CARNIVAL THEME PARTY IDEAS
BY A PROFESSIONAL PARTY PLANNER
Ideas include:
Carnival theme party decorations
Carnival theme party food ideas
Carnival theme party games
Carnival theme party for adults
Carnival theme dessert table ideas
Carnival theme party favors
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i’m matt james
professional event producer
welcome
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01 CARNIVAL PARTY INVITATIONS
Below are some suggestions for invitations to go with these carnival theme party ideas:
ADVICE FROM A PRO
Matt’s tip
“I think it’s important to create a big first impression, which is why I always try to include some sort of 3D object tied to the printed invitation with ribbon.
This is a little trick that’s often used by professional party planners to make invitations stand out.
It doesn’t have to be anything expensive, just some cheap novelties, and you can use it re-enforce your party theme. For example, kids sunglasses or a flip flop for a beach party, a toy dinosaur for a dinosaur party, or an eye patch for a pirate party.
People just love to receive unusual invitations; it really captures their imagination and gets them excited about the party.
Click here to check out some examples of 3D object invitations from my party invitations page (opens in a new tab)”.
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3D CARNIVAL PARTY INVITATIONS
A great way to make a big first impression with a 3D invitation would be to send out these cute ‘Admit One’ cookies, available here. Just tie on a small card with all the party details printed on.
Alternatively, use a printable carnival ticket invitation to attach to the cookie. Check out all the options here.
Then send out in these cute box mailers.
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TRADITIONAL CARNIVAL PARTY INVITATIONS
There are lots of personalized invitations for a Circus or Carnival birthday party available, such as the ones below, which will work well with these birthday ideas. Check out both this supplier and also this one.
You can embellish these further by slipping them into red and white striped popcorn bags and tying them up with string or ribbon to fit in with these Carnival theme party ideas
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02 CARNIVAL PARTY drinks
Below are some suggestions for invitations to go with these carnival theme party ideas:
ADVICE FROM A PRO
Matt’s tip
“Always create a signature drink for your party—it’s one of the easiest things you can do to make your party unique.
If your party has a theme, think about what flavors you can use in your signature drink that will convey it.
Don’t forget about styling and presentation too. You could serve drinks in individual bottles, jars, or novelty containers, add your own labels, use themed ice cubes, decorative straws, or drinks picks, or add a simple garnish.
A sprig of berries or a single flower head on the rim of a glass can make a simple cocktail look really stylish”.
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LEMON SHAKE UPS
When it comes to drinks at the funfair, it’s all about Lemon Shake Ups (from recipe.com). But if you’re worried about sugar levels, you could always try this Reduced-Sugar Lemon Shake Up recipe (from The Kitchen).
Float carnival mustache ice cubes in the drinks using this mold available here.
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ROOT BEER FLOATS
Here a quick and easy recipe for Root Beer Floats (from My Recipes). Serve them in these cute personalized party cups, available here, with each guest’s name on (other designs available).
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HOOK-A-DUCK PUNCH
This cute Rubber Ducky Bath Punch (by Cheryl at The Tidy Mom) was created for a baby shower, but you could easily re-named it ‘Hook-a-Duck Punch’. Balance a fishing rod / hook on the edge of the punch bowl so people make the funfair connection.
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CARNIVAL GOLDFISH PUNCH
Make any blue drink, such as this Blue Bubblegum Soda ( by Jana at Cherry Tea Cakes) and serve in these mini plastic goldfish bowls with straws.
Then pick up a mold to make goldfish ice cubes, available here. Add a couple of drops of coloring or orange juice to the ice cubes but test them first to see how much they change the color of the drink as they melt.
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POPCORN MILKSHAKES
I started thinking about what fairground/ circus foods could be turned into drinks to go with these Carnival theme party ideas so I set about hunting for a Popcorn Milkshake recipe and came across this one (below left, by Manouschka Guerrier for Food Network).
