Kids have so much fun at those classic carnival games. They see the big stuffed animal and don’t care that it costs mommy and daddy an arm and a leg to win it for them. Here’s a crafty, fun way to bring that carnival atmosphere to your next kid’s party.

This kid’s party game incorporates a crafting part. The kids make the game. This hands-on tabletop marble carnival will be an exciting addition to your next kid’s party, whether you are having a carnival-themed birthday party or an of the school year bash.

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What You Need: A bag of marbles, four large bath towels (to use as bumper pads), a table, shoe box, washable glue, construction paper, decorations of your choice (you can fit this to the theme of your party or to the gender of the child)

The craft element of the party can be a part of the goody bag as well. Each guest can basically make their own Marble Carnival to bring home. Ask each guest to bring an empty shoe box with them to the party. Make sure there is a crafting area set up which will minimize the decorating mess.  With adult help, have each participant cut out three varying-shaped doors in the shoe box. Do this by removing lid of the shoe box and cutting from the open top area, down the longer side of the box to make three shapes (spread apart). For example: one tall, thin rectangle door, one middle triangle, and one small, short square. Vary the size, to vary the complexity of the game.

Once the doors are cut, have the guests decorate their carnival using construction paper, sequins, pom poms, markers, flags, fake gems, and whatever else you decide. Allow the glue to dry by taking a break from the party game for a snack.

To play the game, select the guest of honor’s carnival shoe box and set up the table for the Marble Carnival. Use large bath towels or sheets to create bumpers along the edges of the table. Place the carnival box at one end of the table. The first contestant then roles a set number of marbles down the table, trying to make it inside the doors of the shoe box. The player with the most marbles in the tabletop carnival, wins!

This boisterous kid’s party game is a complete blast! Not only do the kids get to be creative during the craft portion of the game, but they also get to take home their very own game! You can purchase a bag of marbles from a dollar store to serve as each kid’s goody bag. Or you can take a large bag of marbles and separate it into baggies to send home. Quote this article on your site