There are some top notch kids party entertainers in Melbourne providing high energy games, face painting, magic and ballooning for eager little party goers all year round. Booking through a reputable performer or Melbourne kids entertainment agency is essential in terms of ensuring reliability and talent. When comparing the services on offer, refer to their testimonials and photos of previous parties to get a feel for the standard you can expect. Allowing the entertainer enough space to host the party is also important. Once you have sent out your kids party invites, booked in your children’s party character whether it be a birthday party clown, fairy entertainer or superhero, or booking in a venue which provides activities in house leaving just the food to organize. It is all too easy to get swept up with the latest theme trends and over complicating the party food often ensues. Keep it simple! Kids are happy with a basic party food fare and piece of cake. The excitement of mingling, games and entertainment is so overwhelming that the food can often be forgotten anyway, with little ones heading straight for the lolly bags. Follow this simple structure and eliminate that pre kids party stress.

• Decide on details (time, date etc) make sure there is no clash with sports or other parties send out invites

• Book an experienced Melbourne children’s entertainer or venue which provides some sort of entertainment (adventure play ground, jumping castles etc) Try not to have too much entertainment on offer though as this can be overwhelming for the kids

• Make up basic fun lolly bags or have a simple lucky dip instead as the kids are leaving

• Don’t buy into party pressure to compete with the Jones’, the best kids parties I have hosted were simple, allowing the parents to take photos and actually relax.

• Have a basic range of sure fire party food or opt for a sausage sizzle instead!

Finally and most importantly relax and enjoy this precious and memorable occasion, let yourself off the party stress hook and everyone will have a most enjoyable time! Read more great ideas for Kids Birthday Parties featured throughout our website and take a look at our links section too for more great party ideas

Kindly contributed by Sally Jackson & Little Fairy Brittany – Malvern East,

Ingredient #1 Select the party venue- can be at home or at a park during the finer months, remember Melbourne children’s party entertainers are happy to travel these days and will visit you wherever your party may be held.

Ingredient #2 Book a reputable Melbourne Kids Party Entertainer to host the games and keep the kids busy, Kids Parties Melbourne have a huge selection to choose from ensuring your time is free for other party tasks (ask lots of questions when making a decision, testimonials and a number of years experience in the industry are musts)

Ingredient #3 Buy bags of fairy floss or pop corn as a nifty alternative to time consuming lolly bags or run a treasure hunt and let the kids create their own lolly bags during the game

Ingredient #4 Order a ready to heat and serve selection of kids party foods , followed by no fuss ice cream cake or if your party is in summer opt for triangle or star shaped party sandwhiches instead

Ingredient #5 Throw away all disposable cups, napkins and party ware including decorations at the end of the party with the help of the kids and voila! A no fuss kids birthday party with all the elements kids love.

Ingredient #6 Look over the party photo’s with a cuppa with your feet up and pat yourself on the back for throwing such an effortlessly amazing party for your child and his/her little friends. Your child’s birthday party can be kept to a 2 hour event by allowing children a small arrival period prior to the birthday party entertainment followed by some party snacks , happy birthday with cake and photos and farewell! With a bit of planning and creativity you really need not spend a fortune on your child’s birthday party for it to be super fun. Need help planning your child’s birthday party in Melbourne just ask us

This seems to be a tricky topic for many mums , dads and party organizers, the big question of which party character to choose! As you no doubt have experienced, the birthday child will change their mind a number of times by the time the party day actually arrives. From a fairy party to a mermaid party or from a superhero party to a magic show then there is the age range and mix of boys and girls attending the party to consider. Always best to check with your birthday party child first as they will more often than not have their own kids party theme in mind so is the best starting point. We are so lucky to have such a large variety from which to select our Melbourne Kids Birthday Party Character, we truly are spoilt for choice in terms of Melbourne party entertainers offering terrific party hosting with the lot. I have chatted with many of Melbourne’s Kids Party Entertainment providers and have come up with the following list of popular options based on children’s parties ages 2 up to 8 years. For the girls: Fairy Party Pink Princess Party (Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Cinderella etc) Mermaid Party or Mermaid Ariel party Pop Star/Dance Party/Disco Theme Witch Party Craft party (sparkly photo frames, wand making,beaded jewellery, cup cake decorating, treasure box making) Glamour Party (face painting, make overs etc) A casual take on the party entertainment would be to simply book a face painter to create magical faces or make overs while the kids are entertained with karaoke , play equipment or just having fun socializing with each other For the Boys: Superhero Party (Spiderman, Batman, Superman or Ben 10) Pirate Party Magician Party Wizard Party Clown Magician Ballooning Workshop Party Sports party And for both boys and girls Clowns, Cowboys and Cowgirls seem to be quite popular too. So long as you choose a kids entertainer or kids entertainment agency with lots of client reviews, a polished website, an established reputation , working with kids check and terrific costuming you should be just fine. Hiring an experienced Kids Party Entertainer for your kids party is an excellent idea in terms of freeing you up from having to co-ordinate games and kids entertainment yourself. Let a party professional keep the kids entertained and enjoy the party. Its quite a buzz for the birthday child to see mum joining in with the games and having the freedom to take photos and or video of the special day is priceless.