This recipe is for Popcorn Ice Cream, but she posted the picture below on her blog saying that she served them as milkshakes so I guess you just mix the ice cream with some milk in a blender to create. I’d garnish with some actual popcorn on top to make them look even cuter.
Update: I’ve since come across this Cracker Jack Milkshake (below right, by Sugar and Charm) which would also work well. Just don’t forget to enquire about peanut allergies in advance.
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CARAMEL APPLE MILKSHAKES
Caramel Apples go hand in hand with a Carnival theme party, so for something a bit different try making these Caramel Apple Milkshakes (by Lynne Laino via Dairyspot). Serve them in these big top themed party cups, available here, (other designs available).
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COTTON CANDY MILKSHAKES
Similarly, make Cotton Candy Milkshakes with this recipe from Happy Harvest on Tablespoon. Don’t forget to garnish these with some actual Cotton Candy, either wrapped around a swizzle stick or just floating on top.
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water
Give regular water bottles a carnival makeover with these printable labels, available here, (lots of different designs available).
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Drinks styling
Style any of the above drinks with carnival themed straws, such as these mustache ones, available here. Alternatively, use these labels, available here, to give any drink a carnival themed look.
You can also pick up these cute carousel horse straws, available here, or these circus themed ones, available here.
There are also styling options for younger kids’ parties too, such as these carnival tent sipper cups, available here.
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03 CARNIVAL PARTY food
Below are some of my favorite recipes to go with these Carnival birthday party ideas:
ADVICE FROM A PRO
disclaimer
“As a professional party planner, I’m lucky enough to be able to collaborate with some amazing chefs to create menus for my events.
As I’m no chef myself, and cannot create dishes from scratch, I’ve searched the web for recipes that I think would work well for this party theme.
All credit goes to the talented people who have created these recipes, so please click through to their site for full details, ingredients, methods, and in some cases step-by-step tutorials”.
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CARAMEL APPLES / CUPCAKES
There are certain foods that instantly spring to mind when you think of the Carnival: Caramel Apples, Popcorn, Cotton Candy, Corn Dogs, Churros, Hot Dogs, Funnel Cake, Elephant Ears, Donut Holes, Snow Cones, Salt Water Taffy, Watermelon etc.
So, to make things a bit more special I’ve tried to include a few variations and twists on some of these traditional fairground foods.
Instead of serving traditional Caramel Apples, try this variation: an Apple Pie Caramel Apple ( from The Girl Who Ate Everything). Or there are these cute Caramel Apple Cupcakes (below right, from Chockylit’s Cupcake Blog)
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CARAMEL APPLE DIP / S’MORES
This Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dessert Dip (below left, by Fake It Frugal) looks amazing and is a great twist on the original. Alternatively, try making these Caramel Apple S’mores (below right, by Skip to my Lou).
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hot dog cookies / Cakes
Serve Mini Hot Dogs (below left, by Yum Sugar) using cocktail franks and biscuit dough, or for a surreal twist try these Hot Dog Cookies (below center, from Taste of Home). Alternatively, there are these Hot Dog Cakes (below right, by Sweet Cherry Pie) make from Choux Pastry Buns and Devil’s Food Cake.
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SLIDERS / BURGER CUPCAKES
Similarly, you could make Sliders (Mini Burgers) like these (below left, from Martha Stewart) or these Brownie Burger Cupcakes (below right, by Bakerella).
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CARNIVAL COOKIE CUTTERS
There are lots of great Carnival themed cookie cutters available, such as this mustache cookie cutter, available here, or this carousel horse, available here, which you can use to shape sandwiches (use brown bread for the mustache ones!), pizza, cookies, cheese, and fruit slices.
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more CARNIVAL COOKIE CUTTERS
There are also these popcorn, carnival tent, and ‘admit one’ cookie cutters. Check out all the options here.
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CARNIVAL COOKIEs
Alternatively, you can buy lots of different carnival themed cookies. Check out all the options here.
