This page contains tons of good information to help you make your party a success. There are several articles that I have written, based on my experience as a children’s performer, and a great resource for party supplies. Enjoy planning the party for your child!

Birthday Party Hints (top)
Following these tips can make your child's party the best possible

• This is live theater created for your child. You can help make the most of this by keeping distractions to a minimum. Music, TV, and background conversation should take place in another room.
• Choose a place in your home that has few distractions. Inside is always a little better than outside, which tends to compete with birds, planes, and barking dogs. It is generally best not to have the magician with his/her back against the front door, as latecomers can take away from the performance. If you think that your adult guests will not watch the show, it is usually best to have the show in a different location from the talking adults.
• It is usually best to keep the kids in a separate room while the magician sets up. Magic is a secret and allowing the kids to view the set-up will only take away from the fun. Keep the show a mystery until the magician is ready to begin.
• Please don't give the kids food or drink during the show. Their enthusiasm and your carpet will suffer! After the show is usually the best time to serve cake, food, etc.
• Since kids will be kids, try to hold off giving out noisemakers (horns, blow-outs, etc.) until after the show.
• The kids are encouraged to make noise, stand up, wave their arms and come up to be volunteers. It's a good idea to put the glass centerpiece in a safe place.
• Tie a bouquet of balloons on your mailbox, front porch, or apartment door so it's easy for your guests (not to mention the magician!) to find the party.

Birthday Party Schedule (top)

I have performed at over 1000 kids’ birthday parties and I’ve seen a lot of things that work and a lot that don’t! Below is a schedule that MOST parents’ follow and it seems to work well. I’ll explain why below. Most parties last 2 hours. For the sake of this article, we’ll say the party begins at 1:00 PM.

12:50 – All preparation is completed and ready for early arrivals. Allow the guests to play in the back yard or play room, or have an age appropriate activity going that the kids can join in as they arrive – coloring sheets, crafts, or a game. Magician arrives.

1:00 – Magician is set up and begins to visit with the children during their activity/game. Tommy loves kids and really enjoys talking to them before the show. Believe it or not, this helps with crowd control later, since the kids have met and become pals with the performer!

1:15 – The Magic of Tommy Johns show begins!

2:15 – Show’s over and the kids are led to the cake and ice cream! Sing Happy Birthday, blow out the candles and serve the kids. If you are having real food, this is the time for that also.

2:30 – Gather the kids in a room where the Birthday child is the center of attention for the opening of gifts. Quietly remind the Birthday Child that you talked ahead of time about thanking the giver and not saying, “I already have that!” or “I don’t like Scooby-Doo!”

2:45 – This would be the time for a piñata or just let the kids play until the parents arrive to pick them up. Some parents will arrive early, so you want the main activities to be over by this time.

3:00 – Rest! You made it!

Let’s talk about why this works.

12:50 - You want to have everything ready by 10 ‘til, because if you don’t, and a parent drops a child off early, you will be torn between finishing the party stuff (which you HAVE to do) and entertaining the early arrival and her mom (which you SHOULD do). You may never feel like you get caught up enough to relax and enjoy the party.

1:15 - I have never been to a birthday party where every child was on time. (Don’t blame the kid; he can’t drive!) For this reason, the magic show or other special event should not start until about quarter past. This delay also gives the kids a chance to work out the “wigglies” before they come to sit down for the show.

2:15 – We save the food until later for a number of reasons. The show goes better if the kids aren’t balancing plates and drinks. The kids’ hands are cleaner (they handle a lot of the magic stuff during the show!). And it’s always better to sugar up the kids on cake, ice cream and Kool-Aid right before you send them back home!

2:30 – Kids don’t take as long to eat as adults. They don’t eat as much and they are excited about the party. 15 minutes is usually plenty of time. If not, just go with the flow! We save the presents until last, because the birthday child is usually not crazy about leaving his gifts to go to the show. I have performed at the end of a party where the birthday girl would not get out of the Barbie Power Wheels to come to the show. The parents finally let her watch the show from the car, but it was a real distraction, especially when she got out to help me onstage and every kid at the party tried to get in the car!

2:45 - This is a good time for a piñata, one more game (like Pin the Tail on the Donkey) or just free play.

3:00 – Most of the time, parents are on time to pick up their kids. If not, allow the child to play with the birthday child or get him to help clean up. Most kids LOVE to help. Your obligation to entertain ends at 3:00, but of course you are still responsible for his care until the parent arrives.

Birthday Party Checklist (top)

Date & Time: __________________

THREE TO FOUR WEEKS BEFORE THE PARTY (Get out your calendar now & mark this date!)
   __ Contact The Magic of Tommy Johns to confirm date & time
   __ Make a guest list
   __ Make a tentative schedule of party activities
   __ Decide which decorations and favors to make and which to buy
   __ List all supplies needed
   __ Plan the party menu

TWO TO THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE PARTY
   __ Make/buy invitations.
   __ Mail or drop off invitations.
   __ Buy party supplies.
   __ Start making party decorations and favors.
   __ Order cake from bakery if you're not making your own.
   __ Arrange for extra help.

ONE WEEK BEFORE THE PARTY
   __ Finish decorations and favors.
   __ Confirm any orders placed for cake and/or party supplies.
   __ Bake cake and freeze it, if making your own cake.
   __ Make any other foods that can be prepared ahead of time and store in the freezer.
   __ Write out a final schedule of activities for the party.

TWO-THREE DAYS BEFORE THE PARTY
   __ Buy remaining food for the party.
   __ Buy film and/or videotape.
   __ Check batteries for cameras, flash units and/or camcorders. (Often forgotten!)
   __ Get an exact guest count. Tally responses and call those who haven't responded.
   __ Call to confirm any services or entertainment.

ONE DAY BEFORE THE PARTY
   __ Finish decorating cake or pick up from bakery.
   __ Child-proof party area.
   __ Decorate any indoor areas of party.
   __ Prepare all "Do-Ahead" food.

THE DAY OF THE PARTY
   __ Prepare the rest of the food.
   __ Decorate outside party area.
   __ Mark the outside of the house or the party area with balloons or a sign.
   __ Keep your schedule of party activities handy.

If you have any questions contact me! Or if you need a different schedule for your party, NO PROBLEM! My goal is to meet and exceed your entertainment needs.