A striped carnival tent with kids lined up at a game booth.

1,200+ backyard carnivals and counting

STRIPED TENTS

CLASSIC GAMES

ZERO CLEANUP

Carnival Game Rentals Across the Southeast

Carnival game rentals for birthday parties, school field days, and community festivals. We bring the tents, the games, the prizes, and the staff to run it all.

  • ★ ADMIT ONE ★ Fully Insured
  • ★ ONE TICKET ★ Background-Checked Staff
  • ★ GOOD FOR ONE ★ We Set Up, Run It & Pack Out
  • ★ ADMIT ONE ★ 20 to 200+ Guests
  • ★ ONE TICKET ★ Prizes Included

Part of Big Idea Entertainment , a family of party brands run by local operators across the Southeast.

Pick Your City

Five markets across the Southeast, each run by a local Big Idea Entertainment operator.

Your Carnival, Start to Finish

How It Works

  • Pick Your Package

    Scroll the packages above and pick the one that fits your guest count and your time window.

  • Request Your Date & Time

    Send us your date, venue, and guest count. We'll confirm availability and quote any travel fee up front.

  • We Show Up & Set Up

    Our background-checked hosts arrive early, raise the striped tents, and set up every game booth.

  • We Run It, Then Pack Out

    Staff run every game for your whole window, hand out the prizes, and pack out completely. You get a carnival without running one.

What You Provide

  • A 30x30 Space

    Flat and clear of obstructions. Grass or pavement both work, so a backyard or a driveway is fine.

  • A Power Outlet

    One standard outlet for the music. Tell us if the nearest one is far from where you want us set up.

  • Two or Three Helpers

    Volunteers to help run the booths. Or add a Fully Staffed Host and we bring the crew.

  • An Eager Crowd

    Birthday-party energy. We bring the tents, the games, the prizes, and the cleanup.

Choose Your Package

One tent carnival with four games

THE MIDWAY

1 Hour

$345

Four booth games under one striped tent - our smallest standard package.

  • Four carnival booth games
  • One 10x10 striped carnival tent
  • Sticker prizes for every player
  • Professional host to set up and run your carnival
  • Music, full setup, and complete pack-out

Up to 25 guests

Choose your market
Most Popular Two red and white striped tents with six classic carnival games setup at an event.

THE BIG TOP

1 Hour

$475

Our most-booked setup. Six games, two tents, and room for a bigger guest list.

  • Six carnival booth games
  • Two 10x10 striped carnival tents
  • Sticker prizes for every player
  • Professional host to set up and run your carnival
  • Music, full setup, and complete pack-out

Up to 35 guests

Choose your market
Three striped tents and eight classic carnival games setup for an event.

THE FULL CARNIVAL

1 Hour

$575

Eight games across three tents - our largest standard package.

  • Eight carnival booth games
  • Three 10x10 striped carnival tents
  • Sticker prizes for every player
  • Professional host to set up and run your carnival
  • Music, full setup, and complete pack-out

Up to 45 guests

Choose your market

Every Game We Run

Classic carnival party games, each one in its own booth with a host running it and small prizes for the players. Here is every game across all five markets, and where each one runs.

See every game we run

Planning something bigger?

The prices above are for private parties — birthdays and backyard events, up to about 40 guests.

School field days, community festivals, and company events scale past the packages above - more tents, more games, more staff, priced to your headcount.

Get a Large-Event Quote

Built for Schools, Churches, and Community Events

Schools & Field Days

Field days, fun runs, and end-of-year celebrations your teachers don't have to staff. We arrive with striped tents, a row of game booths, and hosts who run every station, then rotate classes through on your schedule. Certificate of insurance on request.

Churches & Fall Festivals

Fall festivals, trunk-or-treat, VBS week, and youth nights. Booth games give every age something to do at once, and our staff runs the whole midway so your volunteers can greet families instead of manning tables.

Parks & Rec & City Events

Community festivals, National Night Out, and city-wide celebrations. We scale from a handful of booths to a full game lineup, run continuously for hours, and keep thousands of guests moving without your staff touching a game.

Camps & After-School

Summer camp programming and after-school reward days. A rotation of game booths fills an entire morning for mixed age groups, prizes are included, and our hosts keep every station moving so counselors get a break too.

