The Best Carnival Gadgets You Can Get

You can probably remember going to a carnival as a kid. All that bustle and noise surely made you feel excited and eager to explore your surroundings.

One of the best things about carnivals (for a kid, at least) is definitely the rides and the toys.

Party experts use carnival gadgets every day. Here are some you can buy or rent for your own amusement.

Cotton Candy Machines

When you are a kid, a cotton candy machine must seem like magic. How does that sugar strands form around the stick and why does it have so many different colors?

Most people figure out how the machine actually works. The sugar is poured in and heated up until it evaporates. Then it condenses back onto a stick as it cools. It is a pretty neat trick and one that can be recreated.

There are commercially available cotton candy machines for people who really want to own them, and they can be pretty cheap, too. The only question is whether you actually want to have a machine that turns pure sugar into candy.

I think we do 😉

Carnival Bouncy Castles

Probably one of the simplest and most lasting joys of being a child is simply jumping up and down. I know I always enjoyed jumping.

Kids tend to have more energy, too, so the fun can last for hours.

The only thing that can make the joy of jumping even better is to have a big colorful bouncy castle around you to cushion your fall.

These may not be as cheap as a cotton candy machine, but they certainly are more fun and healthier.

If you don’t really want to own one, you can simply rent a bouncy castle for the party or a special day you had in mind.

Carnival Popcorn Machines

Another snack staple of carnivals is the popcorn. It is fairly simple to use, it’s practically mess-free and it can come in a variety of flavors.

And while you can get popcorn microwaved or made in a pot, it doesn’t really taste the same. Not to mention, it’s not as fun as watching a popcorn machine pop.

Fortunately, nowadays, not only can you buy a popcorn machine (for those really into popcorn), but you can also rent it for a day. All of the fun with none of the responsibility of cleaning it and maintaining it.

Carnival Dry Slides

The central spot in most carnivals I have ever visited was usually reserved for a monstrously large dry slide. It usually towered over the concession stands and vendors. Even from far away you could hear the screams and laughter of thrilled children going down its slopes.

Even though you might not want to have a thirty-foot slide in your backyard, there are a variety of sizes (and designs) which you can choose from.

Just like the rest of the entries on this list, dry slides are available for purchase, but most people will be happier just to rent it for a day. They are great for a child’s birthday party or just a crazy carnival Saturday.

Air Hockey Tables

This game is typically reserved for adults or teenagers, but it is an undeniably a fun experience. This face-paced game has a simple premise – get the puck behind your opponent’s hand and into the ‘goal’.

There were typically long lines in front of each air hockey table whenever I wanted to play, so it has always been a dream of mine to own a table.

SO now we have one in our game room 🙂

Whatever your fascination at carnivals was when you were a child, chances are that you can buy or rent one now! What did you like?