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NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK - SETUP & DIRECTIONS
Supplies for Needle in a Haystack:
 Large Bails of Hay – for hiding prizes
Shading for Booth (optional - but appreciated by volunteers)
Chairs and a Table(s) (optional) for volunteers
Ticket Box and Sign for Booth
Pennant Banners or Balloons on Balloon Sticks stuck in the ground to mark off the booth area
Dozens of different non-breakable carnival prizes and small toys to hide in the hay - at least one prize per child playing at this booth
(NOTE: it is best to choose items that are individually packaged - (see examples below)
Game Setup:
Before your festival, mark out the space where you will spread the hay. This activity can be set up on the ground or on tables, so see the setup below based on how you will run this activity.
Ground Setup:
You may have your space be about 10 ft x 10 ft. If you have a square tent cover - you can use the pennant banner to quickly rope off 3 sides of the booth so you can restrict the number of children playing at one time. If you are on the grass, you may also use balloon sticks with balloons to mark off your booth area.
Add a mix of some of your prizes to the hay and under the hay to make children really search for their goodies!
Table Setup:
For smaller events, use two large tables pushed together. If using tables, remember some of your players will be young children, so it is best to choose a table with adjustable leg height and place the tables on the lowest setting so all children can reach the hay.
Add a variety to some of the prizes under the hay so children will need to search for goodies.
How to Play the Haystack Search Game:
Players pay an amount, say 2 tickets, to come into this carnival booth and search through the hay for their favorite 1-3 prizes (decide before the event if they choose one, two, or three prizes)!
Be sure to limit the number of players searching once so it is manageable.
Also, make sure the children are not climbing up a mountain of hay – have the hay spread out fairly well – maybe a small hill a few feet high would be fine in the middle if this is on the ground.
Once children find their predesigned prizes, they are done, and they can take their goodies and be off to the next booth.
Additional Hints & Tips:
Fun carnival prizes for this booth could be bubble gum coins, non-breakable rings, sticky hands, packaged candies, and even a dozen or so real half dollars. It would be great fun for kids!
Be sure to choose prizes that would stay intact if stepped on (if played on the ground); having a large variety of prizes is a great idea for this booth!
Tip: Do not put out all of the prizes at once! Put out prizes throughout the carnival so that children playing later in the day still have a chance to find that popular carnival prize hidden in the hay!
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