As a professional Melbourne children’s party entertainer I follow a simple rule whereby every child is a winner it is really the only way to ensure fairness and happy faces all round My only exception to this rule is in the case of the birthday child or celebrated child in which case I always make sure he/she wins the prize in the pass the parcel as its such a special game the birthday child really should win.  The other party children regardless of age are usually able to understand this concept easily as we all give the birthday child a big clap for winning because it is his/her special day. During the party we all do a special fairy glitter wishing dust birthday wish to really put into context for the little ones the notion of it being an extra special day for the birthday/celebrated child. As the parcel travels the circle each child gets a lolly pop or smaller goodie.

I then follow this with a quick transition into another interactive game so no one has time to dwell on the birthday child having one the pass the parcel prize, I am quick to announce to the little party guests that there will be party prizes for everyone which always inspires extra musical statue effort.  Simple little prizes work a treat just so long as every birthday party guest in attendance is indeed a winner- singling out children when it comes to prizes is not good party etiquette, a fundamental party principle we have taught to all the entire Dreamscape Party Entertainer Team- its up there with make sure your make up is sparkly, be super bubbly and be on time! Fairy training 101!   It is far more encouraging for all the kids when everyone is a winner, not a good idea to foster competitive sentiments amongst young children especially not in the party realm where imagination and giggles should abound.

Children’s birthday parties in Melbourne have certainly changed quite a bit over the years though the fundamentals have remained constant. Children like to be kept engaged with exciting games, magic tricks, an energetic host, music,  beautiful costuming, bright balloon animals created in front of their eager little faces and of course time permitting, some fantastic face painting even if just basic designs , face painting really adds that extra magical touch.

And don’t forget, its best to steer away from competitive games in favor of interactive inclusive games where all the birthday party children can participate with the aim being on simply having fun whilst still allowing for just the right amount of focus to stay on the star of the party, the birthday child!

Contributed by Jessica Constantine-   Dreamscape Entertainment Melbourne & Brisbane

We saw a great kids entertainer on the weekend armed with a range of kids temporary tattoo designs, he was quick and with no fuss had transformed every child into a cool member of the party! The boys at the party had a fantastic time holding up their sleeves to show off their bat, or spider, or pirate scull n cross bones while the girls admired their sparkly fairy, butterfly and unicorn tattoos. It worked out really well as there was at least 25 party guests running around so the temp tatts were quicker than face painting and really suited everyone

So why not consider teaming up your children’s party entertainment with a bit of a rock star edge and add in temporary airbrush tattoos for your next party or event!

The Melbourne’s Child Magazine and Kidspot.com.au are also excellent resources for kids party entertainment as is my good kids party friend the search engine!  When I was looking for the right kids party entertainer for my son’s 5th birthday I turned to google. I searched with the term “kids parties melbourne” and found some great sites. When I narrowed down the options (a Pirates & Fairies party was what we were after- peter pan theme I sent a few online enquiries through to my top 3 and then considered the info and pricing I was sent back. Some were quite prompt in replying whilst one took a few days. I decided that the first 2 to reply were my most reliable bet , from there I looked at their reviews pages to help guide me in making a decision. One of the sites I found had some very encouraging testimonials and was very well presented with pictures and a wealth of info, costuming looked excellent and the price was fair. I could see they had been in the kids party business for quite some years. I confirmed my booking via email and received a phone call the day before our party from a very bubbly fairy and jovial young man who was to be  our pirate entertainer.

