December is one of the busiest months in the events industry, and every year our artists entertain at dozens of Hannukah events in synagogues, homes, daycares, and Hebrew / Jewish day schools.
We’ve compiled some of our favorite entertainment ideas that we’ve helped clients dream up for their Hannukah party, and we hope this list can inspire you to come up with a truly unique event this holiday season!
Lean into the Festival of Lights
Our normal holiday menus for face painting and balloon twisting have Hanukkah, Christmas, and secular winter designs that they bring to large events all December long–so if you hire any of our artists they’ll have special designs for Hanukkah.
But for parties that are specifically for Jewish families, we love bringing in UV face painting and LED balloon twisting! Our artists can create all sorts of things that kids will love at your event that will literally glow throughout the night! (And you can either provide your own blacklights or rent them from us at a discounted rate whenever you order a UV or LED package.)
If you’re looking for something a little more elegant (and for all ages), glitter looks also add a special sparkle to any nighttime event. We’ve seen these paired with disco ball-like mirror decorations to transform an entire recreational room into a sea of glimmering magic!
Winter Holiday Face Painting & Balloon Twisting
If you want classic face painting and balloon twisting, all of our holiday menus (which we bring to every event) come with designs for Hanukkah, Christmas, and secular winter. Our goal is to make sure no one feels left out during the winter holiday season, no matter what event they’re attending!
When you invite us to your Hanukkah event (or see us out in public), we look forward to celebrating Hanukkah with Jewish guests!
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And if you want some classic party entertainment, we have plenty of other ideas that are great for any type of family event!
Caricatures are perfect for organizations that want to commemorate an occasion. Our artists can draw any couple or family and include “Hanukkah 2028” (or whichever year) right on the drawing.
If you’re on a budget, temporary tattoos are also really fun! Artists can get through around double the guests than they can with face painting or balloon twisting, so if you’re looking for something special that doesn’t break the bank, it’s a great budget entertainment idea. (Glitter tattoos and flash tattoos are especially fitting for The Holiday of Lights!)
Want to create Something Custom?
Just ask our office for a quote and check any boxes you want pricing for. We’d love to put together something special for you!
And if you’re looking for additional holiday entertainment, check out our line of holiday entertainment!
Our summer camp entertainment ideas, activities, and them inspiration are perfect for camps looking for unique programming ideas. We know camp directors face a few challenges: hundreds of kids needing to be entertained, running a complicated schedule, and having to do it all on a budget!
After over a decade of working with YMCAs, town Parks & Recs departments, public schools, and private daycares, we have our summer camp entertainment packages down to a science to make sure all of your campers are thrilled, parents are impressed, and you stay within your budget.
1. Foam Party
Programming Theme: Splash Day
Alternative Theme Ideas: Luau Party, Beach Day
Entertainment Package: We throw a foam party where campers dance to kids bop, take tons of silly photos, and get out all of their energy–all in our amazing foam pit! This “party in a box” model means you have ZERO PLANNING to do, which puts it at #1 for our list of summer camp entertainment ideas!
Bonus summer camp entertainment ideas for your team to implement:
Want to add more to your foam party? Here are some budget programming ideas that your staff can use, based on things we’ve seen other camps do!
Round it out to be a full splash day with more water activities
Water play for younger kids
Water balloon fights for older kids
Water sponge dodgeball
Pool time
Ages: 2 – Teen
Great For: Outdoor camps, camps without pool access
Don’t Recommend For: Camps with only indoor space; daycares that are only for infants and toddlers.
Alternative Theme Ideas: Adventure Day, Magic Day, Aquarium Day
Entertainment Package: We invite a mermaid or pirate of your choice for group shows and individual activities. Gather everyone around for mermaid story time or a pirate magic show, then bring by individual groups for mermaid glitter tattoos or pirate sword balloon twisting.
Bonus summer camp entertainment ideas for your team to implement:
Want to add more to your pirates and mermaids day? Here are some budget programming ideas that your staff can use, based on things we’ve seen other camps do!
Have campers dress up as mermaids and pirates.
Hold a “talk like a pirate” contest all day–give each kid a sticker to start the day. If an adult catches them talking without a “pirate accent” they lose the sticker. Whoever can go the entire day talking like a pirate wins!
