If you’re looking for K-Pop Demon Hunters party ideas, here are our favorites that we’ve seen sprouting up at kids birthday parties all around CT, MA, RI, and NH!
5 Entertainment Ideas for K-Pop Demon Hunter Kids Parties
1. Hair Art
Rumi, Mira, and Zoey are fashion icons. Bring hair art to your party to let kids create their own styles, including:
Hair chalk
Hair glitter
Hair tinsel
Hair art is the most popular thing we’ve seen so far at K-Pop Demon Hunters themed parties, and we think it couples perfectly with glitter looks or UV face paint (below).
One of the many, many appeals of K-Pop Demon Hunters is that it’s eye candy for the viewer, with beautiful lighting design, soothing color palettes, and plenty of sparkle.
Bring that same level of shine to your party with glitter looks. Guests can choose their level of glitter (from “just a touch” to “dump it on me”) and colors to match their outfits.
What’s great about glitter looks is that it’s something everyone from kids to adults can enjoy, so it’s great for mixed-aged parties.
Similar to glitter looks, UV face paint gives guests that extra glow that makes K-Pop Demon Hunters such a treat to watch.
Kids can request “demon marks”, over-the-top colorful makeup, or even a derpy tiger–all of which will glow under UV light.
We do provide black light rentals if you’re not throwing your K-Pop Demon Hunters party at a venue that has them, or you can opt for regular face painting–just let us know!
Finally, let’s be real–belting Golden or Soda Pop is probably most kids’ favorite thing about K-Pop Demon Hunters.
A kids’ karaoke station is our most underrated idea for a K-Pop Demon Hunters party. Depending on what your kids love, at the time of booking you can request your favorite mix of songs:
K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack + K-Pop Hits
K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack + other movie soundtracks (like Disney)
K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack + Top 40 family-friendly edits
Or anything else you want!
Just let us know at the time of booking and our DJ will be there with a catalog, monitors for lyrics, and up to 4 wireless mics for the kids to use.
Finally, if you’re looking for something for tweens and teens that feels a little more “grown up”, hire our caricature artists to transform guests into their own K-Pop Demon Hunter cartoon!
We love caricatures for tweens, teens, and adults. It’s one of those “bucket list” items perfect for a cartoon-themed birthday party, including K-Pop Demon Hunters.
Cloud is a face painter and balloon twister in Newington CT who entertains at events throughout Connecticut!
Cloud started with Kaleidoscope in Spring 2025 after years as a professional actress and educator. She got her start in theatre in high school, then got her BFA from Seton Hall University, where she studied Theatre and Creative Writing. After graduating in 2016, she began working as a theatre educator, teaching full-length productions, summer camps, private acting lessons, and improv classes. After graduating college, Cloud was also a classroom teacher for 5 years in both English and theater at several local neighborhood and magnet public schools.
Since staring at Kaleidoscope, Cloud has become one of our most-requested and best-reviewed artists. She thrives at high-energy events and would love to come entertain at your next party!
Interview with Cloud: Newington CT Face Painter and Ballloon Twister
What made you want to first start face painting or balloon twisting?
I love art in all of its forms and I thought to myself, “Let’s try something new!” I took the leap to try face painting and balloon twisting and I fell in love with it! I love seeing people’s faces light up when they get their balloon or see their painted face in the mirror!
Do you like being a face painter or balloon twister more?
I love them both for different reasons! With face painting – I love talking to the person while I’m getting the paints ready and really letting them choose their own adventure with what I’m going to paint! I love when kids ask, “Can I have the pirate bandana in purple?” or “Can you add glitter?” It really shows what they love and gives them a chance to be creative themselves! With balloon twisting, I love “knighting” kiddos at parties and events when I give them their balloon sword! It gets them in on the magic, and now they’re a knight!
What do you think your superpower as a kids’ party entertainer is?
My superpower as an entertainer is getting a person to smile and be seen. I am a goofball, and I also know what it’s like to be a shy kid. I love to talk to guests at parties and get to know them, you can tell alot about a person just from their favorite color, favorite animal, and what they look forward to during each season! I want the guests to feel like in that moment with Cloud, they were the star of their own show – because they are!
What’s your favorite part of being a kids’ party entertainer?
When someone’s face just breaks into a smile seeing their painted face! It gives me so much joy to bring others joy! The whimsical nature of it all just fills my cup and makes me excited for each and every gig. I also love dressing up colorfully! You’ll see me and my butterfly hair clips and cool earrings at every gig because I just love it so much!
What’s the hardest part about your job?
The hardest part? Probably transporting stuff out of my car, that’s why it’s super important for us to have instructions on where to park when at the gig!
What’s one thing you think every client should know before hiring event entertainment party?
We send a check in text before every event just saying what we need the client to provide! (Tables, chairs, etc.,) It’s super important to have that communication beforehand so that we can give you the best experience possible! The more information we have when you’re booking, the easier our arrival and set up are. I love when clients include maps or extra parking instructions.
Gray is a face painter and balloon twister based in Bridgeport CT, who began working as a kids’ party entertainer in 2024! As a Film, TV, and Media Production student at SCSU, Gray is studying to become a filmmaker and is combining a passion for both working with kids and visual arts by working in kids’ party entertainment on weekends with Kaleidoscope.
FAQ with Gray: Bridgeport CT Face Painter & Balloon Twister
Why are you studying film in college?
I’m studying film because for me it’s my favorite way to portray passion and emotion within art! I use film as an outlet for all my creative thoughts 🙂
Why did you start working as a face painter and balloon twister?
I started working as a face painter and balloon twister because I love working with kids and I love doing art, and this combined both of them!
Do you like face painting or balloon twisting more? Why?
I love like face painting more! I’ve been a painter for most of my life and I feel like there’s more creative freedom with face paint!
What do you love most about kids’ party entertainment?
I absolutely love seeing the joy on kids’ faces when they see the finished work. And I love that I can bring smiles to people’s faces with what I do!
I’ll never forget my first party! It was face painting, and I was with a bunch of our other artists who were sooo supportive and encouraging of my work even as a beginner artist!
What areas do you provide kids’ party entertainment in?
I travel all around Connecticut! I’m based in Bridgeport CT so of course the shoreline, but I’m also able to go farther north into Central CT for events up there as well 🙂
Meet Billerica MA face painter, balloon twister, stilt walker, and art teacher: Cheyenna!
Chey started with Kaleidoscope in the spring of 2023 as a part-time job around her main career as a Board Certified Music Therapist. As a multi-instrumentalist the ability to play over 20+ instruments, Chey was looking for a way to expand her passion for visual arts and crafts when she began her work at Kaleidoscope.
In the past, Chey has worked as an Arts & Music Counselor at Camp Rainbow, a summer camp that brings together kids with and without disabilities; has created nad facilities programs for elementary-aged migrant students learning English; and has worked as a Direct Service Professional supporting children with disabilities at community-based events.
Now the Director of Music Therapy at a community music school, Chey works with children and adults ages 4-86 to help people of all ages who are neurodivergent or have a variety of intellectual and/or physical disabilities.
