Survival tips at the carnival
I am often asked how a family of my size can afford a day at the local carnival. I decided it would be beneficial to other sizable families to give my survival tips.
I have it down to a science.
Most of the local carnivals that come to town have the same ride specials that usually run for about four hours.
You purchase a bracelet for your child that allows unlimited ride use for four hours. Although the going price for this now is up to $20 per child, the amount of rides and the amount of times your child can enjoy is more than worth the money.
My nephew is only 2, and even he got a bracelet because this daredevil wanted to go on so many rides, my sister realized how much money she saved by doing so.
When it comes to food, I always take a survey for each boy of their favorites, and we purchase one or two, and we share. I usually do not purchase food until after the boys have done some riding because you don't want to spend all that money, and watch your child get sick on a ride.
I always pack a little cooler of water and Gatorade because these are the most overpriced items at a carnival. With all the treats I buy for my boys, they don't need to see mom and dad spend another 20 bucks on a plain bottle of water. If you have a little baby like I do, bring enough milk and juice because you cannot get milk at the local carnival.
When it comes to games, my boys are just like me. They love winning stuffed animals and inflatables and they cannot get enough.
I used to drive my poor dad nuts, and I would make him play until he won, or was out of money. My poor husband now assumes that role. I have found that the best and most economomical approach to this is to look at the games offered, find the one you think you have the best chance at winning, and go up to the attendant.
The game I have consistently found at every carnival I have attended over the last 5 years is some form of shooting water at a target, and this becomes a race to the end where a bell rings to decide the winner. I have this game down. I have pretty much never lost. I played last year at the annual Crystal Lake carnival, and although I ended up giving birth the next day, I won enough prizes for all of my children. I am almost unbeatable at this game.
I usually let my boys play against each other unless another person enters, and then I jump in so my kids are guaranteed a prize. This way I am never wasting money on games that either cannot be won, or produce very tiny worthless prizes. This game I always play usually gives away the best prizes because of the amount of people it can accomodate. Since I have so many, I am automatically in the zone for a better prize.
Always approach the operator of the games you are thinking of playing and ask them how much money it takes to win a certain prize your child may be looking for. The reason for this is you don't want to get stuck paying $30 for a little stuffed animal.
I was fortunate to discover this before getting caught. I saw an Elmo I wanted for my little guy, and I asked the attendant how much it would end up costing even if I won with all the prize upgrades that some of these games carry. At least she was honest and told me $36! I could not believe it, in a recession these people are still getting this kind of money. Obviously, I avoided that game. My children still came home with many fun prizes.
The key is just to be armed with knowledge and a little planning so everyone enjoys.
Funnel cake, cotton candy. These are things that are usually made rather large, so we can buy two of each and share. Also, you don't want to overfeed since the children will be on the rides most of the time.
I have to say this year the boys really fully enjoyed themselves and overall we got our money's worth the way we did it.
So my biggest tip here is don't get so turned off by the prices that you don't attend one of these festivals; the great time had by your children is well worth the money. Just take a couple of these suggestions, especially if you have a big family, and enjoy.
