Autumn Crafts

• Set up an area at the carnival for an autumn-themed craft. A paper bowl pumpkin is a simple and festive craft idea. Paint the outside of a small paper bowl with orange paint. Use construction paper to cut a stem and glue raffia to the top for additional decoration. For a simple painting activity, cut an apple in half and use it as a stamp or use pieces of straw instead of a paintbrush. Leaf prints, pumpkin painting or fall nature collages offer other options for carnival crafts.
  
  

Games

• Games are a staple at any carnival. Choose a variety of games to keep the action moving. Hold a scarecrow-stuffing contest in which the players stuff newspaper or straw into a set of clothing. Consider assigning an adult volunteer to help each group. A pumpkin-rolling relay requires the kids to roll a small pumpkin or gourd down the playing area and back to the starting line. The odd shape of the pumpkin makes rolling in a straight line challenging. Set up a scavenger hunt around the carnival area, allowing the kids to work in teams to find a list of items. Other traditional carnival games such as a ring toss, football throw, bowling, cake walk or a bottle knock down game work well for the harvest day festival.
  
  

Face Painting

• Set up a face-painting station at the kindergarten harvest carnival. Designate parent volunteers as the face painters. Simple fall shapes such as a pumpkin, leaf, scarecrow or candy corn work well for the face painting graphics. Let the kindergarten students suggest other shapes if they have their own ideas.
  
  

Cookie Decorating

• Bake fall-shaped sugar cookies before the carnival. Provide icing in a variety of colors, as well as candies, sprinkles and other edible embellishments for the cookies. Set up a cookie decorating station at the event for the kids. Cupcakes offer another option for a decorating activities at the carnival. Provide cellophane bags for the desserts so the kids can take them home.