Planning a carnival during the summer does not mean every activity must be moved indoors. Unless dangerously high temperatures are forecast, a thoughtful combination of shaded outdoor games, water activities and air-conditioned indoor booths can help guests enjoy the event while taking breaks from the heat.
The best summer carnival games are easy to understand, fun for a wide range of ages and practical for schools, churches, camps, family reunions and community festivals.
Plan Around the Summer Heat
An 11:00 a.m. start time often works well for a large summer event. It gives volunteers and vendors several morning hours to complete setup while allowing the carnival to begin before the hottest part of the afternoon.
Avoid beginning around 2:00 p.m., when families may be arriving during the heat of the day.
Shade is also essential. Outdoor games can be placed beneath:
- 10 × 10-foot canopy tents
- Covered pavilions
- Building overhangs
- Large, mature trees
Remember that shade from trees and buildings moves as the day progresses. Check each game area during the same hours your event will be held—not just during morning setup.
Keep plenty of iced-down drinking water readily available, provide opportunities for breaks and pay attention to the weather forecast. During extreme or dangerous heat, organizers may need to shorten, postpone or move more of the event indoors. The CDC recommends shade, water breaks and scheduling outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day whenever possible. (CDC heat guidance)
The Magnetic Fishing Game is super fun for summertime carnival games!
Best Water Games for a Summer Carnival
Water games are naturally appealing during the summer. They can help children cool off without requiring the entire event to become a swimming activity.
Whenever possible, place these booths beneath a canopy, pavilion, tree or building overhang. Shade keeps players and volunteers more comfortable while they wait for their turns.
Duck Pond Game
The Duck Pond is a classic choice for younger children. Kids select a floating duck to reveal whether they have won a prize. It is easy to understand and can accommodate players quickly.
Fish Bowl Game
In the Fish Bowl Game, players toss ping-pong balls toward a group of fishbowls. This familiar carnival game works well beneath a shaded outdoor booth.
Fish Cup Game
The Fish Cup Game is an inexpensive alternative to the Fish Bowl Game. It uses cups instead of fishbowls but offers essentially the same gameplay. This can be a particularly helpful option for a school or church working with a limited game budget.
Magnetic Fishing Game (shown in image above)
Young children love using magnetic fishing poles to catch floating fish. This hands-on game uses water, works well outdoors and can be adjusted to make winning easy for preschoolers and younger elementary-aged children.
Gutter Boat Races
Gutter Boat Races are tremendous fun, but they can be challenging to set up properly. The gutters must rest on a very flat, level surface. If the ground or tables are uneven, water will collect at one end and the boats may not race correctly.
Assemble, fill and test the course before guests arrive. Place the game beneath shade to keep children comfortable while they play.
Water-Squirting Games
Water-squirting carnival games are especially popular on hot days. Just plan for splashes and keep these games away from electrical cords, indoor entrances and activities that must remain dry.
A large red balloon dog sprinkler gives kids a quick way to cool off at a summer carnival.
Add a Quick Cool-Off Spot
Want to add a little refreshing fun without turning your carnival into a swimming event? See this Oversized Balloon Dog Sprinkler on Amazon.
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Rent (or purchase) One or Two Cooling Attractions
If the budget permits, consider renting or purchasing a larger attraction that feels especially exciting on a hot day.
A dunk tank is always popular and can be an excellent fundraiser when teachers, principals, pastors, coaches or other familiar adults volunteer to be dunked.
Large inflatable slides with water features can also become a centerpiece of a summer event. A playful sprinkler attraction—such as a colorful inflatable balloon-dog sprinkler (see image above) —gives children another way to cool off.
Follow the rental company’s setup and supervision requirements. Any gasoline-powered generator used to power an inflatable blower must remain outdoors and well away from doors, windows and air intakes.
Best Games for Shaded and Indoor Areas
Not every summer carnival game needs water. A combination of outdoor and indoor booths lets families alternate between activities and escape the heat periodically.
School gyms, cafeterias, fellowship halls and wide hallways may accommodate games such as:
- Bean Bag Toss
- Watermelon Ring Toss
- Bucket Ball
- Lollipop Tree
- Prize Wheel
- Indoor crafts
Some gyms can also accommodate inflatables, depending on the available floor space, ceiling height and facility rules.
Watermelon Ring Toss
The Watermelon Ring Toss Game is one of our favorite summer game ideas. It is inexpensive, colorful, easy to set up and suitable for nearly every age. It is a natural fit for summer carnivals, church picnics and family reunions and can be played indoors or beneath an outdoor canopy.
