Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Parties/celebrations

Whether you're planning a birthday or a hen do, you'll find plenty of ideas for your celebration on our Party forum.

Original poster

Is this something you would want at an under 5s party?

40 replies

threebob · 20/03/2006 05:09

I teach pre school music classes, of the very educational, every activity done for a reason type (rather than the put music on loud and let children go for it type).

Recently I have been asked to do a couple of birthday parties (oddly not for my regulars - but for people who have picked up a brochure and held onto it for a while).

So I thought I would see if this is something that I could grow or if it's a fluke. So far I am doing an animal party and a teddy bears picnic. I'm toning down the educational aspect and upping the entertainment factor.

So is it something you would spend money on?

OP posts:
amber5 · 20/03/2006 05:13

Yes Definately. It would be fab to do something different/ meaningful rather than the same old 'playbarn'. Where are you? would the parents have to hire a venue? what would be the cost?

Original poster
threebob · 20/03/2006 06:49

I'm in NZ (so as you can see I'm not advertising - I'm genuinely interested). They are at people's houses so far, and are for a one and a two year old so quite small. I guess I'm in the spot where the entertainer would be.

I quoted very cheap because they are local and I can use the photos on my website or on any advertising. Also I will take a stack of info for my classes so it's a handy way of attracting new people.

OP posts:
throckenholt · 20/03/2006 07:41

I used to take my kids to a music session - and I think it would be a great idea for a kids party - go for it !

Original poster
threebob · 20/03/2006 07:58

I've updated my website with "I also do birthday parties". Hopefully the classes and the parties will feed into each other.

OP posts:
FrannyandZooey · 20/03/2006 07:59

There are a few people doing this in my area and they charge between £60 to £100 for the party. So don't sell yourself too cheap!

FrannyandZooey · 20/03/2006 08:00

Meant to add, you need to make sure your public liability insurance covers you for parties. I know mine doesn't unless I pay extra (about double the fee).

Original poster
threebob · 20/03/2006 08:11

FandZ for that money are they getting the venue too - or just the person?

I'm trying to work out whether public liability type stuff is covered by my ACC payments. Forgive my ignorance but what does it cover - it could just be it's a different name from what I already have.

OP posts:
FrannyandZooey · 20/03/2006 08:18

No, just the entertainer for that price - not bad eh?

Well my normal insurance covers me to have regular weekly groups at my usual venue, in case of accident to anyone attending etc. That's the legal minimum I think. It may be different where you are, but in the UK insurers will charge a lot more if you are attending or hosting parties in addition to running classes. I guess all the excitement and mayhem means there is a lot more likelihood of accidents occuring.

Original poster
threebob · 20/03/2006 08:25

All that accident stuff covered by my ACC premium, which is based on my usual occupation of music teacher, and the premium is based on my actual income.

Thanks - I was starting to worry.

OP posts:
Original poster
threebob · 20/03/2006 08:46

So what do you do at parties (and otherwise for that matter) FrannyandZooey?

OP posts:
ghosty · 20/03/2006 09:29

threebob ... this sounds like an excellent idea! What sort of stuff are you planning to do for your entertainment? Play to them? Get them to join in with instruments etc?
My DS is 6 and he and his mates would probably be past this sort of thing but definitely for kindy aged kids it would be fab!
In terms of what you could be paid ... costs may be different in Christchurch but I paid $150 dollars for a magician at DS' 5th birthday party (about an hour's worth and he provided prizes that he 'magicked' out of a hat)
A friend of mine paid her daughter's ballet teacher $100 to come and do dancing at her 5th birthday party (fairy theme)
Friends of mine paid $150 for a puppeteer at their child's party ...
There's a well known lady called 'Clare the Fairy' who comes to do parties for little girls and she charges a fortune between $150 and $200.

You could clean up here Smile

FrannyandZooey · 20/03/2006 09:48

Threebob, sorry I did not mean to worry you :( Just important to check out what you are covered for, as some activities can cost quite a lot more to insure.

I don't do parties at the moment. I have been toying with the idea but just too complicated at the moment with childcare. I run two toddler sessions a week (music and movement, art and craft, heuristic play) and one baby session (mostly heuristic play with a little music and movement).

