20 Best Kid’s Birthday Party Entertainment Ideas

Every kids party needs some entertainment. No matter what age your child is, throwing some entertainment and games into the mix is essential. But what is the best kid’s party entertainment idea?

We’ve put together this list of the top 20 children’s party entertainment ideas so you can make it a birthday party to remember! Here are the categories we’ve split this list into.

If you’re looking for some more kid’s party advice, then head over to our children’s birthday party checklist to keep the planning process as stress free as possible.

1. Face Painting

Face painting is one of the most popular kids party entertainment ideas for a reason. It’s a really fun and popular idea that goes down well well with younger children especially. It’s a great idea because it works for pretty much every kid’s birthday party, no matter what the theme is, there’s a face painting to choose from. You can either hire a professional face painter or if you think you’ve got the skills, then you can save some money and go DIY.

Why we think it’s a great idea:

It’s a classic kid’s party entertainment idea that works well for younger children and is great for pretty much every party theme.

Average Price

Starting from around £35 / $35 per hour

Best Age Group

5 and under

Ideal Number of Children

20 kids or less

2. Character Appearance

If there’s one way to make a kid’s birthday party special, it’s with a character appearance. This idea works great for pretty much every young child’s birthday party because there are so many characters to choose from. You can go for a classic princess character, an iconic superhero or pretty much any popular film character! It’s not the cheapest idea on this list, but it’s guaranteed to make it a birthday to remember.

Why we think it’s a great idea:

It’s one the best ways to make your child’s birthday party special and you barely have to put any effort into organising the entertainment!

Average Price

£100-200 / $100-200

Best Age Group

8 and under

Ideal Number of Children

25 kids or less

3. Mime Artist

This is one of the more unique kid’s birthday party entertainment ideas on this list. A short performance for a mime artist is perfect for children aged around 5 that have a longer attention span than toddlers. This is a great idea if your child loves Mr Bean and slapstick style comedy always goes down well with younger children. It’s also brilliant because you barely have to put any effort into the organisation, all you have to do is book the performer!

Why we think it’s a great idea:

If you want something a bit different for your child’s birthday party, a mime artist is a great option that doesn’t require a lot of effort to organise.

Average Price

Starting from around £50/ $50

Best Age Group

5 and under

Ideal Number of Children

25 kids or less

4. Classic Party Games

If you’re on a budget and are looking for a super cheap kid’s party entertainment option, then you can always go for some classic party games. They’re really popular with young children and toddlers and you can play as many as you’d like, depending on the length of the party. Here are some of the best children’s party games.

Musical chairs
Hot potato
Duck, duck, goose
Pin the tail on the donkey
Pass the parcel
Musical statues
Sleeping lions

Why we think it’s a great idea:

It’s the best form of kid’s party entertainment for planners on a budget looking for an inexpensive but popular option.

Average Price

Free!

Best Age Group

5 and under

Ideal Number of Children

20 kids or less

5. Magician

Magicians are a very popular kid’s party entertainment idea. They’re great for pretty much every age, but we think they’re perfect for children aged between 5-8 years old. There are plenty of magicians around so you’ll have no trouble finding one to entertain at your kid’s party, as long as you don’t leave it too last minute! Magicians are also very reasonably priced party entertainer, so you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank.

Why we think it’s a great idea:

Magicians are a classic children’s party entertainment idea that don’t cost a fortune but put on a great show!

Average Price

£100-200 / $150-250

Best Age Group

5-8 years old

Ideal Number of Children

20 kids or less

6. Animal Safari Entertainer

This idea is definitely a bit different and is great for children aged 5-8 years old. You can hire a professional to bring some small exotic animals to your home that the kid’s can watch and even hold! It’s the perfect idea if your child is an animal-lover and you want a unique form of party entertainment. Make sure you choose a reputable company to ensure everyone is safe and has the best experience possible.

Why we think it’s a great idea:

It’s a very unique idea that’s great for kids that love animals or if you’re hosting an animal, jungle or safari themed party.

Average Price

Starting from around £75 / $75 per hour

Best Age Group

5-8 year old’s

Ideal Number of Children

25 kids or less

7. Circus Performers

Hiring a circus performer is a classic children’s party entertainment idea. It’s an essential if you’re hosting a carnival themed kid’s party and you want to make it really authentic and special. You don’t have to just go for the classic clowns, there are plenty of other options too. Our favourites are, firebreathers, unicyclists, balloon artists, jugglers and gymnasts. So you’ve got plenty of choice!

