Professor Paradox Award winning Children's Entertainer

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Children's Birthday Party Tips

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Children's Birthday Party Tips-Tips for Children's Birthday Parties

Twenty Top Children's Birthday Party Ideas and Tips to help that party go well!

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. If you live in South West England that's easy  - just use the contact link below!  

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As for the rest, I've entertained at thousands of children's birthday parties over 25 years and have seen some wonderful party ideas, and also some of the things that can go wrong, so to make sure your child's birthday party goes well, I've compiled the party tips and ideas below:

1. 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.

2. 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!

3. 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. 

4. When the children arrive don't let the parents go until you have written their phone number alongside the child's name on a sheet of paper - and unless you know the children, put a sticker on them with their name written on it.

5. If you are in a hall with a stage, DON'T let children play on it - I've seen children accidentally pushed off and blood all over the place will even spoil a Halloween Party

6. Parties don't have to be wild and noisy. I've been to some very successful parties that began with a creative session where the children made a mask or a hat, or decorated box. It's really easy to do because there are specialist suppliers who supply everything at reasonable cost, and as the children become involved the party becomes quieter and more fun for everyone.  Click here for information on suppliers There is the added bonus of  something to take home afterwards

7. Check out the new Pirate Party page - everything you need to know about hosting a fabulous pirate party, and there will soon be other pages with party ideas and themes

8. If, like most parents you don't like giving children party bags full of sweets and rubbish, how about a book instead? If you look over to the column on the right you'll se some suggestions for alternatives to party bags - just click on the picture

9. 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!)

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. A theme is great fun, and themed parties are easier in the long run. A pirate Party for instance will capture the children's imagination and they will want to play the roles. You don't have to spend a fortune and you can get everything you need from our recommended party suppliers who will supply everything you need and a whole lot more. Click here for recommended suppliers

14. 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! there's a couple of suggestions for children's party music on the left at the bottom of the page

15. When playing a knock out game with younger children, present the child who is out with a small reward. It doesn't have to be much - a gold star sticker will make them very happy and cost a couple of pennies!

16. 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. In fact, the biggest problem a party entertainer has is not disruptive children, but adults talking.

17. 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.

18. As for food, keep it simple, and make it fun. Tinned hot dog sausages are much easier than trying to fry them. There will be a whole page about food on this site soon, meantime check out the Pirate Party page for some ideas to get you started

19. If you know a teacher try to rope them in to help. Most of us can control small numbers of children, but teachers know how to organise and control groups and that's a useful skill at parties!

20. One very useful children's party tip is to have a whistle - children are programmed to stop what they are doing when someone blows a whistle.

21. 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 twenty one tips - I try to give good value.....!

Children banned from blowing up balloons, under EU safety rules
Now you won't believe this but the EU has just made it illegal for children under 8 to blow up balloons and for children under 14 to use party whistles. Click the link above

Following requests for information on the most reliable suppliers of party goods, there is now a recommended suppliers page - click here

In association with Amazon we are in the process of creating a shop for all your children's party needs with everything you could possibly need for the perfect children's party.

We also have a new pirate Party Goods shop in association with Amazon with everything you need for the Perfect Pirate Party

We hope that you have found this page useful, and if so, it would be very helpful if you would mention this site on social networking sites with a link to this page, or use the buttons below, and if you have a suitable site a link would be most appreciated. 

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