Last Updated on October 23, 2022 by Project Party

A child’s birthday party is, of course, a very special occasion. It is a time for family and friends to come together and celebrate another year of life. There are many things to consider when planning a birthday party, but one of the most important things is finding the right entertainment. The right entertainer can make or break a party. They will keep the children entertained and engaged throughout the duration of the party.

Also, they give parents a little bit of time off and let someone else do the entertaining for once so you can sit down and enjoy a sausage roll in peace too. But, what’s the right entertainment for your party? There are many different types of child entertainers to choose from.

Here is a list of the top 10 child’s entertainers that are sure to make your party a hit:

1. Magicians

Magicians are always a big hit with kids. They are able to perform amazing feats that leave the children in awe. A typical performance by a magician at a child’s birthday party would include tricks such as making items out of thin air or pulling a never-ending string of handkerchiefs out of their sleeve. And, humour is typically thrown into the mix to keep the children entertained and engaged.

In booking a magician they’ll usually perform for around 30-45 minutes, however, this can be extended if required. And, they can tailor their performance by getting the birthday boy or girl involved or by performing tricks with the party theme in mind by using items that relate to the theme.

2. Clowns

Clowns are another type of entertainer that are popular because they are funny and make the kids laugh. Kids love to laugh at clowns as they make silly faces, fall over and generally being clumsy. Did you know there are different types of clowns? Yes, there are! Some clowns focus more on physical comedy and others focus on magic tricks or performing sketches. When booking a clown for your party, you will need to specify what type of clown you would like.

Clowns will usually perform for around 30-45 minutes. Clowns are perfect for any themes that are carnival or circus-based and they can also often be booked with other clowns to perform as a group. One thing to note is that clowns can be overwhelming to some children with their big shoes, red noses and colourful clothing. So, it’s always good to test the waters with your child before booking a clown for their party.

3. Face Painters

Face painters are great for parties where there is going to be a lot of time spent outdoors. They can paint the children’s faces to match the theme of the party. For example, if the party theme is pirates then the face painter can paint the children’s faces to look like pirates. Or, if the party theme is dinosaurs then the face painter can paint the children’s faces to look like dinosaurs.

The great thing about face painting is that it’s not just restricted to the face. Face painters can also paint other parts of the body such as the arms or legs. And, they can even paint temporary tattoos. Face painting usually takes around 5-10 minutes per child depending on the design. And, it’s a great way to entertain the children while they are waiting for other activities such as the cake cutting or other organised activities.

4. Balloon Twisters

Balloon twisters are also popular because they can make balloon animals for kids. They can make anything from simple balloon swords to more complicated balloon animals such as dogs, monkeys and crocodiles. And, the kids will love being able to take their balloon animal home with them at the end of the party.

Balloon twisters usually work in quick succession so they can make a lot of balloon animals in a short space of time. They can also twist the balloons into different shapes such as flowers or hats. Balloon twisting usually takes around 5-10 minutes per child.

5. Characters and Mascots (e.g. Disney Characters, Fairies or Superheroes and More)

Characters are always a big hit with kids, especially if they are their favourite characters from television or movies. Characters can mingle with the children, play games with them and pose for photos. And, they will usually stay in character throughout their performance.

Mascots are also popular as they are usually big and cuddly which kids love. Mascots can do all of the same things as characters such as mingling, playing games and posing for photos. Mascots usually stay in character throughout their performance.

Both characters and mascots usually perform for around 30-45 minutes. And, they can be booked alone or with other characters or mascots to perform as a group.

6. Activity Hosts

By activity hosts, we mean people who host child-focused activities like a slime demonstration, a science experiment or a treasure hunt. These types of activities are great for kids as they are usually very hands-on and interactive. And, they can also be tailored to match the theme of the party.

For example, if the party theme is pirates then the activity host could do a treasure hunt. Or, if the party theme is dinosaurs then the activity host could do a dinosaur fossil dig. Activity hosts usually perform for around 30-45 minutes. And, they can be booked alone or with other characters or mascots to perform as a group.

When planning a child’s birthday party, it is important to find the right entertainer who will make the party fun and memorable for everyone involved. There are many different types of child entertainers to choose from, so take some time to research all of your options before making a decision. Magicians, clowns, face painters, balloon twisters, puppeteers, jugglers, storytellers, mimes, characters, and caricaturists are all great options for a child’s birthday parties.

Our top tips and considerations when booking a child’s entertainer are:

• Make sure to book in advance as child entertainers are often in high demand, especially during peak party season.
• Get recommendations from friends or family who have recently booked a child’s entertainer.
• Check out the entertainer’s website and social media pages to get an idea of their style and what they offer.
• Ask the entertainer for a list of references that you can contact.
• Be sure to ask the entertainer if they have liability insurance.
• When you meet with the entertainer, be sure to ask about their experience working with children and what type of shows they typically do.
• Be sure to discuss your party theme with the entertainer and see if they have any ideas on how they can incorporate the theme into their show.

Whichever type of entertainer you choose, make sure that they are professional and have to experience entertaining children at birthday parties. Also, be sure to ask for references from previous clients to get an idea of what to expect. With a little bit of planning, you can be sure to find the perfect entertainer for your child’s next birthday party!