.png)
What's in this blog?
There's a lot to consider when hosting a children's birthday party, should you hire a bouncy castle? Should you hire a children's entertainer? Face painter? What should I feed everyone? Well if you are booking with Moji we have some great tips for making hiring a children's entertainer in Essex and the South East for children's party simple and stress free.
1. Hire a Professional Children's Entertainer 🎭✨
Let’s be honest—kids’ birthday parties can go from magical to mayhem in a matter of minutes if you don’t have the right entertainment! With hundreds of children’s party companies out there (especially in Essex and London), picking the right one can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. But don’t just go for the cheapest option—this is about creating memories that last a lifetime!
A true professional children’s entertainer doesn’t just "do parties on the side"—they live and breathe fun! They know how to engage all ages, adapt to different party vibes, and keep the energy high. A little research goes a long way—check reviews, scroll through their social media, and ask other parents for recommendations.
Because let’s face it—you don’t want to be that parent, forever reminiscing about “that one time” you thought you could handle 20 sugar-fuelled five-year-olds with just a playlist and a pass-the-parcel. (We see you, still recovering.) A great entertainer will bring the wow factor, turning your child’s birthday into the talk of the playground—for all the right reasons! 🎉
2. Book Your Children’s Entertainer Before the Venue! 🎪🎭
Imagine this: You’ve locked in the perfect venue—spacious, great parking, even a kitchen for snacks. But then… disaster strikes! Your dream entertainer is fully booked, and you’re left scrambling for a backup (or worse, considering DIY entertainment—remember how that went last time? 😅).
Great children’s entertainers are in high demand and can usually only fit in around three parties a day. That means it’s way easier to find a venue to match your entertainer’s availability than the other way around. So, before you fall in love with a hall, a play center, or even your own backyard—secure your entertainer first! Need help finding a venue? We’ve got you covered! Check out this handy list of local venues here. 🎉
3. Make Your Party Easy to Find! 🎈🚀
You don’t want your guests wandering the streets, peeking into random halls, or calling you in a panic because they can’t find the party. And let’s not forget about your entertainer—they need to get in, set up, and bring the fun without playing Where’s Wally? with your venue!
A simple fix? Balloons! 🎈 Tie some outside the entrance so guests know exactly where to go. Want to take it up a notch? Get creative with homemade signs, chalk messages on the pavement, or even a fun theme-based welcome board. Not only does it make your party easy to find, but it also builds excitement before they even walk through the door!
Because nothing says party this way like a trail of balloons leading to a room full of laughter and fun! 🎉
4. Pick a Venue with Plenty of Parking 🚗🎉
Picture this: Parents driving in circles, kids in the backseat asking, “Are we there yet?” for the tenth time, and your entertainer hauling equipment from three streets away because there’s no parking. Not exactly the stress-free party vibe you were going for, right?
Choosing a venue with easy parking makes life smoother for everyone. Guests can arrive on time (without a last-minute sprint from a distant parking spot), and your entertainer can unload their magic without a logistical nightmare. Bonus points if the venue has free parking—because nothing dampens a party mood like a surprise parking ticket!
A stress-free arrival = a fun-filled party from the start! 🚀🎈
5. Choose a Venue That’s Just Right 🏠🎶
Think of your party venue like Goldilocks—too big, and the party vibe gets lost in an echoey void; too small, and you’ve got a game of musical chairs just to move around! The perfect venue gives kids plenty of space to dance, play, and go wild without turning your eardrums into a casualty of bad acoustics. (Your future self will thank you!)
A cozy venue can also help keep the grown-ups engaged—because let’s face it, when parents are crammed together, they’re way more likely to join in on the fun rather than hide at the back, scrolling their phones.
And here’s a pro tip: Ground-floor venues are gold! They make setting up, packing away, and accessibility so much easier. If you do have to go for an upstairs venue, double-check there’s a lift—because carrying a buggy, a cake, and a toddler up two flights of stairs? That’s an extreme sport no one signed up for. 🚀🎂
6. Host Your Party at Home! 🏡🎉
Thinking about keeping the party on home turf? If your space allows it, this can be a fantastic way to save money and have more flexibility with timing—no worrying about strict venue hire slots!
A few pro tips for a smooth at-home bash:
✅ Clear a big enough space—Kids need room to sit in a circle for games, so move furniture if needed.
✅ Tidy away toys—Unless you want a side mission of "who can play with the most expensive toy instead of joining the party." 😅
✅ Garden party? Be weather-wise!—If you’re hosting outside, have a backup plan for rain. A gazebo, a marquee, or even an indoor space ready to go will keep the fun from getting washed away!
At-home parties can be just as magical as venue parties—just with fewer parking problems and a kitchen within reach for coffee refills! ☕🎈
7. Preparing the Party Food! 🍕🎈
Let’s be real—kids aren’t coming to the party for a gourmet, five-course meal. They want food that’s fun, familiar, and easy to grab between bursts of excitement!
✅ Keep it simple—Pizza, sandwiches, and classic snacks are always winners. Want to add a touch of magic? Use cookie cutters to turn sandwiches into stars or pizzas into hearts. (Bonus: It makes even the pickiest eaters more likely to dig in!)
✅ Know your allergies—If parents are dropping kids off, double-check for any food allergies. It’s best to steer clear of nuts altogether—peanut butter might be delicious, but it’s not worth the risk!
✅ Ordering in? Plan ahead!—If you’re getting food delivered, schedule it to arrive 5-10 minutes before the planned food break. Parties are flexible, and we can always adapt, but no one wants a room full of hangry kids waiting for a late pizza delivery!
