by Betsy Fischer, M.Ed.
“Put the needle on the record, Put the needle on the record…” All DJs are jiggy with that, but when it comes to CHILDREN’S EVENTS, many would rather “put the needle in their eye” than entertain a bunch of kids!
An Opportunity for Expansion
Why is that? I know so many wedding jocks who absolutely cringe at the idea of children’s parties. Some of my associates even turn their kid events over to me. Some just can’t be bothered, don’t have the stomach or patience, or just don’t want to waste their time.
These entertainers are missing out on the opportunity to make some extra money and to market their companies to an expanded audience.
Sure, kids’ events require a LOT of work, preparation, patience, and creativity, not to mention props, give-aways and prizes. However, if a DJ has what it takes to keep a bunch of little ones entertained, there is the potential for income growth, company visibility, and fun!
Unforgettable, Spectacular, Dream-Come-True Events
Do you need a few more good reasons to consider doing events for young folks? Well, here the are:
- Depending on the age of the children, many children’s events are NOT drop-off parties. This means that the parents of the guests stay at the party, and this provides a great opportunity to impress the adults in the room. Remember, adults have credit cards!
- Especially in a depressed economy, why eliminate an entire market? Children are precious commodities, the apples of their parents’ eyes. For many Moms and Dads, providing their children with an unforgettable, spectacular, dream-come true event, if only once a year, is still a top priority. “Anything for my princess!” While money may be tight, some folks are still willing to spend the big bucks to make their children happy. (Not to mention impress the neighbors!)
- Despite what you may think, children’s events CAN be fun! Friendly competitions, “cooperative games” where no one is eliminated, passing out props to dancers who are workin’ it on the dance floor, seeing kids smiling and strutting their stuff, and hearing them sing the lyrics to Top 40 songs, can really be a blast. I’ve been specializing in children’s events for over 10 years, and love them so much that I sometimes actually pinch myself in disbelief that this is my job!
It’s Okay to Do the Hokey-Pokey
In my opinion, there’s nothing (g-rated) better than seeing adults dancing with their kids. So, put your left hand in and put your left hand out, and if you’re happy and you know it, I’ll see you next month!
What’s your favorite part of entertaining children?
Betsy Fischer, M.Ed. – “Girls with Gigs”
Betsy Fischer, M.Ed. is a DJ, Event Planner, Dance and Zumba Instructor, Choreographer and Entrepreneur. She is the 2010 winner of the “Best New Dance” and runner up “Entertainer of the Year” at the “DJ of the Year” competition held at the International DJ Expo. She is the proud owner/operator of Betsy Fischer’s Groove Lounge, a dance and party venue located in southern NJ. Her mobile DJ business, Party Dancing with Betsy Fischer, LLC, entertains at a variety of events throughout NJ and PA. Betsy is a member of NJDJN and NAME. She is a graduate of Rutgers University and is a NJ State Certified Elementary Teacher and a Teacher of the Handicapped. Betsy received her Master’s Degree from Temple University, where her studies focused on including handicapped children in the performing arts. Betsy’s website is GrooveLounge.net and you can email her at [email protected]. View posts by Betsy
Great post Betsy! Children’s parties are 10% or less of our business, but I enjoy the action. Having boys, 8 and 5, has helped me to relate better to the younger folks and their energetic personas. Another benefit of kids parties is that they sometimes occur outside of our Friday and Saturday night sweet spots, and can provide some much needed business outside of wedding season. One last benefit is the chance to become the “family DJ” and grow up with the kids and their siblings. For a future post, I would love to hear about some of your favorite games (particularly cooperative ones).
Hi Betsy, I have an 8 yr old party coming up. Just wondering if you have any cool games besides the “usual” ones, ie: hokey pokey, ymca, coke and pepsi, etc… Thanks, Matt VanDJ
Hi, Matt:
If the guest of honor is turning 8, he or she is probably in second grade, and you will have lots of 7 and 8-yr-olds at the party. Second grade is still pretty young, so I would suggest that you do not play any elimination games. You don’t want anyone to feel left out, embarrased, or sad because they had to leave the dance floor. Your goal should be to keep the dance floor hoppin’, with all the kids involved and having a great time.
Some of the games I do are the typical ones, but I don’t eliminate anyone…So, in Limbo, the kids just keep going around and around…Who cares if they can’t arch their backs anymore? I tell them when they can no longer arch backwards, they can get under the stick “any way they want!” Crab-Walk, Fireman Crawl, Belly-Burner, Behind-Burner -just be creative! And, at the end of the game, I have the limbo stick holders hold the stick steady on the floor, and I have all the kids jump over it. Here I also say, “Show me your most creative, exciting, fabulous,impressive LEAP over the limbo stick…Knock my socks off!!” You will be amazed at what the kids will come up with to impress you!! And as I said, no one gets out, so the energy in the room doesn’t drop…The game definitely gets an energy boost when the kids start jumping!
I do the same thing w/ dance freeze and huggy-bear. No elimination, just dance/freeze/unfreeze and dance/ freeze/un-freeze/dance, you get the idea!
If you do several kids parties, you also might want to invest in scooters - You know those square scooters w/ the 4 wheels. I do all kinds of relays w/ the kids - on your belly, on your butt, and I do one relay where I scatter candy on the floor, and the kids scooter around to pick up one piece at a time. (Guest of honor gets to pick up two!!) No team finishes first, the kids just keep taking turns until all the candy is gone! Everyone wins w/ this relay!! Try playing Aaron Carter’s I want Candy when you do this race. It’s perfect!!!
Hi Betsy,
I agree with your story. I enjoy working with kids and family events. From school, Bar/Bat Mitvahs, Bday parties, Proms.This is a tough market for some especially if you don’t like it, mostly the pay is less than weddings. But for me I get connected with whoever the client is and their guests at all events. Its always about them and I keep it that way, with non stop entertainment as needed. I provide game shows, trivia, video, Karaoke, audio, games and use whatever works. After meeting clients and discussing their needs. I plan for their event, then deliver.I get many referals from these events, the school events keep me busy during non wedding season, and recently I’ve began woking Assisted Living and car shows and the demand has been huge. I even closed my music store I ran in RI for 31 years because I need more time for my DJ business. Started in 1983, this year was my best year and next year looks even better.Working all styles and age groups keeps me fresh and I’m always looking for new ideas and applications of doing things, I don’t want to be the same at every gig.
Wow! To have your best year ever in this economy??! Congratulatons! Thanks for your post. Keep rockin’ those family events!!