Juggling the entertainment for a successful kids party
As a face painter I go to many parties every year. I’m not always the only entertainer there and I’ve learned what works and how to balance the entertainment so everything runs smoothly;
- Introduce your child to the entertainer, then they’ll feel both comfortable and special – it helps the entertainer include your child in the fun
- If you have a face painter, encourage the children if they’re reluctant at first, once the first child is painted, they’ll all want to join in; your face painter will be better paced if they start early rather than having to rush to fit everyone in at the end
- During the entertainment bouncy castles should be allowed to deflate. Children will hear the show better without the noise and they won’t be distracted or feel torn between the two (although face painters usually paint right through a two hour party)
- Make sure there are parents present at all times – an entertainer is paid to entertain and can’t do balloon modelling/magic/face painting and make sure every child is safe at all times
- Most good entertainers can handle a cheeky or exuberant child but if a child is being naughty or disruptive it can spoil the entertainment for the others; it is helpful if a parent steps in to calm the situation, it isn’t the clown’s job to discipline
- If you have an entertainer providing a show and a face painter it helps if an adult can call each child for their turn meaning everyone gets their face painted and that no-one misses the show
- Spend a few minutes planning; please don’t sit your face painter/nail artist etc right next to a loud speaker or outside in the sun without shelter – two hours on a sunny afternoon is easily enough time to burn (remember to provide sun cream for the little ones too as lots of parents forget)
