[saphireSue]

what I do, If its for small kids say 1-3 year olds [ generally even if the b-kid is 1 most kids will be older] I always ask the age range and I alway request the person hiring me to let the party goers that a clown will be there so they're prepare, I've not had a real problem with a scare child, you will run into these every where and you will find lost of post on how to deal with them, bascially I act more scared of them, and I leave them alone as they warm up and see the others they'll usually join in the fun. I did one just recently were the little boy ran and hid, he watched me paint the birthday boys face and us dancing to the chicken dance and he was next in line to be super hero.
sorry back on subject. 1-3 is mostyl games, songs chicken dance, hokey pokey, arm shoulders knees and toes, train. and bubble lots and lots of bubbles, very simple magic like the coloring book and change bag routine.

Older kids I do a magic comedy routine, and the birthday kid assist.
I open with a mixed up telegram which I do a paper tear that then reads Happy birthday to ....... some of my magic illisions are the trorn heart, rope in vase, then a flower production, color changing feather dusters, King [clown] of Heart card , spots, are some I do.

Next age group that might be getting a little old will be a couple of levitaton type tricks, comedy games and instead of doing balloons I might teach the group of preteen how to do a couple of simple balloons themselves. Or face painting if it's preteen age girls. That will give you an idea.

Basicall it good to know the age so you can plan the appro. age level activity, number of kids ex. I've a large party coming up for balloons 50 kids, I've already explain with this number it will be simple and limited choice as there is now way I can more complex for 50 kis in 1 hr.[ I've got help with flower but i don't charge for her service yet -I do pay her from mine though]
Indoors/outdoors will let you know what kind of game, ex bubble can miss up a floor so you may not do them inside same with some magic illisions if you have paper or stuff falling as part of the trick sorry so long, once I got started I couldn't stop