The party was fabulous , our kids party entertainers kept the kids engaged with games, a treasure hunt, magic tricks and balloons and I enjoyed praise the entire day from the other mums who welcomed the break! All made possible with a few clicks of the key board and a little research, definitely worth utilizing the internet and google in particular to source children’s birthday party ideas. Next will be my other daughter’s Mermaid party ……..after such an entertaining Pirate and Fairy duo party I think I’ll stick with the same company

Sandra Ellemore- Point Cook Melbourne

Before you get caught up with costly kids party ideas consider firstly some of the wonderful kids party venues our great city offers totally free of charge.  Melbourne has some of the most delightful outdoor kids party locations on offer whether you be city based or in the suburbs, for inspiration have a squizz at the Parks Victoria website  http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au where you can view an array of options in your local area. Another great website http://www.melbourneplaygrounds.com.au/ where you will find some terrific info about all the play grounds located in Melbourne and their suitability for kids parties!    Many even have fantastic play equipment, toilet facilities, bbq areas, picturesque walks, shelter and tables/chairs. Having a park party eliminates the need for party decorations, simplifies party food expectations and offers a more casual atmosphere – all big bonuses.   A children’s birthday party at a park spares your home if space is limited, ensures plenty of parking, saves you paying for a venue hire and is a great way of encouraging the party children to get out and about.  Engaging the party kids with a range of activities also gives the parents a chance to unwind in the fresh air.  A big coffee thermos and biscuits will keep mums and dads happy while the children have some fun . Cleaning up at the park before cutting the cake can be turned into a fun game for the children too win win!  First child to put 3 bits of rubbish in the bin gets the first piece of birthday cake* Tips – get there early to reserve your undercover /table area and have a contingency plan in case the weather turns bad.

So how to keep the little party guests happy and engaged you may ask?

Here are some excellent kids party ideas that can be adapted to the budget home party too:

* Hire a reasonably priced   kids party entertainer to run the show including hosted age appropriate party games, prizes, magic tricks and ballooning or face painting. We pay around $170 for a 1 hour kids party package representing great value- the costumed entertainer arrives and keeps the kids entertained leaving me to organize just the party food a huge help!

Or for a more Do it yourself version without hired kids entertainment….

* Plan and host your own fun range of party games, your child will no doubt be able to help you with ideas or try some of mine: Treasure hunt with clue maps can be a great active game when structured with a bit of creativity i.e spreading the hunt across a large area (great for those park parties) with lots of clues and treasure points or Set up a cup cake decorating station-  a real winner,  or a craft activity for the kids to complete at their leisure.  All you need to provide is plain cup cakes , icing, safe plastic knives, smarties, sprinkles , lollies or anything edible the kids may enjoy. You can even turn this activity into a cup cake decorating competition with the most creative design winning some silver or pink edible jewels to share with everyone this really encourages the kids to take their time with their cup cakes.

*Food wise a sausage sizzle is quick , get Pizza’s delivered, or make each child a little picnic with sandwiches and a drink in a noodle box looks very cute.  All easy and inexpensive and always loved

*Goodies found during the treasure hunt can form the lolly /take home bags just give the kids a little bag to take around with them

And there you have it the makings of a fantastic kids birthday party in Melbourne on a modest budget!

Likewise the kids party suppliers we have featured on our links page all provide prompt, professional service and value for money. Have your own preferred suppliers let us know we’d love to add them!

We hope you find our  party resources super useful,  anyone planning or researching Kids Parties in Melbourne you have come to the right place… well at least we would like to think so.  With over 11 years proven experience in providing quality kids party entertainers to Melbourne and now Brisbane we are excited launch our little less formal Dreamscape Kids Parties blog section.

In terms of first hand information generously contributed by Melbourne mums in the know and our party savvy entertainment staff members,  i’ve no doubt you will find some super handy kids party ideas and tips for the smooth running of your child’s birthday party.  We have done all the hard work to deliver you the most up to date useful kids party tips sourced from our tried range of reputable Melbourne based Kids party experts and who better to rely on for advice than those who organize parties often! Lets face it the best way to learn is through the experience of others.

