A carnival is a fun way to promote family engagement in your preschool!
Inviting parents and caregivers to participate in family engagement events throughout the year will help strengthen the connection between home and school. A school carnival is a great way to encourage family involvement. Family partnerships are important for the growth and development of each child and a carnival is just one way to bring families, the community and the preschool together in a fun and meaningful way!
Planning a Carnival
Teachers and administrators can work together to plan fun games and activities that the children and their families will be invited to enjoy together. Involving parents and volunteers in the planning process will make the event even more engaging.
Activities to Consider
Here are a few activities that have been a big hit with our preschoolers and their families in years past. We hope that these ideas will inspire you as you begin to plan your next family engagement event!
Jumping Tent
Kids love a large jumping tent! What a fun surprise this would be to include in your school event.
Rubber Ducky Game
In the Rubber Ducky game the children reach into a rubber wading pool filled with water and select a rubber duck. Whatever number is on the bottom of the ducky is the number of tickets the child receives.
Tickets and Prizes
Children go from game to game collecting tickets and then turn their tickets in for prizes!
The prizes can be simple such as little toys and trinkets.
And lots of yummy treats!
Snow Cones are the perfect way to cool off on a hot day
Popcorn makes for an easy and delicious snack
Nachos make for a wonderful state fair style lunch!
Other Games Might Include…
Bean Bag Toss
Balloon Pop
Coin Drop
Number Spin
Ping Pong Toss
Bounce the ping pong ball across the table and see if it will land in the bowl!
Potato Sack Race
Tattoo Station
Knock over the Blocks
Another Beanbag Toss Game
Ring Toss
Make it Memorable
Have fun being silly for photos with a photo booth or photo props.
A Carnival is not Complete Without a Yummy Treat!
Pick a Sucker
If your sucker has a black dot on the bottom, you get a prize. If your sucker does not have a black dot, then you get to keep the sucker. It is a win-win!
Enjoy Time Spent Together Outdoors
While all of the fun games are going on, be sure to enjoy the special time spent together as a school family in the outdoors. And maybe a surprise guest will make an appearance like our caterpillar friend who decided to stop by for all the children to look at in amazement…
Want to see a huge list of games with instructions? Story Time and More shared this terrific GAME site!