We received received tips from some of our fabulous costume character performers on how to safely hire a costumed character for your party. This, plus a recent trip to Disney World got me thinking about children and their diverse reactions to “characters”. Has your child has been invited to a party that may feature a costume character? Are you planning on hosting a party featuring a party character? Here are some tips for making sure all goes smoothly:
Characters in costume, especially those with covered heads, are a fairly common fear for young children. For children under the age of three, it’s best to avoid a character in costume, unless you can see the person’s real face. For older children, make sure that your child has had some positive exposure to a costumed character before hiring one. If you are hiring a princess or other costume character for a young child, make sure to let other parents know on the invitation by stating that “A Princess will be stopping by” or “We’re expecting a special visit from a certain “Police Pup”. This will give the other parents time to prepare their children for the visit.
Never fear, Costume Characters are here
If your child is invited to a party with a costumed character, and you know that he or she is likely to be afraid, ask the host if you can stay at the party. The host can give you a warning before the “special guest” arrives. This is your opportunity to retreat to a quiet place. This way, you can watch the action without coming too close to the costumed character. Any professional performer will recognize that your child does not want to be approached. You may be surprised though, your child may be afraid of characters in large open areas like grocery stores or amusement parks, but may feel more comfortable in a friend’s house.
If you are unsure about how afraid your child may or may not be, try to prepare him or her before the party. Mention that there will be a visit from someone in a costume. Remind him or her of how much fun it is to dress up on Halloween. If your child has positive experience with Santas or Easter Bunnies, consider explaining this as a similar experience. For example, explain that this isn’t the real character, but that he’s dressed like the real character.
Remember, hiring a professional character performer who knows how to handle nervous children will help alleviate many problems before they start!
Planning your kid’s birthday party can be fun and easy. Parents nationwide trust Phillips Kiddy’s Kingdom to plan their festivities. We offer a wide selection of kids’ entertainment services featuring cartoon characters, balloon twisting, face painting, clowns, and inflatable rentals. Our friendly team has everything you need to host an amazing event. Call (844) 454-3397 or select a location near you for more information.