Welcome to the exciting world of Carnival Themed Birthday Parties!
If you’re looking for a fun and unique way to celebrate your special day, then you’ve come to the right place. Our Carnival Party Ideas are sure to make your party the talk of the town.

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From carnival games to carnival treats and everything in between, we’ve got all the tips and tricks you need to make your party a success.
So, let’s get started and plan the most amazing carnival-themed birthday party ever!
Invitations
Every great party starts with an invitation, and with this exciting carnival theme, you can have a ton of fun with your invitations.
Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
- Admission Tickets
Create your invitations to look like admission tickets to a carnival or fair. Use bright colors and fun fonts to really capture the playful spirit of the theme.
You can even add a tear-off portion to the invitation that the guest can bring with them for a prize or discount at the event.
- Circus Animals
Use circus animal cut-outs or stickers to decorate your invitations. You can even create your invitations to look like circus tents or tickets to a circus performance.
Have fun with the design and let your creativity shine.
- Carnival Games
Incorporate carnival games into your invitation design. Use images of classic games like ring toss, balloon darts, and whack-a-mole to set the tone for a fun and interactive party.
You can even include a small game with the invitation, like a mini bean bag toss or a balloon animal kit.
No matter what design you choose, be sure to include all the important details like the date, time, location, and RSVP information.
Your guests will love the personalized touch and will be excited to attend your carnival themed event. Have fun and let your creativity run wild!
You can also check out these Circus Ticket Invitations on Amazon.
Decorations
Transform your party space into a carnival with themed decorations such as streamers, balloons, and banners with carnival-themed phrases like “Step Right Up” or “Welcome to the Carnival!”
You can actually find entire party kits geared toward this exact theme!
To make your planning easier, we’ve included some of the best Carnival Party decorations on Amazon below.




Carnival Backdrop
72 x 44in




Carnival Balloon Arch Garland
140pcs, different sizes




Carnival Party Kit
Includes:
-1 Backdrop
-1 red and white striped tablecloth
-10 light blue balloons
-10 dark blue balloons
-10 red balloons
-10 yellow balloons
-10 polka dot balloons




Giant Popcorn Balloons Set
30in, 6 count




Giant Popcorn Box
Includes:
-Cardboard stand-up box
-24 balloons
DIY Carnival Party Decorations
Use colorful decorations like balloons, streamers, and banners to create a festive atmosphere.
Add some fun carnival-themed props like popcorn makers, cotton candy machines, circus tents, and balloon animals to really bring the party to life.
You can check out our Carnival Party Pinterest board for even more DIY ideas!
Food
Serve classic carnival foods like corn dogs, funnel cakes, and popcorn. Set up a cotton candy station and let the kids make their own delicious cotton candy treats.
For another tasty twist, create a DIY popcorn or caramel apple bar where guests can customize their treats.
You can also offer lemonade, slushies, and iced tea as refreshments.
Lastly, you can’t forget the cake! Create some fun carnival-themed cupcakes or create a tasty and unique carnival cake for all your guests to enjoy.
Activities
Carnival Games
Set up a variety of carnival games like ring toss, balloon pop, and dart throw. Offer prizes for the winners such as stuffed animals or candy and make sure to have plenty of small prizes for everyone.
Circus Acts
Bring in a circus performer or group to perform at the party. This could include acrobats, jugglers, or even clowns.
Make sure to have plenty of space for them to perform!
Photo Booth
Set up a photo booth area with fun carnival-themed props like hats, glasses, and mustaches. Encourage the kids to take silly photos with their friends and family to remember the party.
Encourage guests to take silly photos and share them on social media using your party hashtag.
A Theme Within a Theme?
Your carnival party plans can be made even more exciting by using a theme within the carnival theme. Here are some ideas below:
- Pajama Party
- Movie Night
- Game Day/Night
- Whodunnit
- Spa Day
- “Social Media Influencer”
Concluding Your Carnival Party
Don’t forget to send your guests a fun carnival party “thank you gift” at the end of your party. There are a ton of carnival party favor ideas out there, so I highly suggest you head on over to our Carnival Party Pinterest board to get started with some ideas!
These carnival party ideas are sure to make your celebration a hit. Get ready to party and let the carnival fun begin!