
Here's a list of parent-approved birthday party entertainers to help make your child's day extra special. From characters for hire, to face painters, kids magicians, balloon artists and more, entertain the birthday kid and guests without having to plan any party activities yourself!
These party experts serve the New York City area, and can travel to your home or birthday party venue.
Help put the "happy" in another NYC family's happy birthday by sharing your reviews and recommendations for awesome party entertainers below!
Rizzo's Wildlife Discovery Parties
Nancy L.: Rizzo's Wildlife Discovery Parties bring the fun and excitement—minus the fear—of reptiles, insects, and various wildlife creatures to your child's party. Kids will learn about the importance of these creatures and their role in the ecosystem while being entertained. Families can also visit Rizzo's Wildlife Center in New Jersey for semi-guided tours where kids can interact with select animals.
Bubbles Playhouse on the Go
Nancy L.: Elaine Gil, known as Bubbles the Party Motivator, will create a customized event for your child's party through her Bubbles Playhouse on the Go. She's a silly and energetic host getting everyone moving and motivated to have a great time. Customize your party by incorporating face painting, bubbles, balloon animals, singing, dancing, and more. She can offer ideas and accommodate special requests.
Snakes & Scales-Animal Birthday Parties
Nancy L.: Snakes, reptiles, insects, and even dinosaurs are just some of the guests that can attend your child's next birthday party. Snakes & Scales has many different birthday party packages. Kids will be entertained and educated, without fear, by these creatures.
Magic Evan
Cherisse Harris: If you're looking for an engaging magic show customized to fit your kid's personality, look no further. After completing over 1,250 magic shows and a Master's in Educational Theater, Magic Evan knows the secret formula to keeping children happy. He's even appeared on children shows like Sprout's "Sunny Side Up." Kids love his balloon-twisting and magic shows, and adults love his strolling magic pre-shows. Evan offers a few popular party packages, but is willing to incorporate individual requests to make each event special
Okey Dokey Clown
Cherisse Harris: Whether you want a funny clown or a cool magic show, Okey Dokey Clown doesn't disappoint. Kids can expect silly jokes, musical games, and giant bubbles throughout the show. His comedy is appropriate for all ages. See some of Okey Dokey 's past shows here.
Kiki's Face Painting and Balloons NY
Cherisse Harris: Founded by a professional actress with a background in teaching, face painting, and children's parties, Kiki's Face Painting and Balloons NY has been bringing joy to kids for over 10 years. Kiki's party team includes talented Broadway performers and artists that provide face painting, balloon-sculpting, magic shows, clowns, and interactive princess characters for your little ones. About 10-12 children per hour can be accommodated per party package. Larger parties must book extra time and/or more entertainers.
Bobby Doowah
Cherisse Harris: Very popular with the toddlers and preschoolers, Bobby Doowah's contagious energy gets your child's party off to a great start! With a 30-45 min boisterous performance of original music like "Are You Ready Freddy?" and "The Captain's Zoo," your kids will have a ball. Take a listen here.
Fantasy Arts by Sharon
Cherisse Harris: Fantasy Arts by Sharon has been entertaining children's parties for over 17 years! Her face-painting, balloon-twisting, and glitter and jewelry tattoos are elaborate, and creative, and the kids love it. Sharon also offers face painting and caricature services for teens and adults. Her team usually paints 10-12 designs per hour depending on group size. She uses FDA-approved, washable paints; and is also available for 1-hr party consultations ($50/per session) to help find party supplies, decide on the number of guests to invite, and more.
Private Picassos Birthday Parties in Home
Jennie Utsinger: If you'd prefer your birthday party at home or at a public space, let Private Picassos bring an art party to you. Party packages include an hour of art activity, balloons, and a complimentary private art lesson for the birthday boy or girl. Activities include circus sculptures, splatter paint, comic book creation, papier mache rocket ships, or printmaking. Invitations, art goody bags, and decorations are also available.
Neverland Balloons and Facepainting
Nancy L.: If you can think of it, Neverland Balloons can create it. Their talented team offers balloon and face painting party packages that will put smiles on the faces of every partygoer. Choose a balloon art package, face painting package, or a combination. There are also add-on options to further customize your child's party.
