kids party

PetalsTheClown · #1 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008, 03:32 PM

Friends are asking if my husband and I would do their children's parties. I would really like to say yes, but I'm wanting to have some kind of routine or skit to do, not just make balloons which we are still learning. This one that my husband has set up is at a doctors house so I want to make sure it goes well.
So does anyone have good ideas for 2 clown skits we can do for birthday parties? Or good props, I'm getting ready to order some flower items for me, since I'm a gardening clown.
I'm open to any ideas, links or suggestions.

Also, how do you know what to charge? How much time is a good amount of time to be at a party?

thank you!

Sir Toony Van Dukes · #2 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008, 07:02 PM

Good luck with the Birthday party. Nothing like a deadline for inspiration. If you don't have a skit, lead the kids in some songs or party games (pin the nose on the clown). Read through the older messages, there are many stories, jokes, puns, skits posted.

As people have said before, always charge something. How close are your friends and do they understand that you are still new at clowning?

saphireSue · #3 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008, 09:25 PM

what are the ages of the kids? Will it be inside/outside? How many do they expect to attend? These will help us to make suggestions.

PetalsTheClown · #4 (**permalink**) 04-10-2008, 06:52 AM

the ages will be different, I've had so many people ask me. I would say between 5 - 8. Isn't that usually the age that would want a clown. Much older than that and they think it's for baby's. Or I may be wrong.
Since it is spring, some of the parties may be outside. My husband and I started working on some things to do, in a general way but need to get specific. I even want us to practice what we will say and things. And I'm going to order some easy kids magic.
Any suggestions would be great.. What does everyone else do for kids parties? Should we charge more since there are 2 of us or just consider us a set and charge the same? We are new but don't want to appear so green that no one else will give us a chance.

Lolly Plop · #5 (**permalink**) 04-10-2008, 02:21 PM

For easy kids magic get a change bag, and the magic coloring book. A duck pan and foam birthday cake is also easy. Get a kids party/dance cd look for hokey pokey, chicken dance and limbo. I bring my own limbo pole that I made out of a craft store wooden dowel. I painted it with red sparkles and put the rubber tips for chair legs at each end. It looks like a giant magic wand. Go to library and get a book on games for children.

in Harmony with Jesus · #6 (**permalink**) 04-10-2008, 03:19 PM

I LOVE the limbo stick idea! We may have to borrow that one. Twinkles & I are looking at getting into the party thing.

Elsie · #7 (**permalink**) 04-10-2008, 04:21 PM

Petals,
Most People will tell you how many clowns they want, if they want one, and both of you go you should only charge as if there is one.
Let them know you are very new at this, and please dont tell them you are associated with RiverCityClowns, Birthday Parties are seperate than RCC events, youre not suppose to even wear any buttons that state you are with RCC.
Cute little games are fun, ask the parents what they want, some want balloons and face painting, some do not.
Music and dancing is always fun, I have only done one Birthday Party, I just never wanted to get into the Clown for hire, so I wont be much help, I know an experience clown would probably charge $50 per hour with a min of 2 hrs, that is probably the most they would want you to stay.
Some Parents have activities already set up they want to do and just want you there to join the kids,
I wouldnt consider doing a Party for a child under 5, even if that child is not scared of clown, one of the others might be and that would ruin the fun for everyone. Thats just me.

Just some thoughts.
Elsie

saphireSue · #8 (**permalink**) 04-10-2008, 08:50 PM

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

Cubby T. Clown & Cuddles · #9 (**permalink**) 04-10-2008, 09:15 PM

A fun skit for 2 clowns is "Mary went for a walk." Following is the basic framework of the skit. The are lots of opportunities to ad-lib.

The first clown says he knows a really good poem and demonsrtates - "Mary went for a walk one day along a shady lane... when all of a sudden... all of a sudden... it began to rain." He then encourages the second clown to try and say the poem.

The second clown starts to say the poem. Meanwhile the first clown takes out a container of water (we use a watering can) and prepares to dump it on the second clown.

Second clown says - "Mary went for a walk one day along a shady lane... when all of a sudden... all if a sudden... she spotted a train".

The first clown corrects her and encourages her to try again (keeping the water hidden).

Second clown - "Mary went for a walk one day along a shady lane... when all of a sudden... all of a sudden... she spotted a plane".

Again the first clown corrects her and encourages her to try one more time.

Second clown - "Mary went for a walk one day along a shady lane... when all of a sudden... all of a sudden... she had a pain".

The first clown, quite frustrated by now, shows the second clown the correct way to do the poem. "Mary went for a walk one day along a shady lane... when all of a sudden... all of a sudden... it began to rain."

When the first clown reaches the last part of the poem, the second clown pours the water on him.

Fitzwilly · #10 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 08:37 PM

The majority of my birthday parties are for one hour. Generally a 1/2 hour interactive comedy magic show folled by a 1/2 hour of balloon twisting. If the parents would prefer face-painting over balloons then face painting it is. I know all areas vary in economic conditions but $50 per hour for two clowns is very, very, very low. Unless I have a long term committment with a good client or it is a charity I support (which might even be less) I won't really consider $50. That is not because I am anywhere near being the world's greatest clown. It is because the range in this area is somewhere between $75 and $150 an hour. And some of the magicians are asking even more... and getting it! Let people know what a reasonable price is and then let them know that you are discounting your rate because you are "newer" (not brand new). Even though you are more comfortable with your husband along, don't feel this is a negative. This is a positive in your marketing. They will be getting not one but two clowns for a reduced rate as you are working on some new material.