Kids' birthday parties idea

Backyard carnival

A backyard carnival kids' party pairs a bounce house with popcorn and cotton candy machines, giant yard games and red-and-white stripes. Great for ages 4 to 10 and mixed-age groups.

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Backyard birthday party, styled at an event (AI-generated example)

The look

Palette and decor

Carnival red #D62828Sunshine #F7B32BWhite #FFFFFF

Striped tablecloths
Pennant banners
Ticket-booth signage
Paper popcorn cones

Setup ideas

How to set it up

Backyard or tented lawn

Bounce house at the back, games along the side, treat machines under a canopy near an outlet, kids' tables in the middle.

Indoors or a rented room

A gym or party room with soft play and game stations around the edge.

Activities and games

Things for guests to do

Bounce house
The main attraction.
Rent: Bounce house ($291.50)
Midway games
Ring toss, Jenga, connect four.
Rent: Yard game ($27.50)
Popcorn and cotton candy
Fresh treats from the machine.
Rent: Popcorn machine ($82.50), Cotton candy machine ($60.50)
Prize tickets
Kids win tickets and trade them for small prizes.
DIY: no rental needed

Props and DIY

What to buy or make

Roll of carnival tickets
Small prizes
Paper popcorn cones
Face paint

These aren't rentals: they're the finishing touches most hosts buy or make.

Rent the look

Rentals for a backyard carnival

Quantities shown for 30 guests. In the planner they adjust to your guest count, and you can change or remove anything.

Add to my plan

Bounce house

15' x 15' inflatable, needs 20' x 20' and power

$291.50each

× 1 for 30 guests. Bounce house.

Joyful wedding guests laugh while playing with a giant tumble tower and cornhole on a grassy lawn during an elegant outdoor evening reception surrounded by floral displays

Yard game

Giant Jenga, cornhole, Connect 4 and more

$27.50each

× 3 for 30 guests. Midway game stations.

Popcorn machine

8 oz kettle with cart, supplies extra

$82.50each

× 1 for 30 guests. Popcorn.

Cotton candy machine

Commercial machine, supplies extra

$60.50each

× 1 for 30 guests. Cotton candy.

Five children color and enjoy cake at a Kids' 6 ft table (22" tall) during an elegant wedding reception adorned with hanging floral arrangements and glowing chandeliers

Kids' table

6' x 30" at 22" high

$27.50each

× 6 for 30 guests. Kids' tables.

Each kids' white folding chair provides seating for young guests at dining tables inside an ornate, chandelier-lit ballroom during a formal wedding reception

Kids' chair

Child-size folding or Chiavari chair, seat height 12-14"

$3.30each

× 30 for 30 guests. Kids' chairs.

Decorated with sheer drapes and floral garlands, a 10' x 10' pop-up canopy covers an intimate sweetheart table for newlyweds during an elegant outdoor evening wedding reception

10' x 10' canopy

Pop-up or frame canopy, 100 sq ft

$181.50each

× 1 for 30 guests. Shade over the treats.

These add-ons for 30 guests, before delivery, setup and tax

$962.50

Prices are based on local rental companies' published rates plus our booking fee. Your final quote is confirmed by the rental company for your date and venue.

Questions

Backyard carnival FAQs

Do cotton candy and popcorn machines need special power?

Most run on a standard 120V outlet, but each needs its own circuit. Keep them within reach of a grounded outlet or add a generator.

How many kids' chairs and tables do I need?

One kids' chair per child and one kids' table per six. Add adult chairs for about half the parents.

Is a bounce house safe in a backyard?

On level grass with stakes, away from fences, trees and power lines, with an adult supervising and no more kids inside than the unit's limit. Inflatables come down in winds over about 15 to 20 mph.

More ideas