Kid Party Entertainment

Having some sort of party entertainer at a kids party often takes the pressure off you in terms of how to keep the kids busy and occupied and how to make the party really memorable.

I am going to show you how to choose the best kid's party entertainers for your party.

Gone are the days when parties were limited to clowns and Punch and Judy shows - today there are a huge number of extremely talented artists who work full time at their skill in order to give you their very best.

What Kid Party Entertainment To Choose

Ask yourself the following:

• What is the main age group of the guests?
• Does my party have a theme?
• Do I want an indoor/outdoor act?
• Do I want the kid party entertainment to be noisy/funny/active/guests to participate?
• What is my budget?
• How much available space is there at the party venue?
• Have I got a friend who can recommend a good act?

Put all these factors together and this will hopefully help you come up with a list of possible kid party entertainment acts.

What sort of acts are there?

We all know of clowns, magicians, face painters, bouncy castles and so on. However don't just think of the obvious kid party entertainment acts. There are a lot of diverse and talented entertainers out there performing acts that you might never have thought of.

Ever fancied a mad scientist, garden fairy, sparkling fairy godmother or a zoo load of exotic snakes?

Where Can You Find Party Entertainers?

If you've got one or two ideas for the kid party entertainment that might suit your party and your pocket that's great. But where do you find them?

First stop is to get recommendations from friends - a personal recommendation is always much more reliable than a glossy brochure and really nothing beats a personal recommendation.

Next look in your local papers - usually at the back there is an entertainment section.

The other place to look is in your own backyard. I bet that you know of someone who is a magician, clown, funny act etc in the making - you know the one who is always the center of attention at parties. Ask them, and it could well be the making of their new career!

If that draws a blank, look in your local directories such as Thompson or the Yellow pages.

Alternatively you can do a search using the Google search box below.

Custom Search

Are you a children's entertainer looking for work?

Important Information to Discuss

Making contact with the entertainer or hire company is the first step. Phone or email them first.

If they are local see if you could arrange a face to face appointment, especially if you have some special requests.

• Number of guests
• Age of the guests
• Type and length of act/entertainment required
• Date required.
• Location and space available

• Listen carefully to the details of the entertainment act and don't be shy about asking for clarification and about making your own suggestions.
• Do take his/her advice however. For example if they say that the party entertainment act is very noisy, are you sure you really want it for a group of shy toddlers?.
• Establish the 'full' fee before you agree to take on someone's services and get the cost in writing. This saves an awful lot of anxiety and confusion for both parties.
• Make sure a written contract is provided which includes the date and time of the party, details of the entertainment to be provided, fees and costs and what is expected of you.
• Most entertainers will require a deposit, although not all. Check when this should be paid and get a receipt.

What Happens If Things Go Wrong?

Hopefully everything will go as planned and you and the guests will have a superb time. However, occasionally things don't go as expected so it is wise to be prepared.

Make sure to have a written contract which discusses at least the following:

• What happens if the entertainer cancels or doesn't show up? Will you be fully refunded?
• What happens if you have to unexpectedly cancel the party entertainment or the party? Will your deposit be forfeited or will you have to pay the full fee?
• If hiring equipment such as a bouncy castle, what will the hire company do if the equipment fails or is faulty and what happens if you accidentally damage any of the equipment?
• If a child has an accident on any of the equipment, who is responsible? Would your home insurance cover you? Check your home insurance policy for third party liability.

Other Points To Consider

• Pencil the act on a printable party checklist
• Make sure that on the day you have the space cleared for any equipment.
• Will the entertainer need a changing room or somewhere to store materials?
• Be fair to the entertainer and don't let the guests mob him/her unless he requests it. Encourage the children to be attentive and not running all over the place during the act.
• Consider having the act just before or just after the party food. This gives the entertainer the chance to get ready or clear up whilst the kids are eating and are thus not in his way. Don't forget entertainers get hungry and thirsty too!

Printable party checklist

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