Your set up sounds great, I would love a childen's party like that.

Blu · 20/03/2006 10:01

Sounds great!

(LO re the public liability insurance - it probably is worth looking ointo as my nephew knocked his nanny's teeth out with a tambourine!)

LIZS · 20/03/2006 10:04

We had something similar for ds' 3rd birthday -songs stories , instruments etc. Worked well for a 45 minute slot then tea then traditional games.Smile

Original poster
threebob · 20/03/2006 19:08

Okay - firstly it seems I have not charged enough - but I have got that all important permission to use photos which is probably worth more in the long run, I will get a brochure together with these - and once it looks more official I can charge more.

Teeth being knocked out with a tambourine would deffo be covered by ACC.

Basically I will be doing whatever fits - I will take my flute along, all my preschool equipment. The birthday child's name gets woven into many of the songs - and they will get to sing all their favourites whilst being entertained by some new stuff. The parachute is a great hit, and I have a stretchy rainbow ring.

For the teddy bears picnic - I will take them on the whole journey using music. Right from getting ready to go, to going home and to sleep. It will be lovely. I do this in my class at the end of term.

OP posts:
Original poster
threebob · 21/03/2006 01:37

So what would you like to see in the brochure/flyer?

OP posts:
LIZS · 21/03/2006 10:54

A sample of the structure for a typical session, suggested duration for different age ranges, rough idea of appropriate numbers and venues - ie. how a party held at home might differ to one in a hall or outside - how much notice you need of numbers and bookings, detail of theme "packages" available and any optional extras such as decorations, masks/hats and party bags, cost - either per head or in a size range.

Original poster
threebob · 21/03/2006 19:40

Oh, that sounds good. I am going to work on it these school holidays.

OP posts:
canadianmum · 21/03/2006 19:47

I had something similar for my twin boys' 3rd birthday party. The guy played the guitar and sang loads of songs, usually a lively one followed by a quiet one. he also had a box of musical instruments for them to play for about 5-10mins while he marched around the room with his guitar, then he read a story and had a bubble machine. it lasted about an hour and was £85 and the 9 children were kept enthralled the whole time.

go for it!:)

Original poster
threebob · 22/03/2006 06:13

Have I missed anything? - have intentionally missed out pirates and fairies as there are already a couple of very good pirates on the circuit, and fairy parties for Africa. The leaflet will be about everything I do - baby and toddler classes, preschool and kindy visits and the parties - so if some look a little odd (like numbers) then that's why.

Ideas for themes

Teddy Bears Picnic
Transport
Colours
Animals
The Ocean
Numbers
The seasons
My family

Anything at all that your child has an interest in can be composed into a special song.

OP posts:
LIZS · 22/03/2006 10:37

Space ?

Skribble · 22/03/2006 17:41

Sounds great for parties, parents seem to have tired off the soft play and it seems will pay large amounts for entertainment of any kind.

As for the brochure I would agree clear prices for set packages with details of optional extras. People like it set out clearly so they know what to expect. If you are willing to take control of the traditional games as well and lead the whole party, this will be popular with many parents as the thought of orgainising pass the parcel with 20 kids terrifies many. Goodluck Grin.

kiwibella · 22/03/2006 18:12

yay threebob... this sounds very exciting. I am a kiwi now living in London but, when we lived in Wellington, I used a lady a couple of times who was based in Seatoun. She had three or four party themes which she organised for your home. On the day, she came around and set everything up inside a big tent like canopy structure. She also provided invites prior to the event and party bags, costumes, and an entertainer on the day. It was fab... MissE and her friends loved it both times.

Original poster
threebob · 22/03/2006 18:25

I saw that lady on a trip to Wellington being a fairy in the park. She put her heart and soul into it and Bob loved it, sat transfixed for an hour.

OP posts:
kiwibella · 22/03/2006 18:56

no... there is a fairy shop in Seatoun and that lady really does believe she is a fairy!! She has parties in her shop. The other lady I mentioned lives in Seatoun but brings the party to your place.

Swipe left for the next trending thread