5 Questions to Ask a Children’s Entertainer Before You Hire Them

5 Questions to Ask a Children’s Entertainer Before You Hire Them

Hiring a children’s entertainer is basically outsourcing chaos control.

When it’s good: the kids are locked in, laughing, and you get 45–90 minutes to breathe.
When it’s bad: the entertainer turns up late, the “show” isn’t age-appropriate, the sound doesn’t work, and the kids start free-range wrestling.

Here are the 5 questions that separate “best party ever” from “never again”.

1) What age range is your show actually built for?

Most party problems aren’t “bad entertainers” — they’re bad fit.

A 4-year-old party needs fast pacing, simple rules, and short segments. A 9-year-old party needs sharper humour, bigger participation, and less baby-ish stuff.

What a good answer sounds like

• “This package is best for ages 4–6” (or 7–10, etc.)

• They ask you questions: number of kids, ages, venue type, party length

• They can adapt if your group is mixed (siblings happen)

Red flags

• “It suits all ages” with no detail

• They don’t ask anything about your group

• Their whole pitch is about props, not outcomes (attention, flow, crowd control)

2) What’s the plan for keeping the group engaged (and under control)?

Kids don’t need more stimulation. They need structure that feels fun.

Ask what happens if…

• kids interrupt

• one child gets overwhelmed

• the group is shy at first

• you have a few “high-energy leaders” (you know the ones)

What a good answer sounds like

• Clear crowd-handling: call-and-response cues, games with simple rules, turns built in

• A warm-up segment to get shy kids involved

• A calm-down moment near the end (so the party doesn’t peak into madness)

Red flags

• They rely on “the parents will help”

• They have no method beyond “it’s always fine”

• They can’t explain how they manage behaviour without being harsh

3) How long is the entertainment, and what’s the running order?

This is where you avoid the classic mistake: booking 2 hours of entertainment for kids who mentally tap out after 50 minutes.

What to clarify

• Total time (45 / 60 / 90 minutes)

• Structure: games → magic → balloons → mini disco (example)

• Breaks (especially for longer packages)

• Where cake / food fits (because cake time always hijacks the schedule)

What a good answer sounds like

• A simple “flow” they’ve used many times

• Timing that fits your party length and venue slot

• Advice like: “Do food before we start” or “Cake at the end works best”

Red flags

• Vague “we’ll see on the day”

• No structure

• They want cake mid-show (that’s usually a momentum killer)

4) What do you need from us (space, power, sound, setup)?

A great entertainer with the wrong setup is still a stressful party.

Ask specifically

• Space requirements (living room vs hall)

• Power needs (speaker, lighting, bubble machine, etc.)

• Setup/pack-down time (important if you have a tight venue slot)

• Indoor/outdoor plan (and what happens if it rains)

What a good answer sounds like

• “I’ll arrive X minutes early”

• Clear setup list: one plug socket, 2m x 2m space, etc.

• A backup plan for weather or noise restrictions

Red flags

• They only mention requirements after you’ve paid

• They need lots of space but didn’t ask about your venue

• No backup plan for outdoors

5) What’s included in the price — and what’s your cancellation/backup plan?

This avoids surprise add-ons and “sorry can’t make it” panic.

Confirm

• Deposit amount + when balance is due

• Travel costs (if any)

• Extras (party bags, prizes, balloons, tattoos, glitter, character add-on)

• Cancellation policy

• Backup cover if they’re sick

What a good answer sounds like

• Straightforward pricing in writing

• Clear cancellation terms

• “If I can’t attend, I have a trusted network and I’ll arrange cover” (or a refund policy)

Red flags

• No written confirmation

• No cancellation policy

• “If I’m sick, you’re out of luck”

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Where to find children’s entertainers in Northern Ireland (without scrolling Facebook for hours)

Browse local options here and filter by what you need (kids’ birthdays, activity type, location):

https://partysuppliersdirect.com/listings/activity-hire/

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FAQ

How far in advance should I book a children’s entertainer?

For peak dates (weekends, holidays), book as early as you can. For normal weekends, good entertainers still fill up fast — especially if they only do limited slots per day.

How long should I book an entertainer for at a kids’ birthday?

For most home or hall parties, 45–60 minutes is the sweet spot. If you’re going longer, ask about breaks and a clear running order so it doesn’t drag.

What should I tell the entertainer before the party?

Share: ages, number of kids, venue type, any special needs/sensitivities, and whether parents will stay or drop off. The best entertainers plan around the reality of your group.

How do I get listed on PartySuppliersDirect.com as a children’s entertainer?

Create a listing that makes it easy for parents to book you:

• Your coverage area (towns + BT areas you travel to)

• Clear packages (45/60/90 mins) and what’s included

• Photos/videos showing real party moments (not just promo shots)

• Your booking method and typical response time
  Then use your PSD mini-site link in your social bios so enquiries land in one place.