Planning a Kids' Carnival or Festival - Don't Overlook the Prizes
Kids love a sense of reward, and the right prizes can keep them engaged and motivated throughout your event. Whether they’re playing games, participating in activities, or simply soaking in the carnival atmosphere, great prizes add an extra layer of fun and satisfaction.
Choosing the perfect prizes involves more than just picking colorful toys or trendy gadgets. It requires careful thought about the kids' ages, interests, and safety, of course. Younger children might find joy in items like plush toys or bubble wands, while older kids might be thrilled with more adventurous prizes such as disappearing ink, foam rockets, fidget toys, or smile face stress balls. No matter the prize, the goal is to ensure every child leaves with a smile and a memento or a few mementos from their fun-filled day.
Beyond physical prizes, incorporating educational elements can make the rewards even more valuable. Games that end with a prize of a puzzle or an art kit can ignite creativity and learning, making the carnival experience both enjoyable and enriching.
Thinking you can't afford higher-priced toys for your prizes?
See our Spin a Prize School Carnival Game Idea or Giant Dice Roll Game that, by design, makes these more expensive prizes affordable at almost any community carnival. Combining the fun of winning with the joy of discovery makes for a truly memorable event.
And if you’re working within a tight budget, bulk carnival prizes can be economical and save you the time of choosing the variety for the kids. Let’s dive into some of the best prize ideas that will make your carnival unforgettable for everyone involved.
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Choosing Age-Appropriate Prizes
When selecting prizes for your kids' carnival, it's essential to consider the different age groups attending. Children have varying interests and developmental stages, so choosing age-appropriate prizes ensures each child feels excited and rewarded.
Safety first! Let's start with the younger children, specifically toddlers and preschoolers; you need to ensure the prizes are safe, such as toddler-safe prizes and toys that have been safety tested for all ages.
Our top-selling safety-tested toys for little ones are spike balls, large squirt fish, long-armed apes, and floating boats. You can find all these toys on our Toddler Safe Toys page. We also suggest a few small packets of fish crackers, animal crackers, or even toddler-safe gummies you can pick up at your local grocery store as fun prizes for the little ones. To learn more about keeping preschoolers safe at a carnival - read our blog post about 3 Quick Tips for Toddler Safe Prizes.
To learn about toy safety, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission for information on toys for young children.
For all toys and prizes, make sure your carnival supply store has all of their products third-party safety tested. Carnival Savers ensures we only carry toys and prizes that are third-party safety tested to keep everyone safe - see all the details here.
For older kids, choose prizes that offer more challenge or engagement. Novelty prizes like friendship bracelets, small puzzles, gliders, jumping toys, paper yo-yos, and pull-back cars are great because they encourage creativity and focus. Sports equipment, such as mini soccer balls or jump ropes, can be fabulous prizes for older children who enjoy physical activities. Always aim to select fun and suitable prizes for each age group, ensuring every child leaves the carnival with something they genuinely appreciate.
Top Prizes for Winners
Let's cut to the chase...
Everyone LOVES to win stuffed animals - adults and kids alike! Of course, you do not need to have plush toys at every booth - but it is fun to choose a few different stuffed animals as top prizes at a few carnival games or booths when planning your carnival!
For the adventurous kids at your carnival, winners' prizes can add an extra layer of excitement and keep energy levels high. These kids love action and adventure, so prizes that satisfy their need for a thrill are sure to be a big hit. Consider items like inflatable superbats, which offer hours of kids' games.
NOTE: Inflatable toys, including our spike balls, need to be inflated before your event. Consider using a battery-powered tire inflator to make this job a piece of cake! Outdoor games such as frisbees, kites, or even beginner's archery sets can provide plenty of opportunities for active play.
Sports lovers would jump at the chance to win 7-inch spike balls, sport-themed relaxable balls, or even finger skateboards. These types of prizes provide immediate fun and encourage ongoing outdoor activity, imagination, and physical fitness. Adventure-themed prizes like explorer kits, complete with binoculars and compasses, can ignite a love for exploration and discovery in young minds.
