Fall is the perfect time to add fun, adventure, and excitement to your community by hosting a fantastic kids' carnival or fall festival. Our last game idea is ideal for adults, too! As organizers, we understand the importance of engaging games catering to all age groups and skill levels. After all, you want to create an unforgettable experience for all the little ones attending your event. In this article, we will walk you through the top 5 must-have fall festival games that every fall festival or school carnival needs to ensure a fun-filled event.

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Fall Themed Duck Pond Game Idea: Quacky Pumpkin Pick

The duck pond game is a carnival classic that never fails to be a favorite - especially for toddlers and preschoolers. With a few changes, this classic activity can have a fall theme and keep the kids returning for more.

To set up the duck pond game, grab a toddler pool or a large tub fill it with water, and toss in cute fall-themed rubber ducks (with some adjustments to make sure they stay floating).

We recommend that this game is played as a matching type game. You will mark the ducks on the bottom with 12 different short words and allow festival players 3 tries to choose 2 ducks with matching words on the bottom.

Keep in mind that kids older than about 3rd - 4th grade may think this booth is a little too "babyish" for them and may not choose to participate. However, the little ones are intrigued by this game, and it gives them a fun activity, as some other games may be too difficult for them to play.

Please see all the details in our Fall Duck Pond Game idea.

NOTE: Most themed rubber ducks DO NOT FLOAT RIGHT SIDE UP (ask us how we know)! Our mini pumpkin ducks did pretty well in our tests, but after about 1 hour some tipped over. We made a quick change that worked like a charm using pool noodles.

Fall Lollipop Pull: A Favorite of Kids

Don’t miss out on this simple and fun carnival-themed fall game. Traditionally, the lollipop pull is a favorite of kids who love to play this “game of luck,” as all players have an equal chance of winning a top prize!

As a fall festival planner - this is a “win” for you because, before your event, you choose how many “top carnival prizes” you will give out in addition to the lollipops. (For this game, all players keep the lollipop they pull - some lucky winners win an additional prize)

For example, if you estimate that you will have 400 players and wish to give out 48 top prizes, then you mark the very end of only 48 of the lollipops with a designated color - the others stay unmarked.

To see all the details of this Easy Fall Festival Game and suggested carnival prizes click to visit our webpage.

We have over 23 Fall Festival Game Ideas - click to see them all!

Pumpkin Ring Toss: Classic Fun for All Ages

A pumpkin ring toss game may be simple, but it can entertain kids and even grown-ups and is sure to bring lots of smiles! This age-old game can be easily set up and you need some small pumpkins and large tossing rings.

You can also create a gradient of difficulty with varying distances and ring sizes to cater to children of different ages and skill levels. Parents can join in the fun, too! Offering a range of prizes also ensures that every child feels like a winner.

Candy Corn Bowling: A Fall Festival Twist on a Classic

Candy Corn Bowling is an easy and fun way to have a fall-themed game at your event. You can make your own by swapping out traditional bowling balls with small, round pumpkins for this activity and buying gourds (painted to look like candy corn) that will stand on end for the bowling pins for this activity. Alternatively, you can purchase our Candy Corn Bowling set, which is ready to go out of the bag!

The plastic game set can be used on a flat concrete surface, and we recommend using a bale of hay as a simple backstop.

In addition, this game can be played on a long table - but either way, get ready for a lot of bending to pick up the pieces!

See our Easy Fall Festival Game - Candy Corn Bowling Idea for hints and tips to make this game easy to fun!

Track scores and offer fun fall-themed prizes like small packets of candy corn, pumpkin-shaped stress balls, or fall-themed plush toys like our cute stuffed owls.

Fishing for Apples: A Challenging Fall Game Perfect for Adults Too

Although bobbing for apples is a traditional fall game, we do not recommend bobbing for apples as, quite frankly, this long-time favorite is… how should we say… gross or even “germy”.

Fishing for Apples Game as an alternative is fun and much harder than it looks - even the adults will want to try their luck at this one!

You need simple supplies - including plastic funnels, string, sticks, and at least one large barrel or large shallow container that holds water and small apples.

See all the details, including a short video clip on our webpage - Fishing for Apples Festival Game for Adults.

NOTE: Unlike the fall duck pond - the Fishing for Apples game is quite difficult and not the best choice for preschoolers. For the little ones, a parent may want to team up with their child and assist them in catching an apple! 

Conclusion:

Fall festivals are a favorite way to celebrate the more fabulous season and enjoy some fresh air and fun with friends and family! These top 5 fall festival games will pretty much guarantee an entertaining and memorable experience for children of all ages (and adults as well).

As your go-to for all things carnival, including fall carnival games and fall carnival prizes, we're here to help you with step-by-step directions, hints, and tips for planning your Fall Festival! Contact Carnival Savers today to ensure that your fall carnival or festival is the talk of the town and creates lasting memories!