Big Idea Backyard Carnival logo
several kids under a red and white striped tent at a carnival in Tampa.

1,200+ carnivals across the Southeast

STRIPED TENTS

CLASSIC GAMES

ZERO CLEANUP

Carnival Game Rentals in Tampa

Striped tents, classic games, and staff who run every booth. Our Tampa team has run 200+ events since 2025.

Check My Date See Packages
  • ★ 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

Choose Your Package

One tent carnival with four games

THE MIDWAY

1 Hour

$375

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

Book This Package
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

Book This Package
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

Book This Package

Travel within 30 miles of our Tampa location is included. 31 to 50 miles adds $75, 51 to 75 miles adds $150. Beyond 75 miles we quote travel with your event.

Games in Tampa

Booths available in Tampa. Your package sets how many come to your event.

See every game we run

an inflatable carnival obstacle course with a slide and a ticket booth set up on a lawn.

Party Add-Ons

Pump up the fun with these optional extras.

  • Fully Staffed HostReplaces the volunteers you would otherwise provide.$120/hr
  • Popcornup to 35 guests$85
  • Cotton Candyup to 35 guests$85
  • Snow Conesup to 35 guests$85
  • Glitter Tattoos$150/hr
  • Balloon Twisting$150/hr
  • Face Painting$150/hr
  • Carnival Obstacle CourseUp to 15 kids at a time. For events up to two hours.$300
  • Snowfall MachineDry falling snow that vanishes as it lands. One hour; two hours $400.$250
Large community festival with several carnival games and tents.

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

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.

Good dates go early.

Spring and fall weekends book fastest. Check yours now.

Check My Date

What Families Are Saying

"This was the best backyard carnival ever!!The service was amazing! Everyone was very friendly! All of my family and friends had a great time! The vibe was great and the entertainment was on point! Great service and great staff!!! Thanks for helping me kick 2025 off the right way!! Highly recommend and appreciated!!"

Mikko B.

Tampa

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

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Tampa Carnival FAQs

How much are carnival game rentals in Tampa?
One tent with four games is $345 for the first hour, two tents with six games is $475, and three tents with eight games is $575. Additional hours run $100 or $125 depending on the package, up to four. All three include staff, music, and prizes — the price covers people running the booths, not equipment dropped off in your yard.
Are there rides at a Tampa carnival party?
No rides — we're a games and booths company. Mechanical rides need certified operators and inspection paperwork, and that isn't what we do. What we bring is a striped-tent midway: throwing games, target games, small prizes, music, and staff working each booth. Guests picturing a carnival are usually picturing this part, not the ride at the far end.
Will this fit in my yard?
If you have a flat 30 by 30 foot area, yes. That's the footprint for the full three-tent setup; one tent needs less. Grass and pavement work equally well, so a lawn or a driveway are both fine. The usual blocker isn't size but slope or tree cover — the tents need overhead clearance. Send a photo and we'll confirm before you book.
What do I need to provide?
A flat space, a power outlet, and two or three helpers depending on how many tents you book. The helpers hand out prizes and keep queues moving; our staff run the games. That's the whole list — we bring tents, games, prizes, music, and the people to operate them. If helpers are hard to find, add a Fully Staffed Host at $120 per hour.
Can you set up at a park, clubhouse, or HOA common area?
Yes, and we do it often around Tampa. Community clubhouses, HOA lawns, church grounds, school fields, and public parks all work, provided there's a flat 30 by 30 area and access to power. Some parks and neighborhoods require a reservation or a certificate of insurance — we can supply the certificate. Check the venue's rules early; that's usually the longest lead item.
How many kids can play at once?
Each package has a guest cap tied to the tents: 25 for one, 35 for two, 45 for three. Those numbers are about flow rather than space — with four games and thirty kids, queues get long and children lose interest. Booking the tier that matches your headcount keeps everyone moving. Above 45 guests we quote a larger layout to your numbers.
What happens if it rains on the day?
We work with you rather than run a midway in the rain. If lightning, heavy rain or strong winds make the date unsafe, we will delay, pause, or move you to a new date - whichever gets you the event you actually booked. Your deposit transfers to the rescheduled date rather than being refunded, and it is good for twelve months, subject to availability. The balance is not due until two days before, so a reschedule never leaves you paid in full for an event that has not run. Florida afternoons being what they are, a passing shower usually just pauses play.
Are prizes included?
Yes. Small prizes come with the package and go out at the booths as kids play, enough that everyone wins something. You're welcome to bring extras if you want bigger rewards or a grand prize, and many birthday hosts do. Hand them to our staff at setup so they're distributed through the games rather than all at once at the end.

Proud Tampa Community Members

  • Licensed Florida Business
  • Insured & Bonded in Florida
  • Background-Checked Team
  • Best of Haven & LKLD 2026 - Top 3, Party Rentals & Event Entertainment
813-502-2025tampa@bigideaentertainment.com

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