Free advice for a successful Childrens party

Please have a read through these useful hints and tips when organising a children's party. Although most of this is common sense, you would be surprised how many people forget the basics and occasionally loose the plot as they begin to piece everything together.

Choose your date carefully.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

If at all possible try to check that there are not to many other events organised for the same day.Especially if you are planning to invite many of your childs class mates to the party. Many of the children will have birthdays around the same time. (You may want to double up and make it a joint party, ensuring that all the children will come along to the party and of course you could share the costs with the other parents).

You do not want your party to clash with other events (school fairs, other parties, holidays, etc)it would be awful to organize Your party and no-one can make it.

There is no point in running the risk of disappointment.

Keep party food as simple as possible:

Children are not impressed by huge buffets.

It is much easier to wrap up a plate of food or a party box and give one to each child during the food break.

Children love this, as they are less dependant on the adults and feel grown up.

It is quicker than queuing for food, easier to clean up and cheaper.

Always try to book an Experienced Children's Entertainer:

Book your children's entertainer for the full length of the party and let them do the work.

This is money well spent. Do not be tempted to hire the cheapest entertainer out there. You could end up with someone who has very little experience in children's entertainment, with no sound system, poor costumes and props and no idea how to work with children. You want to hire the best entertainer for your special event. One who has all the right tools for the job. That is an appropriate sound system, microphones, tables, props,costumes.

An entertainer with experience who has built up a solid reputation for both dependability and entertainment value. Who will not let you down at the last minute,leaving you stranded with 20 to 30 screaming children running wild, causing you stress, major headaches and a party disaster on your hands.

Remember that there are many childrens entertainers out there (or many people who claim to be entertainers) BUT you get what you pay for.

You may not be able to hire the most expensive, however I would advice you to avoid the entertainers with the lower fee's.

They are more likely to be an individual looking for a few pounds pocket money, as opposed to the top quality professional entertainer you want for your special event.

Most full time professional entertainers will also be awarded the "Scottish Disclosure Certificate" which means that their background has been fully investigated by the authorities and they have been cleared to work with children.

Also, most entertainers will (and should) also be covered by Public Liability Insurance. Just in case anything untoward should happen. You know that they are covered.

As a full time professional entertainer I can ensure you of all of the above, PLUS I am also a member of Equity.

I also have membership of the Forum for Private Business" and

"The Federation of Small Business".

You know that I am serious about my business and that means that I am committed to offering you the best entertainment available. If my customers are not happy I would very quickly go out of business.

Over and above all of the above, I love what I do, and receive a lot of satisfaction from performing well and putting on a good show. It is truly magical to see the children go home with a smile on their face AND the adults also going home with a stress free, headache free happy face also.

Book A Village Hall Or other Venue

A party at home sounds good, but just think what 20 "little tornadoes" running around will do to the furnishings.

Try to book a village hall or a room in a Leisure Centre if you can.

Then if your "little darling" insists on inviting the whole class from school, they can!

Parties can be held almost anywhere, of course. However a hall gives you plenty of room to seperate the performing area, the food and/or tables. etc plus seating arrangements for any adults that may wish to attend.

Keep Control of Your Adult Guests

Adults are more than welcome at a child's party.In fact it is a good idea to have a few there to help with the organising and decorating of the hall and supervising the children.

However remember that you are paying good money for a children's entertainer. The last thing you want or need is for the adults to become a distraction at the party and disturb the children.

Try to encourage the adults to watch, take part in and enjoy the magic too.

Don't allow them to just sit at the back and talk.

It can be very distracting for the children, and your children's entertainer, if adults are making a noise, or moving about while the show is on.

Don't be surprised if your children's entertainer asks the parents to be quiet.(In a pleasant manner of course)

(first rule of children's entertaining - keep control of the situation at all times!) If the children are distracted it can be very hard to regain their attention, and the party can collapse into chaos. Most entertainers will have techniques to prevent this from happening of course, but at a childrens party you must strive to keep the children engaged at all times.