How to host a toddler birthday party

Hosting a birthday party for toddlers (1-3 years) is all about keeping things engaging without overwhelming anybody. Kids at this age love to play and interact with the world around them, and learn through experiencing things. 

Because of this, having a designated entertainer to put on a show while the guests watch might not be the best course of action. In fact, all of our party packages are tailored for children aged three and up. 

Instead, you could try getting everyone involved with activities and entertainment more suited to the way toddlers experience the world. 

Sensory toys and games 

Setting up play stations with interesting and fun things like slime, playdough, or sand can be a good way to get children excited about a party. It gets your guests hands-on with the entertainment, and allows parents to join in with guiding their child’s curiosity. 

Puppet shows

Who doesn’t love a good puppet show? To mix up the entertainment throughout the day, you could dedicate five or 10 minutes to each performance; retelling popular nursery rhymes, or possibly new stories themed around the birthday child. 

For added entertainment, the guests could help to put on their own puppet shows, too! 

Bubble discos

No matter the age, kids love to dance and have fun with their friends. If you’re hosting a party for toddlers, hiring a bubble or smoke machine can enhance a dance party to dizzying heights. Pair this with some age-appropriate songs and dance moves, and you’re on for a winner.

How to entertain children aged 3-6

As kids get older, the types of entertainment you may choose to include in your party evolve. It might seem like everything gets a little bigger (alongside your own kids!), but this doesn’t necessarily need to be the case – always make sure you put your own child’s interests and personality first. 

Parachute games 

A common theme across lots of our parties aimed at this age group is parachute party games – they always go down well! 

In the Teddy Bears Picnic Party, for example, the dedicated entertainer will involve all the kids and their furry friends in fun games that get everybody on their feet. All of the teddies get put onto the parachute, and it's the kids' job to help to throw them into the air. 

Choose an exciting theme

With older kids, the theme of your party becomes a bigger deal. They’ve started developing interests and passions, and replicating those at their birthday parties will make it extra special. 

This could include a Unicorn Party to spark their imagination, or a Dinosaur Party with games and prizes themed around their favourite prehistoric creatures. 

We have an extensive range of fun, themed parties to choose from, so you’ll be sure to find one that works for you!

How to entertain children aged 7-10 

If your kids are getting bigger, their party needs to grow with them. Parties designed around children up to 10-years-old will expand in both the kinds of entertainment that you might want to include, as well as the size of your guest list. 

Big games with lots of prizes

If your child has invited lots of their school friends and family members, you’ll want to keep everybody involved with a structure that works for short attention spans. 

We’ve already covered the importance of scheduling a party to keep the fun going, and this is something that your DNA Kids entertainer will be an expert at. This will include varied games and activities, as well as prizes throughout the day. 

Sporty parties to get kids moving

As kids approach their teenage years, they’ll likely become invested in sports much more than before. This makes this age range the perfect time to throw a football-themed party, especially if the weather allows you to take the entertainment outdoors!

How to entertain children aged 10+  

The teenage years are just around the corner, along with all of the fun (and challenges!) that these can bring. 

At this age, one of the main things that kids want to do is socialise with their friends. The need for constant games and activities isn’t as important – you just need to focus on creating a fun, safe space where they can hang out and be themselves. 

Get the party started with their favourite tunes

If your child has a particular artist or genre that they enjoy, you should factor this into the music played throughout the duration of your party. 

With all of our teenage parties, we make sure that the birthday boy or girl can play their part in what music the DJ plays throughout the event. This adds a personal touch that makes the day feel like it’s built around them. 

Keep things vibrant with lasers and UV

Even if your party is hosted at a local community centre or school gym, you can use a lightshow to give it an intimate club vibe. 

With our Laser Disco or UV Glow Party, even a simple space is transformed into the world’s greatest dancefloor. Make it a night to remember, and your party will be the talk of the school for weeks to come.