At Kaleidoscope, Chey is available for your Massachusetts event with the following art forms:
FAQ with Billerica MA Face Painter & Balloon Twister Chey
Why did you want to become a face painter & balloon twister?
I was in a transition moment between jobs as a music therapist and was looking for a short term job for the summer. I thought this would be fun, and I liked face painting and balloon twisting so much I’ve stayed for years! It’s really fun telling people who see me only as a program director that I work as a face painter or balloon twister on the side, I normally don’t get to have this much fun at my normal job.
What areas do you service?
I work out of Billerica MA but I serve all of Massachusetts and sometimes southern New Hampshire or Rhode Island.
What do you like most about being a children’s party entertainer?
I like that our job is to have fun with kids. I love the kids I work with during the week, but a lot of my focus is therapeutic and helping them reach their goals. As a face painter or balloon twister, we really just get to laugh and have fun, so it brings me a lot of joy.
What is one thing you wish every client knew?
I’m thinking specifically as a stilt walker for this, but we text clients confirmations a day before their event, and making sure they read the safety notices we send them before I arrive at their event is really important. I need to be able to put my stilts on somewhere, need to avoid stairs or uneven surfaces, just a few little details that can help their events go well.
Clients reading what we send them makes everything very stress-free for them and us.
Thea is a Derry NH face painter, balloon twister, bubble performer, and kid’s party entertainer!
Thea began with Kaleidoscope in the spring of 2024 while working as a YMCA summer camp and after-school counselor. After years of working with ages 3-11, Thea decided to shift her career to focus more on her passions–art and wellness–and began working as a professional embroidery artist, yoga teacher, and of course with Kaleidoscope as a face painter, balloon twister, and bubble performer.
Thea calls Derry NH home, and is available for kids parties, corporate events, and school functions throughout New Hampshire, Southern Maine, and Northern Massachusetts through Boston.
Interview with Thea: Derry NH Face Painter and Balloon Twister
When and why did you start working at Kaleidoscope?
I started at Kaleidoscope in April 2024 in search of a career that would challenge me creatively and socially. I wanted an outlet to connect with new people through art and Kaleidoscope has exceeded my expectations of that description perfectly.
Do you like face painting or balloon twisting more?
If I had to choose one it would be face painting! I started expressing myself through creative character makeup when I was about 12 years old. So sharing my love for face painting with others is so special to me! It makes me happy to spread joy, confidence boosts, and smiles!
What are people’s reactions when you tell them you’re a professional Kids Party Entertainer?
My family and friends are so supportive and excited that I’ve found this niche career that suits my personality and skills 🙂 Sometimes strangers look a bit taken back… like their faces read “wait, having fun at parties is a career option??” Like yes, and it’s awesome!
What do you think your superpower as a face painter or balloon twister is?
Kindness and speed! I am a really patient and kind person and I always make sure my clients feel comfortable and confident. Also, I am skilled at face painting quickly and thoroughly without skipping any magical little details!
What’s your favorite part of being a professional artist?
Honestly, I love that my job feels so magical. I get to connect with lovely people and spread some whimsical joy through my art, such a dream come true!
What’s one thing you wish party planners knew about working with you?
I love receiving details!! Who/what are we celebrating? I want to be in on the fun!! Theme or dress code? I love dressing up!
And parking information is really helpful too–a ton of information helps me arrive at your party with ease and confidence!
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about what you do?
I drive up to 1.5 hours for gigs and it can feel a lot like a scavenger hunt to find my events. I started as a Derry NH face painter and balloon twister, but now I go all over my corner of New England. Some clients love to give lots of party details and other times I just receive a name, date, and address and I’m like “Okie dokie, let’s hit the road!” Thank god for GPS services lol.
What’s the most memorable party you’ve ever done?
My first gig ever was a Celebration of Life for a mother and artist who passed away. The family said something that stuck with me, “if you need to grieve through art please visit the face painting tables”. I’ve thought about this all at my other gigs because you never know what people are going through and it reminded me that my art can create a small but impactful ripple effect on the world.
April W is a face painter, balloon twister, and character artist based in Manchester NH. April joined Kaleidoscope in early 2024 after earning her bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and Media Arts from Southern New Hampshire University.
While she was studying to become a graphic designer, April worked for several years as a professional babysitter as well as a teacher’s aide at the Purple Panther Preschool of Nashua South.
Now, as a full-time working artist, April works during the week as a graphic designer and photographer at an auction house specializing in music memorabilia as well as running a freelance graphic design and photography business.
April’s extensive experience working with children and in the arts has lead her to be one of the highest-rated event entertainers in New Hampshire. Read some of her real, verified Google reviews here:
Interview with April: Manchester NH Face Painter & Balloon Twister
When and why did you start working at Kaleidoscope?
I started working for Kaleidoscope after I graduated SNHU with my Bachelor’s in Graphic Design. I was having trouble finding jobs in my career field, so I shifted gears toward broader art-related jobs. Kaleidoscope has been a great creative escape for me on the weekends and has allowed me to grow artistically in many ways.
Do you like face painting or balloon twisting more?
I love both, but I do feel more passionate about face painting. I find more creative freedom in face painting, and I enjoy the thoughtful process of shaping my designs based on the individuality and uniqueness of the guests.
What’s your favorite part about face painting?
I love when adults want to join in on the face painting! Usually adults think my artistic services are for kids only, but I will gladly entertain all ages. I recently face painted a woman in her 40’s who had never had her face painted before, and her genuine excitement was such a joy to share.
What are people’s reactions when you tell them you’re a professional Kids Party Entertainer?
I would say the people who I don’t know: very surprised. To the people I do know: they laughed and found it very fitting for me. I’ve always been an artsy person and enjoyed working across a variety of different fields, so this job felt like a perfect fit for me! If you have ever had the chance to see my beautifully wacky apartment decor, you would understand immediately too.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about what you do?
I think most people are surprised I don’t live in the area and I don’t know anything about other details of the event we are at. I live in Southern New Hampshire and some events I work at are 1.5+ hours away from me. It’s exciting being able to travel to different cities/towns and explore new terrain!
What do you think your superpower as a face painter or balloon twister is?
My superpower as a face painter and balloon twister is speed! I know it’s hard to wait in long lines to receive a balloon or face painting, so I try my best to keep the lines moving while also ensuring quality service for all the wonderful families who chose to hang out with me for a little. Unfortunately, I can’t entertain a whole line, but when you’re in my chair – you’re my new best buddy!
What’s your favorite part of being a professional artist?
My favorite part of being a professional artist is being able to share my love for art with others. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to use my skills to create beautiful memories for you and your family.
What’s one thing you wish party planners knew about working with you?
I have loved all the party planners I have collaborated with & thoroughly enjoyed their open communication. I think it’s always really important to discuss the parking situation. While some parties may have ample neighborhood driving, other parties may involve busy city parking garages, limited street parking, or a decent walk to the event – these are all super important things to take into consideration when I am planning my arrival for your event!
What’s the most memorable party you’ve ever done?