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CARNIVAL cupcakes / cake pops
Here are a couple of cupcake recipes that I thought we’re just perfect to include in these Carnival birthday party ideas. Circus Clown Cupcakes and Popcorn Cupcakes both from Disney Family Fun. Alternatively, there are these cute clown cake pops you can buy here.
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CARNIVAL CUPCAKE toppers
Alternatively, just use carnival themed cupcake toppers, available here, on regular cupcakes.
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FUNNEL CAKES / CHURROS / ELEPHANT EARS
Here are some great recipes for Funnel Cakes (below left, from Martha Stewart), Churros (below center, also by Martha Stewart) and Elephant Ears (from Taste of Home). Alternatively, for a quick and easy option you can pick up Funnel Cake Mix and Kits here
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CARNIVAL APPLIANCES
If you want to make some of your favorite Carnival foods at home you can pick up various small appliances quite cheaply, such as snow cone machines, hot dog rollers, slushie machines, s’mores makers, donut hole makers, corn dog makers, and popcorn machines – all of which are perfect for these Carnival theme party ideas.
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WATERMELON POPSICLES / JELLO SHOTS
Watermelon is often served at the funfair, but if you want to try something a little different for your party make these Minted Watermelon Popsicles (below left by Pip and Ebby) or these Watermelon Lime Jello Shots (below right, by Erica Sweet Tooth)
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ICE CREAM CUPCAKES / ROOT BEER ICE CREAM
Instead of serving regular ice cream cones try making these Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes (below left, by Stephanie Gallagher on about.com), or these Root Beer Float Ice Cream Sandwiches (below right, from Hungry Happenings).
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POPCORN
There’s so many different things you can do with Popcorn to make your Carnival theme party ideas a little more unusual. Why not set up a Popcorn bar with lots of different flavors and toppings (like this White Chocolate Drizzle, below left by Picky Palate) that people can help themselves to.
Or just pick up this variety pack of gourmet popcorn with includes flavors such as caramel, cheddar cheese, kettle corn, and dark and white chocolate striped. Alternatively, check out all the gourmet popcorn flavors available here.
Alternatively make this Popcorn Fudge (below right, from Raspberricupcakes)
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CARNIVAL CANDY
There’s also lots of Carnival candy that you can buy to fill out the dessert table or use as favors, including gummy popcorn, red apple candy lollipops, salt water taffy, cotton candy, watermelon wedge lollipops, buttered popcorn jelly beans and lots more.
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more carnival candy
Alternatively, you can buy individual bags of cotton candy, mustache lollipops, or this cute gumball machine to complete your dessert table.
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CARNIVAL THEMED CANDY WRAPPERS
These printable carnival themed candy bar wrappers, available here, and lollipop stickers, available here, are a great way to personalized candy on your dessert table.
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FRENCH FRIES / CORN ON THE COB CAKES
If you’re want to serve French Fries for your party, make home-made paper cones by printing off pictures of old fashioned Carnival posters from the web.
Alternatively, make batches of the individual french fries in this recipe made from pound cake (by Karen Tack at Parenting), serve in a basket as show and see how long it takes people to notice that they’re sweet.
Finally, I had to include this next recipe in these birthday party tips. You could serve regular corn on the cob as they do at the fair, but these Corn on the Cob Cupcakes (below, by Karen Tack via Martha Stewart) look a whole lot more fun.
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04 CARNIVAL birthday cake
Whether you’re making a birthday cake from scratch or just decorating it, below are some suggestions to go with these carnival theme party ideas:
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CARNIVAL EDIBLE IMAGES
There are only a handful of edible images available for a carnival theme, such as the one below left, available here. Alternatively, check out the personalized options available here.
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CARNIVAL CAKE TOPPERS
Alternatively, there are some nice non-edible options available which can be personalized, such as the ones below. Check out all the options here.
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05 dessert table styling
Below are styling and decoration tips to create a themed buffet / dessert table to go with these carnival theme party ideas.
ADVICE FROM A PRO
Matt’s tip
“I always think it’s a good idea to concentrate the majority of your decorations around a buffet / dessert table as this will create a focal point in the room.