Why we think it’s a great idea:

It’s a classic party entertainment idea with loads of options that make it suitable for a range of ages and party themes.

Average Price

Starting from around £75 / $75 per hour

Best Age Group

5-8 year old’s

Ideal Number of Children

25 kids or less

8. DJ

If you’re looking for a classic kid’s birthday entertainment idea that’s guaranteed to get the party started, then you can’t get a much better idea than a professional DJ. They’re great at getting the children up off their seats, dancing and having fun. They also can play some games too! There are plenty of DJs out there too, which makes it a lot easier to find one in your local area.

Why we think it’s a great idea:

It’s guaranteed to get the kids having fun and enjoying themselves and is suitable for every party theme.

Average Price

Starting from around £30 / $30 per hour

Best Age Group

5 and under

Ideal Number of Children

25 kids or less

9. Professional Dancers

This is a more unique idea that can suit a range of ages and party themes. Hiring a professional dancer, like a street dancer or a ballerina for a princess themed party is a great form of entertainment for older children. An even better idea is to hire a professional dancer to teach the children how to dance and have a go at a routine that they can perform at the end of the party. This lively party activity is a really fun form of entertainment.

Why we think it’s a great idea:

It’s a great unique idea that is perfect for children who love being active, learning and performing.

Average Price

Starting from around £150 / $150 per hour

Best Age Group

Ages 7-10

Ideal Number of Children

10-15 kids

10. Storytelling

Storytelling is a great activity for children aged around 5 years old. You can either hire a professional storyteller children’s entertainer who’s an expert at creating a fun experience, or if you’re on a budget, you can read yourself instead. This party entertainment idea is great for a range of party themes as you can choose any story you’d like, but it works especially well for princess parties or even pirate or superhero themes.

Why we think it’s a great idea:

It’s a great idea if you want some more chilled party entertainment on a budget, that’s perfect for children aged around 5 years old.

Average Price

Free!

Best Age Group

Around 5 year’s old

Ideal Number of Children

20 kids or less

11. Creepy Crawly Party Entertainer

This party idea is not one for the faint hearted! Hiring a professional to bring some creepier crawlies like tarantulas, stick insects, snails and centipedes to the party is a brilliant idea for fearless children. These creepy crawly themed parties have gained a lot of popularity recently and work brilliantly for jungle themes parties. It’s a fun idea that’s sure to make it birthday to remember. They’re more of a niche idea so make sure you have a good look around to find one locally.

Why we think it’s a great idea:

It’s a fun idea for kids that are into nature and don’t have any fear!

Average Price

Starting from around £75 / $75 per hour

Best Age Group

5-8 year’s old

Ideal Number of Children

10-15 kids

12. Treasure Hunt

Treasure hunts are a classic children’s party entertainment idea. One of the best things about them, is they’re pretty much free and you don’t have to hire any professional entertainers so it’s perfect if you’re on a budget. This idea works best if you have a larger, and preferably outdoor space to host the party in. It’s a great idea for children aged around 7 and over and gets everyone involved and having fun.

Why we think it’s a great idea:

Treasure hunts are perfect if you’re on a tight budget and are looking for an inexpensive but hugely popular idea.

Average Price

Starting from around £35 / $35 per hour

Best Age Group

Around 7 year’s and up

Ideal Number of Children

20 kids or less

13. Arts and Crafts

Arts and crafts work great for a range of different ages. It’s a fun idea for children that are around 7 years old or over and have a longer attention span. You can set up an arts and crafts table as part of the entertainment or as the main focus of the party. It works really well for a range of party themes because you can make pretty much anything! Plus it gives the kids something to take home with them after the party. The best part, is that it’s almost free. You only need to get some supplies from a local craft store.

Why we think it’s a great idea:

It’s one of the cheapest ideas on this list and gives the kids a chance to make something they can take home and enjoy after the party.

Average Price

Almost free!

Best Age Group

6-9 year’s old

Ideal Number of Children

5-15 kids

14. Caricaturist

This is a brilliant idea for older children. Caricaturists can be the focus of the party entertainment or make up part of the birthday fun. They’re not the cheapest party entertainer on this list, but hiring a caricaturist is a great idea because all the kids can take home a personalised drawing to keep from the party. Plus is a unique idea that is likely to get copied by some of your child’s classmates!

