Party Entertainment
Character entertainers who arrive in role and stay in role
For a certain age, a character walking through the gate is the entire party. What you are booking is a performer who commits to the role for the full hour, not a costume with someone inside it.
Character entertainment splits into two quite different things. A costumed character or mascot appears, poses, hands out hugs and photographs beautifully, but usually does not speak. A performing character talks, sings, runs games and holds a room in role for an hour.
The second costs more and does more. Which you want depends almost entirely on age. Two to four year olds are thrilled by the appearance alone. Five to nine year olds want the character to actually do something with them.
Costumes are hot. An Australian summer party in a full mascot suit needs shade, water and scheduled breaks, and any experienced supplier will tell you that before you ask.
What you are booking
The two formats, and what each one includes
Ask which format a quote is for. The price gap between them is significant and the experience is very different.
Costumed appearance or mascot
- A styled entrance and greeting
- Posed photographs with every child and family group
- Roaming presence through the party
- Usually non speaking, with a chaperone assisting
- Shorter bookings, often 30 to 45 minutes
Performing character
- In character speech, songs and storytelling for the full booking
- Structured games and activities led in role
- A dedicated moment built around the birthday child
- Face painting or balloons in some packages
- Longer bookings, usually 60 to 90 minutes
Who it suits
Which format suits the age in the room
Booking a non speaking mascot for eight year olds is the most common mismatch we see, and the easiest to avoid.
| Age | What works | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| 2 to 4 | A short costumed appearance. The arrival is the whole event for them. | A long booking. Attention will not last an hour |
| 5 to 7 | A performing character with games and songs. | A silent mascot. They will ask why it will not talk |
| 8 to 9 | A performing character with a strong activity programme. | Anything that relies on the costume alone |
| 10 plus | Usually past it. Consider a DJ or a games host instead. | Booking a character out of nostalgia rather than for them |
Before you book
What to confirm with a character supplier
Costume quality and heat management are the two things that most affect how the hour actually goes.
- Is this a speaking performing character or a non speaking costumed appearance?
- Can I see recent photographs of the actual costume being supplied?
- In summer heat, how long can the performer stay in costume and what breaks are needed?
- Does a chaperone attend, and is that included in the price?
- What is the arrival plan, and how do you want the children positioned for it?
Planning the arrival
The entrance is the part everyone remembers
Character bookings live or die on the first sixty seconds. A little staging turns an arrival into the photo that goes on the fridge.
Get quotes
Tell us the character and the age
Say which character your child has asked for and how old they are turning. Suppliers will tell you what they can offer that fits.
- Name the character or the theme your child wants
- Say the age of the birthday child
- Mention indoor or outdoor and whether shade is available
Related services
Related entertainment
Questions parents ask
Character entertainer questions
What is the difference between a character entertainer and a mascot?
A mascot or costumed appearance is usually non speaking. The character arrives, poses for photographs, roams and leaves, often within 30 to 45 minutes. A performing character speaks and sings in role, runs games and holds the party for an hour or more. The price difference reflects that gap, so confirm which one a quote covers.
How long should I book a character for?
Thirty to forty five minutes is plenty for a costumed appearance, and for two to four year olds it is often the right length regardless. Sixty to ninety minutes suits a performing character with a full activity programme for five to nine year olds.
Can I request a specific character?
Tell us the character or the theme your child has asked for and suppliers will tell you what they can offer. Most work from their own original or generic character designs, and each supplier decides what they provide. Kids Party House does not licence or supply any third party branded character.
What happens in hot weather?
Full costumes are genuinely hot, and an Australian summer afternoon in one has real limits. Expect the supplier to ask for shade, drinking water and a private space to take a break. Planning the booking for morning rather than the middle of the day usually solves it.
Do characters do face painting too?
Some packages include it, often in a simplified form that fits the character. It is worth asking, but if face painting is the priority, a dedicated face painter will get through far more children.
Is my child too old for a character party?
Around nine or ten most children move on, and a DJ, a disco or a games based entertainer lands better. See kids DJs and disco parties for that age group.
Find a character entertainer for your party
Tell us the character, the age and the date. We come back with suppliers who cover your suburb.