A few of you may know, because of my previous thread, that im going to start doing kids shows this summer. Im starting with a few younger cousins birthdays and some close friends, but after that i might move public. anyway what i want to know is how to keep them entertained.

i just ordered from penguin two packs of 260q balloons
a balloon animal making instruction dvd
Rocky racoon spring animal.

the racoon puppet seemed like it would be great fun for little kids. and when i showed my 6 year old brother the sneak peak for the Roxie raccoon he loved it...so hopfully others will think the same.

The balloon animals seem like a good transition between tricks... get an assistant, do the trick with them. then after the trick make a balloon animal for the kid.

What else would you guys recommend? any recommendations on what i have ordered?

Now, I'm no expert, but I do know this: the tricks are not what entertain the audience, it is the performer.

Exactly, it is how you routine it and put yourself out there that will entertain them! Yes, you need to master the tricks, but more importantly, you need to master how you present them. That is what makes a good show!

Also, be very careful about balloons. And, I know a lot of people disagree, and other agree, it is all on how you wish to deal with things and that is everyone's perogative --- but, I would not let my daughter do balloons without liability insurance, which she has. It is just too risky if one of the little darlings puts one in their mouth and it pops.

Good luck, and I applaud that you want to do free shows before you even consider doing them publically. It is a great way to gain experience (although you still need a practiced routine before doing this) and get some showmanship under your belt!

DO NOT use balloon animals as fillers. By giving a kid a balloon animal you are just causing a huge uproar when all of the other kids decide that they also want balloon animals. Also, the volunteer with the balloon animals will play with it during the show and it will make crinkling noises and possibly pop. It will distract your show.

Instead use balloon animals as a marketing tool. Because you are just starting, test out your show at a local library. Tell the librarians that at the end you will give free balloon animals to all of the kids. Now i konw that this will cost you some money to do, but it's well worth it. You will gain experience which is the most valuable thing that you can have when starting out, and you will get people requesting shows for birthday parties (as long as your show is good). Then when doing the birthday parties charge extra for balloon animals. I have only had about 3 shows decline the balloons.

I almost forget, get business cards. Give them out like CRAZY at the library shows. This will only help with the gig process.

Hope this helps!

Ben Winter