Are you planning a birthday bash for your favorite kiddo? A DIY backyard carnival theme party is pure magic!
Carnival Party Ideas
Party Haus Event Styling designed and produced today’s featured party, and they would love to prepare every last detail for you!
They have all kinds of tricks up their sleeve. Get more information over here.
If you are more of the DIY variety, be inspired by their clever ideas below.
Check out the ultimate backyard carnival party right in your own backyard.
Everything you can imagine is real.
– Pablo Picasso
Carnival Party Themes
The easiest way to design a party is to start with a theme. A creative theme is as fun to develop as it is for your guests to experience!
The word “Carnival” conjures up so many entertaining ideas.
Mix big top bright colors, colorful circus motifs, white stripes, fun food, and games into your celebration. The possibilities are endless!
Check out the interview I did with Angie, the owner of Party Haus, here to see her wide range of party designs and styling.
Then follow and connect with her on Facebook (Party Haus) and Instagram @partyhausevents.
Now, observe as she transforms a home into a Carnival party set. I know you will love it!
Carnival Decorations
Party Haus uses bold red and white carnival stripes and bright linens for backdrops and table coverings, then frames them with colorful balloon garlands.
But that’s not all; first, they layer in a bright paper fan assortment, and next, they display a retro carnivalesque birthday banner!
Now the stage is set. Let’s add in the rest of the details.
Childrens Party Food
Fun food and treats are at the center stage of this outdoor birthday party. So let Party Haus guide you to the concession stands’ possibilities!
Channel your inner child and bring back all the goodies you loved at the carnival or circus.
Main Meal
Set up a hot dog station where you can serve carnival hot dogs and corn dogs.
Everyone will also enjoy hamburgers in little foil bags served with french fries if you want something more to fill up the little fair-goers.
Add to the festivities with this delicious, simple, and mouthwatering blackened corn recipe.
Carnival Cake
There’s a candy-studded birthday cake at the dessert table for your main attraction.
You could also opt for popcorn cupcakes or decorated cookies with a circus theme. Serve ice cream to take it to the next level.
Treats
Here’s where the tasty sideshows really begin! There’s no end to ideas at your fair’s concessions stand.
For starters, Party Haus set up a popcorn bar and station, a delicious and interactive highlight for all!
Your guests can fill up a festive popcorn box and finish with a sprinkle of salted butter.
If you wanted another option, you could add warm kettle corn.
How about a cotton candy board? Self-serve bags are at the ready, and the nostalgic display adds to the decor.
Other menu items include colorful novelty cups loaded with circus crackers, carnival peanuts in delightful trays, and cupcakes topped off with animal crackers served up on a Ferris wheel.
Check out the clever little barbells made out of marshmallows too.
And last but not least, don’t forget the Cracker Jacks.
Ideas for Party Favors
If you need more ideas for favors to send home with your guests, kids will love wearing these clown noses around the party and will continue to enjoy them at home!
Other parting gifts could include bright paper pinwheels, circus lollipops, carnival stuffed animal prizes, or novelty keychains. (Affiliate links are underlined)
Carnival Theme Party Games
The fun continues with these DIY carnival game ideas. There are so many options to choose from! Get ready to set up your game booths.
Let’s begin with the milk bottle toss (ring toss) below.
It would not be a real carnival without the classic Knock ‘Em” Down contest below. Made with covered can goods. So creative!
Set up a traditional carnival game, cups, or hoops for ping pong toss (with ping pong balls).
The victor can succeed by earning points or could win the prize in the cup he dunks.
Build a small, simple game of Tic Tac Toe. It is a classic paper and pencil game but converted into a 3D carnival game.
Play with bean bag toss style or using small balls. Three bags/balls in a row win a prize.
A similar game can be played by tossing a hoop around a floating rubber duck.
Balloon darts is another favorite carnival game. (Keep younger children away for safety’s sake)
Incorporate potato sack races using old burlap sacks, pillowcases, or large garbage bags.
You could also consider a bean bag clown toss, a duck pond game, balloon popping games, bobbing for apples, or spinning the wheel. Affiliate links are underlined.
Lastly, set up a simple prize table to reward the game winners.
Check out Oriental Trading for inexpensive prizes and party favors. Your little guests will be thrilled!
You could also include a prize ticket with each win, and the prize is claimed at a ticket booth.
At Home Carnival Party Ideas
If you are looking for simpler activities and carnival classics to do at your house indoors, I’ve got some great ideas!
These can be easy and not a lot of work. Think of the greatest showman on a small scale.
All are great ways to entertain your party guests at home on a limited budget.
Let your older children set up a table or booth to apply temporary tattoos or do face painting.
Create a colorful backdrop and add a Polaroid camera for immediate printing. You now have a simpler version of a photo booth. And a good time!
More fun ideas; dress up an adult to be a fortune teller! What a great idea to entertain younger kids and old adults too!
Carnival Party Signs
Festive signs can direct and describe everything from games to food. Plus, they add so much to the carnival scene.
Party Haus created old-time signage, encased them in rustic wood frames, and placed them at all of the party stations.
Kid Party Invitations
There’s an abundance of adorable invites with carnival and circus graphics available when you have your guest list ready.
Select from one of the creative and reasonably priced options below. Some are electronic email or text formats, and others are of the printed variety.
There is a design for everyone, from classic carnival to softer, more girly designs.
Invitations and Carnival Tickets
Amazon
Circus Party Invitations with Envelopes
Circus Large Invitations
Pink Carousel Carnival Large Invitations
Carnival Printables
Etsy
Digital Pixel Carnival Birthday Invite & All designs
2 Crafty Nerds Invitation Instant Download or All designs
My Sweet Digital Carnival Circus Invite
Simone Made It Printable Birthday Invitation or All designs
Pink Starfish Designs All products
Free Printable Carnival Invitation Templates
Kid Birthday Party Themes
Below are more entertaining party options and ideas for children.
Fancy Picnics
Super Mario Party Ideas
Camping Party
Food for Camping Party
Adult Party Themes
For adult parties, lunch or dinner, see these posts!
Favorite Things Party Ideas
Raclette Dinner Ideas
How to Host the Perfect Lunch Party for your Girlfriends
Hosting a Birthday Lunch Party
Garden Party Ideas
Graduation Party Ideas
Oktoberfest Party
Party Haus
Party Haus has experience with a variety of children and adult party ideas. See examples of their party themes by checking out this Interview Post with the owner and the Party Haus website.
Party Haus serves Palm Beach County or Martin County, including Stuart, Tequesta, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Lake Worth, West Palm Beach, Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and Boca Raton.
Check out the Party Haus website here.
Be sure to comment below after you’ve had your party. I want to hear all about it.
Okay, let’s get this party started. Enjoy your afternoon of awesomeness!
xo,
Cindy
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