Kids Birthday Parties

[libby]

Hi all,
My family's business is trying to expand into areas they haven't been yet. One possibility is kids birthday parties. Have any of you taken a group of kids to a venue that hosts kids birthday parties? What made it good or bad? What is a reasonable price per child, and what kinds of things do you expect?
Have any of you had an unruly kid there, and what in the world happens with those kids?
TIA

 

[kwillia]

Hi all,
My family's business is trying to expand into areas they haven't been yet. One possibility is kids birthday parties. Have any of you taken a group of kids to a venue that hosts kids birthday parties? What made it good or bad? What is a reasonable price per child, and what kinds of things do you expect?
Have any of you had an unruly kid there, and what in the world happens with those kids?
TIA

I think that is something worth looking into because it is really easier on parents to have it at a venue rather than home, but I think the biggest cons would be you having offer variety for affordable pricing. It will be popular when it's new but after a while the same circle of children will be put off having to go to several different birthdays at the same venue if that venue doesn't mix it up somehow.

 

[DoWhat]

I hate little kids that aren't mine.

 

[libby]

I hate little kids that aren't mine.

You always have the most constructive observations to make.

 

[DoWhat]

You always have the most constructive observations to make.

Thank You.
I'm here to help.

 

[kwillia]

So Libby, now that I've been thinking about it... I think that if you simply offered a kid friendly roomie colorful place, the tables and chairs, setup, and cleanup as part of the package you would stay constantly booked.

Parents would provide the decorations of their chosing including balloons, plates, cups and plastic utensils up front before a predetermined deadline and they would bring their own cake/ice cream when they arrive for the party. Parents provide the entertainment such as games or hiring clowns, magicians, strippers, etc. You would have the set up done by their expected arrival and then you would clean up after their predetermined departure time.

By keeping it simple by renting the venue and setup/cleanup services you are offering parents convenience and peace of mind without having to keep a large inventory of supplies on hand.

 

[pelers]

So Libby, now that I've been thinking about it... I think that if you simply offered a kid friendly roomie colorful place, the tables and chairs, setup, and cleanup as part of the package you would stay constantly booked.

Parents would provide the decorations of their chosing including balloons, plates, cups and plastic utensils up front before a predetermined deadline and they would bring their own cake/ice cream when they arrive for the party. Parents provide the entertainment such as games or hiring clowns, magicians, strippers, etc. You would have the set up done by their expected arrival and then you would clean up after their predetermined departure time.

By keeping it simple by renting the venue and setup/cleanup services you are offering parents convenience and peace of mind without having to keep a large inventory of supplies on hand.

This would be a good idea. Maybe keep a directory handy of people who could provide services (clowns, magicians, etc)

You could also provide cutlery/decor for an additional fee

 

[libby]

Okay, thanks for the thought. Does this mean the the biggest hassle parents have with parties is the set up/clean up?
Ensuring that the kids have an activity to keep them occupied isn't a big deal? What about over-indulgence in sweets? Does anyone care about that? For instance, if my family's business is a cupcake store, and the activity provided is frosting/decorating and then eating your cupcake, do parents no cringe at the idea of a cake as well? Or, when you go to a party, do you just say, "what the heck. There is nothing I can do about it."

 

[MarieB]

Okay, thanks for the thought. Does this mean the the biggest hassle parents have with parties is the set up/clean up?
Ensuring that the kids have an activity to keep them occupied isn't a big deal? What about over-indulgence in sweets? Does anyone care about that? For instance, if my family's business is a cupcake store, and the activity provided is frosting/decorating and then eating your cupcake, do parents no cringe at the idea of a cake as well? Or, when you go to a party, do you just say, "what the heck. There is nothing I can do about it."

I've never had my kids' parties at a venue, but my friends who do say it's the work involved that leads them to do this. I don't think there would be an issue with the sweets at all. You would have to do more than the cupcake decorating though IMO. That wouldn't take much time at all

 

[MarieB]

And to add

I just read kwilia's response. I disagree with the premise

I think parents who want to have the party elsewhere don't want that much work. Bringing a cake wouldn't be bad (no need for that if you are truly doing cupcakes) but everything else????



Do the firehouses do kids' parties here?

 

[kwillia]

And to add

I just read kwilia's response. I disagree with the premise

I think parents who want to have the party elsewhere don't want that much work. Bringing a cake wouldn't be bad (no need for that if you are truly doing cupcakes) but everything else????

Do the firehouses do kids' parties here?

I'm looking at it from a business perspective. Libby would take on a huge risk offering to line up subcontractors (clown, magicians, etc.) when she has has no control over whether or not she'd actually be able to get them or how good they'd be. As for the decorations/plates Libby could offer to supply generic for a price but most kids want a specific theme and the selection is huge and prices and availablility varies widely... again a huge risk to make a promise to provide something that Libby won't really have complete control over. I would keep it simple.