My first party will always be my most memorable. I was nervous to test out my skills for the first time, but the family’s warm welcome helped ease me into the party. As I was setting up, the birthday girl came running up to me and was so excited to get her face painted as a unicorn. I shared her excitement back, and when I went to get fresh water for my paints – I hurriedly searched up the design in the bathroom for a quick refresh! Feeling more confident, I was able to transform the birthday star into a magical rainbow unicorn. Of course, once everyone saw her – they had to also be a magical rainbow unicorn too! Was I nervous about the unicorn design when I started? Yes. Was I nervous about the unicorn design after I painted 14 children as unicorn? No. It’s still a funny and wonderful memory to me, and a great lesson about growth. I will continue growing every event I work and I am so excited to see what happens next 🙂
If you’re planning a shopping plaza or outdoor retail event, here are some of the most popular Outdoor Shopping Center Event Entertainment Ideas we’ve seen over the past decade! Whether you’re organizing a grand opening, sidewalk festival, or family weekend, you’ll find plenty of shopping center entertainment inspiration to make your event unforgettable.
Here are our favorite Outdoor Shopping Center Event Entertainment Ideas, organized into three categories: booth & tent activations, strolling performers, and seasonal or holiday specials — perfect for bringing fresh shopping center entertainment inspiration to your next event.
Booth & Tent Entertainment Ideas for Outdoor Shopping Centers
Face Painting & Balloon Twisting
AAge Range: Toddlers through tweens (and even plenty of teens and adults!)
Number of Guests Entertained Per Artist:
Full face paint designs or multi-balloon creations: 10–12 guests per hour
Speedy face designs or simple balloons: 15–20 guests per hour
Number of Artists Available: Up to 20 per event
At a Glance: Our artists set up at branded booths or tents and keep lines moving quickly with bright, engaging designs that appeal to all ages.
Why We Love It for Outdoor Shopping Center Events: This is our most popular option for retail plazas and outdoor shopping events! Our speedy face painting menu is specially designed to handle high-volume crowds — averaging 15–20 faces per hour, with some artists reaching nearly 30. With up to 20 artists available, we’re unmatched in both scale and efficiency. It’s a proven way to attract families, boost foot traffic, and create a lively, colorful atmosphere on a budget.
Not Recommended For: Face paint isn’t ideal for events with water features or splash zones, and balloons can be tricky for events with lots of hands-on activities (since parents often end up holding them). That said, these remain our most-requested entertainment options for outdoor shopping center events of all sizes!
Logistical Considerations: Face painters need 1 table and 2 chairs per painter. Balloon twisters just need some table space and 1 chair per twister. Besides that, we’re pretty self-contained!
Age Range: Upper elementary, tweens, teens, and adults
Number of Guests Entertained Per Artist: Up to 10 caricatures per hour
Number of Artists Available: Up to 8 per event
At a Glance: Our caricature artists create fun, personalized cartoon portraits that guests can take home as a keepsake. To keep lines moving quickly — a must for large-scale retail events — we focus on black-and-white bust caricatures, allowing more guests to be drawn each hour without sacrificing quality or charm.
Why We Love It for Outdoor Shopping Center Events: Caricatures are always a hit — they’re the ultimate keepsake and conversation starter! We can even design custom templates featuring your shopping center’s logo, seasonal branding, or event theme, turning every drawing into a mini piece of marketing. It’s the perfect way to combine art, entertainment, and brand visibility at once.
Not Recommended For: Events centered on very young children, who may struggle to sit still long enough for their turn (about six minutes per drawing).
Logistical Considerations: Each caricature artist needs 1 table at dining-height (no high tops or children’s tables) with 3 chairs for them and guests.
At a Glance: Guests can mix and match from a variety of temporary tattoo options! Our built-for-speed menus keep lines moving — attendees simply pick a design and have it applied in seconds. Tattoos can last anywhere from a few days (glitter or flash) to about a week (airbrush or henna), and most remove easily with rubbing alcohol (except henna).
Why We Love It for Outdoor Shopping Center Events: Temporary tattoo stations are fantastic Outdoor Shopping Center Event Entertainment Ideas because they appeal to all ages and keep guests engaged without long wait times. They’re especially useful as “line-buster” activities that keep visitors entertained while they shop, explore, or wait for other attractions — providing fun, flexible shopping center entertainment inspiration for high-traffic events.
Not Recommended For: Marketing-specific activations where branding or crowd draw is the primary goal — in those cases, face painting and balloon twisting are usually more visible attention-getters.
Logistical Considerations: Each temporary tattoo artist requires one table and two chairs. Airbrush tattoo stations also need access to a standard three-prong electrical outlet, while glitter, flash, and henna options are completely self-contained.
Age Range: Toddlers and early elementary-age children
Number of Guests Entertained Per Mascot: Up to 30 guests per hour
Number of Mascots Available: Our roster includes over a dozen beloved characters, with up to six mascot performers available for any single event. (Ask us for our current lineup!)
At a Glance: Bring theme park magic right to your shopping center with our larger-than-life cartoon mascots! These friendly characters greet families, pose for photos, and create memorable moments that delight kids and parents alike.
Why We Love It for Outdoor Shopping Center Events: Mascot meet-and-greets are one of the most powerful Outdoor Shopping Center Event Entertainment Ideas for drawing young families and boosting foot traffic. They create a natural photo opportunity that fuels organic social media sharing — making them both a crowd favorite and a cost-effective marketing tool for your plaza or retail district.
Not Recommended For: Stage performances or events held in extreme heat. Mascots can safely appear on stage for introductions but cannot perform detailed activities like face painting, balloon twisting, or crafts. Since costume interiors can be up to 20°F warmer than the outdoor temperature, performers should be scheduled for regular shade and cooling breaks during summer events.
Logistical Considerations: Mascots require an adult handler from your team (or we can provide one); one 15min break per every contracted hour (so a 2hr contract from 2:00-4:00p would include two 15min breaks during that time); and a space to change/break. We are love our professional actors and it’s extremely important to us that they stay safe at events. Please read more about mascot safety here.
Kids: One tie-dye artist can assist up to 6 kids at a time, reaching approximately 25 participants per hour.
Teens & Adults: One tie-dye artist can assist up to 10 guests at a time, averaging about 40 participants per hour.
At a Glance: Our tie-dye artists guide guests through an easy, low-mess process to band, spray, and bag their own colorful apparel. This hands-on, make-and-take activity typically takes about six minutes per guest when there’s no line — making it a great balance between creativity and efficiency.
Why We Love It for Outdoor Shopping Center Events: Interactive “make-and-take” experiences like tie-dye stations are among the most engaging Outdoor Shopping Center Event Entertainment Ideas you can offer. They encourage guests to stay longer, create a sense of community, and give them something memorable to take home — perfect shopping center entertainment inspiration for boosting dwell time and repeat visits.
Not Recommended For: Formal events, settings where mess must be avoided (though our spray-dye method is much cleaner than traditional tie-dye), or entertainment for children under six who may not yet have the motor skills for spraying.
Logistical Considerations: Each tie-dye setup requires 2–3 long folding tables (we provide drop cloths). Guests can bag and take their tie-dye items home immediately, or you can provide one additional long table per 15 participants as a drying station. (We supply gallon bags with name tags for easy transport.)an traditional tie-dye), or entertainment for kids under 6 who may not have the motor skills to spray.
