We have found, from years of having our own parties, that kids seem to have about a two (2) hour window of happiness when it comes to parties and can start getting ratty after that. We would recommend:
- Plan the party for two (2) hours
- Try to avoid a time right before nap time (if they’re still having naps).
- Plan your “mascot visit” just after they have something to eat and you have been able to clean them up.
Our suggestion to cover a two hour (120 minute) timeframe.
- 0 – 30 minutes
Get the children in and let them settle. At this point in the party, we’ve found, they are usually running around crazy, excited to see each other at your house. - 30 – 50 minutes
Do the party food and give yourself time to clean them up, prior to having them run off again.
As you are finalising food and faces covered in sauce! have the surprise visitor arrive (maybe with some music for the grand entry)
Note: you would also have time at this point to clean up the party food to prepare for the cake later on.
We always get the parents helping with the kids eating and then feed parents while they’re watching the kids with the mascot. - 50 – 60 minutes
Allow the children time to get excited, run up to meet the mascot etc. - 60 – 90 minutes
This is the time to get them playing games, dancing etc.
You know your child the best. Dance to their favourite song (better if the song has dance moves to go with it as all the kids can join in), play pass the parcel, musical chairs etc.
Kids will want short, sharp things to do to keep their interest. Depending on their age will also impact what sort of things they would be interested at this point. We have literally seen parties where 10 year olds are happy to just be chased (slowly because no one can see what they’re doing) by Mario Vs 2 year olds who are happy to sing and dance to nursery rhymes, play pass the parcel, play with bubbles and play keep the balloon off the ground.
Note: We advise an area with plenty of space. Remember the Mascot is not small so does need room to move, especially if he/she will be dancing.
- 90 – 120 minutes
Cake time
Gather everyone together to sing happy birthday
Take all your photos to make sure everyone gets a picture with the Mascot
Getting the kids to sit down to eat cake is also a good opportunity for the mascot to “go to the toilet”. After the cake, you can continue with games (potentially think about whether someone else might be willing to step into the mascot costume at this point for the remainder of the party.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.