Fall Festival Booth Ideas
Fresh Games & Prizes to Delight Your Crowd
When the crisp air and colorful leaves roll in, it can only mean one thing – Fall Festival season is here! Whether you’re pulling together a cozy block party or going all out with a full-on carnival, it’s the perfect chance to rally your school or church community for some festive fun.
The real secret to a knockout event? Creative booths that get kids (and grown-ups!) pumped to play – and snag some prizes. We’ve gathered a bunch of fresh, crowd-pleasing ideas that put a new spin on classic games and prize stations, guaranteed to keep lines long and laughter echoing all day long.
🌟⭕ Glow Stick Ring Toss
As the sun sets, this booth shines. Set up glow-in-the-dark rings and cones (or water bottles filled with glow sticks) for an evening-friendly twist on a carnival classic.
Prize ideas: Glow bracelets, small LED keychains, or neon shoelaces.
🎈💥 Pumpkin Pop
A twist on the traditional balloon pop, but with a fall flair! Fill orange balloons with small slips of paper indicating a prize or treat. Glue green paper stems on top so they look like mini pumpkins and attach them to a board. Players pick a pumpkin to pop and claim their prize!
Prize ideas: Fall-themed erasers, stickers, or small bags of candy corn.
👝💎 Hay Bale Treasure Hunt
Create a "mini maze" out of hay bales with hidden treasure throughout. Participants get a minute to dig and search for hidden tokens, which they can redeem for prizes.
Prize Ideas: Mini animal figurines, temporary tattoos with autumn or harvest themes, plush pumpkins or stuffed scarecrows.
Pro Tip: Make a toddler-friendly version with a sandbox full of small plastic pumpkins and prizes for easy scooping.
🍬🌽 Candy Corn Count
Fill a mason jar with candy corn and let guests guess how many pieces are inside. Closest guess wins a prize!
Prize ideas: A fall-themed gift basket or a giant stuffed scarecrow.
🎃🖌️ Pumpkin Painting Station
Instead of carving (which can get messy), offer a mini pumpkin painting booth. Set up small gourds, brushes, and vibrant, washable paints for kids to create take-home masterpieces.
Pro Tip: Provide glitter, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners for extra creativity.
🍎💧 Apple Bobbing... Reinvented
Replace traditional apple bobbing with a more hygienic version: hang apples from strings on a tree branch or booth frame. Players keep their hands behind their backs and try to catch an apple using only their mouths!
Prize ideas: Caramel apple kits or apple-scented hand sanitizers.
🧉🏀 Harvest Hoopla
Think basketball shootout but with mini plastic pumpkins and baskets decorated as cauldrons or cornucopias. Participants toss pumpkins to score points.
Prize ideas: Autumn-themed pencils, bookmarks, or cozy socks.
🍫🔥 S'mores Station
Not a game – but always a win! Set up a supervised fire pit or portable burners with marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers. Great as a booth for teens and adults to relax.
Alternative: Offer pre-packaged s'mores kits as a take-home prize.
👒👨🏻🌾 Scarecrow Dress-Up Relay
Set out big overalls, floppy hats, plaid shirts, and straw bundles. Teams race to dress one teammate as a scarecrow, then run back to tag the next team. Fantastic for kids and makes adorable photos!
Prize ideas: Ribbons, medals, or a free pass to another booth game.
🥇🌾 Prize Pumpkin Patch
Create a small patch of fake pumpkins with hidden prizes inside. Guests choose a pumpkin, open it, and see what surprise awaits!
Prize ideas: Mini squish toys, slap bracelets, or fall-scented candles.
🍂🎯 Leaf Pile Launch
Instead of a bean bag toss, set up colorful “leaf piles” (laundry baskets decorated with faux leaves) at varying distances. Players try to toss plush squirrels or tiny pumpkins into the piles for points.
Prize ideas: Fall slap bracelets, little plush critters, or leaf-shaped crayons.
📸🚜 Mini Hayride Photo Booth
Turn a small trailer or decorated wagon into a photo op station complete with hay bales, pumpkins, and scarecrows. Add playful props like giant glasses or silly signs. Give guests instant photo printouts or a QR code to download their pics.
Prize idea: Everyone gets a keepsake photo strip!
🐿🌰 Feed the Squirrel
Paint or build a large squirrel cutout with an open mouth. Guests toss acorns (small brown bean bags or plastic nuts) into the squirrel’s mouth. Make multiple holes worth different points for added competition.
Prize ideas: Tiny squirrel figurines, nut-free trail mix, or mini acorn stampers.
Pro Planning Tip
Keep lines moving with volunteer SignUps for each booth. Our free online sign-up sheets make it easy to organize shifts, track supplies, and ensure every booth is fully staffed. Less stress, more fun!
Whether you’re raising funds or simply creating memories, these unique booth ideas will make your Fall Festival a hit. So grab your pumpkins, pull out the hay bales, and get ready for an autumn celebration your community won’t forget!
You May Also Like:
Carnival & Festival Planning: Ideas, Tips, & Resources
About the Author
Carlyn Morris
Content Contributor
Carlyn is a lifestyle writer for SignUp’s Idea Center, covering travel, special events, and modern-day tips for everyday living.
More about Carlyn →
