If you could pick any animal for the merry-go-round, would you really choose a horse? Somebody at this carnival gets to ride a fox. Someone else can claim the seahorse. The ride designer gets the final say.
National Carousel Day falls on July 25.
Holiday dates for planning
| Observance | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Carousel Day | Saturday, July 25, 2026 | Sunday, July 25, 2027 | Tuesday, July 25, 2028 | Wednesday, July 25, 2029 | Thursday, July 25, 2030 |
National Carousel Day date reference
Build the stand
Use the first sheet to make a little three-sided carousel. Color the striped canopy before cutting. Fold at the panel lines, tuck the tab behind the first panel and tape the seam. Stand the base on the table and rotate it by hand to bring a different side into view.
Choose the ride animals
Color and cut out the animals. Glue one onto the pole on each panel, leaving the faces easy to see. Pick a name for the ride. A child who has very firm ideas about a zebra’s stripes now has a whole carnival to run.
Open the ticket booth
Cut the tickets and hand a few to each passenger. Announce the next ride, accept a ticket and gently turn the stand. Take a turn as the customer and ask which animal has the smoothest ride. The answer is entirely up to the person behind the booth.
Get the free printable set
Build a Paper Carousel includes three US Letter pages. Fold a carousel stand. Carousel ride animals. Carnival admission tickets.