The following hints are a random selection of ideas for organising and running children’s parties. Hopefully these hints will help you in the organisation of your child's next birthday party, whether it be with Sparrow Sports or another business.
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How do I find a good entertainer ? |
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Finding a good entertainer can be a difficult task. Here are some leads :- |
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Ask friends or families for a referral. This is often the best way to find a good business. |
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If you are searching without previous knowledge, using the internet through sites such as " www.google.com.au" is also an excellent resource. Most good party businesses have a web site. Check them out to see what they have to offer. |
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Using traditional methods such as the yellow pages do not provide as good a result as many business in the industry do not advertise through this medium. |
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Most states in Australia have a free magazine called the "Sydney Child", "Melbourne Child", "Adelaide Child" etc. It can be found in most libraries, day care centres, shopping centres and similar places. This magazine is an excellent source of information for anything regarding children, including parties. |
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2. |
What questions should I ask an entertainer ? |
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This is an extremely important checklist that you should follow if you are determined to get a good entertainer :- |
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What qualifications do you and your staff have to work with children? |
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How long has the business being running? |
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What type of insurance cover does the business possess? |
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Do you have a plan if a child is injured at the party? |
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What referrals do you have from past clients to prove what you are saying? |
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What is the main aim of the entertainment you are doing? If they can’t answer this, run the other way as they are probably only in it for the money. |
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How many children can one entertainer handle? |
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Do you charge per head or by the hour? |
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Does your cost include extras such as lollies bags, drinks etc? |
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What types of games do you play? |
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How many games will you play at the party? If they say only one, again run the other way, as this will not keep twenty young six year olds occupied. |
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3. |
Greeting the Guests |
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It is a good idea regardless of how young your child is, to have them personally welcome and say goodbye to all their guests and their guest's parents, as they arrive and leave the party . This is a nice touch and shows that your child is thoughtful and well mannered. A bit of prompting before the guests arrive should help your child to remember this. |
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4. |
Thank You Cards |
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Thank you cards sent by you and your child, to all your guests the week following your party is also a nice touch. It is rarely done these days. Mentioning the guest’s lovely gift and the fact that you and your child enjoyed their presence is excellent children's party etiquette. Trying to get your child involved in this process makes it more special. For example, you could get your child to devise their own thank you card. Putting photos from the party on it is also a nice touch. |
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5. |
What is the best time of the day to have a party ? |
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From our long experience of running children’s parties, particularly for younger children under ten years of age, a morning party works best. This is because many children often have more than one party on a day and also play a variety of sports and have many other hobbies. To get them fresh in the morning when they are most attentive and cooperative works best. Mid morning, say 10:30am is a good time to start and doesn’t annoy the other parents about it being to early. This time is also good if you are looking to feed the children lunch at the end of the party, particularly if you have structured entertainment for the children. |
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It is also important to factor in the season when choosing times as children can be very sensitive to the heat and cold. In the warmer months, a morning or late afternoon party works best to stay out of the heat. In the cooler months, a party between 11am and 3pm is best to catch the most of the day's heat. |
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If going to a venue you sometimes have to book the times that are available or left, so make sure you get in early so you have a choice. You may need to book a month or so in advance. |
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Present Etiquette |
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Don’t let your child open their presents during the party, wait until all your guest have gone home. I have experienced many guests having a terrible time at parties after finding their present was inadequate compared to one of the other guests. It seems that many parents have a variety of budgets and ideas about what presents should be given. |
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7. |
Where should the party be held ? |
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There are many options that can be considered for holding a children’s party. Try and think a bit outside the square and you will come up with many interesting alternatives. Some good common party venues are :- |
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Your house |
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Park and ovals |
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The beach |
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Bowling alley |
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Ice Skating rink |
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Restaurant |
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Rock-climbing |
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Some interesting alternatives might be :- |
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Taking the children to a sporting event, such as a netball or cricket match. |
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We even know of parties where parents can drop children at the local lawn bowling club and have the regulars teach the children to bowl and provide them with lunch. |
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For teenage girls- a shopping party at the local shopping centre. |
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The possibilities are limitless and just require some imagination. |
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8. |
What foods work best at parties ? |
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For a long time parents have provided the traditional party food such as sausage rolls, pies and hot dogs. Often they think this is what is expected. Why not be different and provide a healthy alternative such as fruits. Cut up watermelon, rockmelon, grapes, apples, oranges and bananas. It is not only cheaper, but it is far healthier for the children. |
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9. |
What time should the children arrive ? |
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If hiring an entertainer, organise the children to arrive fifteen or so minutes before the entertainer is due to start, so that you get your full money’s worth. There is nothing worse than hiring a clown for an hour and having half the children turn up part way through. |
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10. |
What day should the party be on ? |
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Don’t always think that weekends are the only days that you can have your child’s birthday party on. Regardless of whether you are hiring equipment, an entertainer or taking the children to a paid venue, all these places and people do parties on weekdays as well and will often give you a better deal to come during these times. |
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Some parents are also worried that parties at home don’t work on weekdays. Don't worry. It is often an easier, cheaper and different alternative that we have found works well, especially if you don’t want to loose your whole weekend organising, planning and having the party. Why not do it one weekday afternoon. |