Strolling Performers for Outdoor Shopping Center Entertainment Ideas
Strolling magicians
Age Range: Toddlers through adults
Number of Guests Entertained Per Magician: Approximately 6–7 tricks per hour, performed up-close for small groups of up to 10 guests per trick
Number of Performers Available: Our magicians are truly one-of-a-kind, with up to four available on any given day
At a Glance: Our strolling magicians move throughout your event, performing close-up magic and engaging guests wherever they are. This adds a spontaneous, personal touch that brings energy and curiosity to even the largest gatherings.
Why We Love It for Outdoor Shopping Center Events: A strolling magician is one of the most memorable Outdoor Shopping Center Event Entertainment Ideas because it adds a sense of wonder and surprise to everyday spaces. Guests love the unexpected delight of seeing professional magic up close — it’s an easy way to spark smiles, create shareable moments, and elevate the guest experience across your plaza or retail district.
Not Recommended For: Fully seated or formal events such as galas or dinners. While magicians can stroll between dining tables, the magic works best in a dynamic, festival-style environment where guests are mingling and exploring.
Logistical Considerations: Our magicians are highly flexible and require minimal setup. They typically need only a small area to store extra props or materials. If parking is available nearby, they can easily manage everything from their vehicle — making this one of the easiest, most adaptable forms of shopping center entertainment to add to your lineup.
Number of Guests Entertained Per Artist: Stilt walkers, clowns, and jugglers are more about creating atmosphere than performing for a specific number of guests. Just one or two performers can make a big visual impact across your entire event.
Number of Performers Available: This is one of our most specialized offerings, with 3–4 circus performers available on any given day.
At a Glance: Our stilt walkers, clowns, and jugglers roam through your event, adding color, motion, and energy to the space. They’re the perfect “wow factor” for carnival-themed festivals, shopping center celebrations, or seasonal events.
Why We Love It for Outdoor Shopping Center Events: Circus performers are an easy, high-impact way to create a lively and immersive environment — ideal for drawing attention from every corner of your property. One or two roaming performers can transform the entire vibe of your plaza or promenade, making this one of the most cost-effective Outdoor Shopping Center Event Entertainment Ideas for boosting energy and excitement.
Not Recommended For: Open-field, beach, or campground settings where uneven ground can make walking acts unsafe.
Logistical Considerations: Clowns and jugglers are completely self-contained. Stilt walkers, however, require one 15-minute break per contracted hour (for example, a 2:00–4:00 p.m. booking includes two breaks) and a tall, sturdy surface such as a bar top, car roof, or stage edge to safely mount their stilts. For safety, stilts should only be used on flat blacktop or indoor flooring — never on sand, dirt, or uneven grass.
Up to 20 face painters or balloon twisters available
At a Glance: Welcome spring in style with a visit from the Easter Bunny and seasonal activities that keep families smiling! Our team offers themed face painting and balloon twisting menus tailored for spring celebrations. (We also provide plenty of inclusive, secular spring and Purim designs so every family feels welcome.)
Why We Love It for Outdoor Shopping Center Events: After a long New England winter, families are eager to get outside again — and nothing brings them together like a cheerful spring celebration. A festive Easter Bunny meet-and-greet combined with colorful booths and live entertainment is the perfect way to boost foot traffic and re-energize your plaza. It’s one of our favorite Outdoor Shopping Center Event Entertainment Ideas for kicking off the warm-weather season and creating buzz across your community.
Logistical Considerations: If you’d like our artists to bring spring-specific menus or themed options, please let our office know when booking so we can tailor the experience to your event.
Mascots (including the Easter Bunny) require an adult handler from your team (or we can provide one); one 15min break per every contracted hour (so a 2hr contract from 2:00-4:00p would include two 15min breaks during that time); and a space to change/break. We are love our professional actors and it’s extremely important to us that they stay safe at events. Please read more about mascot safety here.
Strolling Magicians: Our magicians are all unique, but we have several available on any given day
At a Glance: Throw a fall festival that mixes traditions and is full of fall color! Our special fall products are never-scary and family-friendly and our special seasonal menus feature spooky hints at Halloween while still having plenty of entertainment options for families who don’t celebrate it.
Why We Love it for Outdoor Shopping Events: We love fall! We love New England! We would love to celebrate the best season to be a New Englander with you!
Christmas elf add-ons: turn any of your entertainers into elves! (Guests per hour depend on art type.)
Number of Artists Available:
Up to 1 Santa per event
Up to 15 elves for face painting, balloon twisting, temporary tattoos, or caricatures
At a Glance: Bring festive magic to your shopping center this winter! We offer Santa visits, cheerful elves, and classic holiday designs — but we also know that New England’s communities are beautifully diverse. Every one of our seasonal entertainment menus includes Christmas, Hanukkah, and secular winter options so every child feels welcome and included.
Why We Love It for Outdoor Shopping Center Events: Nothing draws families to a plaza faster than a free photo with Santa! Pair that with themed face painting, balloon twisting, and other family-friendly attractions, and you’ve got one of the most crowd-pleasing Outdoor Shopping Center Event Entertainment Ideas of the year. Our inclusive approach ensures that every guest — regardless of background or tradition — enjoys a joyful winter experience, making your shopping center the heart of the season.
Logistical Considerations: Santa will need a sturdy chair for meet-and-greets. We must be informed at least one week in advance if your event is outdoors or indoors so we can ship heated layers for our performers. For outdoor events, our artists must be positioned near outdoor heaters for safety. (We love our performers and keeping them safe is our #1 priority!)
*Note, Patriotic menus are only available in full face designs and multi-balloon designs, not speedy designs, in order to incorporate red white and blue into everything.
Number of Artists Available: Up to 20
At a Glance: Our flexible red, white, and blue menus are perfect for three day weekends–Labor Day, 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day are all covered with one unique menu! National Night Out, Touch a Truck, or a military discount event? Those too! Available for both face painting and balloon twisting.
Why We Love It for Outdoor Shopping Center Events: Turning your shopping center into a popular shopping destination often includes making it feel like an accessible, “third place” that’s part of the local community. These menus were engineered with outdoor shopping centers in mind to help create that small-time-festival feel and make you feel woven into your local town in the most New England way possible.
Logistical Considerations: If you want our artists to come prepared with a patriotic menu, please notify us at the time of booking so we can be prepared.
If you’re looking for town and city community event examples and ideas, here are the most popular event entertainment ideas we’ve seen over the past decade! Whether you’re looking for festival ideas for small towns or big city block party entertainment ideas, we have you covered!
Kaleidoscope has entertained at hundreds of town and city events, from Union CT’s Old Home Day (population 3,200) to Boston MA’s public block parties (population 673,000 and counting).
Here are our favorite types of entertainment for your upcoming town or city community event, sorted into three categories: booth & tent entertainment, strolling performers, and holiday specials.
Booth & Tent Entertainment Ideas for Towns & Cities
Face Painting & Balloon Twisting
Age Range: Toddlers – Tweens (and even some teens and adults!)