Why we think it’s a great idea:

It’s a unique idea and gives each of the the children a personalised gift to take home with them after the party.

Average Price

Starting from around £150/ $150

Best Age Group

Over 9 year’s old

Ideal Number of Children

5-15 kids

15. Makeup Artist and Stylist

There are plenty of pamper, makeup artist and stylist party services to hire across the country, making this one of the best indoor party ideas for kids. You can choose from a range of packages which can include party food and drinks, makeovers, games, party bags and invitations to make planning your child’s birthday really simple! It’ll cost roughly £20 per child and works best for groups of around 5-10 kids.

Why we think it’s a great idea:

It’s a great way to make your child feel special on their birthday and the entertainment packages take a lot of the hassle out of party planning.

Average Price

Starting from around £20 / $20 per person

Best Age Group

7-10 year’s old

Ideal Number of Children

5-10 kids

16. Bouncy Castle

A bouncy castle is a classic birthday party idea that is guaranteed to provide plenty of fun. A bouncy castle is a must have entertainment idea for an outdoor birthday party! They aren’t too expensive to hire and you can choose from a range of different styles to suit loads of different children’s party themes, from princesses to pirates. Just make sure it’s well supervised and a full assessment of the safety of the bouncy castle is provided.

Why we think it’s a great idea:

It’s a classic idea for a reason, it’s loads of fun, easy to organise and not too expensive either!

Average Price

From £50-100 / $50-100

Best Age Group

Aged 8 and over

Ideal Number of Children

20 kids or less

17. Karaoke

Karaoke parties are the ultimate way for kids to get involved and have fun with the party entertainment. Karaoke machines are really easy to set up at home, you just need some basic equipment. Head over to our list of the top 20 karaoke machines which includes the best kid’s karaoke machine options. Karaoke is great for older children and can be set up at home or in a hired venue. Take a look at our karaoke party tips for some advice.

Why we think it’s a great idea:

It’s easy to set up and is perfect to entertain older children without costing a fortune.

Average Price

Machines cost from £20/ $20

Best Age Group

6 years and older

Ideal Number of Children

Around 5-10 kids

18. Rock Climbing

If you’re looking for an active and fun outdoor party entertainment idea, then you won’t get a much better one than rock climbing. This is a great idea for an outdoor party if you’ve got plenty of space. You can either go to a specialist rock climbing facility that hosts birthday parties, or get a rock climbing wall shipped to your house or venue. It’s perfect for kid’s that are into rock climbing already, but equally as great for trying something new. Just make sure you choose a wall that suits the kids’ experience and ability level.

Why we think it’s a great idea:

It’s a really fun and active outdoor party entertainment that’s perfect for older children.

Average Price

Starting from around £75 / $75

Best Age Group

Children over 8 year’s old

Ideal Number of Children

5-12 kids

19. Baking and Decorating

This is a great party activity for older children aged around 6-10 years old. Simply buy or bake some cookies, cupcakes and then set up a station with icing pens, sprinkles and edible glitter so the kids can have a go at decorating their own designs. This idea works well for pretty much every party theme as you can choose decorations or cookie cutters for loads of designs!

Why we think it’s a great idea:

It’s a very inexpensive party entertainment idea for older children who want a more chilled out party.

Average Price

Almost free, just grab the ingredients!

Best Age Group

7 years and older

Ideal Number of Children

5-12 kids

20. Mad Scientist Entertainer

This is a really unique idea that’s perfect if you want to do something a bit different for your child’s birthday party entertainment this year. It’s especially great if your kid is already into science, but it’s still brilliant entertainment if they’re new to it too. The mad scientist will be able to keep the kids entertained with bubbling potions, flying objects and fun-hands on activities. The only issue, is that it’s definitely a niche idea, so you may struggle to find an mad scientist entertainer if you live in a remote area. But if you can find one locally, then it’s definitely an option worth considering.

Why we think it’s a great idea:

It’s the perfect idea if you’re bored with traditional party entertainment ideas and want something more unique.

Average Price

Starting from around £250 / $250

Best Age Group

9 and over

Ideal Number of Children

20 kids or less

Don’t forget to take a look at our party planning timeline to make sure you’ve got everything covered. It’ll tell you everything you need to do at each stage of the party planning process so you can create an amazing birthday for your child without any stress or worry about forgetting anything! It even includes a free printable party planning checklist to make sure you stay on track.

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