Character Entrance

For fairies, mermaids, pirates, clowns, and any character that’s not a surprise guest

1. Text the parent Friday night (for Sat/Sun, or the night before for Mon-Fri) like usual.
2. When you enter the birthday party, try to find the guest of honor first and introduce yourself.
3. Introduce yourself to all other children and explain what you’ll be doing with them (including balloons, games, songs, and anything else).
4. Tell the parents that you’d love their participation in the games you’re going to play.
   1. Reason 1: You’re not a baby sitter, so don’t let them pigeon hole you!
   2. Reason 2: If they’re happy and engaged, their kids will be too.
   3. Reason 3: Happy parents make for good tips!
5. Set up your art stations like normal and begin the party.

Surprise Guest Entrance

If the parent wants you as the surprise special guest, here’s how to do it

1. Text the parent Friday night (for Sat/Sun, or the night before for Mon-Fri) and tell them you’ll be in touch just before your party.
2. Text or call the parents from outside and let them know you’re ready
3. Have the parent(s) gather up the kids/party-goers and let them know that there’s a visitor, or that something is about to happen.
   1. This helps make your entrance be more widely received, as you then have the attention already on you when you enter. Kids won’t be running around and you won’t have to worry about walking in singing to a bunch of people who are facing the complete opposite way and have no idea you’re even there until halfway through.
4. Let them know which door/entrance you will be using, and even have the birthday child answer the door for an added surprise!
   1. This helps make your entrance all the more magical– Imagine the child’s face when they open the door and see their favorite princess! It connects them to you right at the beginning of the party, and more often than not they’ll lead you into the rest of the party (which is a great photo opp for parents to snap!)
5. Advise them that you will be coming in with an entrance song, and if there is any music playing or activities going on, the volume should be off or lowered dramatically.
   1. This helps make your entrance much easier to hear and see. Most entrance songs will have background music playing (Princesses especially), so having as little background noise going on will make it easier for people to hear and for you to follow along with the track.
6. Remind them of the remaining balance for their event (if any), and let them know they can either discreetly give it to you before your entrance or upon your departure.
   1. This helps you stay in character and cuts out any confusion of payment. Suggest that the parent walk you out when you leave, and they can hand the check/cash to you then. If you have a princess/pirate chest or clown bag, let them know they can slip the check/cash into your chest or bag if they can’t pass it off to you at any other point in time.