Kids these days are notoriously hard to please, but there’s no mistaking the charm of simple, interactive entertainment. Birthday Parties are especially difficult if you’ve got a larger crowd of kids, and it always helps to have some activities planned out to keep them busy between cake and presents. Some parents might prefer to not default to video games or sports, especially if the party is mostly girls.
Few party-planners are aware of exactly how amazing of an experience it is to have a live performer. This might seem like an outdated form of entertainment to some people, but it’s surprisingly effective. A live entertainer can engage the children and keep them interested, and expose them to a form of performance art, as well.
Of course, the sort of live performers we’re talking about are magicians, clowns, puppeteers etc.
Step One: Find out what your child wants
Depending on the age of the child, their tastes may vary in terms of what sort of performer would be appropriate. Try to cater to their interests, but keep in mind that they also may enjoy trying something new. In the case of a Clown, make absolutely sure that they are comfortable with the idea.
Some performers may tailor their performance to suit the needs of the child. For instance, if your child is interested in Harry Potter, a magician might talk about Harry Potter while performing his magic tricks. You also may want to consider whether you would like the performer to do a show all at once, or ‘mingle’ for a specific period of time while other party activities are going on.
Step Two: Research
Google, check the phone book, and most importantly, network. Ask around and see who other people are recommending. If you find someone through a listing, be sure to take the following precautions:
·. Make sure that the references are all fairly recent.
·. If the performer’s name (or company/business) is not on there, beware.
· Google them: If they’re well known at all, there should be some reference to them on the net. Google their name, and contact info to find reviews, blog postings and any thing else that reflects the integrity of their performance. This is by no means a deal-breaker, but it could be a good way to gauge a performer’s popularity.
· Shop around: Check prices and make some comparisons. Try to figure out what the standard rate is for that particular type of performer. Don’t be afraid to negotiate.
Step Three: Get it in Writing
Once you find the performer you want, have the performer’s agent or lawyer (or perhaps the performer) draw up a contract or send a confirmation that includes the date, time, place, and duration, as well as any other details about the performance. Get as much detail down on paper as possible, and make sure both you and the performer sign it. This can prevent some nasty problems in the future. Step Four: Preparation
Like with all parties, be prepared. Even better, plan the theme of the party around the performer- like a magic theme for a magician, a circus theme for a clown etc. Make sure that the performer knows what you have in mind, and your rough itinerary for the day. Let them know how many children will be attending, as well as the age range, and any other pertinent details. Find out what sort of show the performer has in mind.
Make sure that the group of children watching the performer know how to act properly during the show. Remind them to be courteous and respectful to the magician, and to show the appropriate amount of gratitude- ie. They should applaud, but not be too loud.
Last but not least, have a back-up plan. Ask the performer if they would find a replacement, should they not be able to attend, OR plan an additional activity if no performer shows up.
Step Five: During the Party
Don’t just leave the performer alone with the children- make sure there is an additional adult (or more than one) to supervise the show. If the children get out of hand, it should be your responsibility to keep them in order. However, you will at least have an extra pair of hands, and the opportunity to pop in and out of the kitchen while the show is in progress.
Step Six: Afterwards
Exchange feedback with the performer and make sure you have each other’s contact info, in case you would like to recommend the performer to someone else, or if they would like a reference at a later date.
If done correctly, booking a live entertainer can be an affordable, fun way to make your child’s (or teen’s) birthday party something to remember. After all, don’t they deserve it?
