Kids Party Entertainer Vs. DIY: Which Is Best?
Planning a kids birthday party can feel overwhelming. Between the party favours, choosing a venue, and organising a birthday cake, you might find yourself scrambling to sort everything before the big day finally arrives.
It’s understandable that some parents try to DIY their kids party entertainment, along with everything else about the party they’re throwing. They might think it’ll save money in the long run, and could also allow for more customisation than you get with a party package.
However, as the experts in kids birthday parties, we’ve seen it from both sides – and one choice definitely comes out on top.
To help you decide, let’s run through the pros and cons of hiring a party entertainer, compared to trying to do-it-yourself.
The professional approach: hiring an entertainer
For the thousands of happy parents and kids we’ve thrown parties for, the professional approach has paid off. Once you place you’re booking, you don’t need to worry about anything on the entertainment side of things; our friendly, talented entertainers will reliably turn up, make sure everybody has the best time ever, and then pack away without any extra effort needed from you.
The pros of hiring an entertainer
- Stress-free guarantee: You can be a parent, not a performer. Particularly if putting on a show isn’t your natural personality, the removal of this pressure can be a godsend for some parents
- Safety and reliability: All of our entertainers’ equipment is PAT-tested, and all of our entertainers have DBS checks. You can relax with peace of mind that your party will run smoothly
- All-in-one entertainment: We don’t just put on some music and call it a day. Hiring a professional entertainer includes party games, music, engaging entertainment, competitions, and prizes to create memories your guests won’t forget
The cons of hiring an entertainer
- Higher initial cost: In most situations, hiring an entertainer will cost slightly more than trying to handle everything yourself. Bear in mind, though, that you’ll be investing much more time and effort – even if you save a few pounds!
- Fixed time slots: Most children’s party entertainers operate with 1-2 hour slots, which you’ll need to accommodate when booking things like your party venue
The DIY approach: going it alone
For some parents, the idea of DIY-ing everything about their kids’ birthday party can seem appealing. There’s an apparent lower cost than when you hire an entertainer, and you’ve got complete control over how the party will run.
The pros of DIY parties
- Complete flexibility: When you opt for DIY kids party entertainment, you have control over what happens at the party, how long games go on for, and when it will end. If your child wants to play hide-and-seek for two hours, they can do just that
- Lower initial cost: Got a Spotify account and some old family games? You’ve got yourself a party. It might not match up to a professional setup, but for some kids, the simplicity won’t affect their enjoyment whatsoever
- Creative outlet: If you’re a creative type, the opportunity to customise and create every element of your child’s party can be appealing. You can even get them involved, too, so it feels truly hands-on in a way that hired entertainment can’t capture
The cons of DIY parties
- Hidden costs: While you might be saving on a booking fee for a professional entertainer, costs for games, DIY supplies, and activities can quickly mount – sometimes resulting in a higher bill than you’d have paid for an all-in-one party package
- Higher stress: If you opt to manage your own entertainment, you’re just adding yet another job onto the long list that parents deal with during party time. You’re now an entertainer as well as babysitter, chef, and host
- Lack of structure: We’ve thrown thousands of successful parties, which gives us a tried-and-tested recipe for party success. If you don’t have this level of experience, you might hit a brick wall when transitioning between games, which can create the opportunity for boredom among your guests
Professional entertainment or DIY: which is better?
In our experience, choosing to hire a professional entertainer is always the way to go. You’re freeing yourself from the stress that comes with inexperienced hosting, and can instead focus on the other elements of the party that your guests will remember.
Is it actually cheaper to host a DIY party?
Not always! While you save on the entertainer’s fee, DIY costs add up quickly. Once you factor in high-quality prizes, music subscriptions, game props, craft supplies, and potential equipment hire (like a bubble machine or sound system), the "hidden costs" often mirror the price of a professional package.
At what age should I start hiring a professional entertainer?
Most parents find that the 4th birthday is the sweet spot, and we have a range of party packages that work for children ages 3 and up. At this age, children start to interact more with their friends and follow structured games, but they can also be a handful to manage in large groups – hence why a dedicated entertainer can really help things to run smoothly.
Can I still have a theme if I hire a professional?
Of course you can! All of our parties have fun, engaging themes that are infused into every element of your day, from the kinds of music we play to the games that kids will play throughout the day. From superheroes to snow princesses, your guests will have an incredible time no matter what.
Let’s throw the best party ever!
Skip the stress of a DIY party and book one of our popular party packages today! Take a look through our most popular themed options, and get in touch with a member of our friendly team if you have any other questions.