The reason these prizes keep spirits up is that they tap into the natural desire for adventure and action. Thrill-seekers thrive on the excitement of trying new things and pushing their limits. By offering prizes that cater to this adventurous spirit, you ensure that these kids leave your carnival feeling satisfied and exhilarated. Prizes promoting physical activity, challenge, and outdoor fun are perfect for keeping the excitement going long after the carnival.
Note: We always suggest passing out consolation prizes for everyone who tries their hand at a carnival game.
Why? It makes the game more exciting - and remember as long as you have a "winners prize" and everyone is not winning the same prize, this is NOT the "everybody wins". Please see our blog post on The Truth About Everybody Wins.
Educational and Fun Prize Options
Educational prizes can bring additional value to your carnival, making them both enjoyable and beneficial for kids. These prizes stimulate curiosity and learning, providing entertainment that extends beyond the carnival.
Consider offering inexpensive or cheap toys like mini activity pads, puzzle rings, cute bookmarks, colorful pencils, pens on a rope, or puzzle erasers the school-aged kids will enjoy and will keep them entertained without using electronic toys!
Books suitable for different age groups can also be fantastic prizes. From picture books for younger kids to chapter books for older ones, a good book can ignite a lifelong love for reading. See our tips for a Book Walk Carnival Game, which is perfect for books as a prize. We even show you how to encourage donated books for this fun booth. Educational board games and puzzles also make great prizes, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These rewards offer kids the chance to learn new things while having fun.
Educational prizes keep kids engaged by providing benefits beyond the carnival. When kids win something that piques their interest, they will continue exploring it at home. A science kit can spark a budding scientist's curiosity, while a set of markers and paper can encourage a future artist to practice their skills. These toys offer long-term enjoyment and learning, making your carnival more memorable and impactful.
Prize Ideas on a Budget
If you’re looking to keep costs down while still offering exciting prizes, bulk carnival prizes can be a great solution. We have some fantastic hand-picked carnival prize assortments with a great variety of prizes to save you time and money! And all of our carnival prize assortments come with the same money-back guarantee we offer on all our products. If you are unhappy, just reach out via phone, email, or text, and our friendly customer care team will make sure you are delighted with your order!
We have bulk small toy assortments that include just consolation prizes or small toys - 1,100 to be exact - all for just 12 cents each.
One of our top-selling bulk carnival prize sets includes 396 medium carnival prizes, including 24 stuffed animals for just 49 cents each! (See the image above)
Another idea is to create custom prize packs. Use small gift bags and fill them with affordable items like stickers, mini-puzzles, and small toys. You can also make themed bags based on the carnival’s theme or seasons. For example, you could have a summer-themed bag with sunglasses and a beach ball or a winter-themed bag with holiday stickers and a mini plush penguin.
Our Big Tip for ALL Prizes
Kids certainly get excited about winning prizes but need to see what they could win!
Sometimes, carnival planners get very busy getting everything set up - they put prizes in bags or shipping boxes. We recommend that you always DISPLAY YOUR PRIZES!
It can be as simple as borrowed baskets, stacked crates (as shown above), or colorful pails. For stuffed animals or inflatables, you can hang them up using clothespins on a string strung up at your carnival using trees or poles. Adding a colorful sign will draw attention to your toys as well and add to your carnival aesthetic!
Conclusion
Ensuring your carnival is unforgettable for kids involves selecting the right prizes that keep them excited and engaged. From age-appropriate and safe options to thrilling rewards and educational treasures, thoughtfully chosen prizes can significantly enhance the carnival experience. Bulk prizes are a budget-friendly alternative to choosing your assortment and can be an ideal solution for busy event planners.
Planning a carnival is a rewarding experience when you see the joy on children’s faces as they win prizes that captivate their interests and spark their imaginations. With the right mix of prizes, you create not just a day of fun but lasting memories for all the kids involved.
For more ideas and to find the perfect prizes for your next event, check out Carnival Savers, where you'll find the best carnival prizes to suit all your carnival needs. Let’s make your carnival the talk of the town with prizes that keep the kids lining up for more fun!
