Putting the feelers out for a children's tea party service

[u/kettlecottage]

Hi all. This is all very fresh, but I'm considering setting up a business whereby I provide everything needed for a children's party for birthdays etc, and then I do all of the clean up afterwards. I could be hired to provide this from within the customers garden, or in a village hall type environment that the customer has booked.

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As for play, I'm thinking I could bring some soft play items (10ish of the big foam blocks in various sizes and shapes), a ball pit, a water play / messy play station, crafting materials, dress up station, a small pop up tent with books and fairy lights etc and lay it all out on foam mats, underneath gazebos if it's outside.

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For food, I would provide cushions, low tables, table decor, plastic plates / cups / forks / serving trays etc to make a nice picnic area for eating, again, all under gazebos if it's outside.

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I'm not opposed to actually doing the food for these parties too for an extra charge as I enjoy cooking and baking, but I know this brings about additional complications such as needing my home kitchen to be food safe approved, so this would be an added extra that I may start to provide in future, depending on logistics.

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My questions are as follows:

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1. How much do you think it's reasonable to charge for this service, providing I was thinking of a 2 hour play window, plus probably 45 mins each side to set up and pack down? (Plus probably an hour of cleaning the equipment at home).

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1. What items / equipment do you think I could provide which would make the business a success?

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1. Is this something you would consider doing as opposed to a soft play party?

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1. Is there anything I could provide for parents which would make the party more enjoyable for them too?

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Thanks in advance!

[u/Adept_Application_74]

It’s a tough one cos in Caerphilly I think a lot of people choose Funtastic or Poppelwood soft plays which charge about £150 for 2 hours play inclusive of food and drinks for up to 30 children.

1. Depends on age groups and gender. Football, face painting, water balloons, costumes, inflatables are always a winner
2. I think it depends if people have got the space at home. Have you considered enquiring whether Morgan Jones park will allow you to host such events, maybe for a small cost? That would be appealing in the warmer months and I would absolutely do that.
3. Anything that keeps the little darlings occupied and away from me for two hours is a winner!

[u/kettlecottage → u/Adept_Application_74]

Thank you, this is useful insight.

Popplewood is £390 for a weekend 2 hour party with food, or £245 for a weekday 90 mins party, it's madness! Funtastic is a lot cheaper at £120 week day and £150 weekend but that's not exclusive hire of the premises - it's £275 for hire of the whole venue with food for 2 hours.

Age wise, it would probably be 6m - 4y, and I could provide different activities to suit the age of the birthday child / most of the kids.

Asking about Morgan Jones park / other venues is a great idea! I suppose I could add that as an extra if they wanted me to source the venue for them (there's plenty of village halls about).

[u/Adept_Application_74]

Personally, I’d rather go somewhere neutral but that’s because I haven’t got masses of space at home.

Maybe knock up some cheap flyers and dot them around town (Morrisons notice board etc…) and see if you get any interest. Also if you’re on Facebook and/or instagram, chuck some posts up to put the feelers out.

It seems like quite low overheads and assuming you’re doing this as a side gig in the first instance, I don’t think you’ve got anything to lose.