Popcorn, Tents and Fairyfloss
- Maddie Browne
- Apr 1, 2018
- 3 min read
For 18th birthdays there is often a lot of family and friends invited from all the different social groups in your life. This sometimes makes it hard for guests to mingle across the groups. For my 18th birthday party I wanted to stop this from happening as much as possible and create an environment where everyone felt more comfortable talking and mingling with people they didn't know, so, I came up with the idea of holding a carnival themed event. Carnivals obviously have lots of games and activities for party guests to interact with, which would allow my guests to break the ice and mingle across all groups, ages and genders.
I have a bit of a thing for making crazy invitations and cards, so for my 18th invitation I wanted to make a bit of a bang whilst still staying on theme. I printed my invites onto balloons and attached them to a piece of card that said "save the date"! As you blew up the balloon it revealed the info about the event. Here is an example:
I spent over 4 months hand making all the different games for the party and buying small and random toys for the prize table. Planning this party was my way of procrastinating from study for the HSC!
On the night of the event, as everyone arrived, they were given a game card. This game card allowed guests to play any of the carnival games set up around my front yard 18 times (because I was turning 18 lol). At each game guests would get their game card punched and were able to play the game. Depending on their score at each game guests then were able to win tickets. These tickets then allowed them to buy prizes at the prize table. This system might sound a little complicated and unnecessary, but I needed a way to monitor the amount of times people could play the games. It needed to be just enough times so that everyone would be able to buy a prize and that not just one person won all the tickets. Here is an example of the game card:
FOOD - Yes I also did feed my guests! I hired a pizza catering man who set up his little tent to match my "carnivaly" vibe and served wood fire pizzas. I also had a BBQ going with hot dogs and corn on a cob. Popcorn was also being served around to guests. The main table outside, was designated as the 'snack bar' I guess. I had lots of lollies, packets of fairy floss, peanuts and marshmallows on sticks.
The games were set up in large marquees spread out over my front lawn. They were decorated with fairy lights and colourful bunting that I made by cutting triangles out of plastic table cloths (an inexpensive way of getting bunting the perfect colours for your theme). The games I had on the night were: hoop shoot, knock-em-downs, lucky duck, bottle fishing, ring toss and balloon darts. The party was so much fun to put on and one of the most successful events I have hosted yet. I would definitely recommend anyone having an 18th or any party where you have a mix of ages and social groups to choose this theme! It really brings guests together and is just a lot of fun!!!
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