Number of Guests Entertained Per Artist:
Full face paint designs or multi-balloon designs: 10-12 guests
At a Glance: Our artists set up at a booth or tent and move quickly through a line of kids!
Why We Love it for Town & City Events: This is THE most popular festival option we have! Our speedy face menu is custom-engineered to move through a huge line fast with a guarantee of 15-20 faces per hour with some artists reaching close to 30 faces per hour. With up to 20 artists available, no one can match our speed! Perfect for drawing in a large crowd on a budget.
Not Recommended For: We don’t recommend face paint for events with a ton of water (it will wash off easily) or balloons for events with a ton of hands-on activities (parents end up holding them). But honestly, these are our most popular types of entertainment for both small town festivals and big city block parties!
Logistical Considerations: Face painters need 1 table and 2 chairs per painter. Balloon twisters just need some table space and 1 chair per twister. Besides that, we’re pretty self-contained!
Age Range: Upper Elementary, Tweens, Teens, and Adults!
Number of Guests Entertained Per Artist: Up to 10 guests drawn per hour
Number of Artists Available: Up to 8 per event
At a Glance: Our caricature artists will draw fun cartoons of your guests. To maximize speed (a constant consideration since we specialize in large events), we limit our caricatures to black and white busts to get more heads drawn per hour.
Why We Love it for Town & City Events: Caricatures are THE bucket-list item! Plus, we can create custom templates that advertise your town, department, or event on every page.
Not Recommended For: Events focusing on young children, who often don’t know why they have to sit still for 6 minutes!
Logistical Considerations: Each caricature artist needs 1 table at dining-height (no high tops or children’s tables) with 3 chairs for them and guests.
At a Glance: Mix and match any temporary tattoos you want! Guests will line up, pick a tattoo from our built-for-speed menus, and have it quickly applied to them. Tattoos last anywhere from a few days (glitter, flash) up to a week (airbrush, henna) but most can be easily removed with rubbing alcohol (except henna).
Why We Love it for Town & City Events: Our temporary tattoo stations are perfect line-buster activities because we can get through so many guests at once, and are popular with all ages if you want to make sure there’s something for everyone.
Not Recommended For: Marketing-specific purposes. If your event goal is to draw the biggest crowd possible, face painting and balloon twisting are typically more popular crowd magnets.
Logistical Considerations: Temporary tattoo artists need 1 table and 2 chairs per artist. Airbrush tattoos additionally *require* a 3-prong electrical outlet near their station. (Glitter, flash, and henna are self-contained.)
Number of Guests Entertained Per Mascot: Up to 30 per hour
Number of Mascots Available: We typically have about a dozen characters in our roster and up to 6 mascot actors available on any given day. Check out our current line up here.
At a Glance: Cartoon mascots come for a theme-park style meet-and-greet!
Why We Love it for Town & City Events: Cartoon meet-and-greets pack a massive marketing punch that draw a huge crowd of young families, and are often very cost-effective for your town or city!
Not Recommended For: Stage shows or extreme heat events. Mascots cannot talk or see very well, so they can be introduced on a stage but cannot do things like face paint, balloon twist, or do crafts. The mascots also heat the person inside at least 20°F hotter than the outdoor temperature, so they cannot be placed in the direct sun and during summer require heat safety breaks.
Logistical Considerations: Mascots require an adult handler from your team (or we can provide one); one 15min break per every contracted hour (so a 2hr contract from 2:00-4:00p would include two 15min breaks during that time); and a space to change/break. We are love our professional actors and it’s extremely important to us that they stay safe at events. Please read more about mascot safety here.
For kids, one tie-dye artist can assist up to 6 kids at a time and up to 25 kids per hour.
For teens and adults, one tie-dye artist can assist up to 10 at a time and up to 40 teens and adults per hour.
At a Glance: Our tie-dye artists help guests band, spray, and bag tie-dye apparel! This low-mess solution is the perfect make-and-take station that, if there’s no line, takes guests about 6 minutes to move through and complete.
Why We Love it for Town & City Events: We love any activity that emphasizes play or hands-on participation. Make-and-take stations are perfect for that, and this is our favorite one!
Not Recommended For: Formal events, events where mess is a concern (although our spray dye is cleaner than traditional tie-dye), or entertainment for kids under 6 who may not have the motor skills to spray.
Logistical Considerations: Tie-Dye needs at least 2-3 long folding tables (we will provide drop cloths). Guests should either plan to take their tie-dye with them in a bag, or you should prepare another 1 long folding table per 15 guests as a drying station. (We will provide gallon bags with name tags.)
Strolling Performer Town Festival Entertainment Ideas
Strolling magicians
Age Range: toddlers through adults
Number of Guests Entertained Per Magician: About 6-7 tricks per hour, up-close with groups of up to 10 people per trick
Number of Artists Available: Our magicians are one of a kind, but on any given day, we have up to 4 available.
At a Glance: Our magicians walk through your event performing up-close tricks for event-goers. It’s a special, intimate touch on large events!
Why We Love it for Town & City Events: If you’re trying to add an element of wonder and surprise to your event, an up-close magician is an unexpected encounter that will be the highlight of guests’ day!
Not Recommended For: Purely seated events, like galas or dinners. Magicians can stroll through tabled dining rooms, but often this breaks up guests’ conversations and doesn’t have the same element of surprise as a large festival or public event where everyone is standing.
Logistical Considerations: Our magicians need a small spot to stash extra items, but if they can park close to where they’re strolling, they can always leave things in their car. This is one of our most flexible types of entertainment!
Number of Guests Entertained Per Artist: Stilt walkers, clowns, and jugglers are more of a “vibe” addition than entertainment, so one or two will make a large impact on everyone at your event.
Number of Artists Available: This is one of our most specialty products with only 3-4 circus artists available at any given time.
At a Glance: Our clowns, stilt walkers, and jugglers make their way through your event, adding ambiance to any carinval, festival, or circus-themed event!
Why We Love it for Town & City Events: One or two circus performers can make a huge difference on the festive atmosphere of your event, no matter how many guests you have–making it a very budget-conscious addition to your event.
Not Recommended For: Events out in open fields, on beaches, or in camps. Uneven terraine can make working while walking unsafe and not very much fun.
Logistical Considerations: Clowns and jugglers are self-contained. However, stilt walkers require one 15min break per every contracted hour (so a 2hr contract from 2:00-4:00p would include two 15min breaks during that time) and a tall platform to get onto their stilts (bar top, their car roof, a stage edge). For their safety, stilts should only be performed on flat black top or indoor flooring, and never on sand, dirt, or uneven lawn.
Up to 20 face painters or balloon twisters available
At a Glance: Invite the Easter Bunny to your bash! We also have spring-specific face painting and balloon twisting menus for any celebration. (And don’t worry–all of our holiday menus are for everyone in your community, so we have plenty of Purim and secular spring designs we include for families who don’t celebrate Easter.)
Why We Love It for Town & City Events: By spring, we are all desperate to reemerge from winter’s dark isolation. Kick off spring in New England by inviting families out for a themed event!
