Adelaide children’s party entertainers: Experts share their top tips, costs
From unicorn tea parties and magic shows to Nerf wars and slime fun, children’s birthdays can be a dream come true. Get the party started with these Adelaide entertainers and planners.
Lifestyle
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Party planning is fully under way again and children’s parties are no exception.
Thanks to the Kar-Jenners, kids’ birthday parties are more extravagant than ever before.
From Britney Spears impersonators and discos with just Leo Sayer music, Adelaide’s entertainers have experienced it all – and Covid restrictions are no longer stopping them.
Adelaide’s entertainers say when you’re planning your children’s birthdays ensure that the businesses you hire are qualified, holding current police and working with children checks, as well as public liability insurance.
Let’s get the party started by revealing some of Adelaide’s top children’s party entertainers and hire businesses to help add some magic to your next birthday party or function.
Bring Me Magic
Michael Wilkop was mesmerised the first time he saw a magician.
You could say that Bring Me Magic was born in that moment.
Mr Wilkop has over 25 years of experience in the performing arts and is also an award-winning director.
Top tip for parents organising children’s parties?
Kids are excited to see their friends outside of the school environment. Allow the kids to play and entertain themselves for the first 30-45 minutes of the party. This allows for latecomers to arrive.
Kids party horror story?
We had a pair of twins booked in for their first party. Unfortunately, the party had to be cancelled due to lockdown.
The team got together and recorded a special video that they could watch on their birthday.
We also had one of our pirates deliver them a courtesy toy basket to cheer them up.
Since it was such a hit, we now offer those services.
Most memorable party and why?
We had a six-year-old girl who had been in hospital for almost two months. During this time several performers and I had visited her to cheer her up and entertain her.
Thankfully she recovered and to celebrate had a party with her friends. I performed a magic show for her and she came up to me after and said: “I now believe in magic and it was your magic that made me better”.
What do you offer?
We offer a wide range of entertainment options including magic shows, jugglers, character entertainers, party hosts, activity tables, balloon artists, face painters, toy baskets and our famous kid-o-grams.
How much do your services cost?
We can offer a trainee entertainer from as low as $90 per hour.
We also have an amazing one-hour character hosting packages, which includes party games, prizes, music, storytelling, magic and comedy starting from $180 per hour.
Fun Time Kids Parties
After getting back into DJ’ing to save up money for his wedding, Mathew Grey found he had a talent for children’s entertainment.
Instead of putting away the decks, he opened Fun Time Kids Parties with his wife, Kathryn.
Top tip for parents organising their children’s parties?
Don’t over think the food. Generally kids will be having too much fun to eat a lot, so just make it tasty and easy to grab and go.
Most unusual parent request?
We had one child send a song list for their disco and it was all Leo Sayer music.
Kids party horror story?
The most memorable horror story was probably the kid who climbed into the business van while we were loading after an event. We came back out just as the child released the handbrake and the van started rolling down the drive.
What do you offer?
Our most popular events include the Nerf wars, discos, Beyblade tournaments, Lego build-n-bash parties and bubble parties.
How much do your services cost?
Our parties range from $250 to $600 depending on the event, duration and number of kids.
Bop Till You Drop
Cathy Randazzo loved dancing so it seemed only natural for her to transition into being a children’s entertainer.
Top tip for parents organising their children’s parties?
For decoration it’s best to not have free floating balloons, try to stick everything in place.
Have an allocated time for food and eating, don’t have it out from the beginning as it is often a distraction.
Most unusual parent request?
Once a parent asked an entertainer to pretend to be Britney Spears because she apparently had told her daughter Britney was coming to her party.
Kids party horror story?
I was doing a party, it was cake time and we were all gathered around singing Happy Birthday and then all of a sudden the cake had caught on fire from the candles.
Most memorable party and why?
The one story in particular that stands out is a birthday we did for a special-needs child. It was her 13th birthday and we had actually hosted her birthday every year since she was five, so it will always be very special to us.
What do you offer?
We specialise in disco and karaoke parties, slime, science, plaster painting, sport, photo booth and stretch hummer parties.
How much do your services cost?
Because of the variety in services our parties start at $229 for 30 kids and our discos start at $280 for unlimited kids.
Nifty Entertainment and Fairy Bay
Greg and Nicole Brusic started balloon art business Nifty Entertainment in 2009 as they were both specialised balloon artists.
They later purchased Fairy Bay and now provide fairies to children’s parties around the state.
Top tip for parents organising their children’s parties?
Don’t book the entertainer for the beginning of a party – people always run late.
Most unusual parent request?
To replace a balloon that their child had received at a function over a year ago from us. It was intact, a lot smaller, in a glass.
What do you offer?
