Harvest Festival Ideas: Dozens of Options for Fall Fun

More Harvest Festival Ideas for KidMin Fun

Harvest Festival Ideas: Snacks

1. Finger Foods – Put a piece of candy corn in each fingertip of a clear rubber glove. Then stuff the glove with popcorn. Tie the glove with curling ribbon.
2. Taffy Pull – Have an old-fashioned snack experience! Have everyone wash hands first, then find a partner. Each pair can take a piece of taffy to pull and stretch between them to see how far they can stretch their piece before eating.
3. Popcorn – Attach straps to a tray. Fill popcorn boxes and place on the tray. Have a wandering hawker wear the tray and give away the popcorn.
4. Mystery Drink – Freeze Kool-Aid in ice trays. Pour a clear soft drink over the cubes. Serve in clear cups and watch the color change.
5. Banana Pops – Insert Popsicle sticks into bananas. Dip in melted chocolate. Freeze for two hours.
6. Candy Grab – Kids get one chance to grab all the candy they can out of a bucket.
7. Cotton Candy – Rent a machine, then all you need is gobs of sugar. Stay aware that the machines can get hot over time, so keep little hands well away.
8. Jell-O Eating Contest – Prepare Jell-O Jigglers according to the package directions. Put the same amount of Jell-O on each contestant’s paper plate. Kids put their hands behind their backs and race to be the first to eat all their Jell-O.
9. Edible Bracelets – Kids make bracelets by putting Fruit Loops on licorice laces.
10. Cookie Decorating – Provide shaped sugar cookies, icing, and sprinkles.
11. Gummy Fun – Set out two paper plates for each child. Fill one plate with Gummy Worms. Pour Hershey’s syrup over the candy. With hands behind their backs, children pick up the candy with their mouths and set it on their empty plates.

Harvest Festival Ideas: Success Tips

1. Everyone Wins – Give a “thanks for being here” prize at each booth.
2. Instant Booth – Hang sheets on four PVC pipes. Connect the pipes and suspend from the ceiling with sturdy fishing line. You’ve just created a booth area.
3. Give It Away – Have each participant donate a nonperishable food that can later be donated to an area food pantry.
4. Costumes – Choose a theme and have kids come in costume for that theme. Discourage scary costumes, but be gracious toward any visitors who show up in “forbidden” costumes. Think outreach!
5. Everyone Plays – Encourage parents and fall festival staff to dress in costume also.
6. Staffing – Staff your fall festival with teenagers, grandparents, and nonparents. This way, parents will be free to help and enjoy their children at the booths.

Special thanks to the following contributors: Cheryl Russell, Ellynne Wiebe, Sandra Klinsing, Karen Claunch, Loretta Bueckert, William Pesata, Amy Brown, Keith Wilson, Kandi Elliott, Nancy Hastings, Gail V., Cathy Gould, Marilyn Marsh, and Diane Ritchie.

This article about harvest festival ideas was originally published on ChildrensMinistry.com, © Group Publishing, Inc.