Now, how to serve the food? There are a few fun ways to do it:
🎁 Lunch boxes—Perfect for adding a decorative touch (we recommend emoji-themed, of course! 😜). These help reduce food waste but require more attention to dietary needs.
🍽 Themed plates & cups—A great way to keep the party theme strong while making serving easy.
🍕 Buffet table—Let the kids serve themselves and then sit wherever they like, even picnic-style on the floor! No need for extra tables and chairs if space is tight.
🍽 Mini platters at the table—For a more structured meal, place small buffet-style platters around the seating area so kids can grab food without leaving their spot.
Whatever you choose, the key is keeping it stress-free, fun, and easy for both you and the kids! 🎉
8. Guest Lists & Party Invitations! 🎟️🎉
Before you know it, your child’s party guest list can spiral out of control—do you really need to invite every kid from nursery, ballet class, football, and that one child they met on holiday three years ago? 😅
Big isn’t always best! A smaller guest list can make the party more manageable, more personal, and (let’s be honest) less chaotic! Stick to close friends, and don’t feel pressured to invite everyone just because they’re in the same class.
To keep things organised, track your invites and RSVPs. We highly recommend using our party invitation portal—it’s completely free, offers a range of fun designs, and helps you stay on top of:
✔️ Who’s coming
✔️ Any special requests (allergies, plus-ones, etc.)
✔️ Important details—all in one place!
Because let’s be real, there’s always that one parent who forgets to RSVP and then shows up with an extra sibling in tow. Stay ahead of the chaos and make your guest list work for you! 😉
9. Involve the Birthday Child in the Planning 🎂🎨
Let’s face it—kids have big imaginations, and if you ask them what they want for their birthday party, you might end up with a request for a unicorn ride through space or a petting zoo on your apartment balcony. (Tempting, but… no. 😅)
Instead, if your child is old enough, give them a say within reason. Sit down together and offer a few pre-approved theme ideas that you’re actually willing to invest time and money in. That way, they get to feel involved without setting their heart on something wildly unrealistic.
Let them choose between options like:🎭 A superhero adventure🎨 An arts & crafts party🎵 A music and dance bash🦄 A magical unicorn wonderland (minus real unicorns, of course!)
This way, your child feels excited and included—without any dramatic meltdowns when you break the news that no, you can’t hire a T-Rex for the day. 🦖🎉
10. Present Opening - To Open or Not to Open with Party Guests? 🎁🤔
Ah, the classic dilemma—do you open presents during the party, or save the fun for after the guests have left? We say: save it for later! Opening presents once everyone’s gone home is much less stressful. No worrying about your child’s “honest” reactions to a gift they don’t love, and you’re less likely to lose bits and pieces in the frenzy of the party. Plus, it’s a lovely way to wind down after all the excitement!
Pro Tip: Set up a dedicated “present table” where gifts can be safely stored during the party. This keeps things organised and avoids that awkward moment when someone’s present is misplaced in the chaos.
And after the party, when you open those gifts in peace, don’t forget the thank you notes! Ask your child to share why they loved each gift, and include those personal touches in your notes. (A little editing may be needed—let’s face it, not every gift is a “favourite” right away. 😉)
11. Best Friends 💖🎉
Let’s be real—no party is complete without your child’s best friend by their side! Before you go ahead with finalising dates, bookings, and sending out invites, check with your child’s bestie (and their parent) to make sure they’re free on the big day.
After all, a birthday bash just isn’t the same without that dynamic duo causing chaos together, sharing inside jokes, and making memories. 🎈 The day will be 100% more fun if your child has their partner in crime right there beside them. Don’t risk a disappointed face when the bestie can’t make it—check first, and then party on! 🎉
12. When to Have Your Party? 🗓️🎉
Timing is everything when it comes to planning the perfect party!
For younger kids, weekend parties are usually a safe bet—parents are more likely to be free, and the whole family can join in on the fun. Plus, there's no school the next day, so you can let the little ones run wild! 🎈
But for older kids, an after-school party can be a hit. They’ll spend all day buzzing with excitement, and it’s easier to avoid clashing with Saturday sports. It’s the perfect way to kick off the weekend—especially if they can all head home together afterward to continue the fun. 🏃♂️🎉
Planning a Sunday party? Keep in mind that some guests may have morning church commitments. It’s a good idea to start the party later in the day to accommodate any schedules.
And if you're looking for savings, midweek parties are a great option—and we even offer discounts for those! Who says you can’t have a weekday blast? 🎂💰
13. Joint Parties 🎉🤝
If you’re looking to share the load—and the costs—consider having a joint party! Not only does this make the logistics and organisation a total team effort, but the financial side of things gets a nice little break too. 🎂💸
Hosting a party with another set of parents can be a huge money-saver, especially when it comes to entertainment, food, and decorations. Just make sure you and your co-host are on the same page when it comes to the theme and budget. After all, you don’t want to end up with one parent planning a unicorn disco and the other opting for a dinosaur treasure hunt! 🦄🦖
If you’re on the same wavelength, a joint party can be double the fun with half the stress!
Summary
There's loads you can do to make your party a great and stress free experience and we would love to help make your party one to remember. We can supply face painters, children's entertainers for under 7's parties, children's entertainers for under 12's parties, sweet cones, popcorn & candy floss, photo booths and much more, check out our children's party packages.
If you need more help, feel free to contact us and our team will be happy to help.
The Moji Team
Commenti