Party decorations often have to compete with existing room decor, so they can get a bit lost if spread too thinly. I think you’re far better off creating one really well themed feature wall that everyone’s eye will be drawn to.
You can then use a few general decorations around the rest of the room to tie everything together.”
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CARNIVAL SIDE STALL DESSERT TABLE
Here’s one way you could dress a buffet / dessert table to go with these carnival theme party ideas. Read below for step by step instructions for how to create this look.
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CANOPY AND TABLE
If you have a gazebo or pop up canopy at home then use this to provide a roof over your Carnival dessert table. You can make this look more Carnival-like by draping with red and white striped fabric by the yard, available here.
Cover your table with a red and white striped table cover, available here, or wrap this striped table skirt, available here, around a solid color table cover.
Dress the table top by scattering around a few objects and props that you’d find at Carnival side stalls, ex a row of three coconuts balanced on soda bottles, hoops, goldfish etc.
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CARNIVAL BIG TOP TENTS
If you don’t already have a canopy, you could use this Big Top canopy tent, available here, to go with these Carnival theme party ideas. Alternatively, this circus play tent, available here, is also great value.
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BIG TOP TENT / PROPS
You could try this Big Top tabletop tent, available here, or, if you have a bigger budget, there’s also this carnival booth standee prop, available here, which you could set up over the dessert table.
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SIDE STALL DRESSING
If you’ve got a shelving unit or tall dresser, position it behind the dessert table. Otherwise just position the dessert table a few feet in front of an empty wall so that you can hang various props on it to resemble the back wall of a Carnival side stall. Some examples are:
These are really just for decoration to make your dessert table look like an authentic Carnival side stall, so don’t worry too much about making them practical. Alternatively, you can buy some cheap Carnival games such as these inflatable ring toss / bean bag toss games to use as part of your dessert table decorations – then, later in your party you can use them as games.
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CARNIVAL signs
Next, hang a few bags of cotton candy or plush toys and other Carnival style prizes down from the roof of your canopy or attached to the side poles (see illustration at beginning of this section). If you have a chalkboard, add text advertising hot dogs, funnel cake, and cotton candy etc (see illustration) or hang a string of lights across the front.
You could also make some simple homemade signs to hang inside the side stall that say general things like ‘Score Over 8 to Win‘, ‘5 Tries for $3‘, ‘Knock 3 Ducks Off to Win a Prize‘, ‘No Leaning’ etc, to make your Carnival decorations even more authentic.
Alternatively, you can buy these carnival hanging decorations, available here, or these printable vintage style signs, available here.
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CARNIVAL BANNERS
Above the dessert table hang a ready made carnival themed banner, such as these ones below. This supplier has lots of different designs that you can personalize, but it’s also worth checking out the options here too.
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CARNIVAL BANNERS, BUNTING, AND FRINGES
Mix in a few pennant banners, available here, or use this Carnival decorating kit, available here, which includes a selection of banners, bunting, and fringes.
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CARNIVAL CUT OUTS
Finish the display with these cute Carnival cut outs. This big top directional sign, available here, stands approx 5ft tall so will make a big impression and is great value. Or use the Carnival barker stand up, available here, which is also over 5ft tall.
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ALTERNATIVE CARNIVAL DESSERT TABLE
If you don’t want to invest in a tabletop canopy or big top tent for your dessert table, below is an alternative dessert table which uses some of the same decorations.
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DESSERT TABLE DECORATIONS
To make this option, use the red and white striped fabric by the yard mentioned earlier, available here, to make a backdrop, then use a solid color table cover such as red (using a red & white striped table cover as well as the backdrop will look too ‘busy’).
Apply Carnival bunting along the front of the table, hang a red and white Carnival banner above, and use a 3ft tall popcorn balloon as a centerpiece.
If you’re budget doesn’t allow you to use the barker / directional sign cut outs for your carnival theme party, replace these with tall bunches of balloons either side of the dessert table.
