Running a carnival game booth without enough prizes is one of the fastest ways to lose a crowd. Whether you’re organizing a county fair, school fundraiser, or church festival, the prizes are what keep players lining up and coming back.

At CountyFairs USA, we’ve been covering fairs and festivals since 1999. Over the years, we’ve watched hundreds of carnival booths succeed or struggle based on one factor: how well they planned their prizes. This guide covers everything about buying carnival prize sets wholesale, from choosing the right bulk fair prize assortments to budgeting smartly for events of any size.

Why Buying Carnival Prizes Wholesale Is Worth It

Purchasing individual prizes from retail stores adds up fast, especially when running multiple game booths across a multi-day county fair. Wholesale carnival prize sets solve that by bundling toys and novelty items into a single order at a fraction of the per-item cost.

Bulk fair prize assortments also save significant planning time. Instead of picking out dozens of individual items, wholesale kits come pre-sorted with a mix of prize types, sizes, and styles. For busy event organizers juggling a hundred other tasks, that convenience matters.

Types of Bulk Fair Prize Assortments You’ll Find

Not all wholesale carnival prize sets are created equal. Most suppliers organize their assortments by price point, which makes it easy to match prizes to your game difficulty and booth budget.

  • Small prizes (under 25 cents each). Stickers, temporary tattoos, mini spinning tops, rubber erasers, and bouncy balls. These work best as participation prizes or consolation rewards so every player walks away with something.
  • Medium prizes (25 cents to $1 each). Stuffed animals, glow sticks, novelty sunglasses, squirt toys, and slap bracelets. Ideal for mid-tier wins at games like ring toss or balloon darts.
  • Large prizes ($1 to $5+ each). Oversized plush animals, inflatables, licensed character items, and tech accessories. These are your top-shelf display prizes that draw players to the booth from across the midway.
  • Mixed assortments. Many suppliers offer kits that include all three tiers in one package, ranging from 100-piece starter sets to mega packs of 500 or more items.

How to Match Prizes to Your Carnival Game Booth

The type of game you’re running should directly influence which carnival prize sets wholesale you order. Getting this right is the difference between a booth that stays packed and one that empties out after the first hour.

Skill-based games like basketball shooting, balloon darts, and ring toss work best with a tiered prize system. Players who barely miss get a small consolation prize, moderate wins earn a medium reward, and the top prize goes to whoever nails the hardest challenge. This keeps people trying again and again.

Chance-based games like duck ponds, spin-the-wheel, and fishbowl toss work differently. Since every play has roughly the same odds, a uniform prize level keeps things simple. Bulk fair prize assortments in the small-to-medium range are your best bet here.

What to Look for When Ordering Wholesale

Not every wholesale supplier delivers the same quality or value. Before placing a large order for your county fair or festival, check these key factors carefully.

  • Safety certifications. Make sure prizes meet U.S. toy safety standards, especially if young children will be playing. Look for age-appropriate labeling on every item.
  • Price per piece vs. total kit cost. Some assortments look affordable until you calculate the per-item price. Always do the math before committing.
  • Variety within the assortment. A good bulk fair prize assortment includes a mix of colors, toy types, and styles. Kids notice when every prize looks the same, and it kills the excitement fast.
  • Shipping timelines. Summer is peak carnival season, and popular wholesale kits sell out quickly. Order at least four to six weeks before your event to avoid stock shortages.
  • Return and quality policies. Look for suppliers that offer money-back guarantees or easy returns if the assortment doesn’t meet expectations.

Best Prize Categories for County Fairs and Festivals

After covering fairs across the country, the team at CountyFairs USA has seen certain prize categories consistently outperform others. If you’re not sure where to start, these categories are a safe bet for any event.

Stuffed animals and plush toys remain the universal crowd-pleaser at carnival booths. Kids of all ages want them, and oversized versions make incredible top-shelf display prizes. Inflatables are another strong performer because they’re large, colorful, and inexpensive.

  • Glow-in-the-dark items. Glow sticks, bracelets, and necklaces are perfect for evening midway hours when the lights go down and the carnival comes alive.
  • Novelty wearables. Hats, oversized sunglasses, bead necklaces, and flower leis let winners show off their prizes immediately while walking around the fairgrounds.
  • Practical items for adults. Keychains, mini flashlights, stress balls, and novelty pens appeal to grown-ups who play carnival games too.

How to Budget for Wholesale Carnival Prize Sets

Budgeting for bulk fair prize assortments requires some basic math before you order. Start by estimating how many people will attend your event and how many game plays you expect across all booths.

A good rule of thumb is to plan for roughly 60 to 70 percent of players winning a small prize, with medium and large prizes going to fewer winners. The bulk of your budget should go toward small and medium-tier assortments, with a smaller investment in the top-shelf display prizes.

  • Order 10 to 15 percent more than your estimate. Running out of prizes mid-event is worse than having leftovers. Extras can always be stored for next year’s fair or used as classroom rewards.
  • Factor in shipping costs. Free shipping thresholds vary by supplier, so it may be worth ordering slightly more to hit that cutoff.
  • Order early in the season. Placing your order in spring for a summer county fair gives you the widest selection and avoids the last-minute rush when popular kits sell out.

Where Fair Organizers Typically Source Wholesale Prizes

The wholesale carnival prize market has plenty of options, and where you buy depends on the size of your event and your budget.

Online suppliers like Oriental Trading, Carnival Savers, and Amazon bulk listings are popular choices for small-to-mid-sized events. They offer pre-packed assortments, seasonal kits, and fast shipping. For larger fairs and multi-day festivals, some organizers work directly with manufacturers or regional distributors to negotiate custom pricing on high-volume orders.

One tip: always order a sample assortment first if you’re working with a new supplier. It helps you check quality and age-appropriateness before committing to a bigger purchase.

Final Thoughts

Buying carnival prize sets wholesale is one of the smartest moves any fair organizer or event planner can make. The right bulk fair prize assortments save you money, save you time, and keep your game booths packed with excited players all day long.

At CountyFairs USA, we’ve been helping people get the most out of fair season for over 25 years. Start with the prizes and everything else falls into place.

Explore county fairs, festivals, and carnival events near you at CountyFairs USA.