Kid-centric Event Ideas BACK

Extraordinary balloon art from The Twisted Ones.

In today's world of X-Box-iPod-street-savvy kids, engaging the attention and winning the respect of an event room filled with children (and parents) can be a challenge. Send in the clowns? Perhaps. But better make sure they have what it takes to impress the young and the restless looking for sophisticated entertainment filled with loads of live action, colour and originality.

If your event needs to score some kid-pleasing points, go to the top of the class with these ideas:

Not Your Average Balloon: Bye, bye little three-twist doggie; hello giant dragon and a swarm of butterflies! Serious balloon art happens when The Twisted Ones are on the floor. Meet the Stevens, a family of balloon magicians who, in minutes, twist jaw-dropping cartoon-like masterpieces that transform (and transfix) a crowd of kids (and adults) into vividly coloured characters (one twister = approximately 100 kids at a two-hour event).

For larger gatherings, The Twisted Ones entertain with interactive demos or an art party that teaches kids balloon twisting. For full impact, add in the black-lit-neon-charged-music-powered stage show that magically produces massive latex creations (Did we mention balloon decor from these artists are out-of-this world?)! www.thetwistedones.com

Sir Jerry hams it up with song and dance.

The Music Man Rocks!: His right proper accent, top hat and tux belie his wild side: Sir Jerry's musical act has been likened to an edgy cross between the Beatles, David Bowie and Pink Floyd with the silly sensibility of Monty Python. Wait! Is this a kid's act? Yes! In fact, Sir Jerry wittily delights kids and parents alike with his rock-n-roll variety show filled with song, dance and stand-up shtick.

Accompanied by a cast of kooky pals-a guitar-playing Buddhist monk, a fairy-garbed saxophonist and Destiny's Child-style back up singers and dancers-productions are adaptable in length and content. An avid fan following proves this once-upon-a-time lawyer is hip to what cool kindertainment really is. Sir Jerry CDs land this month in Toronto International Film Festival celebrity swag bags. www.sir-jerry.com

Maboroshi Orchestra celebrates the art of shadow puppetry.

Puppets With Stories: Dim the lights and watch magical Canadiana tales come alive through the ancient art of shadow-box puppetry. Maboroshi Orchestra produces productions rich in aesthetics and homegrown culture. The stage is a back-lit portable theatre box with elaborate image-filled backdrops that scroll across as intricately designed puppets enact the narrator's words..

Set to the eclectically haunting music of unusual instruments such as a didgeridoo, mouth harps and steel bells, this is a theatre experience for all ages. The company, comprised of National Theatre School graduates, also offers puppet-making sessions for kids, complete with lessons in staging a show. www.maboroshi.ca

Mix up food and fun at The Cookerydoo.

For Little Foodies: Put kids in the kitchen at
The Cookerydoo, an innovative new children's cooking school opening this month in the High Park area. The school, awash in natural light and pretty colours, can accommodate up to 40 pint-sized gourmands with hands-on cooking and crafting lessons that inspire young imaginations and picky palates.

Offsite programs are available for larger groups along with child-friendly catering that'll have kids clamouring for Ants on a Log (cream-cheese filled celery sticks with raisins on top) and Flower Pot-shaped Cakes. Send mini chefs home primed to cook with The Cookerydoo's foodie loot bags filled with goodies such as recipes, aprons and child-size utensils. www.cookerydoo.com

Visor art for all ages and themes from Kids N' Crafts.

Craft Party in a Box: Activity stations are ideal for engaging young sugar-fuelled guests in some fun, creative quiet time. Kids N' Crafts from Stardust Events makes set-up a cinch with a wide selection of ready-to-make crafting kits that bring out the inner artist in everyone including mask construction, treasure box decorating, hat making and apparel design.

For logistics made easy, order up the craft station in a box, which includes everything you need from the craft and supervised instruction, to the tablecloths and glue sticks (clean-up supplies a bonus!) Themed loot bags, centrepieces and balloons also available. www.stardustevents.com

Nut-free cookie goodness by Tickle Your Tummy.

Milk & Cookies: No kids' party is complete without delicious treats. Tickle Your Tummy bakes up nut-free (so important these days) hand-decorated shortbread creations guaranteed to delight little cookie monsters. Customize with logos and event name, or choose from whimsical designs and popular characters such as Sponge Bob and Dora the Explorer. Buy in bulk to set on kids' tables or order them individually gift packaged as a take-home goodie.

For hands-on creative fun, cookies in all shapes and sizes arrive undecorated and ready for kid adornment with easy-to-use icing bags and suggested design samples. A line of nut-free gourmet chocolate chip cookies, customized cakes and cupcakes is also available. www.tickleyourtummy.ca