{"id":8815,"date":"2021-01-21T21:16:44","date_gmt":"2021-01-22T03:16:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/?p=8815"},"modified":"2021-10-13T08:22:13","modified_gmt":"2021-10-13T13:22:13","slug":"carnival-theme-party","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenvelope.com\/blog\/carnival-theme-party","title":{"rendered":"Step Right Up For a Day of Fun With These Carnival Theme Party Ideas"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Hosting an event\u00a0is all about having fun. What\u2019s more fun than throwing the most magical and spectacular circus affair in town? It\u2019ll be a day under the big tent filled to the brim with fair food, carnival games, and stuffed animal prizes. If you\u2019re thinking of hosting a circus or carnival theme party, we\u2019re here to help.<\/p>\n

Come one, come all for a day filled with magic, wonder, and laughter at a carnival theme party. Whether you\u2019re hosting a kid\u2019s first birthday party or going all out for a bridal shower bash, you\u2019ll find tips on everything from circus party decor to carnival-themed games and tasty treats. With these ideas, your circus party is sure to be a roaring success.<\/p>\n

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How to Host a Carnival Theme Party<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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When hosting any party, the first step is thinking about where you want to host the event. You can have a lively carnival circus party right in your backyard or go for an actual visit to the fair. You can also hire a party planning company to create a circus-themed party at a venue nearby.<\/p>\n

The best venue depends entirely on your budget and your needs. Think about how much time you have to plan the party<\/a>\u00a0before making any decisions. Remember that more elaborate affairs will require more legwork and thus more planning and time.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve decided where you want to have your event, you can start thinking about all the fun details \u2014 from carnival food to games and activities. Need a little inspiration? Here\u2019s how to host a carnival theme party complete with circus-inspired food and decor.<\/p>\n

Play the Part<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Get into the spirit by dressing up for the event. As the host, you can serve as the ringmaster, complete with a red and gold jacket and a top hat. You can also dress up as various carnival characters like clowns, jugglers, lion tamers, acrobats, and magicians. That\u2019s what makes carnival parties such a blast: There\u2019s a character for everyone, so all of your guests can get into character for a fun-filled day.<\/p>\n

Costumes can be as simple or elaborate as you want. For an easy approach, you can buy carnival costumes from party supply stores. Alternatively, you can make the lead-up to the big day a joy by getting together with friends or your kids to create DIY costumes. You can use clothing you already have \u2014 like a black button-up jacket for your ringmaster suit \u2014 or use simple materials like felt and cardboard to create a top hat<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Set the Stage<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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The circus theme lets you go big when it comes to setting the stage and decorating the space. If you\u2019re hosting a carnival theme party in your backyard, you can rent a tent or a carousel to create a county fair atmosphere. For an over-the-top affair, you can work with a local animal agency to have horse and donkey rides, and in some areas, you can even rent camels and more exotic creatures.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, you don\u2019t have to shell out the big bucks to have a spectacular circus theme party. You can create decorations at home and use your creativity to make guests feel like they\u2019re really at the fair. Look for circus-themed printables online that you can use to make your own decor.<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t want to pay to rent a tent, you can make your own by using a pole or a large post and draping white fabric or a white tarp over it. You can also create a streamer canopy<\/a>\u00a0to bring the big top indoors. For another easy option, make a circus party backdrop<\/a>\u00a0instead.<\/p>\n

Every circus has to have a ticket booth. Greet party-goers at the front and present them with tickets for the big fair. If the event is a carnival birthday party, you can have a birthday banner featuring the child\u2019s name or age hanging over the ticket booth. Once you\u2019ve greeted your guests, send them on their way to fun activities or tasty foods.<\/p>\n

When it comes to carnival party supplies and circus decor, magic and color are the names of the game. Most circus tents feature red and white stripes, which you can carry over to your tableware or tablecloths. Carnival decor also features vibrant hues, so you can use boldly colored balloons, streamers, and confetti to set the tone for the space. You can also place animal balloons and magic show props \u2014 such as wands, magician hats, and decks of cards \u2014 throughout the room.<\/p>\n

Serve Fair Food<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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No carnival-themed party is complete without a hearty display of magical fair foods. Sweet treats like cotton candy, brightly colored lollipops the size of your head, funfetti ice cream, and snow cones are sure to be a big hit. Salty foods like corn dogs and hot dogs are also staple items.<\/p>\n

Another popular fair food item is popcorn. You can purchase or rent a popcorn machine for freshly popped kernels (maybe dye the popcorn in colors like red and blue?), then hand it out in fun popcorn boxes. The popcorn boxes can also double as centerpieces if you\u2019re serving a larger meal. Just fill them with goodies, stickers, party hats, or party favors that guests can grab throughout the day.<\/p>\n

If your carnival theme party is for a young child\u2019s special day, such as a second birthday party, don\u2019t forget the birthday cake. You can purchase a custom-made multi-tiered cake complete with a circus tent on top or make a simpler version at home. Betty Crocker has an easy-to-follow video on making a big top circus cake<\/a>\u00a0just using icing and a boxed cake mix.<\/p>\n

You can also opt for cutesy circus cupcakes<\/a>. If you\u2019re hosting a circus-themed event for an older child, you can use edible glitter to make them look fancier. For younger children, animal cookies make great cupcake toppers.<\/p>\n

Set Up Fair Games<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Try your luck at fun fair games and reward guests with prizes. You can work with a party supply store or party planner to rent fair games complete with costumed staff, or you can create some of the best circus games right in your own backyard. You can also offer activities, such as face painting, for younger kids.<\/p>\n

Here are some carnival game ideas to get you started:<\/p>\n