Kids Entertainment in London and the UK

1. What types of kids entertainment we book

What types of kids entertainment we book

We book magicians who perform close-up and stage illusions suitable for ages 4 to 14. Face painters deliver body art, animal designs and glitter work at parties of 20 to 200 children. Balloon artists sculpt hats, swords, animals and flowers on demand. Interactive dancers run games, teach simple choreography and lead group activities. Character appearances work well for younger children aged 3 to 8. We also book musicians and acoustic performers for a quieter, musical backdrop, and specialise in hiring experienced dancers in London who lead group participation or perform themed routines. For corporate family days and school events, we source educational entertainers who combine learning with play.

Each performer brings their own equipment and liability insurance. We vet all acts for child safeguarding and background checks before they are added to our roster.

2. How to brief us and what we need to know

How to brief us and what we need to know

Tell us the event date, venue name and town or city. Give us a realistic headcount of children and their age range, because a 30-minute magic set plays very differently to 20 eight-year-olds than to 60 five-year-olds. Specify any theme or brief you have in mind: a princess party, superhero day, a carnival theme. Let us know if children have any known allergies or sensory sensitivities, so we can match the right performer.

Confirm the space available. Indoor or outdoor. Is there a stage, or will the performer work in the round at floor level. What is the distance from the space to a power source, if needed. Are there any noise restrictions or a hard finish time, common at hotel venues and community halls with back-to-back bookings.

Tell us about the weather if it is outdoors: we need to know if there is shelter and if rain is a risk, because some acts like face painting are weather-dependent. Finally, confirm who the key contact is on the day and their phone number.

3. Typical set lengths and logistics

Typical set lengths and logistics

Most kids entertainment acts run 20 to 45 minutes as a standalone performance. Shorter sets of 15 to 20 minutes work if you are combining two or three acts: for example, a magician followed by a face painter. Longer shows of 60 minutes or more are possible but require breaks, especially for outdoor events in summer.

Performers usually arrive 15 to 30 minutes early to set up, test any sound or lighting, and meet you on site. After the show, they will clear their own kit. Most do not require a green room or private space, but confirm this when you book if your venue space is tight.

If you are hiring live musicians in London alongside kids entertainment, we can coordinate timing so music plays before or after the performance set, creating a fuller event without overlap.

4. Booking lead times and availability

Booking lead times and availability

For London events, aim to book at least two to three weeks ahead. For peak dates (school half-term weeks, Easter holidays, summer holidays and December), book four to six weeks early if you want a specific act or performer type.

Regional venues outside London often need longer notice. If you are booking for a country house in the Cotswolds, a wedding marquee in the Cotswolds, or a venue in Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Bristol, Edinburgh or Glasgow, give us six to eight weeks where possible. Popular acts fill quickly during summer season.

We will confirm availability within two working days of your enquiry. If your first choice is not available, we will suggest alternatives from our roster that match your brief.

5. Insurance and risk assessments

Insurance and risk assessments

All our performers carry professional liability insurance (PLI) and public liability cover, and we can provide certificates before the event. Many venues, especially hotels, corporate offices and hire spaces, will ask to see these as part of their site rules.

Some venues require a simple risk assessment form, particularly if the act includes physical contact like balloon sculpting or face painting, or if children will be seated close to the performer. This is routine and takes a few minutes to complete. We can help you draft this if needed.

If your venue is a school, community centre or formal event space, confirm their entertainment policy when you book the space. We work with these protocols as standard and have done hundreds of school events.

6. Pricing and what affects cost

Pricing and what affects cost

Pricing depends on five factors: the type of act (magicians and face painters typically cost more than balloon artists), the set length (20 minutes versus 45 minutes), the number of children and whether they require interaction or observation, your location (central London is lower cost than regional travel), and the date (school holidays command premium rates, particularly summer and December).

As a guide, a 30-minute magician set in London costs between GBP 200 to 400. A 45-minute face painter for 30 children is typically GBP 250 to 450. A balloon artist for 20 minutes is usually GBP 150 to 300. A character appearance for small groups runs GBP 200 to 350 for 30 minutes. These are guide ranges to confirm with a quote.

Travel costs are included for London postcodes. For regional travel outside London, we add travel time and mileage. A performer travelling to Manchester or Birmingham will add 50 to 150 GBP depending on distance and date.

7. Regional venues across the UK

Regional venues across the UK

We book kids entertainment for venues and events across the UK. In Manchester and the North West, we regularly perform at hotel event spaces, wedding venues and private homes. The same applies to Birmingham and the Midlands, Leeds and Yorkshire, Liverpool, Bristol and the South West.

For Scottish events in Edinburgh and Glasgow, we work with city centre hotels, historic venues and country house estates. Travel lead times are longer because few performers are based outside the South East, so booking ahead is essential.

Country house venues and marquee weddings in the Cotswolds, Kent, Sussex and Surrey are popular with families. These outdoor settings often need weather contingencies, so confirm the indoors backup space or marquee size when you book.

Theatre spaces and warehouse venues in East London can host larger groups and allow for more elaborate setups. Event spaces in Mayfair, Park Lane hotel ballrooms, and City livery halls in the Square Mile work well for corporate family days and formal private events. Each has different technical requirements, so tell us your exact venue name and we will check their power, space and curfew rules with you.

What ages work best with different acts?

Magicians engage best with children aged 5 to 12. Face painters suit ages 3 to 10. Balloon artists work across ages 3 to 12. Interactive dancers and movement activities appeal to 4 to 11-year-olds. Character appearances are most effective for ages 2 to 7. For very young children under 3, quieter performers like acoustic musicians often work better.

Can performers work outdoors in the UK climate?

Yes, but with conditions. Face painters need shelter from rain because makeup will run. Magicians perform fine outdoors if there is a covered area and good light. Balloon artists can work in light wind but avoid strong gusts that pop balloons. Dancers need a dry, flat surface. Always have a weather backup plan for British summer events.

What if children have allergies or sensory needs?

Tell us at booking. Many face painters use hypoallergenic, water-based makeup. Balloon artists can work without latex if needed. Performers who work with younger or autistic children can adjust volume, pacing and the amount of direct interaction. These adaptations are standard when you brief us properly.

Do performers sing or play recorded music?

Some do, some do not. Magicians often use backing tracks; face painters and balloon artists work in relative quiet unless you ask for music. If you want live musical performance as part of the entertainment, that is a separate booking we can arrange. Confirm the audio requirement when you book.

What happens if the performer is ill or cancels?

We maintain a roster deep enough to find a replacement at short notice. If a performer becomes unavailable within a week of your event, we will contact you immediately and offer an alternative who matches the original brief. We never cancel an event without offering a replacement first.

How do we pay and what is the cancellation policy?

We invoice after the event or accept payment in advance depending on the booking size. A standard cancellation policy allows full refunds up to 14 days before the event; cancellations within 14 days incur a 50 percent charge; cancellations within 72 hours incur 100 percent. Confirm the full terms when you receive your quote.

To book kids entertainment for your London or UK event, send the event date, venue name and town or city, and expected number of children through our contact form or email [email protected]. Include your age range and any specific acts you have in mind. We will return a quote and available performer options within two working days.