Kids Party Entertainment: Balloon Artists vs Magicians

Both are popular choices for kids' parties, and they suit slightly different situations. Here's how to think about which one fits your event.

Balloon artists

Balloon modelling works well as a rolling activity — kids queue up, get a balloon animal or hat made, and it holds their attention in short, one-on-one bursts. It's a good fit for:

• Larger parties where kids arrive at different times.
• Younger children (roughly under 6) who have shorter attention spans for a seated show.
• Parties where you want a takeaway item kids can keep.

Magicians

A magician performing a structured show works better as a "gather everyone together" activity at a set point in the party. It's a good fit for:

• A slightly older age range (roughly 5 and up) who can sit through a 30-45 minute show.
• Parties where you want a clear "main event" moment, often timed around food.
• Groups where kids know each other and will engage as an audience together.

Can you book both?

Some parents do — a magician for a structured show earlier in the party, with balloon modelling running afterwards or during food, so there's always something happening without either performer needing to fill the entire time alone.

What to ask before booking either

• Have they performed for this specific age range before?
• How do they handle a room with a wide age range (e.g. 4 to 10 year olds at the same party)?
• What do they need from you — space, seating, a table, access to plug in speakers?