We offer balloon artists, face painters, glitter tattoos, themed entertainers, henna artists, magicians and caricature artists. We also offer balloon decor and balloon deliveries.
How much do your services cost?
Entertainers range from $165 onwards depending on the artist.
A Sprinkle of Magic
Sarah Sanders has been operating A Sprinkle of Magic since 2005 and within those 16 years, she has been the recipient of nine awards, the most recent being Best Party Entertainer last year.
Top tip for parents organising their children’s parties?
My top tip for any parent organising their child’s birthday party is to have fun. Parties can be super stressful and a little overwhelming, taking a moment to stop and breathe will help.
Most memorable party and why?
It was a large party with 30 children and a really hot day. The parents had spoken to me earlier and asked my thoughts on putting on the watering system to cool off the kids. I said it was a fabulous idea and would give them the signal. I had all the children’s attention as I told them the story of the raining fairies; as I finished sharing the story, I gave the signal and the watering system popped up from out of the grass.
What do you offer?
I always bring that extra sparkle to any event, creating a magical experience for all. I’m recognised at events for our set up as it is full of colour with flowers, tulle, toadstool cushions and rainbows. I set up tables and chairs at events with activities for children to enjoy, basket full of bubble wands, our own colouring sheet and pencils on display.
How much do your services cost?
A lot of thought and consideration went into designing the packages which range from face painting, basic, premium and ultimate hosted parties, jumping castles and caravan parties. There is something for everyone. Prices start from $150 and can be found on my website.
Yabadoo Kid’s Parties
Liam McArthur, one of Yabadoo Kid’s Parties entertainers, was born and raised in Port Lincoln but moved to Adelaide a year ago to follow his passion for acting and entertaining.
Top tip for parents organising their children’s parties?
Making it a known fact to the party goers and kids that there will be a kid’s party entertainer coming to your child’s party beforehand, the anticipation for the entertainer is a great lead into an excitable atmosphere.
Kids party horror story?
I once turned up to a party as a clown and the birthday child hid under the table. So, I invited his friends to join him under the table and started my clown show there too.
It was pretty funny as I kept on bumping my head, accidentally, but the kids thought it was part of the show and were giggling madly.
What do you offer?
Yabadoo offers a character of your choice with a magic show, games such as treasure hunt, pass the parcel and musical statues as well as many more.
Additionally, we offer balloon twisting for all the kids and then either face painting or temporary tattoos. We also take special requests.
How much do your services cost?
Depending on the party length, parties cost between $240 and $295 for between one and two hours. Less for online parties.
Fly By Fun
Top tip for parents organising their children’s parties
If you’re going to have a pinata, make sure it’s not built as tough as nails.
Kids party horror story?
Any party with a need to wear an extreme amount of face paint that will inevitably start to weep. Started off as a friendly clown, finished as a villain from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
What do you offer?
A little bit of everything: character work, balloon twisting, face painting, science, slime making, arts and crafts.
How much do your services cost?
We tailor our packages.
Classic Carriage Drives
Unicorns are a popular theme for kids parties and are rising in popularity, with Classic Carriage Drives owner Libby Green hiring out white horse Indianna and brown pony Mabel, two tea party hosting ‘unicorns’.
What makes a successful party?
I believe the key elements for a successful party include being stress free for parents and something engaging, meaningful and memorable for the children.
What do you offer?
We offer horse-drawn carriage rides through Montacute in the Adelaide Hills. This can be a party experience in itself or can include a ‘vintage picnic’ set in bushland for the opportunity for children to play and explore.
Alternatively, if you like a more intimate and hands on horse experience, the Unicorn Tea Party is the way to go. The children feed, groom, decorate and have led rides on a ‘unicorn’ as well as share a tea party in a teepee tent.
How much does it cost?
From $180 for the horse drawn carriage ride and from $300 for the Unicorn Tea Party.
Little People Party Hire
As a mum of five children of her own, it seemed only natural for Claudia Priori to purchase Little People Party Hire. Now her family spends their time together running the party hire business, creating incredible environments for children’s parties.
Top tip for parents organising their children’s parties?
I feel you should keep things simple if you would like to host a fun entertaining event without having a meltdown.
What do you offer?
We offer children’s chairs and tables, soft play equipment in pastel and white and grey, white jumping castle, cart, plinths, highchairs and ride-on toys.
How much does it cost to hire your equipment?
We have items to hire between $3 to $600.
Race to Melbourne: SA baby’s journey for heart surgery
First-time parents Brooke Guildford and Morgan Ellery rushed their five-week-old vomiting baby girl to hospital, only to receive a life-altering diagnosis.
Heartbroken mum’s own words: ‘I lost my son to this fitness trend’
Mia Bannister’s son Ollie was just 14-years-old when he lost his life amid a battle that began as an effort to achieve perfection.