BY

Kim Baker

“Some of the nicest things we can give to children are happy memories”

 Birthday parties are a great opportunity given to us to celebrate life. The success of a party, no matter what the occasion, depends on the planning and making the right decisions. There’s a wide variety of party entertainers who can come to your home; clowns, magicians, costumed characters, balloon artists, face painters, game masters, storytellers, caricaturists and much more. There are many activities such as sand art, T-Shirt painting, spin art, ceramics etc., as well as a variety of kiddy rides, ponies and petting zoos. Many party planners offer most of these services.  The challenge becomes how to choose qualified entertainment that is right for you. For starters, if your child is old enough, include him/her in the decision to make sure it is something he or she will enjoy. Some very young children may be terrified when surprised by a clown or costumed character, while an older child might get embarrassed by their presence at their party.  Word of mouth is the best way to find a good quality act. Ask friends about their experiences with performers. Unfortunately, too many times, the performer is not qualified or trained to entertain. Look in the party section of local parenting magazines or check the Internet for party planners, face painters, clowns, magicians and other forms of entertainment in your area. A children’s librarian can be a good reference as they frequently hire family acts. Finally, make sure you know what you want and what is most appropriate for your child so you won’t get talked into hiring an act that sounds good but is not appropriate.  Request the following information: How long is the performance?  If you are booking a face painter or balloon artist ask how long on an average it will take them to paint a face or make a balloon. For what age children are their services best suited?How experienced is the performer or artist? How will they handle problem situations such as scared or over boisterous children? Are animals part of their act? (If your child has allergies you may want to take that into consideration). If hiring a face painter, ask if they use professional water based make-up (paints). Will the birthday child be used in the act in any way? This is the time to tell the entertainer whether your child is shy or outgoing, and if there is a theme for the party. Also inform the entertainer if your child has  any particular favorites such as a TV show or cartoon characters he/she enjoys. What is the time of arrival? Some performers need more time than others to set up. Will there be a contract to confirm the verbal agreement?Are there any limits on locations?  If the party is to be held in a place other than your house, such as a restaurant or park, check to make sure there are no rules against having party entertainment on the premises. During the summer months or very cold weather many performers will not do outside shows. Is videotaping allowed?Is the entertainer insured? Most parks will not allow you to bring uninsured entertainment, especially kiddy rides. Entertainment agencies are required to be registered with them. Ask if this is so.  What is the cancellation policy? When is the latest you can cancel without a charge? Will they provide a similar back up entertainer if they are sick and cannot fulfill the booking? What is their rain policy? Do they accept checks or credit cards? Is there a public place where you may have a chance to seem them in action? If not, can they provide you with references?  The best quality entertainment gets booked well in advance. Book at least a month ahead of time to insure your desired time slot. During the holidays, book at least six weeks prior to your event. Keep in mind the time of the show, normal weather conditions and daylight savings time.  Once the performer arrives at your party it is important to take certain considerations to ensure a great time for all involved. Have an area ready for the performer to set up the show. The children can all sit comfortably on the floor. Keep it away from the barbeque, the food table and other high traffic areas, Do not feed the children when the show is in progress. The greatest challenge for any performer is to grab their attention and keep it up for the duration of the show. A good show will involve a lot of audience participation and the children need their hands free to do so. It is best that the area be free of toys or other distractions. During the hot summer months or on very cold days, for everyone’s comfort, it is better to do the show indoors if at all possible. Otherwise provide appropriate ventilation, shade or heat. Have your payment for services rendered ready in an envelope. Most performers, especially clowns, do not like to be paid in front of the children as this takes away from the fantasy they have created for them. Most the time the performer has another booking and is running on a tight schedule. Having the envelope ready can mean a lot and is greatly appreciated.  Finally, a word of advice. Do not pre-pay in full unless it is your choice to do so, nor send a deposit for more than 50% of the quote. Look for companies with friendly service and willingness to help you make the decisions that are right for you. Don’t base your final decision solely on the fee, as the highest is not always the best and the lowest might end up costing you more than you bargained for.  Good luck and happy partying!