Logistical Considerations:If you want our artists to bring spring-specific menus, please notify our office at the time of booking.
Mascots (including the Easter Bunny) require an adult handler from your team (or we can provide one); one 15min break per every contracted hour (so a 2hr contract from 2:00-4:00p would include two 15min breaks during that time); and a space to change/break. We are love our professional actors and it’s extremely important to us that they stay safe at events. Please read more about mascot safety here.
Strolling Magicians: Our magicians are all unique, but we have several available on any given day
At a Glance: Throw a fall festival that mixes traditions and is full of fall color! Our special fall products are never-scary and family-friendly and our special seasonal menus feature spooky hints at Halloween while still having plenty of entertainment options for families who don’t celebrate it.
Why We Love it for Town & City Events: We love fall! We love New England! We would love to celebrate the best season to be a New Englander with you!
Christmas elf add-ons: turn any of your entertainers into elves! (Guests per hour depend on art type.)
Number of Artists Available:
Up to 1 Santa per event
Up to 15 elves for face painting, balloon twisting, temporary tattoos, or caricatures
At a Glance: Throw a perfect winter town event! We have Santa, elves, and tons of classic Christmas designs, but one of the things we love about New England is how diverse our communities are. All of our special winter menus come with Christmas, Hanukkah, and secular winter designs so no child ever feels left out.
Why We Love it for Town & City Events: Nothing will pull families to your event like a free visit with Santa! And our special winter face painting and balloon twisting menus will include every family in your town.
Logistical Considerations: Santa requires a chair. We **MUST** be informed if the event is outdoors or indoors with a minimum week’s notice before your event if we need to ship extra heated layers to keep our artists warm, and for outdoor events our artists **MUST** be placed next to outdoor heaters for their safety. (We love our artists and safety is our #1 priority here!)
At a Glance: Let us bring our patriotic red, white, and blue menus to your Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, or Veterans’ Day event! These flexible menus have something for anyone who wants to get their face painted.
Why We Love it for Town & City Events: When you’re celebrating a local or federal holiday, these menus have been crafted to give a nostalgic Americana feel to any event.
Logistical Considerations: If you want our artists to use any holiday menus at your event, including patriotic ones, please let our office know at the time of booking. (And if you’re looking for parade entertainment, we don’t recommend walking balloon twisters unless you are ok with extremely simple dogs-or-swords type options. Mascots make for better parade walkers, but talk to our office at the time of booking.)
Looking for apartment complex event ideas in New England? Kaleidoscope is New England’s largest artistic entertainment company with artists in CT, MA, RI, NH, and additionally serving VT and ME.
We’ve compiled our Top 12 most creative apartment complex event ideas for both kids AND adults in this guide full of quick tips and at-a-glance stats to help you quickly plan an amazing apartment complex party. These are all products and entertainment services that we provide, and if you’re interested in booking some apartment event entertainment in New England, we’d love to work with you!
12 Apartment Complex Event Ideas for New England:
1. Paint Parties
Age Range: Teens and Adults
At-a-Glance: Residents sit down with one of our professional artists and create a painting (which you, the event planner, chose) as a group. Think: Bob Ross meets Paint and Sip parties.
Seasonal Event Ideas: Paint parties are perfect for when it’s cold outside and you’re looking for cozy indoor programming. This is by far our most popular apartment complex event idea from November – March every year!
Number of residents entertained: 20-200 per painting.
LogisticalConsiderations: If you have groups over 80, we will need audiovisual equipment, so most of our apartment complex clients opt to host paint parties as a reoccuring monthly event in their clubhouse for smaller groups.
You’ll also need to provide a chair and table for every resident, plus tablecloths. Paint parties aren’t very messy, but please consult your maintenance team for any rules your campus might have.
If your apartment complex is largely families, please note to guests that this is an activity for adults to enjoy themselves without children and not a family event or babysitting service.
We love it for: Evening programming alternatives to alcohol or cannabis; cold-weather activities; and calm adults-only programming.
Not recommended for: outdoors (the wind makes them hard) or family-centric apartment complex event ideas.
Bonus apartment complex event ideas for your staff to implement: If your apartment complex is able to provide catering or a bar, we’ve seen plenty of amazing apartments host paint parties with snacks and drinks.
At-a-Glance: Kids (and adults!) line up for some fun face painting or silly balloon twisting.
Seasonal Event Ideas: bring balloons for pool parties, face painting for family movie nights, or both for fall carnivals!
Number of residents entertained: 10-12 per hour (regular size) or 15-20 per hour (“speedy” selection).
Considerations: Face painters need 2 chairs and some table space; balloon twisters need 1 chair and some table space. In the heat, both will need to be placed under shade for residents’ heat safety. In the cold, both should be placed indoors.
We love it for: circus-themed events; family-centric events; and anything sports-related.
Not recommended for: formal events.
Bonus apartment complex event ideas for your staff to implement:
Here are a few budget-friendly ideas we’ve seen other luxury apartment complexes do, which your staff can organize to take balloon twisting and face painting to the next level:
Use face painting for themed holiday events that typically involve costumes–like Mardi Gras, Purim, Halloween, Day of the Dead–and let our artists create something amazing in-theme!
If you love hosting sports watching events, have our face painters or balloon twisters create Game Day sports faces or wearable balloon designs in team colors to add some team spirit (and friendly rivalries).
At-a-Glance: Set up a station where residents can get their own henna, glitter, flash, or aibrush tattoos done.
Seasonal Event Ideas: Summer block parties, large winter holiday parties, or 3 day weekends when you expect extra attendance at your event.
Number of residents entertained: Anywhere from 10-12 guests per hour (henna) to 25 guests per hour (airbrush) per artist with up to 10 artists available per tattoo. We love these for large-scale events where you want to get a ton of residents something fun in a short amount of time–especially with apartmenxt complexes that expect 100+ residents at an event.
Considerations: Temporary tattoo artists require 2 chairs and some table space per artist, and for outdoor events must be placed in the shade (over 75*F) or in a heated area (under 55*F). Airbrush tattoos require electricity.
We love it for: events over 100+ guests.
Not recommended for: Small intimate events where you want guests to linger at an entertainment station (tattoos are generally very quick to apply).
Bonus apartment complex event ideas for your staff to implement:
Here are a few budget-friendly ideas we’ve seen other luxury apartment complexes do which your staff can organize to take your temporary tattoo entertainment to the next level:
Add all 4 types of tattoo stations throughout a spread-out event across a large apartment campus. Have guests go on a scavenger hunt and collect all 4 for a prize.
Because airbrush tattoos specifically are fast, the cost per guest is significantly less than some higher-end entertainment types. Use airbrush tattoos to add some budget entertainment so you can also offer guests more expensive niche experiences without breaking your budget.
At-a-Glance: Guests are invited to dance in waist-high foam and bubbles.
Seasonal Event Ideas: Summer alternative to a pool day; fall back to school block party; or Memorial Day / Labor day pool opening or closing parties**.
Number of residents entertained:Up to 50 at a time (2 cannons). Can be done in lined waves (like an amusement park line) or organically (typically guests are done after about 10-15min in the foam).
