Which carnival games are suitable for children?

With classic carnival games, fun is always guaranteed. Whether the well-known freeze dance,Musical chairs or the balloon dance, which you can play in many different variations – these games are the most popular. And not just with little carnival-goers.

Carnival games are popular in every age group. So you will surely enjoy the shared, fun moments when playful competitiveness meets the joy of play. Initially, you should select games with simple rules.

It is also important to choose games suitable for the age, abilities and interests of your child. So always let your little players help decide which carnival games they want to play. Maybe they already know games from kindergarten, that you don't know yet.

Often your kids are already introduced to carnival games in daycare or school. There, the rules are adapted to the children and entirely new game versions emerge.

If you want to decide on a series of games for your carnival party, the number of guests and also the location of your party are crucial for the choice. Because if, for example, the number of players is unlimited in freeze dance, pairs should form in the balloon dance again, which requires an even number of players.

That of course doesn't mean you should uninvite guests. Rather, it means finding out who wants to play which games and roughly planning the distribution in advance accordingly.

Most carnival games are played indoors in the cozy home. However, some games are also suitable for outdoors. Whether in the garden or in the park, you can play carnival games anywhere you like.

These types of carnival games

come in countless variations. HABA has listed different types of games here that may also inspire you to create your own games or other well-known carnival games.

Carnival games with music

Children love music. And music is part of Fasching and carnival. It's obvious that musical carnival games are especially popular with the little carnival-goers. Whether dance games or karaoke, there are many different ways to combine music with play. This also promotes the mental development of your little dancers and singers.

The best part: You don't need much for these carnival games. A music system and CDs with children's music for Fasching or carnival are the only materials you need.

Eating contest games

Ready, set, go! At carnival, of course, you can't miss games in which beloved sweets play the main role. Eating contests are as much a classic as the well-known dance games. From chocolate kisses to whole chocolate bars to unusual candies, at eating contests all sweets are allowed.

The funniest part: Hands of course may not be used during the eating contest. That is guaranteed to cause a lot of laughs – for young and old.

Role-playing games

Among the most popular and common types of games are Role-playing games. Children love to take on different roles.

Especially when that means being allowed to dress up. That boosts imagination and is also important for the child development of your little ones.

Support your children by providing them with various props or costume accessories to use. This stimulates the imagination of your little dreamers and the games run by themselves.

Games with balloons

Balloons are not only suitable as great carnival decorations, but they can also be used in many different ways in some games.

Whether the well-known balloon dance or games in which your kids have to show dexterity : Games with balloons will surely be great fun for your children.

The best part: You don't need much additional equipment for these carnival games. So: buy balloons, inflate them and you're ready to go.

Game instructions for young and old – our 6 best carnival games

Now you probably want to fill your game list with great ideas for carnival games right away. We have prepared six game instructions for you here.

Balloon dance

Required materials:

• colored balloons

• sound system

• CDs with children's songs

Game instructions:

1. Divide into pairs.

2. Each pair gets a balloon.

3. Appoint a game leader. You parents will probably take on that role.

4. The game leader specifies how the players should hold the balloon between their bodies — of course without using hands. Usually the balloon starts at chest or belly height.

5. Now turn up the music. The dance can begin. The balloon must not pop or fall during this time.

6. The pair that lasts the longest wins.

Chocolate kiss eating contest

Required materials:

• several packs of chocolate kisses

• paper plates

• washable tablecloth

Game instructions:

1. Divide all children into two teams.

2. Only one player from each team competes at a time.

3. A chocolate marshmallow is placed on the paper plate.

4. Both players cross their arms behind their backs.

5. Ready, set, eat! The players happily dig in. The child who eats the chocolate marshmallow the fastest wins.

6. Then the other players from the respective teams take their turns. The whole thing can also be timed, in the spirit of: How many chocolate marshmallows can a team manage in x minutes.

Carnival karaoke

Required materials:

• sound system

• optional karaoke system

• CDs with children's songs

Game instructions:

1. Start the music or karaoke system and play a CD of children's music of your choice.

2. You can split up the lyrics or everyone can sing the song together.

3. To help everyone sing along, it's helpful to print the lyrics before the party. Of course, you can also display the lyrics on your TV, for example. For most songs there are even YouTube videos in karaoke versions.

4. Sing along cheerfully. Whether you get all the words right doesn't matter. Have fun!

Freeze dance with carnival songs

Required materials:

• sound system

• CDs with children's songs

Game instructions:

1. Appoint a game leader. You parents should take on that role.

2. Now all the children go onto the dance floor.

3. The game leader starts the music and all the children dance freely.

4. When the game leader stops the music, everyone must immediately freeze in their movement. So they should stand still exactly as they were dancing at the moment the music stopped. This will lead to the funniest poses.

5. Anyone who reacts too late or is still moving is out.

6. The child who is the last one left on the dance floor wins.

Balloon distance throw

Required materials:

• colored balloons

• cords

• party hats in different colors/patterns

Game instructions:

1. Create a start line with a cord at the place where you want it.

2. Each child gets three inflated balloons.

3. The children should throw these balloons as far as possible from the start line.

4. Wherever the balloon lands, a party hat is placed as a marker.

5. The child who has thrown their balloons the farthest wins the game.

6. Tip:You can also fill the balloons with confetti or other decorations, which makes them look even more impressive than they already do.

Make balloon animals

Required materials:

• modeling balloons

• balloon pump

Game instructions:

1. Inflate a modeling balloon with a balloon pump and tie it off.

2. Then twist two bubbles next to each other at the end with the knot. Hold both bubbles and form another one in front of them.

3. Twist the second and third bubble around each other — now the dog's ears are formed.

4. For the front legs, make two more bubbles and knot them using the same technique as for the dog's ears.

5. Do the same for the hind legs.

6. Finally, use the rest of the balloon to form your puppy's tail. Push the air at the end of the tail upward to lengthen it a bit — done!

Creative carnival games for children

Ideas for carnival crafts

If you'd prefer a quieter, more creative approach during Fasching or Carnival, carnival crafting is just the right thing for you. In joint crafting sessions your kids can let their creativity run free.

Depending on when you craft, you can already check off important items on your to-do list for your carnival party.

On our craft page you can view detailed craft instructions and get creative yourself.

Carnival face painting guides

Face painting is very popular with little carnival-goers. It can enhance the costume and let you be creative. Which design is best for your kids depends on their interests and on their age.

For example, detailed designs are more suitable for older children, as they are often more patient than younger ones.

Get inspired directly on our face painting page for your very own creations.

DIY costumes

To make carnival games even more fun, it's best to wear a costume during play. You might even want to make it yourself. After all, what could be better than sewing your own and unique carnival costume yourself?

That way you can be sure you'll be the only ones at any carnival event who own such a costume.

On our DIY carnival costume page you can gather initial ideas to get started right away.

Image credits

Two happy little children sing a karaoke song © Olha Tsiplyar - stock.adobe.com

Girl with dark skin and African hair bites into a muffin © Valerii - stock.adobe.com

Girl with sunglasses and a dress dances with many balloons and soap bubbles © Tanya Yatsenko/Stocksy - stock.adobe.com

2 girls dance dressed up in the living room © Rob and Julia Campbell/Stocksy - stock.adobe.com

Many colorful balloons with confetti © Korea Saii - stock.adobe.com

colorful balloons at the birthday party © spetenfia - stock.adobe.com

Boy wearing a cardboard dinosaur costume © Stock Rocket - stock.adobe.com

Children in Halloween costumes © BONNINSTUDIO - stock.adobe.com