Despite Friday’s frigid temperature and snow-covered ground, it was warm and tropical inside Pleasant Valley Elementary when the Parent Teacher Organization hosted its January in the Jungle Carnival for students and their families.

“We thought a jungle-themed event would be fun. We know the community needs events like this,” said Heather Blum, PTO president.

In social studies class earlier this fall, students voted on what kind of stuffed animal to raffle off at the carnival. The winning vote was a tiger.

Tiger print balloons and other jungle decorations were on tables and doorways throughout the gym and cafeteria. There was even a selfie photo area with props and posters.

In the gym, kids played games such as ring toss, pin the tail on the tiger, and color wheel. There was even a silly game, Carry the Coconuts Race, where players had to hold a coconut between their legs and keep their hands behind their back while they raced another player down toward the bucket. Once at the bucket, they dropped the coconut and raced back so their teammate could continue the relay.

“The tiger game is my favorite. I also made a visor and mask, and had my face painted,” said Leah Serfass, a third-grade student.

The jungle excitement continued in the cafeteria, where there were craft stations to color visors featuring various jungle animals, design animal masks, and decorate bags with stickers and crayons.

“This is our first time experiencing a school carnival. I think it’s a great event,” said Lisa Hoffman, as her son, David, who is in kindergarten, had his face painted like a tiger’s.

All carnivals come with snacks and drinks. This one had cheese curls called Tiger Tails, popcorn labeled Parrot Food, two types of snack mixes called Koala Krunch and Monkey Mix, and juice.

The two-hour event was free for families. It is one of the family-oriented events the PTO sponsors throughout the year. The PTO also hosts movie nights and dances.

“Planning this was a group effort for sure. I’m thankful for the volunteers,” Blum said.

In February, they will host a father-daughter dance one Friday evening and a mother-son dance on another Friday evening, Blum said.

“I’m glad the kids got out to do something fun after all this snow,” she said.