HOAs & Apartment Communities

Resident appreciation days, pool-season kickoffs, and block parties. Everything sets up on grass or pavement in a 30x30 space, so a clubhouse lawn or a corner of the parking lot both work, and we pack out with nothing left behind.

Corporate & Employee Events

Employee appreciation days, family fun days, and company picnics. One vendor, one point of contact, full setup and teardown. Add booths as your headcount grows, and our staff runs every game so your team can attend the event they planned.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Big Idea Backyard Carnival?
A carnival we set up at your location and run for you. Striped tents, classic booth games, prizes, music, and staff working every game. It's built for backyards, driveways, school fields, church grounds, and community parks — anywhere with a flat space and power. You choose the number of tents and the hours; we handle setup, running the games, and cleanup.
Which cities do you serve?
Five markets: Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Fort Myers. Each is run by a local Big Idea Entertainment operator with their own crew and equipment, so the team at your event lives in your area. Choose your city to see local packages, add-ons, and availability — pricing and extras vary a little by market.
What does a backyard carnival cost?
Packages start at $345 for the first hour, priced by how many tents you book — one, two, or three, with four, six, or eight games. Additional hours are added on top, to a maximum of four. Add-ons and travel vary by market, so your city's page carries exact pricing and what's available locally.
Do you have carnival rides?
No — we run games and booths, not mechanical rides. There's no ferris wheel or carousel in what we bring. A backyard carnival is a midway: tents, throwing and target games, small prizes, music, and staff running each booth. For a private party or a school event, that's the part guests spend their time on, and it fits in a yard.
How far ahead should I book?
Sooner is better for spring and fall weekends, which fill first. Peak-season weekend dates often go a month or more out, while weekday events during the school year are usually easier to place on shorter notice. If your date is fixed, ask early — we'd rather hold it than tell you it's gone.
Can you do school, church, and community events?
Yes, and they're a large part of what we do. Field days, fall festivals, VBS weeks, camp days, HOA socials, city parks events, and company family days all work. Events past three tents are quoted to headcount rather than a package — more tents, more games, more staff. We're insured and can provide a certificate for your organization.

What Families Are Saying

"Excell Preparatory Center's Preschool students had an amazing time at the Big Idea Backyard Carnival and Field Day! The Big Idea team was professional, organized, and arrived on time, making the entire event run smoothly from start to finish. Their staff did an outstanding job engaging and entertaining both the students and parents with fun, age-appropriate activities that kept everyone smiling and involved throughout the day. The energy, enthusiasm, and attention to detail they brought to our event exceeded our expectations. We truly appreciate their excellent customer service and commitment to creating a memorable experience for our children. We would definitely book Big Idea Backyard Carnival again for our future entertainment and special event needs. Highly recommended!"

Arlene A.

Atlanta

via Google Reviews

"Our school hired this carnival for our fall festival and they were AMAZING! They set everything up and took everything down , flawless customer service, and most importantly the families loved the games and experience! From top to bottom five star service."

Bree-Anna W.

Jacksonville

via Google Reviews

"The best backyard carnival I have ever had in my life! I was so amazed with how everything turned out. All the entertainment was very well mannered, organized an professional. Big idea! Was definitely a hit! On time an the staff was amazing! BOOK WITH BIG IDEA! they will not disappoint you! BOOK NOW!"

Leticia C.

Tampa

via Google Reviews

"BIG IDEA definitely came with the energy. So much fun! Even I had a blast with my kids. I couldn’t be more satisfied me an my wife will be booking with them again an again. I have been referring all my friends an family to them. Over and beyond satisfied! So much entertainment to chose from. Thank you so much BIG IDEA."

Yvng J.

Tampa

via Google Reviews

"We had Big Idea Carnival set up for our recent 20th anniversary party for my business. They were great to work with and the kids enjoyed the games! Set up was on time; they provided fun stickers for the kids when they won games; and they played great kids music as well! We will definitely use them again."

MELANIE M.

Atlanta

via Google Reviews

"I am so happy we had Backyard Canival for our end of the year celebration! They do an amazing job and our kids loved the event!"

Robin M.

Orlando

via Google Reviews

Swipe to see more →

Good dates go early.

Spring and fall weekends book fastest. Pick your city and check yours now.

Pick Your City