Everybody Loves a Cake Walk (or Cupcake Walk)
For a large carnival, we almost always recommend a Cake Walk or Cupcake Walk. It is one of the most popular carnival games and can be enjoyed by children, teens and adults.
A summer Cake Walk should be held indoors in an air-conditioned gym, cafeteria, fellowship hall or similar space. This gives families a welcome break from the heat and helps prevent frosting from softening or melting off the donated treats.
Do not leave cakes and cupcakes outdoors while they wait to be awarded. Also, collect plenty of donations—a successful Cake Walk can run out of treats surprisingly quickly.
Kids enjoying the Dinosaur Dig carnival game. Click to see how to play!
Keep the Dinosaur Dig Outdoors—and in Full Shade
The Dinosaur Dig uses play sand, so most schools, churches and other venues will prefer that it remain outdoors rather than in a gym or hallway.
Full shade is extremely important. Sand sitting in direct summer sun can become uncomfortably hot for children to touch. Place the booth beneath a canopy, dependable building overhang or tree shade, and account for how that shade will move during the event.
Summer Carnival Prize Ideas
A small reward can make even a simple game more exciting. Good summer carnival prizes include:
- Mini stuffed animals
- Stickers
- Water soakers
- Water squirt toys
- Fidget toys
- Five-inch spiky balls
- Keychains
- Pencil toppers
- Pinwheels
Five-inch spiky balls are especially versatile because children can enjoy them indoors or outside.
Choose prizes based on the players’ ages and the difficulty of each game. Bulk prize assortments can help schools, churches and community groups offer variety while staying within budget.
Easy and fun, the Watermelon Ring Toss is a favorite DIY summer carnival game!
Planning an Affordable Summer Event
A successful summer carnival does not require expensive equipment at every booth. Balance one or two rented attractions with inexpensive DIY games, including:
- Watermelon Ring Toss
- Bucket Ball
- Dinosaur Dig
- Fish Cup Game
- Magnetic Fishing Game
- Gutter Boat Races
Reusable games, donated Cake Walk treats and bulk carnival prizes can help stretch the event budget without making the carnival feel small.
The most important part is thoughtful setup. Provide shade, keep drinking water cold and accessible, test games before opening and offer a mix of wet outdoor activities and dry indoor games.
With careful planning, a summer carnival can still be comfortable, memorable and tremendously fun—even when the weather is hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What games can kids play when it is hot outside?
Choose a combination of shaded water games and indoor activities. Good options include the Duck Pond, Magnetic Fishing Game, Fish Cup Game, Fish Bowl Game, Gutter Boat Races, Watermelon Ring Toss, Bean Bag Toss and an indoor Cake Walk. Balloon Pop challenges should be reserved for children ages eight and older and are generally best for teens.
How can you keep guests cool during a summer carnival?
Start the event before the hottest part of the afternoon—11:00 a.m. is often a practical choice for a large event that requires several hours of setup. Provide plenty of shade and iced-down drinking water, include water games and offer indoor activities where guests can take a break from the heat.
What are the best games for a summer festival?
Some of our favorites are Watermelon Ring Toss, Duck Pond, Magnetic Fishing, Fish Cup, Fish Bowl, Gutter Boat Races, Dinosaur Dig and Cake Walk. A rented dunk tank, inflatable water slide or sprinkler attraction can add an exciting centerpiece. See all our Summer Game Ideas here!
What is an inexpensive alternative to a Fish Bowl Game?
The Fish Cup Game offers essentially the same ping-pong-ball tossing activity but uses 9-ounce clear plastic cups instead of fishbowls. It is a budget-friendly choice for schools, churches and nonprofit events.
Should a Dinosaur Dig be indoors or outdoors?
Keep the Dinosaur Dig outdoors because it contains play sand, which can spill and be difficult to clean from indoor floors. Always place it in full shade so the sand does not become hot in direct sunlight.
What prizes work well for summer carnival games?
Mini stuffed animals, stickers, glow bracelets, fidget toys, five-inch spiky balls, keychains and pencil toppers are all fun choices. Select age-appropriate prizes and vary their value according to the difficulty of the games. We have a wonderful selection of discount summer prizes on our website.
How can schools and churches plan an affordable summer carnival?
Combine a few rented attractions with reusable DIY games, donated Cake Walk treats and bulk prizes. Games such as Watermelon Ring Toss, Bucket Ball, Dinosaur Dig and Fish Cup are affordable and can be reused at future events.
