To have second thoughts about balloon artist

[Qcng]

Hi!
We're planning a joint birthday party for two children turning five.

We're very close to booking a balloon artist, who will make all sorts of different balloon characters and animals for the children to take home.
We haven't booked yet. I'm nervous about it because basically, balloons burst and break.

Will this be a good idea for a 5 year olds party or will it be the party where all the children cry?

Please help!

Don’t they have special strengthened modelling balloons or is that something I dreamed up?

Noise aside, it'd be a no from me purely on the environmental impact. Parties create more than enough rubbish without throwing balloons into the mix.

I'd maybe go for something else - I remember that around that time loads of kids (mainly boys) liked to pop every balloon they could get their hands on, and some kids (like DD) were really upset by the noise.

It says on the packets not for under 8's, but nobody ever sticks to this performers or parents.
Yes, they do break and children can choke, not a problem if well contained.
Please don't let parents take them for their toddlers, it wouldn't be fair on anyone if anything happened.

I'd opt for magician who also did Balloon modelling. With the best will in the world an entertainer can't work in an instant and you'll have cries of I want one, me next etc etc, and bedlam.

I used to get volunteers up to help with a trick and the balloons were prizes, sometimes I just used to clown around with them, and just give to the volunteers.

Far better if you have other things going on if the entertainer will be static blowing up balloons. Face painter, bouncy castle?

I used to be able to manage 10 before the shouts started and it really messed up the act, and was less fun for the kids.

I'm friends with a very talented balloon artist. His stuff goes down extremely well.

My 3yo DD recently went to a party with a balloon artist, went down a treat and no more whinging than is usual for preschoolers. It's no more wasteful or environmentally harmful than party bags with plastic tat.

Balloons are terrible for the environment so it would be a 'no' from me.

If it says not for under 8s. I wouldn’t. Safety rules and regulations and age restrictions are there for a reason

Plus a lot of kids are phobic about balloons, aren’t they

Terribly pointless use of plastic. Crap for the environment. If you aren't sure, don't do it.

The not for under age 8 is also due to suffocation not just choking hazard.
Their consistency allows for air to still be in the balloon when popped, depending where the twists were made. A child putting it near to their mouths and inhaling could have fatal consequences, I believe.

I did a lady in a ball gown for her Hen Party, it took ages and she only had skimpy underwear on. I made playhouses for the kids, wanted to attempt the Harley, but would have cost a fair bit.

I have a total phobia of balloons just looking at them tightens my chest I don't even like seeing them on TV I'd be giving you a wide berth

Every event I’ve ever been to, most of the balloons have popped before the kids have left the venue. I’ve had enough tears from my 2 older kids that my younger one is banned from getting balloon models when we’re out!

I cringe when I see balloons because they are so bad for the environment. Don't do it!

Plus they will burst and there will be tears!

Balloons are the new plastic straws. Anticipate a lot of teeth sucking from other parents.

I hate balloons with a passion. Been phobic about them since I was a child. I would really struggle in a room filled with small children messing with balloons.

I'm phobic about bursting balloons and wouldn't attend your party/would have to leave it if I got there and found balloons there.

I don't however think there's any real problem with doing this - so long as you have other activities to entertain whilst they're waiting for their turn for a balloon animal. It's worth thinking again if say you live near a miitary base (where bangs may mean something different to the children/parents) or there's some other reason why this group of children might react particularly badly. It's also worth telling the parents on the invitations, so they can decline if their child would be upset by the noise/activity. And it's important there's someone designated to clear up broken bits of balloon (which pose a choking hazard) / properly supervise any toddlers.

AIUI the main environmental problem is the risk to animals from balloon releases, which you're not planning on doing.

Ok this thread has helped thank you.
We're going for a face paint artist and the other mum agrees!

I feel that was a close escape

I am pathological about balloons - my friend is a paramedic, and apparently one of the things they absolutely dread is hearing about a child who has got an uninflated balloon stuck in an airway.

OP, if you are still there, how about a disco as well, maybe you or the other mum could play music.
Either before face painting or after you could include some traditional games too.
Good luck.

To think the joy has gone from the world where a child cannot enjoy a balloon 🤦

Still here :)
We're having a bouncy castle, music (they're only 5 so it will be normal pop/jazzy music), and face painting.

I got cold feet about the balloon Twister person because 1) in London it's not cheap, and 2) young children cry about balloons bursting.

We were very close to booking the balloon person. I'm not against balloons in the slightest. We have been to parties with fantastic balloon artistry. But as it's a joint decision for a party with lots of young children (5 and under 5) I am happy with the decision to go with another plan. It's only 2 hours of their lives and there will be lots of fun and games!

Thank yous

Sounds like a great party OP.
I loved my time as a Children's Entertainer, my dh believes I retired too early, at 40.
I used to see the older men driving round looking completely lost and out of touch with the age groups, relying on an old act.
I didn't want to be the same, but I do look back with such fodness.

Hope you have a lovely time.

For those mentioning the environmental impact, allot of balloons are made from plant materials (latex) and not petroleum plastics. They can be composted.