How to know if hiring an entertainer is right for you
If you’ve seen my other blog posts you’ll know I’m a big fan of hiring entertainers for your party. I love to bring joy and connection to an event and have seen first hand how a character or interactive entertainer can enhance a child’s special day!
However, I have also been to events where an entertainer was not the best choice for that party, as outlined in this post. Of course, these are guidelines and there are always exceptions, but if you are on the fence, start by checking out these 5 reasons you might not hire an entertainer for your child’s birthday party…
You can’t afford it. Times are tough and the cost of living is high. Groceries are getting more expensive, yet smaller and of lower quality. Just sending kids to school can be pricey with uniforms and fees and camps and stationary, let alone extra curricular activities! Realistically an entertainer is a luxury and if it’s not in your budget, don’t hire one!
Make an obstacle course in your backyard or set up a craft table at the party, or just invite a couple of your child’s closest friends for a beach day or to a local park with an awesome playground. Fun is what you make it and it doesn’t have to empty your wallet.
Your child doesn’t like organised activities. They are rare, but I have been hired for parties of this child and I’ll just say it’s important to know your little one and what they will enjoy for their birthday party.
Ask the birthday child if they want organised activities at their party This is tricky because maybe the birthday kid won’t have a bar of facilitated entertainment but it could be a good way to keep their 20 classmates out of trouble for an hour... however if the birthday child is a strong leader you could end up with a mutiny on your hands and an entertainer who, having exhausted dozens of tricks, finishes up in a corner with two keen participants while the rest of the kids are engaged in their fierce coup, determined not to have fun.
You doubt the entertainer’s credentials. If research into your local entertainers gives you a red flag, don’t hire them. If they don’t have appropriate insurance or any working with children or criminal checks required by your state or country, don’t hire them. If they don’t seem professional or are charging an extremely low price, don’t hire them. If they don’t use industry standard equipment like high-quality balloons or cosmetic grade face paint, don’t hire them.
Make sure your entertainer is legit before hiring You have hired a jumping castle or soft play space. This one isn’t set in stone - you could hire a balloon twister or a face painter or bubble entertainer to rove around a party with a jumping castle or playground, but hiring a character or an entertainer who facilitates activities is not necessary.
Most children can spend an entire birthday party jumping off their sugar high from candy and cake in a bouncy castle, leaving your Elsa or Cinderella on the sidelines. Also, if you’re hiring a jumping castle or play space and keen for a face painter, check with the hire company first as many state no face paint allowed on the equipment.
Kids love jumping castles! Your guest list are teenagers. This is an awkward party. The 4 year old birthday child has 2 friends from preschool and twelve teenage cousins. Any teenager who does take a moment to look up from their screen to see what entertainment is happening scoffs so hard that the young birthday child (who looks up to their big cuz) immediately rejects the entertainment in favour of hanging out with the ‘cool older kids’.
If the birthday child looks up to teenage relatives who don't want to join in, they will also reject the entertainment If you’re hiring an entertainer, invite more friends the birthday child’s age. And if your aim is to get the big kids more involved, have that conversation with your entertainer who can bring more age-appropriate activities, and communicate that to the teens. Tell them it's important to the little ones that they enjoy the party with them so put the phones down and play along for an hour.
Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. I’ve done amazing parties where the jumping castle has been completely ignored in favour of the games and magic. I’ve done parties full of 16 year olds dancing with parents and grandparents. I’ve helped entertain parties on a shoestring budget.
Ultimately if you’re not sure, you can always open the conversation with any potential entertainer, they will have the knowledge and experience to help you choose what's right for you, and can let you know if they offer any services that might compliment these situations.
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