Top 7 School Carnival Fails and How to Fix Them
Planning a school carnival is one of the most exciting ways to bring your students and community together. But even the best-laid plans can run into hiccups! From missing games to running out of tickets, we’ve seen it all—and we’ve learned how to fix these common problems. Here are the Top 7 School Carnival Fails and How to Fix Them so your carnival is smooth, fun, and stress-free.
#7 – Missing Carnival Game
The fail: A school borrowed a carnival game but no one remembered to pick it up.
Quick Fix: Don’t panic! You can improvise. One smart team used three 5-gallon buckets and sponges for kids to toss—even without a fancy game, the carnival fun continued.
Tip: Keep a few backup activities or DIY games ready just in case a game doesn’t show up. Often, creativity beats perfection!
#6 – Running Out of Top Prizes Too Early
The fail: Top prizes disappear within the first hour, leaving later participants disappointed.
Quick Fix: Test your games before the carnival. A good rule of thumb is 1 in 10 or 1 in 12 players should win a top prize. Keep extra prizes hidden for unexpected winners so no one leaves empty-handed.
Tip: Consider labeling “backup prizes” and storing them out of sight. They’re lifesavers when your first batch runs out faster than expected.
#5 – Not Enough Volunteers at Booths
The fail: Even simple games like a dunk tank, giant slide or soccer kick can become chaotic without supervision. Kids may accidentally break the rules—or worse, can get too rough with games and cause damage.
Quick Fix: Always assign a volunteer to each booth, slide, bounce house, or dunk tank. Not only does this keep the game safe, it keeps the line moving smoothly.
Tip: Recruit high school helpers, parents, or community volunteers. Their presence makes a huge difference in fun and safety!
#4 – Running Behind on Carnival Setup
The fail: The carnival isn’t ready when kids arrive—tables aren’t set, prizes aren’t out, and games are half-finished and not ready for carnival players
Quick Fix: Give yourself plenty of setup time. If your carnival starts at 11:00 am, get volunteers to arrive at 8:00 am. If possible, set up indoor games the evening before - that will make your big day much calmer when you arrive to setup only the outdoor events the morning of your carnival!
Tip: Once an area is complete, volunteers can help wherever needed. Extra hands make a big difference!
#3 – Not Enough Game Supplies
The fail: Only two baseballs for a dunk tank, or just one ball for a tossing game, leads to long lines and frustrated players.
Quick Fix: Have at least 6–12 balls per game and use barriers to prevent balls from going too far. Rubber balls are safer than hard balls and perfect for carnival games.
Tip: Buying carnival game supplies in bulk saves money and ensures the fun never stops!
#2 – Mixing All Your Prizes Together
The fail: Dumping all prizes into one pile makes them look like leftover garage sale toys. It’s confusing for kids and makes your carnival look unorganized.
Quick Fix: Assign 1–2 types of consolation prizes and 1–2 top prizes per booth. Display prizes in buckets or hang stuffed animals for everyone to see.
Tip: Presentation matters! A well-organized prize display excites kids and makes them eager to play.
#1 – Running Out of Tickets
The fail: This is the biggest carnival disaster. Tickets are needed for every activity, and once they’re gone, the carnival grinds to a halt.
Quick Fix: Calculate the number of tickets needed by multiplying the number of activities by the number of expected children—and then add at least 50% extra.
You can find discount ticket rolls by clicking the link.
Tip: Tickets are inexpensive, and having extra rolls avoids stress, keeps lines moving, and ensures the fun—and revenue—doesn’t stop.
Bonus Tip:
Always plan for extra supplies, volunteers, and flexibility. No carnival goes 100% as planned, but being prepared for common fails can save you time, money, and headaches.
Want to Make Your Next Carnival a Success?
At Carnival Savers, we provide top-quality carnival prizes, bulk carnival game supplies, and expert advice for schools and community events. From small toys to stuffed animals, we help you keep the fun rolling all day long!
Pro Tip: Sign up for our newsletter for tips, ideas, and exclusive bulk deals for your next school carnival.
