20+ Great Los Angeles Party Entertainers Who Make the Party
Like the people who throw them, birthday parties have evolved. Grandma might point out that she managed just fine without puppies and ponies, but that doesn't mean we have to. The truth is that a good party entertainer can make a budget party in the backyard or local park feel like the event of the season. If you're that mom who's never at a loss to entertain a dozen 8-year-olds, our hats are off to you (and please contact us about writing a party piece!); for everyone else, here are 20+ party entertainment companies who bring the party to your house, and we think they really take the (birthday) cake!
OUR LATEST VIDEOS
Oh yeah, kids can zoom around in a Lambo. Photo courtesy of Kids Car Club LA
Top Play-Based LA Party Entertainers
1. Pump and Splash
Kids love to get wet almost as much as they like to get other people wet! Pump and Splash brings water fun to your backyard with kid-powered water pumps. Water babies can splash and play, have rubber duckie races and spray water from fountains into the air. Recirculating water keeps the party eco-friendly, too.
2. ANYA Braid Bar
Take dress up to the next level with ANYA Braid Bar's hair braiding experience. Birthday parties can be customized to a chosen theme and kids can choose braids with or without extensions, glitter, face jewels, and more.
3. Kids Car Club LA
LA is a car city, right? So start your young Angeleno loving their wheels when they're young. Kids Car Club brings tot-sized motorized Bentleys, Benz, and BMWs (plus luxury cars that don't start with a B, like Lamborghinis and Range Rovers) to your house or a park for young speedsters to take for a spin. Race 'em or just go for a spin; cars are rented singly or in bundles by the hour.
4. Smokey's Fire Truck Events
If your little firefighter can’t be placated with mere toys, this is the party for them: a real fire engine shows up at your party and takes everyone on a ride. Then kids can shoot real fire hydrants filled with water at targets. It’s the party young firefighters (and the rest of the neighborhood) will never forget.
5. The Amazing Kid Company
In addition to offering afterschool enrichment and acting classes, the Amazing Kid Company brings active, sporty fun to parties. Kids can play dodge ball, color tag, Mr.Fox; dig into a whipped cream eating contest or a Nerf war; or even have non-stop, organized fun at a pool party (where you don't have to play lifeguard!). This company emphasizes old-fashioned fun and even nurtures sportsman-like behavior in kids as a bonus.
6. Puppies and Reptiles
Soft and furry? Scaly and slithering? Whether it's puppies or snakes your child craves, this party entertainer can bring 10 adorable dogs or up to 15 assorted reptiles to any birthday party. Critter visitors include turtles, snakes, bugs, lizards, and several different breeds of roly-poly puppies.
7. AirballingLA
Got an active kiddo who needs to stay in motion? These parties are perfect. These parties are also amazing for big kids who think they’re too big for a party (hint: they are not!). Choose from Archery Tag, Bubble Soccer, Nerf War, Zorbing, Fortnite Parties, and even Phat Scooter tours.
Kids make their own party favors at a Little Saplings party. Photo courtesy of Little Saplings
8. Little Saplings
Ruth Steinberg of Little Saplings empowers kids as expert gardeners, and her love for greenery is infectious. She can help create natural wonder in the child's own garden, or at a park where gardens can be created in pots (to take home as favors). Digging and planting activities can be augmented by nature walks, scavenger hunts, mud pies, and anything else plant-related.
9. Movies by Kids
Young filmmakers adore a party where their friends are the cast and crew. Choose from a Rock Star Birthday Party (make a music video), a Claymation Party, or Stop Motion Madness--blue-screen, lights, and cameras, all come to you. And talk about a party favor; everyone gets a copy of the day’s shoot.
10. Bricks for Kidz
If you can’t bring the whole crew to Legoland, bring all the Legos to your party! Parties with Bricks for Kidz range from basic Lego building fun and games to Lego-themed goody bags and take-home models for everyone at the party.
11. Mad Science
If you think of Mad Science as the provider of awesome camps and after-school programs, you’re right. But it’s also the company that brings science into your home with hands-on and interactive demonstrations, make and take activities, and plenty of add ons (including hovercraft rides and cotton candy making).
