Events that cater to children, whether dedicated kids' shows, family festival areas, community fairs, or children's parties, require a specific approach to booking entertainment. Beyond the usual considerations of quality and cost, you need to think carefully about safeguarding, age-appropriate content, audience management, and the distinct needs of young audiences. This guide covers the key considerations for UK event organisers.
Types of children's entertainment
The children's entertainment market in the UK is diverse. Common types include:
Children's magicians: Magic shows are perennially popular with young audiences. The best children's magicians combine tricks with comedy, audience participation, and storytelling. Quality varies enormously, so always check references and video footage before booking.
Clowns and physical comedians: Slapstick, balloon modelling, and physical comedy appeal to younger children in particular. Modern children's clowns have generally moved away from the traditional heavily made-up look that some children find intimidating.
Puppet shows: From traditional Punch and Judy to contemporary puppet theatre, puppetry is a distinctive and engaging entertainment option for children's events.
Children's musicians: Artists who specialise in performing for young audiences, often incorporating participation, movement, and educational elements into their shows.
Character performers: Costumed characters (princesses, superheroes, and other popular figures) for meet-and-greet interactions, parties, and themed events.
Science and educational shows: Interactive science demonstrations, nature workshops, and educational entertainment that combines learning with fun.
Face painters and craft facilitators: While not stage performers, these specialists provide popular activities at family events and festivals.
Safeguarding: the non-negotiable requirement
Any person working with children at your event must have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is not optional. It is a fundamental safeguarding requirement that protects the children at your event and limits your liability as an organiser.
When booking children's entertainers, ask to see evidence of their current DBS check. Professional children's entertainers will have this readily available and will not be offended by the request. If a performer cannot provide evidence of a DBS check, do not book them for a children's event.
Beyond DBS checks, consider your broader safeguarding policy:
Entertainers should not be left alone with children unless this is unavoidable and appropriate safeguards are in place. If the entertainer's act involves one-to-one interaction with children (face painting, for example), ensure the activity takes place in a visible, open area rather than a secluded space.
Have a clear policy on photography. Some children's entertainers take photos during their shows for promotional purposes. Check whether this is appropriate for your event and whether parents' consent has been obtained.
Our safeguarding guide for events covers these issues in comprehensive detail.
Finding children's entertainers
Several routes exist for finding quality children's entertainment in the UK:
Entertainment directories: Platforms such as Alive Network, Poptop, and Bark list children's entertainers by location, type, and price, often with reviews from previous customers.
Word of mouth: Recommendations from other parents, organisers, and venue managers are particularly valuable for children's entertainment, where trust and reliability are paramount.
Professional associations: Equity (the performers' union) and specialist organisations such as the Magic Circle maintain directories of members who can be searched by specialism.
Local networks: Children's centres, schools, and parenting groups often have connections to local entertainers who work regularly in the community.
Evaluating suitability
When assessing potential children's entertainers, consider:
Age appropriateness: A show designed for 3 to 5-year-olds will not hold the attention of 10-year-olds, and vice versa. Ask the entertainer about the target age range for their show and match it to your expected audience.
Content suitability: Ensure all content is appropriate for the youngest audience members likely to be present. Discuss any themes, jokes, or elements that might be unsuitable and confirm the entertainer will adapt their show accordingly.
Experience with children: Performing for children is a specific skill. An excellent adult comedian or magician may struggle with a young audience. Look for entertainers who specialise in children's performance and have a track record of successful shows.
Insurance: Professional children's entertainers should carry public liability insurance. Confirm this is in place before the event.
References: Ask for references from previous clients, particularly other event organisers. Follow up on these references to check reliability, professionalism, and audience response.
Practical considerations for children's events
Children's audiences have different needs from adult audiences. Plan accordingly:
Show length: Younger children have shorter attention spans. A show of 30 to 45 minutes is usually ideal for under-7s. Older children can sustain attention for longer, but even then, 60 minutes is typically the upper limit before restlessness sets in.
Space and seating: Children sitting on the floor need more space per person than adults in chairs. Ensure the performance area has enough room for the expected number of children to sit comfortably with clear sightlines. Parents will also need space, either seated behind the children or standing at the sides.
Sound levels: Keep sound levels appropriate for young ears. Children's events should be significantly quieter than adult performances. Discuss this with your sound engineer and the entertainer in advance.
Safety: Check the performance area for any hazards: trailing cables, sharp edges, slippery floors, or anything that excited children might run into. The entertainer should also be aware of safety considerations in their own act (no open flames, no sharp props accessible to children, etc.).
Timing: Schedule children's entertainment at times that work for young families. Mid-morning and early afternoon are usually best. Avoid scheduling close to typical nap times for toddler-focused events.
Fees and booking terms
Children's entertainment fees vary based on the type of act, the entertainer's experience, the duration, and the location. Party entertainers offering a standard one-hour show typically charge from a few hundred pounds upward, depending on what is included. Specialist acts, longer shows, and appearances at larger events will be priced accordingly.
Many children's entertainers charge a standard rate that includes their equipment, travel within a certain radius, and a defined show length. Additional costs may apply for extended shows, additional activities, or longer travel distances.
Confirm all terms in writing before the event. For children's bookings, the contract should specifically address DBS compliance, insurance, content guidelines, and cancellation terms.
For guidance on structuring these agreements, our article on paying artists and performers covers general principles that apply to all entertainment bookings. And for more on family events, see our guide to keeping kids entertained at events, which covers activities beyond stage entertainment.