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CARNIVAL PARTY BACKDROP
Another way to create a backdrop for your dessert table is to use this carnival backdrop banner, which measures 9ft x 6ft. There are a couple of different designs available from either this supplier, this one, or this one.
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PRINTABLE CARNIVAL BACKDROP
Alternatively, you could use this downloadable carnival backdrop artwork and take it to a local print shop yourself. Check out all the options here.
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06 food styling & presentation
Below are some food styling and presentation tips to go with these carnival theme party ideas.
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CARNIVAL food lables
Use carnival themed food labels, such as the ones below, available here, to identify different treats on a buffet / dessert table.
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CARNIVAL stall stands
These cardboard street stall stands are a really cute way to display food on a dessert / buffet table. There’s a hot dog stand and this cute ice cream truck, available here.
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CARNIVAL treat STANDS
The same ‘street stalls’ range also does these cute sweet shop display stands for candy, available here. Alternatively, there’s also this carnival treat stand, available here.
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CARNIVAL SNACK SERVERS
Use these carnival snack servers or these hot dog / popcorn / peanut bags to give your dessert / buffet table an authentic feel. Check out all the options here.
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PERSONALIZED POPCORN BOXES / BAGS
Alternatively, you can get personalized popcorn boxes and peanut bags, such as these, available here.
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POPCORN CART TREAT BOXES
There are also these cute personalized popcorn cart boxes, available here.
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CARNIVAL FAVOR BOXES
Alternatively, use these individual circus tent and carousel favor boxes, available here, to display cupcakes or candy apples on your dessert table.
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CUPCAKE STAND / CLAW MACHINE
This Ferris wheel cake stand, available here, is a cute way to display cupcakes on a dessert table, and kid’s will love this Candy Grabber machine, available here, just like the claw machine at the Carnival. Fill it with candies and treats and put it on your dessert table.
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CARNIVAL BUFFET COOLER
This Carnival themed inflatable buffet cooler, available here, is a cheap and easy way to set up a drinks table outside while keeping everything nicely chilled.
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07 table styling
Below are some suggestions for how to style and decorate the dining table in keeping with these carnival theme party ideas:
ADVICE FROM A PRO
Matt’s tip
“If it’s a kid’s party, don’t feel as if you have to shy away from using movie / cartoon character-branded tableware.
I see a lot of kid’s parties that are so immaculately styled they look more like adult parties. It’s obvious the parents have designed it for themselves, rather than their child.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a professional party planner it’s to design the party for your audience, not yourself.
The reality is kids want their favorite characters to have a strong presence at their party; they don’t see this as too commercial, for them it’s just fun.
Obviously, it’s important to get the balance right, so don’t go overboard. Character plates and cups work well if combined with a solid color table cover and napkins”.
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TABLE STYLING
When it comes to dressing the dining table, I suggest you stick to a few primary colors for your decorations. Red and White, Red and Yellow, or Blue and White stripes are the most easily recognisable color combinations for a carnival theme party.
So you might want to use a red and white striped table cover, or just use a solid color tablecover and add some carnival bunting around the edge of the table.
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CARNIVAL PARTY PLATES
These are lots of different carnival themed party tableware available, such as these below, check out all the options here and also here.
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PERSONALIZED CARNIVAL PARTY PLATES
Alternatively, there are some nice personalized paper plates available, such as the ones below, available here (more designs available).
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CARNIVAL CENTERPIECE
For a centerpiece create your own Coconut Shy running down the middle of the table by gluing them to milk bottles. Or apply the same principle to the Hoopla and have a series of small soft toys raised up on small blocks with hoops half placed over them.
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3D CARDSTOCK LETTERS
Alternatively, you could use these carnival themed 3D cardstock letters, available here, to spell out the birthday boy or girl’s name.
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CARNIVAL CENTERPIECES
There are also plenty of personalized carnival centerpieces, such as the one below, available here. Alternatively, you could use these popcorn boxes as vases and arrange yellow and white flowers in them to look like popcorn.
