Party Entertainment
A kids party host runs the day so you get to be a parent at it
An entertainer performs for an hour. A host takes responsibility for the whole party. If the thing you actually want is to not be managing twenty five children and a timeline, this is the booking.
Party hosting is the least understood booking on this site and often the most useful. The host arrives before you would have finished setting up, takes the run sheet, greets guests, starts the games at the right moment, calls food, manages the cake, hands out the party bags and helps you pack down.
It suits three situations in particular. Large guest lists where nobody can watch everyone. Parties with several suppliers arriving at different times. And parties where the parents genuinely want to talk to the other parents rather than run a schedule.
Many hosts also entertain, so a single booking can cover both the coordination and an hour of games. Ask, because it usually costs less than booking the two separately.
Who it suits
When a host earns their fee
Hosting is not always the right spend. These are the situations where it consistently is.
| Situation | Why a host helps | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| 25 plus children | Nobody can watch that many and run a schedule at once | Two parents on duty and a simpler plan |
| Three or more suppliers | One person coordinates arrivals and pack down instead of you | Stagger arrival times and manage it yourself |
| A hired venue with a hard finish | The schedule has to actually run to time | A detailed run sheet and a strict timer |
| A small backyard party | Usually not needed | An entertainer for an hour is better value |
What you are booking
What a party host actually takes off your hands
Hosting is a service rather than a performance, so scopes vary more than for other bookings. Agree the list in writing.
Usually included
- Arrival ahead of guests to check the setup and the timings
- Greeting guests and directing parents to where things are
- Running the games and activity blocks to schedule
- Calling food and drinks at the right point
- Managing the cake, candles and happy birthday moment
- Handing out party bags at pickup
Sometimes included
- Coordinating other suppliers arriving and packing down
- Setting up tables, decorations and the food area
- An hour of entertainment inside the same booking
- Pack down and rubbish clearing at the end
- A pre party planning call to build the run sheet with you
The run sheet
A two hour party has about four moving parts
A host is only as useful as the plan they are handed. This is the shape that works for most birthday parties.
Before you book
What to agree with a host before the day
Hosting scopes vary, so the value of these questions is in getting the boundaries written down.
- What exactly is in scope. Setup, running the day, pack down, or all three?
- What time do you arrive and what time do you leave?
- Do you run the entertainment as well, or only coordinate it?
- Will we build a run sheet together beforehand, and when?
- Do you hold public liability insurance and a Working with Children Check?
Related services
Works alongside a host
Get quotes
Tell us what you want lifted
Hosting quotes depend on scope more than headcount, so describe what you want handled and quotes come back matched to it.
- Say how many children and how long the party runs
- List the other suppliers already booked, if any
- Tell us whether you want setup and pack down included
Questions parents ask
Party host questions
What is the difference between a party host and an entertainer?
An entertainer performs a set for a defined block of time. A host takes responsibility for the running of the whole party, including guests, timings, food, the cake and pack down. Some suppliers do both in one booking. See kids party entertainers if performance is what you want.
Do I still need an entertainer if I book a host?
Not necessarily. Many hosts run games and activities themselves, which covers the entertainment block. Ask what a host includes before adding a second supplier, because there is often overlap you are paying for twice.
How early does a host arrive?
Usually 30 to 60 minutes before guests, so the setup is checked and the run sheet is confirmed before anyone knocks. If setup is in scope, expect them earlier again. Confirm the arrival time in writing, because it is the detail that most often slips.
Is a host worth it for a small party?
For under about fifteen children in a backyard, usually not. An entertainer for an hour generally gives you more for the same money. Hosting earns its place at larger parties, at hired venues with a hard finish, or where several suppliers need coordinating.
Can a host manage the other suppliers I have booked?
Many will, and it is one of the main reasons to book one. Confirm it is in scope and give them the supplier contact details in advance, so arrivals and pack down are handled without you being the middle person on the day.
Do party hosts have a Working with Children Check?
A professional host working with children should hold one for their state, and should be willing to show it. Requirements differ between states and territories. Ask directly, and ask to see the certificate rather than taking it as read.
Hand the day to someone else
Tell us the party size, the venue and what you want handled. We match you with hosts who cover your suburb.