Hinges secure a 6-inch-by-4-inch piece of wood for the "launch pad" about a foot from the end of the board. Glue holds a wedge in place about 6 inches behind the launch pad with a board balanced on top of it. One end of this board slides beneath the launch pad. A basket decorated to look like an ark sits at the other end of the board and the whole structure should be painted to look like an ocean. Children place a bean-bag animal on the launch pad and strike the other piece of wood with the mallet. The wood lifts the launch pad and hopefully propels the animal into the ark. Each child gets two tries per turn.
David and Goliath
- This game allows the children to pretend to be David as they try to knock down a Goliath structure built from foam blocks or tin cans. To make the Goliath, the bricks or cans must be stacked so the maker can paint a large Goliath portrait that spans all the pieces. The giant's forehead should be near the center of the stack with a bull's-eye on it, showing the children where to aim. Each child gets three chances to launch rubber balls or bean bags at the bull's-eye with a rubber slingshot. This game should also have a background to catch the stacked pieces and the projectiles; realistic backgrounds include canvas painted to look like an outdoor scene. Prizes could be items such as plastic crowns and foam swords.
Red Sea Hop
- This game depends on the children's balancing talents rather than strength or aim. It also uses the story of God parting the Red Sea so the Israelites could escape Egypt. It begins with a wooden balance beam built sturdily over a blue inflated mattress like the type used in movie stunts. Rolling racks hold blue curtains painted with fish and other sea creatures on either side of the balance beam. The children must cross the beam without falling or touching the "water" on either side of them. Two children may compete with the faster child winning, or children can challenge themselves to move across the beam without falling. This game works well for tournaments and competitions as well.

Kids Games