If your camp has occasional pool access, this is also perfect for a pool day to keep groups busy while they’re out of the pool.
Ages: Our mermaid story time is perfect for ages 2-6, and our pirate magic show is perfect for ages 4-9. Invite one or both of them for a mix-and-match day that fits your needs.
Great For: Camps with younger kids (for mermaids); camps looking to keep kids busy on pool days (both mermaids and pirates); camps who love dress-up days (both mermaids and pirates).
Don’t Recommend Mermaid Story Time For: Camps that are primarily elementary and middle school (mermaid story time is best for younger kids)
Don’t Recommend Pirate Magic Show For: Camps that are mostly toddlers or PreK (magic needs more attention span than that)
Entertainment Package: Kenny the Clown comes and entertains the whole group with a 30min magic show, then takes groups for a juggling lesson using easy-to-juggle clown scarves. Bonus: add a second clown for speedy face painting or simple balloon twisting.
Bonus summer camp entertainment ideas for your team to implement:
Want to add more to your circus camp day? Here are some budget programming ideas that your staff can use, based on things we’ve seen other camps do!
Put on a talent show to create your own variety show as part of the camp circus!
If you have snack time, consider renting a popcorn or cotton candy machine.
Ages: 4-9 for the magic show, 7-teen for juggling class. Learn more here.
Great For: Camps with a stage; arts camps; camps that can program different activities for different ages.
Don’t Recommend For: Daycares that are only for infants and toddlers
Alternative Theme Ideas: Clown School, Circus Camp, Carnival
Entertainment Package: One of our professional balloon twisters will come with enough supplies for groups of up to 15 kids to learn designs at once. Students will learn between 2-4 designs (depending on age and time alotted) and take home their creations.
Bonus summer camp entertainment ideas for your team to implement:
Want to add more to your balloon class? Here are some budget programming ideas that your staff can use, based on things we’ve seen other camps do!
Have staff come to the class to twist along (and have fun!), as well as keep things running smoothly
Include other balloon crafts like origami or paper mache hot air balloons
Consider balloon-themed sports like water balloon fights, balloon-popping relay races, or water balloon dodge ball!
Ages: 7-teen for balloon twisting class, but professional balloon twisting time can be added so younger kids aren’t excluded. Learn more here.
Great For: Small-group breakouts, library camps, arts or STEM camps
Don’t Recommend For: Daycares that are only for infants and toddlers
Alternative Theme Ideas: Arts & Crafts Day, 60’s or 70’s Spirit Day
Entertainment Package: We set up a do-it-yourself tie dye station using spray-dye for a low-mess experience. Campers can bag their shirts immediately after creation and put them in their backpacks to avoid confusing mix-ups when picking up their shirt (no air-dry time required).
Bonus summer camp entertainment ideas for your team to implement:
Want to add more to your tie-dye station? Here are some budget programming ideas that your staff can use, based on things we’ve seen other camps do!
Host the tie dye station for the first day of Color Wars to get everyone in the spirit, and let our office know at booking what colors your camp teams will be repping so we can bring the right colors for you
Before dying the shirts, let kids get creative with Sharpies and draw their own designs in black (or let them write their name / group on the back like jerseys)
Bust out all of your favorite craft activities like chalk art, weaving, or jewelry making for an amazing art day.
Host a different decade every day of the week, and throw in airbrush tattoos (below) for 80’s or glitter tattoos for 90s/00s/Y2K
Ages: 5 – Teen
Great For: Camps that don’t typically have arts and crafts time; take-home projects
Don’t Recommend For: Camps with indoor-only space; camps that are nervous about kids potentially getting dye on clothing or floors.
Alternative Theme Ideas: Kids in STEM, Slime Day, Science Museum
Entertainment Package: Our mad scientists will present the kids with a show (similar to a magic show but grounded in the scientific method) and follow it up with hands-on slime labs!
Bonus summer camp entertainment ideas for your team to implement:
Want to add more to your science day? Here are some budget programming ideas that your staff can use, based on things we’ve seen other camps do!
Throw contests where the winning group(s) get to “slime” their camp counselors at the end of the day!
Couple this with other STEM projects: paper boat races, pinewood derby, crystal growing, or seed starting!