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CARNIVAL PLACEMATS
Create home-made placemats by gluing classic Carnival tickets, available here, together onto a large rectangle of cardstock. Alternatively,you can have these personalized Carnival / Circus placements made, available here.
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08 carnival party decorations
Below are tips and recommendations for general decorations to go with these Canival theme party ideas:
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Arrivals
Always start your party decorations outside so there’s a bit of a build up to the entrance. There’s nothing worse for your guests than arriving at a bare front door.
For a Carnival theme party you could just have bunches of balloons starting along the pavement and leading guests up your drive to the front door, a personalized yard sign, available here (other designs available), or this carnival door banner, available here.
Alternatively you could chalk the pavement, hang a sign saying ‘Carnival This Way‘, or make you own fake Carnival posters and position them along the route to your party.
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HUMAN THEMING
It’s great to have someone great people at the door, so see if you can, get a sibling or other family member to dress up in a Carnival costume (ex, Circus Clown, Strong Man, Fortune Teller etc). Check out all the options here.
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CUSTOM LIFE SIZE STANDEE
Alternatively, you can have a life-size cut out of your child, available here, dressed in a costume to put at the end of your drive or outside your front door.
These particularly fun when paired with a cheap motion-activated voice recorder, available here. Simply record your own 10 second welcome message and it automatically plays as guests walk past the cut out of your child.
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CLOWN AIRWALKER BALLOON
Another option is to tie a Circus clown shaped Airwalker balloon, available here or alternatively here, holding a bunch of balloons to the front door to greet people. The Airwalker balloon itself is 4ft tall, so once you tie some other balloons in it’s hand it will make quite an impressive display.
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CARNIVAL CONCESSION STANDS
These ticket booth, candy shop, and lemonade cardboard stands are a good way to create little display areas. Or enlist a brother or sister to man the ticket booth and greet guests at the main entrance.
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VINTAGE CARNIVAL POSTERS
Use vintage carnival posters, such as the ones below, available here, to decorate.
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CARNIVAL PROPS
If your budget permits there are some really great Carnival cutouts, available here, such as ticket booths, fortune tellers, Ferris wheels, and even concession stands.
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CARNIVAL MUSIC
Music is an integral party of creating a Carnival atmosphere, so check out the CD/MP3 ‘Mechanical Marches: The Marenghi Fairground Organ’ which contains lots of classic Carnival music. Leave it on repeat to give these Carnival theme party ideas an authentic soundtrack.
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CARNIVAL TICKET CURTAINS
Pick up a roll of Carnival tickets here and turn these into homemade curtains to hang over door frames. Just stick them on to long strips of string or ribbon, each one an inch or so apart, then hang a series of strips together to create a curtain of tickets.
These can also be used to create cheap abstract backdrops to decorate large areas / empty walls.
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09 Carnival party favors
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cute and personalized party favors
These fish in a bag soaps would make cute party favors, or perhaps these personalized cotton candy cones.
Alternatively, fill these popcorn stand and cotton candy stand favor boxes with candy or carnival themed novelties.
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10 CARNIVAL PARTY COSTUMES
Getting dressed up is a great way to add ‘human theming’ to your carnival theme party.
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CARNIVAL PARTY COSTUMES
There are lots of cute costumes available to go with these Circus / Carnival theme party ideas so let the birthday boy / girl stand out at their own party by getting dressed up. Check out all the options here.
I always think its a good ideas for one or two adults to dress up in costume too as this provides some ‘human theming’ and really brings these Carnival theme party ideas to life. So try to persuade at least one parent to dress up. Having a Strongman, Clown, or Circus ringleader greet guests as they arrive will make a big first impression.
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11 Carnival party games
See my separate page of Circus / Carnival Party Games for a list of games and activities to go with these birthday party ideas.
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12 thank you cards
Don’t forget to follow up after the party with a thank you card. This supplier has some nice carnival themed ones, including some printables.
related content
more party themes
Hit the ‘Read More’ button below to check out some of my other party theme ideas.