Considerations: Foam must be done outdoors and requires a large flat area (such as blacktop or a grass lawn) with no obtrusive objects (sprinklers, sewers, rocks, holes, landscaping). Additionally, foam needs to be no more than 100′ from a grounded power outlet on its own circuit and 100′ from an outdoor water spigot. Residents will get wet, but that’s part of the fun!
*We suggest having separate family parties and separate 18+ parties.
**PLEASE NOTE, foam cannot be sprayed near or in pools as it is a drowning risk if lifeguards cannot see a person in need of help under the foam.
We love it for: high energy outdoor events; nighttime parties with lighting rentals and a DJ; or kids’ summer programming.
Not recommended for: indoor events; low-energy events.
Bonus apartment complex event ideas for your staff to implement:
Here are a few budget-friendly ideas we’ve seen other luxury apartment complexes do which your staff can organize to take your foam party to the next level:
Use foam cannons as “checkpoints” every 1k for a 5k race or at intervals throughout walking/running fundraisers on a track.
Use foam to let guests cool down at an outdoor event like a BBQ or outdoor fundraiser
Throw a foam party for a wellness week to encourage movement or to bust stress.
At-a-Glance: Our professional makeup artists and face painters will create over-the-top glitter looks for your guests.
Seasonal Event Ideas: winter holiday events; June Pride events; 4th of July BBQs.
Number of residents entertained: 12-15 per hour per artist.
Considerations: Glitter look artists need 2 chairs and some table space each. Recommended over tile floors or outdoors as glitter can be messy.
We love it for: events where you want just a touch of entertainment or something special.
Not recommended for: carpeted areas (glitter will stay in those carpets for years).
Bonus apartment complex event ideas for your staff to implement:
Here are a few budget-friendly ideas we’ve seen other luxury apartment complexes do which your staff can organize to take your glitter looks entertainment to the next level:
Combine a face painting station for kids with a glitter looks station for teens and adults so everyone can get something they’re excited about!
Using glitter looks at Purim to help adult guests feel “dressed up” or at Chanukah to add some sparkle to the festival of lights!
At-a-Glance: We provide both the light rental and the artists to create glowing UV looks.
Seasonal Event Ideas: winter indoor events or outdoors at night with heated tents.
Number of residents entertained: 10-12 per hour per artist
Considerations: The area should be dark with only limited color lights (such as uplights or LED strips) as well as UV. (Ask our office about lighting packages with our DJ services.)
*We recommend separate kids & families parties from 21+ parties
We love it for: events that are stuck inside or want to embrace New England’s dark nights.
Not recommended for: outdoor day light events; indoor spaces where lights cannot be shut out by shutters, blinds, or curtains.
Bonus apartment complex event ideas for your staff to implement:
Here are a few budget-friendly ideas we’ve seen other luxury apartment complexes do which your staff can organize to take your UV-reactive entertainment to the next level:
Ask families to bring consoles to project party games like Mario Cart or Super Smash onto the walls for a glowing game night tournament.
Pre-movie night entertainment.
Create a kids’ nightclub-inspired event by combining UV face and body painting with DJ services.
At-a-Glance: Your residents will bring a question or problem to our tarot and palm readers, who in turn will use the “grammar” of palmistry and tarot to discuss the questions the guests have. (Palm and tarot do not use any religious themes or witchcraft.).
Seasonal Event Ideas: This is our #1 favorite idea for Hallween parties, but are also popular year-round at evening adult events!
Number of residents entertained: 6-8 guests per hour per reader.
Considerations: Each reader needs a table and 2 chairs far away from the “action” of the event (DJs, food lines, other stations) for a cozy and private chat.
*Children under 16 cannot understand the difference between facts and metaphors, so they may not understand the entertainment or feel scared by sentences like “change is coming”. To keep all of our entertainment age-appropriate, we don’t do tarot card readings for children or tweens.
We love it for: Halloween or fall events; cozy indoor events; apartment complex event ideas themed around chill, relaxation, or zen.
Not recommended for: Loud and large events (these readings feel intimate and quiet).
Bonus apartment complex event ideas for your staff to implement:
Here are a few budget-friendly ideas we’ve seen other luxury apartment complexes do which your staff can organize to take your psychic entertainment to the next level:
Create a “psychic” area at your upcoming fall event.
Hire massage therapists or yoga instructors for a wellness day, and add some lighthearted fun with tarot or palm readers.
For a cozy event, pair psychic services with “craft bars” where residents can build terrariums or succulent gardens for their apartments.
Age Range: Kids, Teens, and Adults (great for mixed-age groups)
At-a-Glance: One of our magicians or mind readers will walk throughout your event and invite guests to participate in some up-close magic. (Please note, this is not a stage show.).
Seasonal Event Ideas: strolling magic is perfect year-round, indoor or outdoor. It’s one of our most flexible entertainment types!
Number of residents entertained: Up to 40 per hour. (Ideal for large-scale events.)
Considerations: Strolling mentalism and magic is extremely flexible and require nothing from the planner except a place to stash personal belongings like a coat, water bottle, and extra props.
We love it for: Halloween or fall events; summer BBQs; carnival-themed events; and any events of over 100+ residents of mixed ages.
Not recommended for: Small events under 50 people; events looking for a sit-down show; events where this is the only entertainment.
Bonus apartment complex event ideas for your staff to implement:
Here are a few budget-friendly ideas we’ve seen other luxury apartment buildsing do which your staff can organize to take your magical entertainment to the next level:
Add a strolling magician to a formal seated event, like a dinner or holiday party, for some strolling entertainment and a fun touch to a classy event.
Throw an outdoor event inspired by vintage carnivals with carnival rides, games, tarot/palm readers, stilt walkers, and strolling magicians.
Age Range: Kids, Teens, and Adults (great for mixed-aged groups)
At-a-Glance: Residents drop by a craft station where, with the help of one of our professional tie-dye artists, they twist, wrap, and spray their creations. They can instantly bag and take their creations with them.
Seasonal Event Ideas:
Number of residents entertained:15-25 residents per hour per tie-dye artist.
Considerations: Spray dye is lower mess than traditional dip-dye, but should still be done over tile floors or outdoors to facilitate clean up. All apparel must be 100% cotton and can be provided by your brand (including logo-branded apparel) or by Kaleidoscope.
We love it for: outdoor events; drop-by BBQ activities; events with a large array of mixed ages.
Not recommended for: events where residents’ clothing cannot get dirty. (Dye is washable until heat set, but residents who are afraid of dye on their clothes won’t participate.)
Bonus apartment complex event ideas for your staff to implement:
Here are a few budget-friendly ideas we’ve seen other luxury apartment complexes do which your staff can organize to take your tie-dye station to the next level:
Include tie-dye in an event series with decades-themed days for the 60’s or 70’s and include a DIY hemp jewelry station.
Create an “Adult Summer Camp” event where residents can live the nostalgia of childhood summes with tie-dye, a foam party, and classic camp crafts that ignite their inner children.
Prepare 100% cotton apparel with your brand or complex logo and have our tie-dye artists bring only colors that reflect your brand. (Just let our office know at the time of booking.)