Make it a “science museum” day and bring astronomy, dinosaurs, or history into your programming with crafts or a movie screening.
Combine it with the Bubble Show (below) for a Science Week
Ages: 5 – 10
Great For: Camps that like to schedule seated activities; arts camps looking for something out of the box and educational; camps with families who value multi-disciplinary activities.
Don’t Recommend For: Camps that focus on high-energy activities; camps that focus on toddlers and Pre-K only.
Alternative Theme Ideas: Splash Day, Kids in STEM, Science Week
Entertainment Package: Our Bubblologist comes and puts on a show that’s equal parts magic and science–all about bubbles!
Bonus summer camp entertainment ideas for your team to implement:
Want to add more to your bubble show and play? Here are some budget programming ideas that your staff can use, based on things we’ve seen other camps do!
Kids love bubbles! Add a bubble station and bubble photo booth for multiple stations for every group to rotate through.
Add crafts to your bubble day like DIY pipe cleaner bubble wands; “bubble painting” with bingo stampers; and bubble painting.
Combine a bubble day, a foam party day, and pool day to create a whole splash week!
Combine it with the Science Show (below) for a Science Week
Ages: 4-10
Great For: Camps that like to schedule seated activities; arts camps; camps with families who value multi-disciplinary activities.
Alternative Theme Ideas: Glow, Overnight Sleepover, Dance Party
Entertainment Package: We provide a DJ, party lighting, and black-light reactive face painting. Your summer camp is instantly transformed to a family-friendly night club!
Bonus summer camp entertainment ideas for your team to implement:
Want to add more to your black light party? Here are some budget programming ideas that your staff can use, based on things we’ve seen other camps do!
Have kids wear only black and white so the white glows under UV
Couple morning black light face painting with a glowing mini golf field trip in the afternoon
Add light painting or glow stick crafts earlier in the day and watch your creations come to life!
Ages: 4 – Teen
Great For: Camps with large indoor space where windows can be shut and lights can be turned off.
Don’t Recommend For: Camps that are only outdoors during the day.
Alternative Theme Ideas: Picasso Day, Day at the Museum, LIT/CIT Appreciation Day
Entertainment Package: We throw a paint party for your teens where we go step-by-step with a real art teacher to create masterpieces we can take home. (The most common paint party feedback we receive from camp directors is “I can’t believe how engaged the kids are”. If you’re struggling to keep tweens and teens off of phones, this is a great activity to have them lock in on the real world.)
Bonus summer camp entertainment ideas for your team to implement:
Want to add more to your paint party? Here are some budget programming ideas that your staff can use, based on things we’ve seen other camps do!
Bust out all of your favorite craft activities like tie dye (above), weaving, or jewelry making for an amazing art day.
Have a “dress like a famous painting” costume contest and assign each kid a famous painting (Starry Night, Mona Lisa, The Scream, Andy Warhol’s Soup Cans, The Persistence of Memory) and give out awards for Most Fashionable, Most Creative, Best Acting, Most Artistic, and more!
Host a chalk art contest where the LITs and CITs work with their groups to create an original piece of work, again handing out awards for Most Colorful, Best Teamwork, Most Artistic, and more!
Ages: tweens, teens, and adults.
Great For: Camps that like to schedule seated activities; arts camps; camps with families who value multi-disciplinary activities; camps with populations of tweens and teens looking for more mature pogramming.
Don’t Recommend For: Camps with limited space; camps that are nervous about kids potentially getting paint on clothing or floors; camps on a tight budget; camps with a focus on kids in pre-K or elementary school.
Entertainment Package: New England’s most popular clown, Kenny, will entertain your kids with a 45-60min show full of comedy, puppets, juggling, and magic.
Bonus summer camp entertainment ideas for your team to implement:
Want to add more to the day you host Kenny’s extravaganza? Here are some budget programming ideas that your staff can use, based on things we’ve seen other camps do!
Have kids create their own paper bag puppets and write their own skits for their original characters.
Mascots + face painting and balloon twisting are HUGE of 2-5 year old parties in CT, MA, RI, and NH! Check out what we expect to be trending in 2017 for some great party ideas.
