| is the leading resource in | | | | the show, my shows are interactive and food |
| children's birthday party entertainment and | | | | can be a huge distraction during the |
| kids birthday party tips for the entire San | | | | performance. A word of caution about SUGAR. |
| Francisco, Oakland and San Jose areas. | | | | It can ruin a great party any day. Cotton |
| | | | candy should be forbidden all together, candy |
| Let me start by saying that Just by getting | | | | Â Â and sodas are common problem |
| this far, you are away ahead of the  | | | | foods that have forced kids to just run |
| Â game. Follow these simple tips below | | | | around in circles. Unlike adults, for most |
| and book Jungle Joe to entertain your guests | | | | kids if they consume sugar, they have to burn |
| and your party will be a great hit. | | | | it   right away. It is unfair to |
| | | | allow kids to have a bowl of ice cream and |
| 1. Bay Area Birthday Party Locations | | | | then expect them to sit still for any period |
| | | | of time. They simply can't do it, their |
| There is usually no better place to hold a | | | | bodies won't let them. |
| children's birthday party than your own | | | | |
| home. Children are usually better behaved in | | | | 7. Showtime! |
| the home environment and much easier to | | | | |
| control. It is always wise to make sure any | | | | I usually require about 10 minutes to set up |
| valuable items are stored away in case of | | | | a birthday party show. I am quite  |
| accidents. Outdoor parties can be a lot of | | | | Â happy to do this in front of the |
| fun. whether it's held in one of the bay | | | | children, so long as they remain in front of |
| area's beautiful parks or simply in your own | | | | my tables and don't wander behind to take a |
| backyard, you must ALWAYS have a contingency | | | | peek! Either play a simple game while I get |
| plan in case of bad weather. Outdoor kids | | | | ready or sit them down in front of the show |
| parties in the San Francisco Bay Area are | | | | and let them chat with me as I set up for the |
| usually OK from May through October. | | | | performance. |
| | | | |
| If you feel your house is too small to | | | | The show is designed to be enjoyed by the |
| accommodate the number of children you | | | | whole family. adults and older children  |
| are planning to invite, then booking a | | | |  don't need to leave the room or sit at |
| local hall is a sensible option. Choose | | | | the far end of the room. Enjoy the show |
| carefully and try to find one that has a | | | | with your children and I promise that you |
| carpeted floor. I did a San Jose kids | | | | will have a wonderful time. |
| birthday party once in a Large, echoey hall | | | | |
| with polished floors. These halls amplify | | | | TODDLERS, should be kept in the care of their |
| even the tiniest of noises which makes it | | | | parents and for safety reasons should not be |
| difficult to make yourself heard and keep the | | | | allowed to wander around the room during show |
| Â Â children under control. | | | | time. |
| | | | |
| When holding your party in a hall, be sure to | | | | NOTHING WHATSOEVER should be distributed to |
| make a thorough checklist of everything you | | | | the children during the show unless |
| will need to take with you for the party | | | | arrangements have been made with me |
| (Don't forget your music, prizes, matches or | | | | beforehand. Please don't pass around sweets, |
| a lighter to light the birthday cake candles | | | | juice or any hand out as it can be a huge |
| with!). Shows at a local restaurant can also | | | | distraction! |
| be a great option for certain families in the | | | | |
| Bay area. | | | | If you are doing a themed birthday party, |
| | | | please let me know during booking and again |
| 2. Balloon Clues | | | | before the show. My shows are well suited |
| | | | for any themed birthday parties Weather it's |
| Finding the party venue can be a real | | | | a pirate theme, Jungle theme, superhero |
| headache - especially in the dark! A bunch of | | | | theme or whatever theme you are working with. |
| balloons (not just one - it will pop!) tied | | | | |
| to your mailbox will prove of help to your | | | | 8. Involve the kidsinvolve the children in |
| guests and the entertainer. I did a | | | | party planning and preparation. Surprises are |