Libby, your idea offering to provide cupcakes that could be indiviually decorated could be an option if the parents preferred but then you'd have the whole healh department issue to deal. If the food is brought from outside than you wouldn't have the extra red tape and expense.

 

[DoWhat]

The little $hits don't need no stinkin Birfday parta.

 

[kwillia]

The little $hits don't need no stinkin Birfday parta.

Does that mean I should stop planning your party...

 

[DoWhat]

Does that mean I should stop planning your party...

I'm a big $hit.
Keep planning.

 

[MarieB]

I'm looking at it from a business perspective. Libby would take on a huge risk offering to line up subcontractors (clown, magicians, etc.) when she has has no control over whether or not she'd actually be able to get them or how good they'd be. As for the decorations/plates Libby could offer to supply generic for a price but most kids want a specific theme and the selection is huge and prices and availablility varies widely... again a huge risk to make a promise to provide something that Libby won't really have complete control over. I would keep it simple.


Libby, your idea offering to provide cupcakes that could be indiviually decorated could be an option if the parents preferred but then you'd have the whole healh department issue to deal. If the food is brought from outside than you wouldn't have the extra red tape and expense.

I understand that. With lack of details it's hard to give a definitive answer. I just went by the OP with the cupcake idea and my experience that parents who have parties for kids at a venue don't want to rent a space, they want mostly everything taken care of

 

[kwillia]

I understand that. With lack of details it's hard to give a definitive answer. I just went by the OP with the cupcake idea and my experience that parents who have parties for kids at a venue don't want to rent a space, they want mostly everything taken care of

I think picking out and ordering the party supplies, making or ordering a cake are actually the fun part of planning a kid's party. It's ensuring you have an appropriate place for guests, cleaning and kid proofing, setting up and then clean up that are the tiring and stressful part. If Libby ends up with an appropriate venue she's not going to be limited to just kids' birthday parties wanting to rent her time and space, but also baby showers and wedding showers, etc.

There are already a number of party planners offering their services in our area, but affordable choices in venues are hard to find.

 

[KDENISE977]

I understand that. With lack of details it's hard to give a definitive answer. I just went by the OP with the cupcake idea and my experience that parents who have parties for kids at a venue don't want to rent a space, they want mostly everything taken care of

:yeah that: If I hired someone to do a party for MY son, I'd give them ideas and they they could go from there, otherwise... What am I paying for? Just a spot to have the event??

 

[kwillia]

:yeah that: If I hired someone to do a party for MY son, I'd give them ideas and they they could go from there, otherwise... What am I paying for? Just a spot to have the event??

Yep, that's what I'm saying. Different levels of service could be offered. Some will just want a venue and the basic set up/clean up where others may want the full "just do it and we'll show up" service. But the full service would require a lot more up front investment of time, money and possible permits and such that may not be cost effective until the business has really gotten off the ground. I would think the initial complexity would be based on how much time, money and previous experience the business starters have to begin with.

 

[bresamil]

Best parties we had and why:

The Little Gym (ages 5-8, younger can't do much, older would be bored): Children were in one room with two hostesses, parents could see in but were comfortably seated in a separate room. Lots of activities and music. Kids couldn't "escape". After activities, went to separate decorated room for all where presents were opened and hostess wrote down what they got and who they got it from (great for thank you cards). They provided chips/drinks/plates/cups/napkins, parent provides cake. 2 hour limit. Out the door and on our separate ways.

Hyperspace (ages 5-12): Provided decorated room (1 hr, after that everyone is in common area), cake, drinks, pizza, tokens for video games, LaserTag game, rock climb, huge activity area with climbing, slides etc . Had a snack bar so parents could get whatever they wanted while waiting for the kids to tire themselves out. Negative - plenty of escape routes and the different areas made it harder to keep track of the kids.

McDonalds/Burger King (ages 4-8): Play area closed off just for party. Provided happy meals and cake. Negative - At least two escape routes.

Home parties were fun but the problem was that often kids were left and not picked up until hours after the designated party end time. Also, sometimes parents lingered and it was seldom the parents you really enjoyed spending time with...

 

[libby]

My family's product is not cupcakes, but it is food related. I'm curious about letting the kids get in on making the products. Let's say I'm Wildewood Pastry Shop (I'm not), but what about an activity that allows kids to frost, decorate, cut out fondant shapes, etc? Each kid gets to choose the flavor combos and embellishments either for: cakes, cookies, pies or whatever Wildewood offers. Is that too much junk food to have along with the cake? Or do parents not care when it comes to a party?
Different activities for different age groups, yep.
But the biggest issue is prep and clean up? Parents want to walk in with a group of kids, stand back while the shop facilitates an activity, kids eat and perhaps open a few presents, and out they go, with the clean up left to the store?
As I said, the business is already established, but looking for a way reach a different group, I guess.