If you’re looking for party entertainment for adults in CT, MA, RI, and NH, Kaleidoscope is New England’s highest-rated creative entertainment company!
Here are some of our favorite ideas for creative adult entertainment for your next corporate event, night club, baby or bridal shower, and any other event you have in mind!
Foam parties for adults
Foam parties are wet and wild parties where your guests can dance through mountains of bubbles and fun.
Guests can be wearing anything they would to a pool party (shorts, tank tops, Hawai’ian shirts, or bathing suites) and enjoy a totally unique entertainment experience.
Our team of tarot and palm readers would love to come to your event and produce readings for adults of all ages. Let our master storytellers intrigue and delight your party guests!
Please note, our psychic packages are lighthearted and do not deal with topics such as death or dying, but are not appropriate for children under 16.
For large adult events, temporary tattoos are generally fast to apply and are a great budget-friendly experience for all ages.
Whether it’s a delicate henna tattoo, a full-sleeve airbrush tattoo, or a nostalgic Y2K glitter or 2010’s flash tattoo, we’d love to come decorate your guests!
Caricatures are our most popular art form for adult events, whether it’s a keepsake for a family reunion or a brand-oriented giveaway at a massive corporate event.
Our team of in-house caricature artists are all professional artists with advance training and years of experience, as well as their own unique styles.
Our stilt walkers can be themed to your event and help you achieve your event goals. Here are some of the ways our aamzing clients have used our stilt walkers:
Welcoming guests to an event (Blue Back Square, West Hartford, CT)
Helping guests find their seats at an event (Kernwood Country Club, Salem, MA)
Taking polaroid photos of guests as giveaways (Redbull, Boston MA)
Handing out glow sticks and LED accessories at a glow party (financial firm in CT)
Giving away free tshirts at a tailgate party (Behr Paint, Patriot’s Stadium, Foxboro MA)
Walking in a parade (The Town of Marblehead, MA)
Balloon twisting for restaurant guests (3rd Ave, Burlington, MA)
Our talented paint party instructors will help your group go step-by-step in a two-hour experience at any venue of your choosing. From colorful landscapes to modern mandalas, all you need to do is pick your painting and provide the space–we’ll bring the rest!
Paint parties are our single hottest-selling event type for colleges as an alternative to drinking, and have also recently been popular paint-and-sip activities at country clubs, luxury apartment communities, and corporate events.
Add some childlike joy to your adult parties–glitter isn’t just for kids!
Our glitter looks combine a ton of glitter and a touch of paint to creative unique looks for everyone, including men! From elegant Purim galas to over-the-top silly bachelorette party fun, our glitter looks are a way for adults to break out of their stiff, formal day to day and enjoy your event.
If you and your family have fallen head over heals for these happy, adorable, colorful creatures, and you’re looking to make your party head-to-toe Trolls inspired–we’ve got the designs and party entertainment that’s just right for you!
At Kaleidoscope, we’ve been doing Unicorn parties for almost a decade. We’ve seen the trend go from My Little Ponies to something so much more glittery, sparkly, and iridescent. In fact, the trend has grown so much that our office staff had a “Unicorn Meeting” so we could brainstorm all the great ways we can make your Unicorn party super original and memorable! Here they are–take a look, and when you think you’ve found some good choices, our booking specialist can help you with a quote:
So, did your kid ask you for a Baby Shark-themed party—and you’re thinking, “What could I even do with that?”
Baby Shark is not a new song—but when the entertainment brand Pinkfong released its new rendition of the old nursery song in 2016, Baby Shark rose to unprecedented popularity, and unlike absolutely everything else in the world, babies and children everywhere still love Baby Shark. So it’s no surprise you want to throw your child a Baby Shark themed party! At Kaleidoscope, we hear this request all the time, and as Professional Fun Makers, here are some of our suggestions as to how Kaleidoscope can help you throw the best Baby Shark themed party for your kid.
Speedy face painting is just-as-impressive, three-to-four-times-as-fast face painting perfect for huge crowds. By simplifying the designs and adding multiple colors at once, our speedy faces with drop the jaws of your guests while tearing throw even the longest line!
Glow Parties with black light face painting and balloon twisting are perfect for tweens, teens, and adults looking for a twist on traditional party entertainment!
