How to Start a Kids' Party Entertainment Business
Some of the happiest jobs in small business involve balloons, music and a room full of excited children. A kids' party entertainment business can be joyful and profitable, but parents are trusting you with their children and their big day, so the details matter. This guide covers choosing your acts, safety checks, insurance, pricing packages and filling your weekends with bookings.
Key takeaways
- Pick two or three acts you can deliver brilliantly, such as games and music, magic, face painting or balloon modeling, and build packages around them.
- Background checks build trust: in the UK, people working with children usually need a DBS check, and in the US the rules vary by state and by client.
- Get public liability insurance and write clear booking terms, including deposits and cancellations.
- Price for your whole time, including travel, setup, pack-down and planning, not just the party hour.
Party entertainers come from all kinds of backgrounds: former teachers and nursery workers, drama students, musicians, magicians and parents who discovered they are great at running games. What they share is energy, patience and the ability to keep a group of children happily engaged for an hour or two.
Early May is a smart time to get organized. Summer birthdays, end-of-school celebrations and garden parties are about to fill the calendar, and parents start booking weekends weeks ahead. If your packages and booking page are ready now, you can catch that wave.
A quick note: this article is general information, not legal, tax or insurance advice. Rules on background checks, food, venues and safety vary by country, state and council, so check the official sources and talk to a qualified professional about your own situation.
Choose your acts and your audience
You do not need to do everything. Parents remember entertainers who do a few things exceptionally well.
Popular party acts
- Party games and music. Parachute games, musical statues, dance-offs and pass the parcel. Low cost and endlessly adaptable.
- Magic shows. A short show plus a few tricks children can join in with.
- Face painting and glitter. Popular at birthdays, fetes and festivals. Use products made for skin and check for allergies.
- Balloon modeling. Quick, visual and a great add-on to any package. Ask about latex allergies before every party.
- Character visits. Themed costumes for storytelling and games. Avoid using trademarked characters or names without permission; create your own characters instead.
- Craft and science parties. Hands-on activities that suit older children and quieter groups.
Pick an age range
A party for 3 year olds is very different from one for 9 year olds. Toddlers need short, simple activities and a parent nearby. Older children want challenge, competition and a bit of cheekiness. Start with one or two age bands and design your packages for them.
Pro tip
Film a short run-through of your show at home and watch it back with the sound off. If it still looks fun without words, children will stay engaged even in a noisy room.
Handle checks, insurance and the legal basics
Parents will ask about safety, and the best entertainers answer before they are asked. Cover the common startup steps first: choose a business structure, register for tax, check any local licenses and permits, arrange insurance, set your pricing and get a booking and invoicing system ready.
Background checks
In the UK, people working with children usually need a DBS check. The level depends on the role, so check the official guidance on which applies to you. In the US, background check rules vary by state and by client, and schools, venues and event organizers often set their own requirements. Keep your check current and be ready to show it.
Insurance
Public liability insurance is essential for party work, and many venues will not let you perform without it. Ask a broker about cover for your equipment, any activities with extra risk such as bouncy castles or science experiments, and employer coverage if you hire helpers.
Safety and allergies
- Allergies. Ask about allergies at booking, including latex, face paint ingredients and any food you provide.
- Food and treats. If you hand out sweets or party food, food hygiene and labeling rules may apply. Many entertainers avoid food altogether and leave it to parents.
- Equipment. Check props, speakers and cables for trip hazards and keep small parts away from very young children.
- Supervision. State in your terms that parents or guardians stay responsible for supervising their children, and that you are never alone with a child.
Common mistake
Skipping the allergy question because "it is just balloons and face paint". Latex and skin reactions can be serious. Make allergies a required field on your booking form and ask again at the start of each party.
Build your kit and your party plan
Your kit should be colorful, safe, quick to set up and easy to carry into any living room, hall or garden.
- A portable speaker and playlists for different ages and themes. Check music licensing rules if you perform at public events.
- Game props: parachute, bean bags, hoops, scarves and bubble machine.
- Act-specific supplies: face paints and brushes, balloons and a pump, magic props or craft materials.
- Prizes or small giveaways, chosen to suit the age group and free from choking hazards for young children.
- A first aid kit and a written emergency plan.
- Wet weather backup for garden parties, so the fun moves indoors without fuss.