Brooklyn Balloon Company
Cherisse Harris: Known for his unbelievable ability to take ordinary balloons and transform them into works of art, the founder of Brooklyn Balloon Company, Robert Moy creates balloon sculptures and décor that amaze all ages. Robert offers balloon-twisting, face painting, helium balloon crafts, and temporary tattoos. He can make anything with balloons, and accommodates many special requests for parties and décor. His balloon artists, craft instructors, and face painters are great with kids.
Face Art By Melissa
Cherisse Harris: Wow the kids with Face Art By Melissa face and body paint designs. Melissa has a team of professional artists who are great with children. She specializes in airbrush, glitter, and jewelry tattoos; and uses FDA approved, washable, hypoallergenic face paints. When contacting, remember to include the date, borough, time of your event, and the number of children to be painted. She's flexible with last-minute scheduling and special requests.
Kids Party with Ruby
Nancy L.: Kids Party with Ruby offers a range of party packages, with options and add-ons including face painting, bounce houses, popular costumed characters, jewelry making, and much more. Packages usually include one to two hours of entertainment or more if requested.
NYC Birthday Clowns
Nancy L.: Choose your party package based on the duration of the party and number of guests and customize it. Face painting, balloon animals, music, magic shows, bubbles, and temporary tattoos are just some of the options.
Blue Balloon Parties
Cherisse Harris: If you can dream it, Blue Balloon parties can make it happen. From clowns, magicians, and face painting, to puppet shows, bouncy houses, and princess/superhero parties, this company can do it all. They also provide party rentals (concession stands, photo booths, decorations, tables and chairs) so you don’t need to worry about supplies and set-up. Their party packages are geared toward kids from ages 1-10.
Party Solvers Entertainment
Nancy L.: No party is too big. No party is too small. Party Solvers has a variety of packages and add-on rental options to fit any budget. They also offer party room rentals where they can provide the space and help you choose the perfect party package.
Dinosaurs Rock
Cherisse Harris: For a fun, educational party, book with Dinosaurs Rock. They bring the museum to you with real dinosaur specimens, fossils, and an interactive presentation where kids can touch dinosaur footprints, fossil eggs, and more. Kids will also enjoy a fossil dig, dinosaur egg hunt, and game of ring toss (winner gets a toy dinosaur). Parents can upgrade to a "Stuff-A-Dinosaur" party, so kids can make their own toy dinos. Other party themes also available.
Ultimate Parties and Events
Nancy L.: Ultimate Parties and Events is a one-stop shop to create a customized party. Choose from a variety of packages such as Star, Super, and Ultimate Party. The packages start with a foundation of magicians, face painting, and balloon twisting with different offerings such as bounce houses, concessions, and a dessert table. There's even a Build-Your-Own Package for the ultimate in customization.
Cotton Candy Clowns
Nancy L.: Make your party stand out with a dunk tank! Cotton Candy Clowns offers party packages, clowns, costumed characters, and bounce houses. But this company sets itself apart with the option for dunk tank rentals. It's perfect for those celebrating a summer birthday.
Watson Adventures Scavenger Hunts
Shila: Watson Adventures Scavenger Hunts will arrange and host a scavenger hunt birthday party available at various NYC locations (American Museum of Natural History, Bronx Zoo, Grand Central Terminal, parks, neighborhoods, etc.). This is a unique way to explore NYC and celebrate any birthday or event. Teams are challenged to be the first to unravel a series of clues. Various hunt themes are available that run approx. 90 minutes.
GemFace NY Face Painter
Nancy L.: Let partygoers express themselves by choosing to have their face painted by the talents of GemFace NY. Working with clients to customize each party, GemFace NY will complement your party's chosen theme or they'll bring a variety of ideas to you.
Clowns.com
Nancy L.: From fairies to superheroes to sports and pirates, Clowns.com has a birthday party package that's perfect for your child. They offer non-scary clowns and characters for little ones. There's a long list of jump houses, slide combos, and obstacle courses, which will challenge and delight any child. Magicians offer shows that include bubbles, balloons, interactive games and dancing. Hypoallergenic, plant-based all-natural paints are used for face painting. Clowns.com serves the five boroughs, Long Island, Bergen and Westchester counties.
Primary photo: Victoria Rodriguez on Unsplash
Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.