| children's birthday party in the Oakland | | | | fun, but the kids like to get involved in |
| hills once. Almost half the guests showed up | | | | planning, and this is a time when the kids |
| really late because the roads were windy and | | | | are motivated to be especially helpful. |
| the house number was hard to see. Balloons | | | | |
| could of easily fixed that problem. | | | | Let them plan the theme, location, guest |
| | | | list, menu, games, etc. They can write |
| 3. Birthday Party Badges | | | | invitations or create them on the computer |
| | | | with fun computer paper, fill loot bags, blow |
| It is a good idea to provide each child with | | | | up balloons, decorate, even help |
| a sticky label badge bearing his or her name. | | | | "childproof," "crowdproof" or straighten the |
| People tend to respond better when they are | | | | house. |
| addressed by name. I once did a performance | | | | |
| for a 6 year old boy's birthday party in | | | | 9. How long should a children's birthday |
| Milpitas where the kids didn't know each | | | | party be? |
| other. The kids were shy and quiet. I | | | | |
| suggested the badges to the hostess, she was | | | | One to two hours is more than enough time |
| amazed to how much that changed the kids | | | | for a toddler or pre-school party. For older |
| response to the whole party experience. | | | | children two to three hours is recommended. |
| | | | |
| 4. Kids Birthday Presents | | | | For drop off parties, parents usually start |
| | | | arriving about 15 minutes before the end of |
| Have a box or bag ready to put all the | | | | the party. Have the party bags ready and |
| presents in as the children arrive so they | | | | named so they can be handed to each child as |
| can be kept safe to open later. If the | | | | they leave. |
| birthday child is opening presents during the | | | | |
| party, try to make sure they are removed to a | | | | 10. Forget all the rest |
| safe place afterwards. Over the years I have | | | | |
| seen many new toys trampled underfoot in the | | | | It's their Special Day -- Whether with a |
| excitement! | | | | party or not, the object of the day is to |
| | | | make your child feel special. Alternative |
| 5. Keep them busy | | | | birthday celebrations include special |
| | | | rituals, such as birthday plates, |
| Please do not attempt to settle the children | | | | breakfasts, dinners or birthday cake with |
| down as they arrive by allowing them to run | | | | grandma, measuring to see how much they've |
| wild in a room filled with balloons, | | | | grown, reminiscing about "the day you were |
| streamers, toys, etc. Funnily enough, this | | | | born" or previous parties over photo albums |
| usually only happens in halls! More parties | | | | or by watching videos of younger years. |
| are ruined (and more guests are injured) by | | | | |
| this than by anything else. Many children | | | | All my shows are interactive; the children |
| find the noise of balloons bursting | | | | will become involved in the show, where they |
| frightening. I once did a kids party in | | | | can hoot and holler. And the Birthday Child |
| Walnut Creek where a 4 year old ended up | | | | is always the center of attraction. Even if |
| having to be taken home because of the | | | | it's a special first birthday, and most of |
| balloon popping noise before the party has | | | | the benefits will be for the family and |
| even begun. Use balloons as decoration only | | | | friends in the audience. The child will still |
| and save the   squeakers for the | | | | have focus moments in the show, even if it's |
| goodie bags! Play a simple quiet game | | | | only for the tape to remember for later |
| instead. | | | | years. |
| | | | |
| 6. Birthday Party Foods! | | | | Check out our Bay Area Kids Birthday Party |
| | | | page. This section is full of tips, Dos  |
| Pizza is a favorite for most kids. Simpler is | | | | Â and Donts that would help you put on a |
| sometimes better, cheese or pepperoni. Some | | | | fabulous children's party. These   |
| kids are picky eaters and will pick off the | | | | birthday party tips are great to know wether |
| pizza. Simple foods for the kids and variety | | | | your kids birthday party is being   |
| for the parents. Food can be served either | | | | held at home or at any other bay area party |
| before or after the show. But never during | | | | venue. |