Showcasing the most fun, dynamic Kids Party Entertainers Melbourne has to offer, top ideas to ensure the success of your child’s birthday party, party food tips, kids party games, kids party venues and a useful selection of tools sure to guarantee the smooth running of your child’s special day.

We are dedicated to the ongoing improvement of our Kids Parties in Melbourne resource site and welcome your feedback and/or contributions.The perfect site for all your Do It Yourself Kids Party Ideas with a focus on providing useful information to mums and dads and organisers of Kids Parties in Melbourne.  We noticed that Melbourne Kids Party parents had some specific information needs so we came to the rescue with this comprehensive tool which is regularly updated to provide you a wealth of knowledge. Feel free to contribute your own advice, tips and feedback, we would love to hear your own kids party stories, tips and questions.

There is absolutely no reason why your  child’s birthday party can’t be super successful and smooth running and inexpensive at the same time. Kids birthday parties can be so much fun for not only the little party guests but also for the grown ups by providing a great opportunity for socializing while the kids are engaged. Lets face it, by far the most effective way of keeping the kids busy is with attention grabbing activities or a skilled kids party entertainer, fortunately Melbourne has plenty! Blending your own kids party ideas with the assistance of a Dreamscape childrens party entertainer makes for a terrific event leaving you free to do as much or as little as you wish. Most importantly don’t get caught up in the stress of it all, rather see your child’s birthday party as a more relaxed event for all that way you can enjoy the day too!

Enjoy our site !  Jessica Constantine – Dreamscape Entertainment

After having gone back and forward with the many grand ideas they each (5 & 6 years) had come up with , it was clear we had a problem, nothing was being agreed upon and we were running out of time to send out invites and book in the kids party entertainment for the day. November is always a hugely busy period for
Melbourne based kids entertainers and I didn’t want to miss out on booking in time or I would have 30 sugar-full little party people destroying my house!

As though someone was sitting in google land listening in on our dilemma a miracle happened………… We  had a breakthrough , my party-zilla’s agreed that a crafty party might be a fun alternative, having both had princess entertainers, superheroes and fairy parties the year prior some sort of craft theme seemed to appeal to them both. Not wanting to lose momentum I didn’t waste a minute before busily typing into google combinations of likely keywords like kids craft parties melbourne then remembering the fun they both had at our local shopping centre a while back I typed in “kids plaster painting parties” and like magic there it was, my saviour , a wonderfully presented kids parties website featuring the cutest plaster figurines I had ever seen!

My tiny but mighty birthday party planners eagerly began picking out the figurines they just had to paint and even started picking on behalf of their friends. We have a winner!!!!!!

The range was pretty impressive with everything from the disney princesses to fairy tinkerbell, spiderman to ninja turtles , nemo to thomas the tank engine and beyond, the supplier had thought of everything. I sent an email requesting a quote for a plaster painting party kit for 30 kids and received a beautiful color brochure and pricing within minutes. To my delight everything came with the figurines, the paints, the smocks, glitters  , brushes, a table covering and of course the highlight of all highlights 30 blank plaster characters ready for the kids to turn into their very own creation.

Feeling very pleased and relieved with my cuppa in hand I placed our order and as promised received my plaster painting party kit the week before our party, I even received a follow up email to confirm my kit had arrived in good order -great service to boot!

The day of our much anticipated plaster painting fun party arrived and I set the kids up on a couple of trestle tables in our back yard, put on a fun cd and watched with joy as all 30 little artists carefully and proudly painted their own special figurine to take home. The smiles and gasps of excitement really made for a terrific day, and some great photo’s. While their plaster creations dried the kids ate their party lunch and the mums all admired the art work commenting on what a great idea the whole thing was. On the way out everyone collected their special figurine and a lolly bag. What a terrific , stress free party I had pulled off! There was even a figurine left at the end of the day which I happily painted that night in total peace and quiet as my exhausted party kids slept after their awesome day.

At school the following week a few of the mums told me how much their kids had raved about our plaster painting party and how they had taken such care in deciding where their character would be placed with a couple of the children opting for their piece to sit in the living area so everyone would see their art work

Thanks heaps Dreamscape for your kids party idea assistance with your plaster painting parties melbourne  and for providing such a great service!

Ella Moore- Brighton Vic