Children's Entertainment in North Yorkshire
Not sure what children's entertainment to book? Tell us about the children and the event and we will help you choose. Jolly Good Productions provides professional children's entertainment for birthday parties, family events and community occasions across North Yorkshire, County Durham and the North East.
Start with the children, not the entertainment
There is no single entertainment package that suits every children's party or family event. Before recommending anything, we want to know the ages of the children, whether the group is boys, girls or mixed, how many will be there and whether older brothers and sisters may bring friends.
We also ask where and when the event will be held, whether you already have a venue, whether you have hired an entertainer before, what else is happening at the event and, of course, whether you already know what you want.
For ages four to eight: the Magic Party
For a typical birthday party for younger children, Mr Ron's Magic Party is normally our first recommendation. It is a tried-and-tested two-hour format designed especially for children from around four to eight years old.
The first hour is a lively comedy magic show with lots of joining in and balloon modelling. There is then about 30 minutes for food, birthday cake and Happy Birthday, followed by a final 30 minutes of specially designed games and activities.
Games where everyone stays involved
Our party games are not elimination games. Children are not told that they are “out” and sent to sit down while everyone else continues. The games are designed to keep the whole group involved throughout. Even our own version of Pass the Parcel keeps everyone playing until the end, with one prize for the winner.
Depending on the party, venue and what the family would like, the final part of the Magic Party can also include activities such as the Magic Bubble Ring, parachute games or giant bubbles instead of the usual music and games.
For older children: try a Circus Workshop
For older children, we would normally recommend a Circus Workshop. It is hands-on, challenging and great fun, giving the children the chance to try the skills themselves rather than simply watch a performance.
For a third birthday, our advice is usually to wait another year. Four is a very good age to begin enjoying Mr Ron's Magic Party.
Planning a children's party?
Our practical party planning guide explains the Magic Party format, venues, food, supervision, balloons, prizes and the other arrangements that help the party run smoothly.
Choose what works for your event
Some customers know exactly what they want. Others simply know that they need to keep a group of children happily entertained. These are some of the options we can discuss.
Children's Magic
Mr Ron's comedy magic is designed for younger children, with lots of laughter, visual magic and audience participation. The full Magic Party can provide the structure for virtually the whole birthday party, while shorter shows work well as part of a larger event.
Find out about Children's Magic
Punch & Judy
People who book Punch & Judy usually know that it is what they want. It is particularly useful for outdoor events and can be presented as one or more scheduled shows during the day.
Face Painting
Face Painting is normally an ongoing activity running alongside other entertainment rather than stand-alone entertainment for a birthday party. At outdoor events the working area must be protected from hot sun, wind and rain.
Balloon Modelling
Balloon Modelling can work as a background or mobile activity at a larger event. We do not normally recommend live balloon modelling as the main entertainment at a children's birthday party: balloons can quickly be burst and children naturally want replacements. Pre-tied balloons to hand out as the children leave are often a more practical choice.
Circus Workshops
Circus Workshops are especially good for older children because everybody can get involved and try the skills. At a public event the workshop needs a clearly enclosed activity area so that equipment remains within the workshop.
Bubbles and parachute games
Giant bubbles, bubble making and parachute games can add another participatory element to a party or family event. Outdoors they are weather dependent: windy conditions can make them impractical.
Entertainment for larger events
If the same children are likely to remain at an event for much of the day, a varied programme can work particularly well. Rather than repeating one activity, we can discuss a mixture of scheduled shows and participatory entertainment appropriate to the site and audience.
Punch & Judy is particularly well suited to outdoor events. A magic show needs an indoor performance area or a suitable tent or marquee with sides. A circus workshop needs a contained activity area. Face painting can continue throughout the event when properly sheltered, while balloon modelling can also be offered as mobile entertainment among the guests. Parachute games and bubbles can be included when the weather allows.
The important thing is to plan the programme around the audience, site, weather protection and other attractions already taking place.
Children's entertainment with experience behind it
Jolly Good Productions has been providing professional entertainment since 1990. That experience means we are happy to tell you when an idea is likely to work — and equally happy to suggest something different when we think another option would suit the children better.
Based in Richmond, we provide children's entertainment throughout North Yorkshire, County Durham and the North East, with other areas considered.
Choosing children's entertainment
What entertainment is best for a children's birthday party?
For children aged around four to eight, Mr Ron's two-hour Magic Party is normally our first recommendation. For older children, a hands-on Circus Workshop can be a better choice.
What about three-year-olds?
For a third birthday, we would normally advise waiting until the following year. Four is a much better age for Mr Ron's Magic Party.
Can you entertain a mixed age group?
Yes, but tell us the full age range, including older brothers and sisters and any friends they may bring. This can make a considerable difference to what we recommend.
Do you provide traditional party games?
Our games are specially designed to keep everybody involved rather than progressively eliminating children and sending them to sit down. If you specifically want a conventional game such as Pass the Parcel, discuss it with us beforehand.
Can several types of entertainment be combined?
Yes. This can work particularly well at longer family and community events. The right combination depends on the ages, venue, timings, weather protection and what other attractions are taking place.
What do you need to recommend something?
Tell us the children's ages, approximate numbers, whether older siblings and friends will attend, the venue or proposed venue, date and times, what else is happening and whether you already have a particular type of entertainment in mind.
Tell us about your party or event.
We will help you choose entertainment that suits the children, the venue and the occasion.