Important stuff that ensures a successful party
These are a few tips to make sure your party entertainment runs as smoothly as possible on the day.
Show starting time
The first important thing to note is the show starting time; when considering your booking please make sure you are not booking Kelly to start a 45min show or a 1 hour show at the same starting time of your party. Few children will have arrived at the time stated on the invitation and there will be a steady stream of interruptions as late gusts arrive. Please allow a minimum of 15 minutes but preferably 30 minutes for the guests to arrive, give a present and say hello and to settle into the rhythm of the party.
Kelly’s diary is sometimes tight with multiple shows on the same day, as you expect your entertainer to start on time so does the next mummy so there are occasions where Kelly cannot run late and must leave at the end of the booked time. Planning your show starting time makes for a successful, enjoyable show.
This information does not apply to the Party runner show as Kelly will be at the party before guests arrive.
Is there a limit to the number of guests I can invite?
Birthday party’s
health and safety needs to be top priority when arranging your birthday party, the more children you have at a party, the higher the risk. As a rule of thumb a children’s birthday party should never exceed 40 children. My liability insurance covers me for up to 45 children at a regular birthday party, if your party is going to exceed this number, please get in touch and let me know.
Christenings, Christmas party shows, weddings and outdoor events
We have a special show for these occasions and can comfortable perform for up to 1000 people. We will need to do a comprehensive risk assessment, so please always inform us of the amount of guests you are expecting and we will make the appropriate arrangements.
Food and drinks
The shows are designed to be fully interactive and the children do get excited and active as part of the enjoyment. For this reason it is not advised to have any food, ice-cream, crisps, and sweets or drink available or handed out before or during the show as experience shows it ends up being spilled on other children and the carpet and floor. The show ending is the ideal opportunity to get the children together for the birthday eats. The full party runner show has a designated 20 minute break after the first hour for birthday eats.
Balloons on the floor
You may be considering having loose balloons on the floor to create the party atmosphere; It is our experience that loose balloons create more trouble than fun.
Loose balloons encourage rough play with children running wildly and hitting one another with the balloons, more timid children become petrified resulting in them isolating and being left out, with children running wildly the loose balloons become a trip hazard that can result in injury.
All the entertainment offered by Magic 4 Children relies on the children having both hands free and the disco show needs an open space free from obstruction, if there are loose balloons at the party the entertainer will arrange for the balloons to be placed one side for the duration of the show.
Pets
The excitement of the show can be distressing to even the most balanced pet. It is advisable to keeps pets in a separate room during the show. (This includes Parrots and other birds)
Outdoors parties
If you are planning your party to be an outdoors party there are a number of important factors to consider. The first is the sun, sunburn can occur quickly during the summer months even in cloudy weather as the dangerous UV rays still penetrate. Wind and magic do not go together; the magic show has many elements such as light silk hanky’s that can blow away during the show. Rain, sudden rain can interrupt the show damage props and cause electrical shorts on pa equipment and lighting in the case of the disco show. Wasps, bees and insects are attracted to noise and colour and this can cause an interruption or, worst case, can result in a guest being stung.
If you are considering an outdoor party please let Kelly know well in advance and have a backup plan in case of weather. In the case of outdoor shows the show will be changed and certain items left out to accommodate the conditions, Kelly the magician and Magic 4 Children can take no responsibility for injury to children resulting from sunburn or insect stings.
Marquees
Marquees can be a fantastic place to hold a party but please be aware of the following challenges that may be faced. By paying attention to health and safety and managing any risks Marquees make a fantastic party venue.
Power supplied to the marquee to run the electrical equipment, PA system and lighting needs to be secure to prevent a trip hazard and waterproof to protect from shorting and potential shock.
The ground where the show is to take place needs to be even, solid and flat as stands with heavy lighting and speakers may sink into grass causing top heaviness and a potential tip hazard. It is recommended that the area where the guests are is also even to prevent excited children becoming unbalanced when dancing; a small dip in the grass can cause a sprained ankle.
The Marquee needs to be weather proof to prevent lighting and speaker stands being at risk of blowing over and to protect from rain to avoid shorting and the danger of electric shock.
Photography and filming
This is your party and your memories, feel free to photograph and or film any part of the show for your records. Please do not post the film or photographs online without asking Kelly, emailing to family or posting on your own private, secure page is fine.
Payment
It is advisable to prepare payment beforehand in an envelope as during the party you may find your hands full hosting and enjoying the day. Kelly has no pockets in his magician suit so is unable to carry change. Kelly can except cash and also except cheques made payable to Magic 4 Children.
I hope these tips help to make your event the best it can be.