Why I don’t do wild parties

why i don’t do wild parties

It’s often assumed that kids’ parties are always wild. This isn’t really the case if done correctly. No parent wants a party with children causing chaos, and I understand this must be a concern for parents. It’s really important to me that the parties I host are not wild and out of control, and I make a big effort to ensure this. Let me reassure you that if you’re booking with me, we will not have a wild party, and this post is to explain how I go about having a party where children have maximum fun but remain calm.

There are a few things I will always suggest before the party starts that make it a lot easier to keep the children calm. Firstly, I’ve found children are better sitting on the floor as they are always more focused. If they’re on chairs, then they are more likely to get up and run about. If one gets up, then it creates a chain reaction with other children and can really throw the party off course rapidly. If the child wants to sit with their parent, then that’s fine. Secondly, it’s crucial to not have balloons on the floor. Children will run wild as soon as they arrive, chasing the balloons, and it’s very difficult to hold their attention from the start.

My focus is on making the children laugh, be astonished at magic tricks, and having fun. I use a lot of physicality and energy to be an engaging, funny performer, and this works to keep the children engaged, intently watching. If the children are thrilled at what they’re watching, then they’re not going to run wild, making it a more memorable party. If you’ve ever taken the children to a pantomime, you’ll understand the dynamic of an engaging, polished show. I loosely compare what I do to panto; it’s a tried and tested show to hold their attention.

It’s important to note that half of the show consists of party games, so the children do get to blow off some steam and burn some energy without getting too wild.

Of course, on the odd occasion, there can be a disruptive child. If this is the case, I will address the situation straight away and have a friendly word with the child to encourage them to enjoy the show, and this usually works. The key is to nip it in the bud early to prevent the disruption from spreading.

The main thing to remember is that a calm, well-managed party with plenty of laughs and amazement leaves the best memories for kids, and it’s a lot less stressful for parents, too. A wild party fades quickly from memory, but an exciting, engaging show sticks with children long after the day is over. I hope this post has reassured you that your child’s special day will be one to remember, full of fun without the frenzy.

I’m occasionally asked by parents what games I do in my parties and it’s always a bit of a mouth full to explain so I have wrote this for greater clarity. To begin with, none of my games are elimination based which means no one is ever ‘out’. This ensures all the children are engaged throughout and are not going to become bored which is very important to me. On to the games!

Character statues
I tell the children to dance and when the music stops to freeze and impersonate a well known character (superheroes, Disney princesses etc). I’ll pick the most creative one each time ensuring that everyone wins. If there are a lot of children, I’ll pick multiple winners each time so by the end they have all won.
Why it’s good – The children enjoy being on their feet, if they don’t want to pretend to be a character they will usually just  freeze normally so they still feel involved. It’s  easy to understand and we can play it instantly. The children are never bored in this game and are always riveted throughout. It’s been so good over the years.