At-a-Glance: Our professional DJ will set up a karaoke station for residents including all music, monitors with lyrics, microphones, and optional add-ons like photo booths or lighting.
Seasonal Event Ideas:
Number of residents entertained: Up to 14 songs per hour (up to 4 mics available for 4 guests to sing together).
Considerations: Our DJ should be kept either inside or under shade outdoors to stop equipment from overheating and will need access to grounded power outlets on their own circuits.
We love it for: evening programming with food and a bar (if your luxury apartment complex can provide catering); single mingle nights; or months without obvious themes where you’re looking for something original indoors (January-March are perfect).
Not recommended for: outdoor events after 8pm (the local area may have sound ordinances that don’t allow loud music to be played outdoors after a certain time); events where you want to encourage dancing and have regular DJ services.
Bonus apartment complex event ideas for your staff to implement:
Here are a few budget-friendly ideas we’ve seen other luxury apartment complexes do which your staff can organize to take your karaoke party to the next level:
Host Karaoke Brackets, where the bravest residents can bring their fans (or friends) and compete in a bracket-style competition where the audience gets to vote. Think Reality Show meets March Madness!
Have a fun spin on a Halloween costume contest where residents are invited to come in costume, but then judged not on the costume itself but their character’s ability to pull off a fantastic karaoke number. (For instance: a guest in a Barbie costume singing the 90’s pop hit Barbie Girl; or a group dressed up as the characters of Grease singing Grease Lightning.)
For events that are alternatives to alcohol and cannabis use, hire a DJ for an event series to host a series of activities that are reminiscent of the social parts of a bar–such as karaoke, trivia, music Bingo, board game night, or a cornhole tournament–but swap the alcohol to snack bars. We’ve seen sundae bars, cereal bars, taco bars, and brunch bars be huge hits with all ages!
Age Range: Kids, Teens, and Adults (great for mixed-age groups)
At-a-Glance: Guests line up to be drawn as cartoons by one of our professional artists.
Seasonal Event Ideas: Caricatures are hugely popular for summer events reminiscent of boardwalks or theme parks, like BBQs, pool parties, or community sporting events.
Number of residents entertained:Up to 10 faces per hour per artist.
We love it for: lighthearted events; carnival-inspired events; outdoor picnics; department-wide events; events looking to use entertainment as a marketing hook to draw in large numbers of residents.
Not recommended for: formal or serious events; family events events geared towards entertaining young children. (Caricatures are appropriate for younger children, but often kids under 10 get bored siting still and staring at an adult.)
Considerations: Each caricature artist will need 1 table and 3 chairs. This should be indoors or, for outdoor events, in the shade for days over 75*F or with heat for days under 50*F.
Bonus apartment complex event ideas for your staff to implement:
Here are a few budget-friendly ideas we’ve seen other luxury apartment buildings do which your staff can organize to take your caricature entertainment to the next level:
Use caricatures as a fun alternative to photo booths and help guests get a break from screens and cameras.
Create a “beach day” with a foam party, caricatures, a DIY sand art craft station, airbrush tattoos, ice cream trucks, and other entertainment reminiscent of boardwalks and summer sand.
At-a-Glance: A cartoon character will visit your event for a theme park-style meet and greet.
Seasonal Event Ideas: Bring the Easter Bunny for a spring time visit (with photos), or a popular cartoon character any time of year!
Number of residents entertained: Up to 60 kids an hour.
Considerations: Being in a mascot is serious physical work, and we take our talented actors’ safety very seriously!
Mascot characters need a 15min break for every 45min of work in an area where they cannot be seen by party guests and can take off their stilts or costumes. Every mascot entertainer MUST have an event volunteer organized by the Client to be the mascot’s assistant or “handler”. For corporate or nonprofit events, this should be a staff member or volunteer. For weather over 70°F, all entertainers must be placed in the shade. Over 85°F, the entertainers may request to be moved to an indoor space with AC if they begin to feel symptoms of heat sickness.
We love it for: Kids and family style programming, especially if you want to move a lot of children through a line of entertainment very quickly.
Not recommended for: events looking to mascots as an activity for kids to participate in. (We classify mascots as “atmospheric entertainment,” which add to the overall vibe of your event, but are not a specific activity.) Events in high summer outdoors where mascot actors may be heat sick (there are no fans or AC units in their costumes).
Bonus apartment complex event ideas for your staff to implement:
Here are a few budget-friendly ideas we’ve seen other apartment complex do which your staff can organize to take your use of mascots to the next level:
Station your mascot in front of a large banner branded with your logo so parents can take photos they’ll keep forever.
Use mascot visits as community events to increase brand awareness and advertise these events to the public who may be your future residents. (A themepark styled meet and greet is one of our fastest entertainment types, so the cost per guest is relatively low.)
New Britain native Jem first started as a balloon twister with Kaleidoscope in 2022, but her adventure with us begins all the way back in 2015 as a communications intern. In 2015 she helped build our princess party sister company Princess Perfect and has freelanced with us as a photographer, content writer, and kids party entertainer ever since.
Over the past decade, not only has Jem finished her Master’s in International Business but she has launched her career in corporate communication Monday through Friday. And like many of our artists, she enjoys breaking her weekly routine to have fun and make kids smile at parties on weekends!
When not traveling, learning new languages, or balloon twisting, Jem volunteer’s in her church’s youth ministry, where she organizes an annual summer retreat for children and their families throughout New England.
Interview with Jem: Balloon Twister in New Britain CT
When and why did you start working at Kaleidoscope?
I started at Kaleidoscope summer of 2015 as a lowly marketing intern haha I never thought I’d bet a balloon twister!
If you could only pick one, would you rather do face painting or balloon twisting forever and why?
Balloon twisting, the possibilities are endless!
What is your favorite part of Being a Balloon Twister?
I just love how I can take a single straight balloon and turn it into something amazing. I also love the look on kids faces as they watch me twist and their amazement at the final design. It motivates me to learn more cool designs, and I like learning new ones all the time.
What are people’s reactions when you tell them what your job is?
Surprised usually because I’m so serious in my every day life haha I work in corporate communications during the week, so being a kids party entertainer is a totally different side of my personality.
What is one surprising fact about you?
I speak 5 languages and I love learning about other languages!
What was the most memorable party you ever entertained at?
A unicorn themed birthday party, they kids were amazing. I loved interacting with them and they were amazing by every design I created. It was fun seeing their little eyes light up every time.
What is the hardest thing about being a Balloon Twister?
Making sure everyone gets something. Having to break someone’s heart when my time is up and I have to leave and they didn’t get a balloon or glitter tattoo yet, especially if the event is over and everything has to wrap up on a schedule.
What’s one piece of advice you give to every parent planning a birthday party?
Always book with enough time for every kid to get something. Being kind and considerate of your artists helps make the whole process go over smoothly. It never hurts to make sure they have enough shade especially for summer time outdoor parties.
What is your favorite activity for summer camp event entertainment and why?
Balloons! The kids have a blast comparing what they got, and I especially love the sword fights they get into with their balloon swords.
