As a children’s magician in Houston I am often asked how to choose a venue for a children’s party. As this seems a popular question I thought it would be useful to write an article on the subject. Here are my top tips.
Start your search early – Particularly in Houston there are not huge amounts of suitable venues to choose from. Make sure you book your venue, (and your entertainment), a couple of months in advance of your child’s birthday so that you get a good choice.
Consider the size – How many children are coming to the party? Will many parents be staying? How active is the party going to be? All these things will impact on the size of space you need.
What are the acoustics like – If the hall is echoey with just you inside it, then just imagine what that will sound like with 20 or so children running around. Too much noise can be very overwhelming, particularly for younger children, so do make that a consideration.
Parking – It is likely that most families will drive to the party so make sure there is adequate parking or space for parents to drop their children off. Make sure there is space for you and your entertainer to park too.
Catering – Will you need food preparation space or will you prepare all food at home or order in? If you are planning to prepare some of the party food at the venue then some sort of kitchen facility is a must. Also check that the venue has all the utensils and equipment you will need for your party.
Timing – You will need some time before and after the party’s official timings. 30 minutes either side should be enough for you to get set up and tidied away.
Not necessarily. If you have less than 15-20 children then it is often quite suitable to hold the party at home. If you have a clear space for your entertainer to set up and for the children to play a few games, then at home parties can work very well. A back porch can be an ideal space for this.
The advantages of an at home party can be choosing your own timings, knowing where everything is and it can feel generally more relaxed.
Whatever venue you choose for your party do remember to hire your entertainment in plenty of time too, so you can match the two up successfully. If you are interested in what Houston Children’s Magic can offer for your child’s birthday party, take a look here.
