When doing balloons...

Joey · #1 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 06:41 PM

Hello!
After doing my show (which is about 30-35 minutes,) I do the balloons. My average party has anywhere from 12-20 children. When I begin doing the balloons, the children get restless. The get out of their seats, leave the room, etc. As soon as they get a balloon, they leave. It gets noisy, and makes me look unprofessional. When the boys get a sword, they begin hitting everyone with them. I was hoping to have them get their balloon, and return to their seat until everyone has had one. If you have any suggestions or ways to help me, please advise! What do you think the maximum number of children is to make balloons for everyone?

pixcoco · #2 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 06:52 PM

Sometimes there are other things for the kids to do and they line up, get a balloon, and go jump in the bouncy house or whatever. But sometimes I need them to stay involved in the ballon time.
I tell them I know they have no idea what kind of balloons I can make so how about I make a few and show you. I start making one and make it sort of a game for them to see who can guess first what it is I am making. Then I can tell by their faces who is the most excited and wants that balloon. I give it to that child, and tell everyone not to worry I can make it again if you liked it too but let me show you this...
By the time everyone has a balloon they are not only all different (and not swords) but they have stayed and participated in guessing what was next. I get to make more exciting balloons and don't get stuck making all the same thing.
If by chance someone is determined to have a sword I make it last because of the guessing game.
It seems to work.

tim · #3 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joey

I was hoping to have them get their balloon, and return to their seat until everyone has had one. If you have any suggestions or ways to help me, please advise!

Find an old Catholic nun to keep order.

Short of that, I think you have an unrealistic expectation. Hand a kid a toy and he WILL play with it.

bugaboo the clown · #4 (**permalink**) 04-17-2008, 09:35 AM

Have you ever thought of doing balloons first? That's what I do...then I have then put the balloons down in another room if they can for my magic show.

Fitzwilly · #5 (**permalink**) 04-18-2008, 01:26 AM

Having the kids play with the balloons does not make you look unprofessional if you handle it correctly. I encourage the kids to get up and play. Some times I will make three or four different balloon creations at one time blowing up many of the balloons and handing them out and basically playing with the kids. I also let the parents know that this is a good time for them to start getting ready for the next part of the party.

Lilly_A_Clown · #6 (**permalink**) 04-18-2008, 03:22 PM

For my Birthday this year my mom got a someone to come in to do magic. what he ended up doing was doing balloons before he came and put them in a garbage bag and and gave them to my mom he set up, did the show, and left and my mom gave out the balloons. Thats another option but seeing someone doing the balloons is half the fun for me.

Wowza · #7 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 09:29 AM

I love, love, LOVE Coco's idea on this!

What a wonderful way to interact with the kids, avoid lines, and keep yourself entertained by not making a million mindless puppies or swords.

Thank you so much!

PetalsTheClown · #8 (**permalink**) 04-24-2008, 11:23 PM

wow Coco, that's a great idea. I'm sure we will be using that one.

We've only done one party and it was helpful that I started doing some face painting at the same time, so the kids split into two groups making it more managable. I know not everyone clowns with another clown. But my hubby and I like it that way, lol.