Hello — I’m Kelly. At carnivals, boardwalks, and state fairs I always choose to play the games instead of riding the rides. Anyone else feel the same? My parents still have a shelf full of cheap stuffed animals from my boardwalk game habit. I’ve used parasols in costumes before, and the idea of turning an umbrella into a carnival “spin the wheel” prop while wearing a ticket-themed outfit felt natural and nostalgic.
This version isn’t an interactive game prop — I kept it close to how a real spin-the-wheel game looks — but you could easily add a functional arrow and let people spin for prizes if you want to make it playable.
DIY Carnival Game Costume
Total Time: Variable depending on paint and drying time
Supplies
For the Carnival Ticket Outfit:
- Shift dress or oversized T-shirt to serve as the ticket base
- 2″ iron-on or adhesive felt letters for the main wording
- 1″ iron-on or adhesive felt numbers for ticket codes
- Red and black fabric markers
- Hot glue gun (optional, for extra security)
- Ruler
For the Carnival Game Umbrella:
- White parasol or umbrella with visible spokes
- Paint in various bright colors + white
- Paint brushes
- Adhesive felt numbers and letters (or leftover iron-on pieces)
- White cardstock and red cardstock
- Scissors and hot glue
Directions
For the Carnival Ticket Outfit:
- Place the 2″ felt letters vertically down the center of the dress to spell “Admit One,” “Ticket,” or your chosen phrase. Iron or adhere according to the product instructions.
- Attach 1″ numbers in a horizontal line above and below the letters to mimic the numeric codes found on real tickets. They don’t need to be precisely aligned — slightly imperfect placement adds authenticity.
- Use a ruler and a red fabric marker to draw a rounded rectangular border around the letters and numbers. Avoid sharp corners; smooth, curved corners will better resemble a ticket edge.
- Draw thin black vertical lines on each side of the red border to enhance the ticket look.
- To create the scalloped edges typical of tickets, trace around a small circular bottle or similar object, spacing the half-circles about 1/2″ apart along the top and bottom edges.
For the Carnival Game Umbrella:
- Use the parasol’s spokes as guides to create radial color sections. I painted each color across two adjacent sections, ending up with multiple bright wedges. Let the paint dry completely.
- Place adhesive numbers in the center of each colored section to mimic prize values or segment labels. Use hot glue for extra hold if needed.
- Cut a white cardstock circle roughly 8–10″ in diameter. Trim a center hole to fit around the parasol’s hub so the circle sits flat on top.
- Write or adhere letters around the circle with a phrase like “Spin to Win.”
- Slip the cardstock circle over the parasol center and secure it with glue so it stays put.
- Cut a teardrop or arrow shape from red cardstock and glue it to one spoke to indicate the winning segment.
Bonus Ideas to Adapt This Costume
- Customize the color palette and wording to reflect a specific boardwalk game you love. For example, blue and white with regional phrases can make the costume feel personal and nostalgic.
- Pair the ticket-and-wheel idea with other carnival-themed costumes — popcorn, hot dog, or cotton candy — for a cohesive group look.
- Transform the umbrella into a different game wheel: Wheel of Fortune, a board game spinner (think The Game of Life), or even a roulette-style wheel. One person can be the wheel while others dress as game pieces.
- Create a full carnival duo by adding a dealer or host costume and turning the parasol into a working spin-the-wheel prop with a spinner attached.
Photos by Jeff Mindell
I love creating costume props, and this carnival wheel brought back so many memories. If you’re making this for a partner, friend, or child, consider adapting the size and colors to suit them. It’s an easy, high-impact costume that’s playful and unmistakably fairground-inspired.
If you make a costume based on this idea, share your photos on social media with a tag or hashtag you prefer so others can enjoy your version. Have fun and get creative!