KIDS PARTY PLANNING TIPS
10 Top Tips FOR YOUR PERFECT PARTY
Here Darren gives you 5 things you should definitely do... and 5 things it's best not to! these will save you money, make life easier and help you plan the best party ever!
the don'ts
People often ask me things like ‘Should we hire a face painter or a bouncy castle?’
For a 2 Hour Party I would say NO!
Now bouncy castles are fun at galas or all day events (I even like a bounce and pretend it’s for the benefit of my son) and there are some amazing face painters out there and some I recommend for the right event.
However, for a party 2 hours or less, especially where I’m providing a range of entertainment (like my Hassle-Free Party Package) I think there is too much going on with too many other activities for the children.
All my parties are planned and structured in a way that there is always something going on for the children to enjoy.
I feel there is no need for any other forms of entertainment at the party as I take care of all of it, which should save you a lot of money.
If you have booked any other form of entertainment, just let me know beforehand.
I often work with face painters when required and we work out a good strategy for minimum distractions. A bouncy castle is louder and noisier and can be quite distracting from the show so if there is one at a party I would ask that it was deflated 5 minutes before the show begins.
Often parents worry too much about what food to serve! Then they make or buy too much food and over complicate something that can actually be a pretty easy part of the day.
One thing i’d never really recommend is a buffet, especially a queue up and pick what you want kind of a buffet. Great for adults but not the best for a group of 30 undecided children who really just want to be around their friends. If you want to go for a buffet style service have the options in the middle of the table where they sit. Plates ready in front of them and they can pick or you can wander round with a few trays of whatever you’ve got and let them say yes or no. It is a massive
If you can, sort out a cuppa and a biscuit for them. Otherwise it’s a long two hours! Trust me, they’ll thank you for it!
I’m yet to see a compelling reason why a party should be more than two hours long! It’s the perfect amount of time for fun without taking up too much of everyone’s day!
Make it quick. Little food boxes, a tray of sandwiches and some crisps. The kids are so excited to be with their friends and having fun that eating is not top of their list of priorities!