We run a huge Fun Fair every year, always in May. While most games do require tickets, we also set aside some other things that don't. Face Painting, moon jump, etc. We have many low income families, so try to offer affordable things. For the bigger things -- such as laser tag -- we charge what it costs us to run the activity -- divided by how many people it can accommodate. We have sack races, hoola hoop contests, egg toss (too messy), water balloon toss (fun, but the balloons are a pain to pick up), tug-o-war. We hire a balloon guy who spends 4 hours making balloons -- but we do charge a nominal fee. We also offer concessions -- but on a cash basis. It makes it easier on parents -- but we do accept tickets as payment too. (In case they've run out of cash and want something to eat.) As a parent, it doesn't always have to be about making money -- that's a huge turnoff to many people. Find a way to compromise -- you'll all feel good.

I think it would be fine to charge for the scavenger hunt. It sounds simple enough. Everything we have at our carnival brings in money. Tickets are 50 cents and covers games, cake walk, fortune teller, tattoos (because face painting became alot of work) and balloons. We also sell food but they require more tickets.
We have a silent Auction, but it's really needs to be revamped, I think we made $200 on it last year and had alot of items that weren't bid on at all and we had no reserve But our raffle was by far the biggest money maker. Students sold tickets for $1 and the winner had the choice of an Xbox 360 or a 32 inch TV. They picked the Xbox of course. We sold $1200. in raffle tickets. This year we decided to raffle off a laptop.
We have other events during the school year that we don't charge for, Trunk or Treat and movie night among other things. But parents expect to have to pay at the carnival. I think we'll try the coloring table this year, thanks for the idea!

We sell armbands and that way parents have already paid for entertainment. All games are included with the armband . This year we charged $15 for the 1st armband in a family and $7 for each additional band.

Okay - so Family Fun Night has been turned over to a completely new group of volunteers, including myself, and we want it to surpass all the Family Fun Nights of the past. Which means - making more money. It's our biggest fundraiser of the year with raffle baskets, a silent auction, carnival games. . . New this year we're offering a bounce house, jail & bail, fortune teller, and more. One of the things we discussed was a very simple scavenger hunt. Basically, you find a tag (which will just be a picture of a clown hidden somewhere), bring it to the ticket table and viola! You're a winner. I, personally, don't think everything should be for profit - especially a scavenger hunt. But, other members disagree because we do want to make more money than ever before - so a ticket for everything! So, the only thing I can think of is this: Return the clown, receive a lollipop (dum dum). BUT, you can upgrade for a ticket (and get a swirly pop).

Question: Is it a good idea to earn money for a scavenger hunt? When carnival games cost tickets, raffle baskets require tickets, and parents are spending a lot of money on auction items, shouldn't something be just for fun? OR, do any of you have ideas to make a scavenger hunt fun AND profitable?

The only thing we do have for nothing is a coloring table with coloring sheets and a word search.