Creative entertainment can instantly elevate any party. A well-chosen game or activity can keep your guests actively engaged, ignite socialization and new friendships, and leave a lasting impression your guests will talk about for months.
You can go all out with extravagant entertainment or plan something simple to be the cherry on top of your event.
Read on to get inspired by the 8 best party entertainment ideas for different budgets, venue sizes, and guest lists. You’ve put in the time and effort to plan a truly magnificent party. You’ve learned how to be a good host to your guests. Now, plan some excellent entertainment that will blow your attendees away and create an experience they’ll never forget.
Category 1: The Classics
We’ll start with some tried-and-true party entertainers who bring value to all types of events. If you’re looking for party entertainment that is sure to please, take a look at these options.
#1 Musicians
A timeless choice, you can never go wrong hiring a musician. After all, everyone likes music.
Still, the type of musician or live band you should hire will depend on your event.
Hosting a smaller, more intimate get-together? A soft acoustic guitar can make for a beautiful backdrop. Throwing a fancy gala with food and drinks? An elegant piano or harp can bring the luxury of the party to the next level. Other options include:
- Entire bands for a bigger, fuller sound
- Musicians who specialize in cultural instruments
- Impersonators of famous music artists
Bonus Tip
Music aficionados with years of experience often have extensive knowledge of the big hits. If you can find a performer or a live band who specializes in covers or even takes audience requests, it can help garner even more guest participation as they sing and dance to their favorite songs.
#2 Dancers
When you’re looking for a way to instantly boost the energy of a bigger party or if you’re hosting a pool party, hiring dance professionals is a no-brainer.
For upbeat celebrations, dancers can make the difference between a dead crowd and a lively, engaged group of movers and shakers. These performers can provide amazing entertainment for your guests to watch as they:
- Perform choreographed dance routines
- Freestyle on stage to popular music
- Pull off some seriously impressive tricks
Bonus Tip
Watching dancers perform is a treat, but what if your guests could join in on the fun?
Many professional performers are pros at teaching dance, too. If your party guests would enjoy it, having your hired dancers teach a few simple steps and interact with the audience can be a recipe for a night to remember.
#3 Photo Booth
You work so hard to plan the perfect event. Your guests strive to look their best for your party. So don’t let the occasion pass by without snapping professional pictures to commemorate it.
In the modern world, most photos live only on our phones. As such, guests love the opportunity to pose in a photo booth with friends and get an immediate physical printout of their friends and loved ones. Forever commemorating these memories will make for wonderful gifts for party hosts as well! Photo booths cost an average of $600 to $1,300 to rent for two to four hours, but the memories you capture with this investment will be priceless.
Bonus Tip
Give your guests more freedom in the booth by stashing some fun props inside. Popular items to use may include:
- Whimsical accessories like hats or decorated headbands
- Signs that display a message about the title or theme of your event
- Sticks with plastic glasses, masks, or mustaches attached
Category 2: Family-Friendly
Whether you’re organizing a child’s birthday party or a neighborhood event where kids will need to be engaged for several hours, the following birthday party entertainment ideas are right up your alley.
These kids’ party entertainment idea options are guaranteed to:
- Be popular with all the young ones in attendance
- Make the inner child within your older guests smile
- Give parents a chance to mingle while the kids play
#1 Body Art
From temporary tattoo artists to face painting professionals, entertainers that specialize in creating masterpieces on the skin are a huge hit for parties. These options are ideal for family events because kids love to pick out cool designs that they can proudly sport around the party.
Face painting and temporary body art isn’t just for the kids, though. Lots of teenagers and even adults will have fun adding some colorful art to their outfit. If your party is more on the casual side or taking place outdoors, body art will perfectly suit the mood. Your guests will feel extra special as they get to walk around as living, breathing art—a part of the party decor.
Bonus Tip
Hire an experienced henna tattoo artist to up the wow factor with beautifully intricate designs. Just be sure to let your guests know that henna art can last for up to three weeks after the party is over. (Which, for most guests, is only an added bonus of the activity!)
