Ten Top Children's Birthday Party Tips to help that
party go well!
Contact
First you will need a
really good birthday party entertainer who can do an excellent show that keeps
children and adults laughing for an hour. That's the easy bit - just
use the contact button above!
I've been performing at
children's parties for years so here are a few birthday party tips:
-
A village hall is not
expensive and well worth the money - children are excited and want
somewhere to run around, there's nothing to get broken and there's
usually a car park, kitchen, and
toilets, and everyone is in one room, so no one is off getting up
to mischief, and it should conform to
health and safety regulations.
-
Don't put the show
right at the start of the party. Children need half an hour to settle, run
around, burn off a bit of energy, and there
are always one or two late comers. I suggest time to run about,
then organise a game or two. It's a good idea to have a knock-out
game like musical statues just before the show, then whoever is
out can go for a wee. That way they've all been and they aren't
all trying to use the loo at the same time. If one child needs to
go during the show, then six more will suddenly need to go!
-
Don't have all boys
parties, particularly if they are seven or eight year olds! Your
boy is of course a charming young gentleman, but some of his mates
won't be, and the presence of girls has a calming effect.
-
Don't worry too much
about the age range. If it's a five year olds party and there are
older brothers and sisters and a few friends that's fine. They'll
enjoy an excuse to be young again and join in with the younger
children. (This is even more true of the grown-ups!)
-
Parties are
traditionally held on Saturday afternoon, but this isn't always
the best time: Often the birthday child has woken up early is
excited about the party and had chocolate cake for breakfast. Children tend to droop around mid
afternoon (so do a lot of adults), and the birthday boy or girl
can often be past their best by then. I've been to quite a number
of afternoon
parties where the birthday child is tired and grumpy, leaving the
parents stressed and saying never again! Lunchtime always works
well. Have the children arrive around eleven thirty, half an hour
settling down time, a one hour show, food (they are ready for
food, so they'll eat it), a few games, and then it's over and you
have the afternoon to wind down and relax. After school is good
too, but you have to give them food and drink first otherwise
they'll flag before the end of the show.
-
The cost of a party
adds up with all the food and serviettes, tableware and loot bags,
not to mention the entertainer, so why not have a joint party with
someone with a birthday around the same time? It reduces the cost
by nearly half, there are more people to help, and it really makes
no difference to me whether there are twenty children or forty.
-
And talking of money,
you don't have to spend loads on throwaway party goods, and
expensive treats; imagination costs nothing! I remember a
Halloween party where the children were avidly dunking 'goblin's
fingers' into a 'bogie dip' and happily eating raw carrot sticks
and avocado dip without realising they were eating healthy food.
And another where they had plain white plates because the witches
had stolen the colours, 'but if you look very carefully, you will
see faint traces of the colours on the plate after you've finished
eating. It's amazing what they could see in the ketchup remains!
Creativity is free, and you certainly won't see expensive props or
gadgets in my shows.
-
A theme is great fun,
and needn't cost much. A few leafy branches will re-create
Sherwood Forest, and children don't mind if Robin Hood turns up to
a Pirate Party. Fairytale and Story Characters is a good one
because just about anything will fit from fairies and goblins,
cowboys and Indians, to aliens and monsters. I can usually adapt
the show a little to fit the theme, although personally I don't
like Disney. The Underwater theme I did a little while ago
stretched things a bit!
-
Think about the kind
of music you will have, and if you need it at all. Disco music
tends to be over stimulating and the children are often pretty
hyper to start with. I've rarely done a good show when I've
arrived to the sound of teenage dance music. If that's what you
want book a disco instead of me!
-
Invite parents to stay
and help, but if they do, ask them to be with the children and
join in the show rather than talking at the back - it is really
difficult do do a good show with adults talking in the
background.
-
If, like most parents
you don't like giving children party bags full of sweets and
rubbish, how about a book instead? You can buy a whole box of
children's books from a mail order company and it will actually
cost less than party bags
-
It's worth having
fancy dress of some sort. I've been to parties where the birthday
girl is a princess but nobody else has bothered and the boys have
come in their football shirts. And guess what? They behave like
they're at a football match! Even a simple party theme can help
things along.
-
Lastly remember it's a
very special occasion that only happens once. Relax, enjoy it, and
re-discover the magic of a child's world - they'll grow up faster
than you could ever imagine.
OK
that's thirteen party tips not ten - I like to give good value!
If
you don't like the traditional party bags full of sugar and E numbers
have a look at Bumblebags who
make super quality themed party bags
If you have a suitable
website and you found these tips useful, please link to this page. Thank
you |
