I need a lie down

[HeartandSoul]

Okay, we had a slot today, so agreed to do a kids party. I never do under 13, but a rush of blood to the head and we are surrounded by 50 seven year olds. Told the father we are dj's as opposed to kids entertainers, he was happy with that, they were going to do the games. So guess what, we end up doing all of it. Some of the kids were cute, some were little blighters. First and last time, longest 2 hours ever. They have attention spans of about 30 seconds! Doesn't even last for the duration of Gangnam style. shattered. Give me a wedding anytime.

Hats off to you guys who do this regularly. Do you feel like this at the end?

I'm off for a mandatory 8 hours sleep. maybe 9. :eek:

[Daryll]

Hats off to you guys who do this regularly. Do you feel like this at the end?



yep........every time , children's party's are full on from start to finish, no rest , games , glow sticks, disco , all crammed into a couple of hours.
TBH , I prefer these to weddings, but as they say ,each to their own.

Cheers

Daryll

[paulg]

Hats off to you guys who do this regularly. Do you feel like this at the end?

Nope. It's all about planning and a set routine. Modelling balloons first (chance to talk to the children to learn their preferences), then hula hoops, then statues, the pass the parcel, then food, then limbo......etc etc. Always in the same order with the music playlist sync'd to activity. The secret really is to have a shorter attention span than them.

[DJ jordi J]

Young kids disco's always take it out of you, but i agree all about the planning. Balloons always go down well as it gives them something to keep their hands busy, the 'Hokey cokey' always gets them all involved as well :)

[DJ Jules]

Nope. It's all about planning and a set routine. Modelling balloons first (chance to talk to the children to learn their preferences), then hula hoops, then statues, the pass the parcel, then food, then limbo......etc etc. Always in the same order with the music playlist sync'd to activity. The secret really is to have a shorter attention span than them.

Just one comment about this (as a parent), if the routine and the activities are always the same, then the kids (and parents) will quickly get to know what you do. And get bored of it. What you're saying makes perfect sense (talk to the children first, get to know them and get their attention, then do a motion activity, then something else, etc) - but it's worth finding a range of different activities to perform this routine so that the kids don't see the same thing over and over.... :D

Julian

[paulg]

Just one comment about this (as a parent), if the routine and the activities are always the same, then the kids (and parents) will quickly get to know what you do. And get bored of it. What you're saying makes perfect sense (talk to the children first, get to know them and get their attention, then do a motion activity, then something else, etc) - but it's worth finding a range of different activities to perform this routine so that the kids don't see the same thing over and over.... :D

Julian

Children love repetition. Again, again, said the Teletubbies!

After 15 years of it, I find that parents book based on what they see so they kind of expect the same thing. Of course, there are a few interchangeable games and I am always developing new games* but the tried and tested formula works well. If it ain't broke.......

* latest games involve 8 ft snowmen with velcro polystyrene snowballs and name that tune with up to 60 kazoo's.

[DJ Jules]

Children love repetition. Again, again, said the Teletubbies!

That works until you do monthly family nights at a community centre (or school discos) where you see the same kids month on month and the older ones particularly know what's coming and get bored of seeing the same things quite quickly.


Of course, there are a few interchangeable games and I am always developing new games* but the tried and tested formula works well. If it ain't broke.......

That is exactly what I was talking about :D Nailed it!


* latest games involve 8 ft snowmen with velcro polystyrene snowballs and name that tune with up to 60 kazoo's.

I've had no end of trouble finding a good source for Kazoo's (seriously). Where do you get yours from? I'd be interested to know where you get your snowmen from as well ;)

Julian

[paulg]

I had some kazoo's from a previous relationships with drunken jamming nights....don't ask!! For months I could only find the party favour type of kazoo which are hopeless or the expensive ones but I spotted 48 on Ebay for 15 quid inc post and they are pretty decent. Bargain. You can rattle off Urban Spaceman with ease. Just checked with the buyer and they were the last box.

Snowmen I got for free. They were being thrown out because they were "non washable" but after 2 or 3 passes through my washing machine they still look amazing. Being foam lined, they are a swine to dry out though. It's incredible what people will chuck away.

I never do regular weekly gigs anywhere. It would get too boring for me, never mind anyone else! So, whenever I do go back somewhere, usually children will ask for exactly the same games as last time. I like repetition too. Again, again, again.



I had some kazoos............................................ ....................

[Mayhem 1]

As a lot of members may know I specialise
In children's parties (11 and under) along
with both primary schools & nurseries.

I would say the most important things when
doing these events are 1) Keep it fresh 2) Don't
ever threat the kids as idiots and the main
one guys is 3) Have fun yourself!!!!

It has been said that it is "full on" which it is
thats for sure and also although it's a children's
party the faster you can get any parents involved
the better because believe me there is nothing
the children like more than seeing an adult having
to do something silly.

Always here for advice and help folks.

Have a good un'
Mr Mayhem

[Imagine]

I have no problem with children's parties at all (but then I work with kids of 6 and up every week as a Scout leader so I'm used to entertaining them for a couple of hours at a time :) ).

As others have said, it's all about engaging with them and interacting with them. I tend to spend more time out in front of the disco playing games and doing silly things rather than behind it playing music (and let's face it, kids under teens aren't going to spend an entire two hours dancing).

Does it wear me out.....yes. It's full on.
It is fun...definitely :)

[ckpr2]

Last time I did an engagement party there about 10 kids running around.
They were on the stage, jumping off it and all over my gear.
I got fed up with it and asked over the mic for the kids parents to remove them from the stage as something was going to get broken.
No response at all.
So I turned off the disco and the client asked me what was going on.
I told him and he told me the kids were on their own, their parents had gone off clubbing leaving them with me to look after !