#2 Magician
It’s no secret that children are astounded by logic-defying magic tricks. But the truth is, you’re never too old to be mystified by some well-performed magic. Magicians can:
- Engage your whole party at once by performing a big show on a central stage
- Keep your guests entertained by performing close-up tricks for a few people at a time
Bonus Tip
Make sure to research the performance style of different magicians before settling on your perfect entertainer. Some specialize in exaggerated, over-the-top acting and simple tricks: which can be wonderful for an audience of kids.
However, other magicians specialize in more mature shows, such as corporate events. There’s a magician out there for every event, and with a little research, you can find the ideal performer for your party.
#3 Inflatables
Bouncy houses have long been a traditional party staple for good reason. These famed inflatable structures:
- Get kids excited and provide hours of fun
- Help young guests exert their extra energy
- Allow multiple children to play at once
Party hosts have been wowing guests with fun inflatable rentals for years because they instantly elevate the appeal of outdoor parties. A typical bounce house rental fee will run you about $30 to $50 per hour.
Bonus Tip
Beat the summer heat with an inflatable water slide. These incredible inventions come in all shapes and sizes. You can rent:
- Tall structures with stairs and long slides
- Horizontal lanes for running, sliding, and racing
- Simple splash pads with sprinklers
No matter what slide you decide to rent, your guests will have a blast. They’ll also be grateful to you for providing such a refreshing experience for outdoor summer events.
Category 3: Outside the Box
In this final section, we’ll take a look at entertainment ideas that are a little more unique and unexpected. When you want your event to really stand out in people’s minds, get creative with one of these fun and fresh options.
#1 Games
Sometimes, simpler is better. You don’t need to splurge on anything fancy to give your guests a creative activity. When parties are smaller, classic and inexpensive games can be just what the group needs to let loose, break the ice, and bond together.
From indoor tabletop games like Monopoly or Cards Against Humanity to outdoor activities like cornhole, affordable entertainment can be an incredible time when you’re with the right people. Charades, pictionary, trivia—the list of ways to have a blast on a budget is as long as the game aisle at Target.
Bonus Tip
It might take a little extra effort, but if you can organize your own murder mystery game or even a tabletop “escape room” activity, your guests will go wild. Guests can’t resist the challenge of cracking a tough case and collaborating with others.
The best part about creating your own game from scratch is that you can include specific references about your party attendees within the clues or story. A fully customized activity like this helps make your event unforgettable.
#2 Artists
Professionals who are skilled with a paintbrush or pencil can use their skills to turn your party into a masterpiece. Give guests the opportunity to pose alone or with friends and be sketched in real-time.
Alternatively, hire a professional who can facilitate an interactive arts and crafts activity for your party. This could include setting out easels and guiding an instructed painting session where all your guests follow the teacher’s lead to create beautiful art pieces.
For more elegant, adults-only events, add cocktails or wine to the mix for even more fun.
Bonus Tip
Hire a caricaturist to immortalize your party guests with an artistic drawing. For this entertainment service, you can expect a price of around $150 to $250 per hour.
There’s no better party favor than a 100% personalized image that the recipient can hang in their home or office.
Elevate Your Next Celebration with Lenox
Entertainment? Booked. Guest list? Finalized. Quality serveware? We’ve got you covered on that front, too. For the host who truly wants to impress, Lenox offers stunning sets of modern dinnerware, flatware, and more.
Attention to detail is what separates exceptional parties from mediocre ones—and that’s where we come in. Delight your guests with pieces from our eclectic collections. With stunning sets to fit the tone and personality of any event, Lenox is more than ready to empower your next party.
Browse our extensive selection to discover serveware that sets you up for hosting success.
Sources:
howmuchisit.org. How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Photo Booth? https://www.howmuchisit.org/photo-booth-cost/
Backyard Sidekick. Bounce House Rental Costs, And How To Get The Lowest Price. https://backyardsidekick.com/bounce-house-rental-costs-and-how-to-get-the-lowest-price/
Generis Global Legal Services. Starting a Caricature Business. https://generisonline.com/starting-a-caricature-business/
