How to Hire a Great Entertainer

Wave a wand, chant the magic words, and -- poof! -- a magician, a clown, or a puppeteer with endless kiddie appeal appears at your party, ready to delight both children and adults.

Hiring a great entertainer isn't quite this easy, admits David Kaye, a well-respected clown-style magician who lives in New York City. We asked Kaye, better known as Silly Billy, how parents can avoid the pitfalls that can spoil the fun. Here are his tips.

First, ask yourself what type of entertainer suits your child best. If you plan to hire a clown, remember that clown makeup is meant to be seen from a distance at the circus. Up close, it may be scary to younger children. Kaye advises against hiring a heavily made-up clown for revelers under 4. To increase a child's comfort level with an entertainer, get a photo to post on the refrigerator beforehand.

If your 2- to 3-year-old has a be-loved favorite character, remember before you hire a real-life version that a six-foot-tall Clifford, Barney, or Elmo can seem overpowering. And find out what -- besides a photo opportunity -- the character will bring to your party table. He may need an assistant to lead the children in activities.

The best bet for the 3-and-under crowd, Kaye believes, is a performer who plays guitar and musical games or one who uses puppets. Look for someone who can handle short attention spans and who will be flexible about interruptions from kids.

If you're looking for a magician, Kaye says, 3- to 7-year-olds respond best to one who is silly -- a performer who, for instance, might blow his nose in a handkerchief before making it disappear. Straight magic appeals less, Kaye says: "Many things in their lives seem magical because they don't understand the mechanics of how things work." Children 8 and older tend to prefer an adult-style magician. Make sure that whoever you hire has experience with your child's age group.

Look for ads for children's entertainers in the parenting pages of your newspaper, or check supermarket and toy-store bulletin boards. You can also ask other parents for recommendations. Get at least two recent references from clients with kids your child's age, and find out when the entertainer last performed for these children.

The cost of an entertainer varies on the basis of your location and his level of experience. A top children's entertainer can command $300 or more in some areas. In others, you can find quality entertainers for $75 to $100. Tipping is optional.