How to Put on a Kids Birthday Party in the San Francisco Bay Area

is the leading resource in children'seither before or after the show. But never during the
birthday party entertainment and kids birthday partyshow, my shows are interactive and food can be a
tips for the entire San Francisco, Oakland and Sanhuge distraction during the performance. A word of
Jose areas.caution about SUGAR. It can ruin a great party any
Let me start by saying that Just by getting this far, youday. Cotton candy should be forbidden all together,
are away ahead of the   game. Followcandy   and sodas are common
these simple tips below and book Jungle Joe toproblem foods that have forced kids to just run around
entertain your guests and your party will be a great hit.in circles. Unlike adults, for most kids if they consume
1. Bay Area Birthday Party Locationssugar, they have to burn it   right away.
There is usually no better place to hold a children'sIt is unfair to allow kids to have a bowl of ice cream
birthday party than your own home. Childrenand then expect them to sit still for any period of time.
are usually better behaved in the home environmentThey simply can't do it, their bodies won't let them.
and much easier to control. It is always wise to make7. Showtime!
sure any valuable items are stored away in case ofI usually require about 10 minutes to set up a birthday
accidents. Outdoor parties can be a lot of fun. whetherparty show. I am quite   happy to do this
it's held in one of the bay area's beautiful parks orin front of the children, so long as they remain in front
simply in your own backyard, you must ALWAYSof my tables and don't wander behind to take a peek!
have a contingency plan in case of bad weather.Either play a simple game while I get ready or sit them
Outdoor kids parties in the San Francisco Bay Areadown in front of the show and let them chat with me
are usually OK from May through October.as I set up for the performance.
If you feel your house is too small to accommodateThe show is designed to be enjoyed by the whole
the number of children you are planning to invite,family. adults and older children   don't
then booking a local hall is a sensible option. Chooseneed to leave the room or sit at the far end of the
carefully and try to find one that has a carpeted floor. Iroom. Enjoy the show with your children and I
did a San Jose kids birthday party once in a Large,promise that you will have a wonderful time.
echoey hall with polished floors. These halls amplifyTODDLERS, should be kept in the care of their
even the tiniest of noises which makes it difficult toparents and for safety reasons should not be allowed
make yourself heard and keep the  Âto wander around the room during show time.
children under control.NOTHING WHATSOEVER should be distributed to
When holding your party in a hall, be sure to make athe children during the show unless arrangements have
thorough checklist of everything you will need to takebeen made with me beforehand. Please don't pass
with you for the party (Don't forget your music, prizes,around sweets, juice or any hand out as it can be a
matches or a lighter to light the birthday cake candleshuge distraction!
with!). Shows at a local restaurant can also be a greatIf you are doing a themed birthday party, please let me
option for certain families in the Bay area.know during booking and again before the show. My
2. Balloon Cluesshows are well suited for any themed birthday parties
Finding the party venue can be a real headache -Weather it's a pirate theme, Jungle theme, superhero
especially in the dark! A bunch of balloons (not just onetheme or whatever theme you are working with.
- it will pop!) tied to your mailbox will prove of help to8. Involve the kidsinvolve the children in party planning
your guests and the entertainer. I did a children'sand preparation. Surprises are fun, but the kids like to
birthday party in the Oakland hills once. Almost half theget involved in planning, and this is a time when the kids
guests showed up really late because the roads wereare motivated to be especially helpful.
windy and the house number was hard to see.Let them plan the theme, location, guest list, menu,
Balloons could of easily fixed that problem.games, etc. They can write invitations or create them
3. Birthday Party Badgeson the computer with fun computer paper, fill loot bags,
It is a good idea to provide each child with a stickyblow up balloons, decorate, even help "childproof,"
label badge bearing his or her name. People tend to"crowdproof" or straighten the house.
respond better when they are addressed by name. I9. How long should a children's birthday party be?
once did a performance for a 6 year old boy'sOne to two hours is more than enough time for a
birthday party in Milpitas where the kids didn't knowtoddler or pre-school party. For older children two to
each other. The kids were shy and quiet. I suggestedthree hours is recommended.
the badges to the hostess, she was amazed to howFor drop off parties, parents usually start arriving about
much that changed the kids response to the whole15 minutes before the end of the party. Have the party
party experience.bags ready and named so they can be handed to
4. Kids Birthday Presentseach child as they leave.
Have a box or bag ready to put all the presents in as10. Forget all the rest
the children arrive so they can be kept safe to openIt's their Special Day -- Whether with a party or not,
later. If the birthday child is opening presents during thethe object of the day is to make your child feel special.
party, try to make sure they are removed to a safeAlternative birthday celebrations include special rituals,
place afterwards. Over the years I have seen manysuch as birthday plates, breakfasts, dinners or birthday
new toys trampled underfoot in the excitement!cake with grandma, measuring to see how much
5. Keep them busythey've grown, reminiscing about "the day you were
Please do not attempt to settle the children down asborn" or previous parties over photo albums or by
they arrive by allowing them to run wild in a room filledwatching videos of younger years.
with balloons, streamers, toys, etc. Funnily enough, thisAll my shows are interactive; the children will become
usually only happens in halls! More parties are ruinedinvolved in the show, where they can hoot and holler.
(and more guests are injured) by this than by anythingAnd the Birthday Child is always the center of
else. Many children find the noise of balloons burstingattraction. Even if it's a special first birthday, and most
frightening. I once did a kids party in Walnut Creekof the benefits will be for the family and friends in the
where a 4 year old ended up having to be takenaudience. The child will still have focus moments in the
home because of the balloon popping noise before theshow, even if it's only for the tape to remember for
party has even begun. Use balloons as decoration onlylater years.
and save the   squeakers for theCheck out our Bay Area Kids Birthday Party page.
goodie bags! Play a simple quiet game instead.This section is full of tips, Dos   and
6. Birthday Party Foods!Donts that would help you put on a fabulous children's
Pizza is a favorite for most kids. Simpler is sometimesparty. These   birthday party tips are
better, cheese or pepperoni. Some kids are pickygreat to know wether your kids birthday party is being
eaters and will pick off the pizza. Simple foods for the  held at home or at any other bay area
kids and variety for the parents. Food can be servedparty venue.