As
an opening comment I would point out that most children's
parties are 2 hours long. If you have done the sensible
thing and booked a Kimmo Show then you have just one hour
in which to organise the party tea and a few games - sounds
less worrying already doesn't it? Below are a few tips to
help make things even easier.
1.
Home or Hall?
There is usually no better place to hold a birthday party
than your own living room. Children are usually far better
behaved in the home environment and far easier to control.
It is always wise to make sure any precious ornaments are
removed from the area in case of accidents and party games
should be chosen wisely (see our games section). Outdoor
parties in the garden can be fun but you must ALWAYS have
a contingency plan in case of inclement weather! Never trust
the weather forecast and be prepared to move everything
indoors at a moment's notice!
If you feel your house is too small to accommodate the number
of children you are planning to invite, then booking a local
hall is a sensible option. Choose carefully and try to find
one that has a carpeted floor. Large, echoey halls with
polished floors amplify even the tiniest of noises which
makes it difficult to make yourself heard and keep the children
under control.
When holding your party in a hall, be sure to make a thorough
checklist of everything you will need to take with you for
the party (Don't forget your music, prizes, matches or a
lighter to light the birthday cake candles with!).
2.
Give Us A Clue
Finding
the party venue can be a real headache - especially in the
dark! A bunch of balloons (not just one - it will pop!)
tied to your gatepost will prove of help to your guests
and the entertainer.
3.
Badges
It is a good idea to provide each child with a sticky label
badge bearing his or her name. People tend to respond better
when they are addressed by name.
4.Presents
Have a box or bag ready to put all the presents in as the
children arrive so they can be kept safe to open later.
If the birthday child is opening presents during the party,
try to make sure they are removed to a safe place afterwards.
Over the years I have seen many new toys trampled underfoot
in the excitement!
5.
Early Activities
Please do not attempt to settle the chidren down as they
arrive by allowing them to run riot in a room filled with
balloons, streamers, toys, etc. Funnily enough, this usually
only happens in halls! More parties are ruined (and more
guests are injured) by this than by anything else. Many
children find the noise of balloons bursting frightening
and end having to be taken home because of the noise before
the party has even begun. Use balloons as decoration only
and save the squeakers for the party bags! Play a simple
quiet game instead - see the GAMES page for some suggestions.
6.Food!
Food doesn't usually present a problem. If you are going
with the traditional buffet-style party tea remember to
serve it in two courses, with the biscuits, buns, jelly
and ice-cream coming after the savoury items. If you put
everything out on the table together many children will
just go straight for the buns and ignore everything else!
Drink cups with lids or juice boxes are a good idea to prevent
spills. Parties can be kept even simpler by giving each
child a box containing a variety of goodies. Just include
as much food as you would expect your own child to eat in
one meal. Don't forget to write names on the lids of the
boxes so that the piece of birthday cake can be taken home
in them afterwards. You can obtain special boxes for this
purpose from party shops or for a cheaper option you can
buy plain cake boxes from baker's shops for a few pence
each. Another idea is to obtain Happy Meal™ boxes
from your local McDonalds™. They can be bought without
a meal and you still get the toy, which make nice gifts
for your young guests.
7.
Showtime!
I usually require about 10 minutes to set up the show. I
am quite happy to do this in front of the children, so long
as they remain in front of my tables and don't wander behind
to take a peek! Either play a simple game while I get ready
or sit them down in front of the show and let them chat
to me as I set up.
The
show is designed to be enjoyed by the whole family - adults
and older children needn't leave the room or sit at the
far end of the hall. Enjoy the show with your children and
I promise that you will have a wonderful time! If parents
don't wish to watch PLEASE NOTE that for obvious reasons,
I do require that there be at least one adult present for
the duration of the performance. (I would define an adult
as someone who is over 18 - An older brother who is 10 and
a bit tall for his age doesn't count!)
TODDLERS,
should be kept in the care of their parents and for safety
reasons should not be allowed to wander around my show tables.
NOTHING
WHATSOEVER should be distributed to the chidren during the
show unless arrangements have been made with me beforehand.
Please don't pass round sweets or hand out squeakers as
it can be a huge distraction!
Try
to fill me in on any potential problems before the show
starts. It is helpful to know if any of the chidren have
allergies to rabbits or phobias of balloons or puppets.
I can then make adjustments to my performance in advance.
If
you have any special requests please contact me - would
you like me to present your child with his or her own magic
set or puppet at the end of the show? Would you like me
to produce one of their birthday presents by magic? Are
they a budding young magician or magicienne and would they
like to perform one of their own tricks during the show?
Just let me know!!
8.
Birthday Cake!
Don't forget to light the candles and sing or you may not
have time to cut the cake up and distribute it to party
bags/boxes before the end of the party. The ideal time is
at the end of the party tea or at the halfway mark, just
before cakes and buns are served. Usually all the children
want to blow the candles out together after the birthday
child has done it so this involves repeating the process
a few times!! If you are worried about the unsanitory nature
of this 'spitting on the cake ceremony', try covering it
with clingfilm and then sticking the candle holders through
it. The children can blow to their hearts content and the
cake will stay protected!
9.
Hometime
Parents
usually start arriving about 15 minutes before the end of
the party. Have the party bags ready and named so they can
be handed to each child as they leave. Take care to remember
to include any prizes that the children won in games or
for helping with the magic show.
Back
To Top Of Page
