Sussex childrens magician, puppet master and ventriloquist, balloon twister and comedy singer.

For loads more party planning ideas, games, food, etc, visit Potty's Birthday Party website:

Potty the Pirate is one of the most experienced kids party entertainers in the South of England. Here are some tips to ensure your childrens party runs smoothly:

1. Choose a venue that is an ideal size for the amount of children attending (i.e. not too big or too small). Also, consider its location and number of parking spaces for any guests coming further a field. For kids of 2 or 3 years, a home party is best: it's not recommended to hire a hall or invite too many guests, as at this age, kids can easily be overwhelmed, and all your careful planning may be wasted!

2. If you’re having your child’s party at home limit the number of children you invite to suit your available space. In the summertime a garden makes the perfect venue; just remember to have a contingency plan if the weather takes a turn for the worse.

3. If you’re working to a budget find out if there are any other children having birthdays near to your own child’s, as joint parties can be twice as fun and half the cost!

4. Avoid a last minute rush by buying party items as early as possible starting with non-perishables such as tableware and decorations and ending with the party food and birthday cake.

5. Allow at least half-an-hour for getting into your venue and setting-up the party. Arranging tables & chairs, tableware, decorations and food can take longer than you think.

6. If your party venue is set back off the road tie balloons or a banner round a nearby tree or lamp post, this way everybody will know where the party is!

7. Allocate tasks for any party helpers to avoid everyone trying to do the same thing or nothing at all.

8. Assign a family member or close friend to take photos of the party so you can concentrate on the party itself. Remember to check you have enough camera battery power and space on your memory card or film before leaving the house.

9. Most children are more willing to join in party games and enjoy themselves when there are less parents attending. If possible, limit the amount of adults staying at your child’s party to family and close friends.

10. Setting out the food table running down the venue as opposed to across it allows more room for games.

11. Putting balloons all around the floor will mean they will probably be burst during the party. To avoid this distraction, attach balloons to the walls and then give them to the children at the end of the party. Or simply have Potty make lovely balloon models for all the kids.

12. If you like, give the kids a name badge as they arrive.

13. Keep the presents until after the party, when the Birthday Child can get the most out of unwrapping them, and you can make a note of who gave what.

14. Making note of parent’s mobile numbers of younger guest’s means you can get in touch if their child becomes upset at missing them or in the event of an emergency.

15. Potty will discuss the best time for the party tea, and refreshments (usually a drink for the kids after the games).

16. If the tea comes towards the end of the party, it's a good idea to sing The Birthday Song with the cake, near the start of the tea. That gives you plenty of time to cut the Birthday cake and pop it in the party bags.

17. If you’re having a bouncy castle as well as Potty the Pirate, he will ask for it to be turned off during the show segments of your party.

Your handy party check list:

STUFF YOU CAN GET READY WELL IN ADVANCE
Potty's letter confirming date and venue for your party
Venue details and contact numbers
party decor - balloons, banners, wall decorations, etc. With blutac, sticky tape, string and scissors.
Tableware - plates, cups, table cloths, serviettes
Knife and serviettes to cut and wrap the Birthday Cake
Party bags
Paper and pen for mobile phone numbers of the parents
rubbish bags for garbage, and perhaps to carry presents
name stickers for the children
camera or camcorder - check your batteries and film or memory card

PERISHABLE STUFF
Children’s party food and drink
Drinks for the adults such as tea and coffee, milk, sugar
Birthday cake -with candles and matches or lighter
Adults drinks - tea, coffee, milk, sugar