The best time for a school winter carnival or holiday party in Palm Beach County is the first three weeks of December, before winter break starts on December 21, 2026. Book the gym or field now, pick 4 to 6 holiday games that keep lines short, and lock in your rental company by early November, because December Fridays and Saturdays tend to go first. Crazy Games FL brings our own holiday games, sets them up and picks them up, so your PTA volunteers can enjoy the day too. Here is the full plan.
When should a school hold its winter carnival?
The School District of Palm Beach County's 2026-27 calendar puts winter break from Monday, December 21, 2026 to Friday, January 1, 2027, and Monday, January 4 is also a no-school day for students. Thanksgiving break is November 23 to 27. That leaves a clear window:
- Early December (Dec 1 to 12): the most popular time. Families are in a holiday mood and nobody has left town yet.
- The last week before break (Dec 14 to 18): great for a class party day or a school-day game rotation, but expect busy calendars and early travel.
- A Friday evening or Saturday morning: the best choice for a fundraiser carnival, because parents can come.
Always check your own school's calendar, since some schools add their own early release or event days.
Gym or field? Plan for Florida weather
December in South Florida is usually dry and mild, but a cold front or a rain shower can still show up. The easy fix is to pick games that work in both places. All of our holiday games can be played indoors or outdoors on a flat, open area, so you can book the field and keep the gym as your rain plan. Ask your principal for both spaces when you reserve the date.
Two things to check with the school: where the nearest power outlets are (inflatable games and snack machines need a standard outlet), and how long your crew has for setup before families arrive.
The best holiday games for a school winter carnival
Large groups need games with quick rounds and lots of players at once. These are all Crazy Games-owned games, and every one comes with professional setup and breakdown:
- Giant Ornament & Spoon Race (from $299): teams race while balancing oversized ornaments on giant spoons. Built for ages 6 and up, with fast relay rounds.
- Reindeer Hop Race (from $299): kids bounce on inflatable reindeer hoppers around the cones and tag the next teammate. Great for ages 4 and up.
- Snowball Fight (from $349): two teams toss soft snowballs over inflatable bunkers. All the fun of a snowball fight, without the cold.
- Candy Cane Run (from $399): a holiday relay with oversized candy canes, cones and course markers.
- Milk & Cookie Toss (from $399): kids toss soft cookies into milk targets. Easy for the youngest students.
Add classic carnival games and snacks
A winter carnival still feels like a carnival when you mix in a few classic booths. Our 4 in 1 Carnival (from $349) packs four skill games into one inflatable booth: football throw, star darts, banana throw and a safe inflatable axe throw. Four students play at the same time, so the line keeps moving. The Classic Ring Toss is an easy win for kindergarten and a real challenge for fifth graders.
Snacks make it feel like an event. Our popcorn, cotton candy and snow cone machines are a simple PTA fundraiser: the popcorn machine (from $199) pops up to 100 servings per batch.
How many games do you need?
Start with how many students play at the same time. A class-by-class rotation during the school day can work with 4 games, because one or two classes play at a time. An evening carnival with families coming and going does better with 5 or 6 stations plus a snack machine.
For example, a 4-game holiday lineup of Giant Ornament & Spoon Race, Reindeer Hop Race, Snowball Fight and the 4 in 1 Carnival starts at $1,296 before tax. Our order minimum is $350. Delivery, setup and pickup are free within 15 miles of West Palm Beach; farther out, a delivery fee applies. We serve schools across Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Martin counties.
Your 6-step winter carnival plan
- Pick the date between December 1 and 18, and get the gym and field approved.
- Set a budget and decide if it is a free school event or a ticketed fundraiser.
- Choose 4 to 6 games plus one snack machine.
- Book by early November. December weekends go first. See our guide on how far in advance to book.
- Handle the paperwork early. Ask your office what it needs from a vendor (many schools ask for a W-9 and an insurance certificate) and tell us when you book.
- Recruit volunteers for tickets and snacks. Our crew handles setup and pickup; you need a few adults to watch each game.
Ready to plan your school's winter carnival?
See all of our holiday games or our holiday party games page, then book online or call 877-963-8368. Tell us your date, how many students, and gym or field, and we'll help you build the lineup.
Frequently asked questions
When is winter break 2026 for Palm Beach County schools?
Winter break runs from December 21, 2026 to January 1, 2027, and January 4, 2027 is also a no-school day for students, based on the district's 2026-27 calendar. Check your school's own calendar for any extra dates.
Can the holiday games be set up inside a school gym?
Yes. Our holiday games are made for indoor or outdoor use on a flat, open area. Inflatable games need a standard power outlet nearby.
How far ahead should our PTA book?
Book 4 to 6 weeks ahead for a December date. Fridays and Saturdays in early December tend to go first, so early November is the safest time to lock it in.
What ages are the holiday games for?
Reindeer Hop Race, Snowball Fight, Candy Cane Run and Milk & Cookie Toss are designed for ages 4 and up. The Giant Ornament & Spoon Race is designed for ages 6 and up. Adults can play too.
Do you deliver to schools outside West Palm Beach?
Yes. We serve Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Martin counties. Delivery, setup and pickup are free within 15 miles of West Palm Beach, and a delivery fee applies farther out. See our areas we serve.