Kids Birthday Parties

[kwillia]

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.

If you are simply wanting to offer an additional service at your already established business then I would think in the least that you would have to ensure you have public bathroom facilities, reasonable kid-safe (think baby-proofed because if there is something a kid can get into than one of them will) floorspace allowing for sizable party table setup and then a specific menu of priced options allowing the parents to select the options that keep them within their budget. You will have kids that don't care to do whatever nifty activity is supposed to be the focus so there will be some running wild. At least food has a better chance of briefly holding their interest unlike crafts which really get ignored. The ice cream parlor in Leonardtown used to host kids "build a sundae" birthday parties and it was always crazy. Same goes for pizza birthday parties at a pizza restaurant. Loud and chaotic. As far as pricing, "reasonable" is highly subject to opinion. I would think that you would have to base your pricing on your actual cost of advertising, time (set up, hosting event, clean up) and supplies then profit margin and either you get business at that price or you don't. The good news is it sounds like you don't have anything to lose because it would simply be an extension of a business already in place which sounds pretty "low risk".

 

[MarieB]

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.

Do you have young kids?

 

[kwillia]

Do you have young kids?

I married into a large family so not only have I hosted a ton of children's birthday parties but I have also attended 2 tons. All of my opinions are based on what I experienced.

 

[MarieB]

I married into a large family so not only have I hosted a ton of children's birthday parties but I have also attended 2 tons. All of my opinions are based on what I experienced.

I was just curious how long it's been since you have had young ones. I think the "standards" for parties have really changed for many over the years. What I do for parties for the kids is very different than what most of my friends do.

 

[pelers]

I was just curious how long it's been since you have had young ones. I think the "standards" for parties have really changed for many over the years. What I do for parties for the kids is very different than what most of my friends do.

Pinterest is destroying my self esteem.

 

[kwillia]

I was just curious how long it's been since you have had young ones. I think the "standards" for parties have really changed for many over the years. What I do for parties for the kids is very different than what most of my friends do.

Could be, but I don't see how my experiences no longer apply for a business hoping to hop on the "have your birthday" here bandwagon. My post were meant to be nothing more than one mother's perspective.

 

[MarieB]

Could be, but I don't see how my experiences no longer apply for a business hoping to hop on the "have your birthday" here bandwagon. My post were meant to be nothing more than one mother's perspective.

I didn't mean for it to sound that way. I just think things are different for most now, to which I am one exception. I have always had home parties for the kids, and they were nice when we had a pool.