5 Tips for a Stress-Free Children's Party at Home in London
As a children's entertainer in London, I've spent many years helping to create amazing parties in homes of all shapes and sizes. I've picked up a few tried-and-tested tips for making a home party a great success. So, if you're planning a children's birthday celebration, here are my top 5 tips to ensure everyone has a brilliant time – including you!
Tip 1: Create a Fun and Safe Space
Before the party, take a good look around your home and get it ready for the big event. The most important thing is to create enough space for the entertainment and the kids. Move any furniture that could get in the way and put away any valuable or breakable items. A little preparation goes a long way to making sure the children have a safe, open area to play and that your home stays in one piece.
Tip 2: Choose Entertainment That Fits Your Space
I can't stress this enough: entertainment is the heart of the party. It's what keeps the children engaged, happy, and creates lasting memories. It also takes a huge amount of pressure off you.
When choosing an entertainer, think about what will work best for your home's layout. If you have limited space, a magician or a bubble show can be a great option as they can perform in a small area while still captivating the whole audience. For homes with more space, you might consider something more interactive like a circus skills workshop, which gets the children moving and actively involved. A face painter is a flexible option, as they can set up in a corner and provide continuous entertainment throughout the party.
Tip 3: Don't Wait for Latecomers
It's a fact of party life: some guests will often arrive a little bit late. Don't worry about it! Even if the party is set to start at 11 am, you'll likely have children still trickling in for the next 15 minutes. The best thing to do is to start the party on time. The children who have arrived on time will be excited and ready to get going, and the kids who are a bit late will have no problem jumping straight into the fun once they get there.
Tip 4: Get Your Food Timing Right
Coordinating your refreshments break with the entertainment is key to keeping the party flowing smoothly. Be sure to speak to your entertainer about the best time to bring out the food and ask them to give you a few minutes' notice before they finish their show so that you’ll be ready. If you're ordering takeaway pizza, ask for it to arrive slightly earlier than you have planned. It's common for deliveries to be late and it takes more time than you think to put out onto the tables.
Also, be sure to plan your cake time wisely. Cutting and bagging the cake for the party bags can take a surprising amount of time. If you plan to give each child a slice to take home, don't schedule this for the very end of the party. Instead, have the cake ceremony earlier in the party, to give you plenty of time to cut and bag all the slices without feeling rushed.
Tip 5: The ‘Adult Chat Zone’
Parents often want to catch up, but their chatter can create a significant amount of background noise that makes it difficult for the children to hear the entertainer. This can affect their experience. A simple and clever tip is to create a separate "adult chat zone" away from the main entertainment. If not, don't worry, I'm sure the entertainer will politely ask them to keep the volume down so the kids have the best experience.
A Successful Party Awaits
Planning a children's party is a big job, but with these tips, you can ensure the day is a huge success. If you're looking for more guidance or have questions about planning your next children's party, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.
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Richie Rich Parties provides children's entertainment across North London, Hertfordshire, and Middlesex, including: Edgware, Borehamwood, Mill Hill, Stanmore, Barnet, Bushey, Watford, Pinner, Radlett, Hendon, Golders Green, Finchley, Highgate, Crouch End, Muswell Hill, Hampstead, Cricklewood, Belsize Park, Camden, Islington, Enfield, Haringey, and all the surrounding areas.
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