How to make money with kids parties

Fuzzybear1976

I've always given my kids great birthday parties and with a little imagination and confidence with children you don't need to spend much money. But, after finding myself in financial difficulty I decided to do it professionally. I now offer girls parties with sparkly make up and nail varnish and the birthday girl gets to choose her theme (Bratz - with a catwalk show for the parents at the end, X-Factor - with karaoke on our PS2 or Princess - with traditional games). To launch my new venture I spent £110 on 120 pink helium ready (v important - cheap ones will burst as soon as you fill with helium) and a big can of helium. £50 of that sum as deposit so really it only cost £60. I made some card adverts and attached them to the balloons and gave them out to children and their mums when they came out of school. I got 5 bookings from that and then at each party I asked the parents dropping kids for their daughters D.O.B. and the parents email so that I could email them free pics of the party and send them a promotional email. I make about £500 a month and give a great service for a good price so I think everyone wins. I just do girls parties at the moment but there's no reason it couldn't be adapted for boys. One suggestion though, I got myself a CRB check first so that I could reassure parents and would advise all to do the same - it takes about 6 weeks and there is a fee but if you're going do it do it properly.:rotfl:

xxamypxx

I think this sounds fab! How much time do you think you dedicate to this a month? And how much do you charge for a party?

Thanks! :T

Fuzzybear1976

I give the parents an option 'cos I don't want to overcharge but at the same time if they're prepared to spend more then great, so I charge £10 per head for a basic party, that's 2.5 hours and up to 12 kids (I bring a friend to help if there's more than 8), but if they want me to provide party bags then I can do that for £4.50 per bag. I've bought some glitter nail polish and lip gloss on line and there's a fab site in the U.S. where you can order different party stuff, cos I'm new I can't put the link (already had a post taken away for that!), actually I can't find them but I'll put the name on later today for you if your interested. I always take a £5 per head deposit and people tend to book way in advance so I don't have to find the money to order any stuff myself. I do 2 or 3 a month at the moment.

localadvisor

At least you can share the words you searched in for the above stuff you bought.

Fuzzybear1976

The U.S. site is saved on my work PC and I'm at home now but I've found another that I think I'll give a try called mega party supplies and their in the UK, so no trouble with paying customs and anyway, it's better to support a uk business. Don't need to go over the top with purchases, kids aren't so bothered in my experience with what's on the cup or bag but useful for a couple of bits. You could also provide food if you wanted to give the parents a completely hassle free party (whilst making a bit more profit for you)

parapusher

How did you get yourself a CRB check? I would like to babysit etc, but individuals can't apply for one, as far as I know.

Nomoneymummy_2

Hi, I used to do kids partys to0 and know a great site that sells really good quality (ec approved) hand stuffable bears, they have a range of outfits etc etc,
I dont do anymore as lots of new play places opened up in the last year offering such cheap prices I couldn;t compete ( I still do a few but not advertised pure wom and still clear a couple of ton a month profit)

It allows you to offer an alternative to build a bear which is pricy and difficult with transport, kids queing etc etc.
I would reccomend only buying the bear and outfits and doing the rest yourself ie finding a local stuffing supplier and doing the birth certifs on your pc! If you want to give them a heart a cut out foam one works best (small kids choking etc!)

I have loads of info on ways to do games and its been really popular round here teddy bears picnic theme works great on younger boys, and you can order t~shirts with bbyy/girls names and bday logo etc. You only have to buy in in lots of 6 and theres a huge choice of stuffed animal (alligators and dogs and monkeys etc etc!!!)

Hope that helps, Site info http://www.stuffysoft.com/ Just mail Richard and he will let you know prices etc (make sure you tell him your a sellar as its a different price!!)

Good luck!!!!

Meant to add in that a good idea with the bears is weddings and christenings! They make great little gifts and your normally only needed for an hour, There are bride & groom outfits which work great as pageboy /bridesmaids gifts, and instead of going yourslef you can make up little DIY packs for keeping kids busy during speechs etc, I still do quite a lot of these!!!

Fuzzybear1976

Organise your crb check at http://www.crb.homeoffice.gov.uk/
the fees are:
- Standard CRB check £26 (reduced from £31)
- Enhanced CRB check £36
- POVAFirst check £6

and you have to have yourself re-checked every 5 years.

If you are just getting a check to enable you to do voluntary work it's free.

Fuzzybear1976

Thanks NMM for the websites and tip....really appreciated x

nexuss

I thought individuals cannot apply for CRB checks themselves and only organisations can ?

nexuss

An individual cannot make an application for a Disclosure directly,and the Disclosure service does not apply to those people who are self-employed.This is because there needs to be an independent person who makes the decision to employ an individual having assessed that they pose no threat to either children or vulnerable adults in their care.If a person is self-employed there is no independent third party to make that decision.