Write a simple running order for each package: arrival and warm-up, main act, games, quiet moment, finale and goodbye. A clear plan keeps energy high and lets you adapt if the group is shyer or livelier than expected.
Price your party packages
A two-hour party can easily take five hours of your day once you add planning, travel, setup and pack-down. Price for the whole job, not just the time you are performing.
Most entertainers offer two or three packages with clear inclusions, plus add-ons. Weekend slots are in highest demand, so many charge more for Saturdays and Sundays and offer weekday or after-school parties at a lower rate to fill quieter days.
A party package template
Copy this into a spreadsheet and fill in one row per package. All amounts are made-up examples for illustration only.
| Package | What is included | Party length | Total time incl. travel and setup | Supplies (example) | Price (example) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini party | Games, music, bubbles | 1 hour | 3 hours | $10 | $150 |
| Classic party | Games, music, short magic show, balloon models | 1 hour 30 min | 4 hours | $25 | $240 |
| Deluxe party | Classic plus face painting and a themed character | 2 hours | 5 hours | $40 | $340 |
Add a column for "price per hour of total time". It shows quickly whether your shortest package is quietly losing you money.
Hypothetical example
Imagine Tom, a former drama student who runs party games and magic. In his first summer he said yes to every booking and every request, including long drives for one-hour parties. When he totals his time, he finds that his mini package pays far less per hour than the classic. He sets a minimum package for Saturdays, adds a travel fee beyond a set radius and promotes his mini party for weekday afternoons. His weekends get easier and more profitable at the same time.
Get bookings and keep them
Parents find entertainers through friends, school groups, local social media and search. Make it easy for them to see what you do, trust you and book quickly.
- Create a clear booking page. Show your packages, age ranges and what parents need to provide. Tools such as Calendly, Acuity Scheduling, Square Appointments or SimplyBook.me can take bookings and deposits. Check current features, pricing and privacy policies.
- Write booking terms. Cover deposits, cancellations, weather, space needed, supervision and photography. Ask a professional to review them if you are unsure.
- Set up a Google Business Profile. List your service area, post photos of your setup and props, and share updates and offers.
- Ask for reviews and referrals. Send a friendly thank-you after each party with a link to leave a review.
- Get permission for photos. Never post pictures of children without clear written permission from their parents. When in doubt, share photos of your props and setup instead.
- Build partnerships. Soft play centers, community halls, cafes, cake makers and party shops all meet parents planning parties.
- Look beyond birthdays. School fairs, summer fetes, nursery events, community festivals and corporate family days can fill weekdays and holidays.
If you send marketing emails to past clients, follow the rules: CAN-SPAM in the US requires a clear unsubscribe option and a valid physical postal address, and in the UK and EU, PECR and GDPR consent rules apply.
Your kids' party business launch checklist
- Choose two or three acts and one or two age ranges
- Register your business and check local licenses and permits
- Get a DBS check in the UK or the background checks your US clients require
- Arrange public liability insurance and equipment cover
- Build your kit, first aid kit and wet weather backup
- Write a running order for each package
- Fill in the package template and check your price per hour
- Write booking terms covering deposits, cancellations and photos
- Set up a booking page and a Google Business Profile
- Contact three local venues or party suppliers about referrals
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a DBS check to be a children's entertainer?
In the UK, people working with children usually need one, and many parents and venues will ask to see it. The level of check depends on your role, so check the official guidance. In the US, rules vary by state and by client.
Can I dress up as famous cartoon characters?
Using trademarked characters or names without permission can create legal problems. Many entertainers create their own characters, such as a pirate, a princess or a space explorer, which avoids the risk and builds a unique brand.
How far ahead do parents book?
Many book several weeks ahead, especially for weekends in late spring and summer. Keep your calendar up to date and take deposits to secure dates.
Should I hire helpers for big parties?
A helper makes large groups safer and smoother. If you hire, check employment rules, background checks and insurance for them as well as for yourself.
Related reading
The bottom line
A kids' party entertainment business is built on fun, but it lasts on trust. Choose a few acts you love, get your checks and insurance in place, price for your full time and make booking easy for busy parents.
This week, write your running order for your favorite package and fill in the pricing template. Then set up your booking page so you are ready when summer party season arrives.