12. Madame Chocolat
Quirky French Chef Madame Chocolat creates a stir at birthday parties and other events with her interactive cooking show. The chef solicits help from the audience to make a chocolate cake (scratch cake off the shopping list!) and can throw in some fun storytelling, too.
Pirates and dragons and birthdays, oh my! Photo courtesy of Happily Ever Laughter
Amazing Character-Based LA Party Entertainers
13. Happily Ever Laughter
Booking Happily Ever Laughter is more than just renting adorably dressed fairies and mermaids to show up at your party; the whimsical activities the characters bring are teacher-designed and range from puppet shows and magic shows to dance parties, face painting, balloon art, and other fun stuff.
14. Character Masters
Want Star Wars characters (including a convincing Chewbacca) or the Marvel universe of superheroes to show up at your kids' party? Look no further. If kids really want to dig into their lightsaber technique, Jedi training is available, as well as face painting and even the chance to play tug-of-war with Batman (or whoever your kid's favorite superhero might be). New characters and activities are added all the time, from Fortnite Nerf wars to Descendant dance-offs, and anything else your kids can dream up.
15. Send in the Clowns Events
Send in the Clowns goes the extra mile in helping overwhelmed parents party plan from the start, with video consults to help determine your party needs. Then every single party exceeds expectations from a simple character visit to having a carnival (complete with a carousel) set up in your backyard. If you can imagine it, Send in the Clowns can help you execute. (DJ dance parties and donut wall experiences are some of our favorites.)
16. Wishing Well Entertainment
In addition to characters like Princess Leia and Alice in Wonderland, Wishing Well has magicians, face painters, wash-off tattoo artists, and even a "snake lady." Kids swoon over the swimming mermaid (fully CPR certified to boot) who tells stories, sings, and more. If you want the grown-ups to be entertained, too, the company has a Lucille Ball, Groucho Marx, or Marilyn Monroe. Happy Birthday phone calls or virtual parties are available as well.
17. Best Party Ever
Want swashbuckling pirates, noble knights and fair princesses, Indiana Jones, or a variety of other characters at your party? How about Harry Potter or Scooby-Doo? These entertainers are known for staying in character, wearing spot-on costumes, and making every kid feel included.
Step inside my bubble! Photo Courtesy Bubblemania
Cool Performance-Based LA Party Entertainers
18. Bubblemania
The Bubblologist is in the building. Did the Bubblologist make up his job title? Perhaps, but whatever you call Bubblemania's party entertainers, they offer plenty of good, clean fun, with programs built around the science of soap bubbles for children of all ages. Typical parties involve an indoor presentation followed by outdoor bubble playtime; Zoom parties are also available.
19. The Balloon Guy
Whatever your party needs, the Balloon Guy can provide it. You might just want balloon decorations, or you might want a balloon artist who can amazing kids by making anything at all out of inflated plastic. You can also order up full party planning including face painting, and more. This old-fashioned fun delights even modern kids.
20. Brandon Scott's Magic Event Entertainment
Magician Brandon Scott does something most kids' party magicians don't do: he shares his secrets. (See him share one in our collection of 20 Easy Magic Tricks for Kids!) The long-time Magic Castle performer offers magic shows on a variety of themes and performs as one of over 100 characters that kids can choose from. At the end of the show, he will invite the next generation to carry on the tradition by teaching some of his favorite tricks. Brandon performs in both English and Spanish.
Meet the marionettes. (They're awfully friendly!) Photo courtesy Scott Land Marionettes
21. Scott Land Marionettes
Scott Land is both the creator of his intricate marionettes and the puppeteer who brings them magically to life. It's great fun to watch Land's little wooden troupe interacting with the children, and his dry wit keeps parents chuckling to themselves. This show is a hit every time, and the whole stage takes just 7 minutes to set up at your place. (You may have seen him perform at a Kids Club locally; kids will thrill to have the show in their own home!)
22. The BeatBuds
A musical duo who play their own acoustic music just for kids, The BeatBuds not only play music for kiddos but invite them to dance, play, and get involved. They also bring musical instruments for the kids to play, making the show an interactive experience. If your kid loves The BeatBuds, they can get a CD of their music, too. Virtual birthday parties are available, too.
Originally published January 15, 2013