Birthday Party Tips
N.B. The show features lots of balloons. Please ensure that the children are not allergic to latex or extremely frightened of balloons.
Planning
Do plan well ahead whom you wish to invite, the type of party you want, and details of the food. Your two-year old may get on well with your six-year old, but at a party you cannot mix the age groups two through seven without problems.
The Age Of The Guests
Confine the party to within a year or two of the birthday child’s age, and don’t give in when a two-year old sibling turns up for a 7-year olds party.
How Many Guests?
I suggest that you invite 1 guest for each year plus 3 (a 7-year old would have 10 guests). 8 – 15 children may be ideal for the most fun.
Invitations
Send your party invitations out EARLY (by printing out the attached invitation) . If someone else in your child’s class plans a party on the same day, it can cause a lot of problems and may result in YOU having to change your plans. So, get your invitations out first and avoid this possible problem.
The Length Of The Party
The ideal length for a children’s party is 1½ to 2 hours.
All Boys, All Girls or Mix
Boys and girls do mix! It is very tough to have a children’s party with only boys or girls. Mix them, if you insist on an all boy or all girl party; make sure you have something for them to do every minute.
Where’s The Party?
Tie some colourful balloons to your front gate (if you have one) or door (if you don’t); it guides guests – and me- to the party and sets the mood.
Pets
If the party is at home pets should be placed in a safe area away from the children. Some children are a little rowdy when they arrive and animals can attack if they feel threatened. Dogs especially should be removed from the party area.
Who’s Who
It is a good idea to supply name badges or stickers for the children as they arrive. It helps you – and me – to call them by their first name.
The Food
This should be a simple affair without too much choice, frills or ceremony. Whatever we adults like to think, our children, on the whole are not sophisticated, nor do they have educated tastes in food. Sandwiches, on the whole, are a dismal failure, and there is a great tendency for small children to be over supplied with fizzy drinks.
If you have an oven available to you (check beforehand if hiring a hall) then consider giving the children hot dogs, pizzas, burgers, chips etc. These always go down well and it is good for children to eat something hot if possible, especially if it is a lunchtime party. If you are using an oven, even your own one, turn it on as early as you can, and leave more time to cook food than you think you might need. Don’t forget to take oven trays of your own if you are cooking food; do not expect them to be available at the venue.
The Meal
Plan on the food taking around 30 minutes, this includes time for the food to be eaten, “Happy Birthday” to be sung, the cake to be cut, and the children to go to the toilet and wash their hands,
Activities Should Be Planned
Never say to the children “Go outside and play for a while”. Have something planned for them. Children who run around freely are very hard to control when it is time to do so.
How Long Is The Show?
The magic and balloon show is about 45 minutes depending upon the attention span of the children.
What Does The Performer Need?
I need an area where there is no one behind me or on the sides of the performing area. Everyone must be in front to get a good view of the show. I will arrive around 15 minutes before the scheduled time and set up in the spot where the show will take place.
When Should You Have The Entertainment?
Magic shows are usually the first activity at the party. If not, try to have a calm game or activity before the show. If the children are excited from running around when the show starts it will be difficult for them to calm down and concentrate on the show.
Will The Birthday Child Be In The Show?
The birthday child will be called up during a ‘special’ trick to assist me. Other tricks will involve audience participation as well.
Party Bags
If you book a party with me then each child will get Tony’s unique party bag containing –
- A balloon model to suit the theme
- 20 Modelling balloons
- Balloon Pump
- Instructions for balloon models on a laminated card
- A balloon dog they have made up
So there is no need for you to go to the added expense of buying ‘going home’ presents as well. All you need to add is the wrapped birthday cake.
N.B. The fee covers 12 guests, additional guests are charged at £4.00 each and must be notified in advance as only the required number of party bags will be made up.
Can The Adults Watch?
Absolutely! In fact there should be at least one adult in the audience. If there is a problem with a child, the adult can take care of the situation and the other children can watch the show without interruption. However, from experience I’ve found that parents and other adults talking amongst themselves can often spoil shows. I cannot compete with the noise of parents and friends talking in the background. The children will struggle to hear me, and I won’t hear the children. If adults wish to socialise during the party, especially during the show, they should do so in another room or in a separate area well away from the performance.
What About Pictures?
Fell free to take as many still photographs as you like. They will make great mementos for years to come but please NO VIDEOTAPING without asking permission first.
This balloons and magic birthday party will be one that your family and friends will never forget.
