Frequently asked questions

19 questions

How much does a party cost?
Parties start at £175, depending on how long you want. The XL Lightshow, a bouncy castle and the Glow Pack on a neon glow disco are £50 each. The XL Lightshow is already included with the Kool Kids Disco and The Ultimate Disco, so there's nothing extra to add on those. You can secure the date with a £100 deposit and pay the balance in cash on the day, or pay it all up front. Any extras you choose afterwards are paid in cash on the day, and your booking page always shows the exact figure to have ready.
What happens after I book?
Mark confirms the date works. Once it's paid, two emails arrive: a confirmation showing exactly what you've booked, and a ready-made invitation with your child's name, the date and the address already on it, to send straight to the other parents. Both go to the email address on your booking, and both sit on your own booking page as well — open at any hour, so if the email goes missing the invite and the details don't.
How long should the party be?
Most people book an hour or more. Younger children run out of steam sooner, so for three and four year olds the shortest option (30 minutes) is often plenty, and a two-hour party is usually too much. Only the longest party (2 hours) has a food break in it — see below.
Is there a break for food?
Only on the longest party (2 hours), where a break is included. The shorter options (30 minutes, 1 hour and 1 hr 15) run straight through, so food is best saved until afterwards — the party has a better chance of success without the distraction of food.
What do you need from the venue?
Space and a normal plug socket. That's genuinely it — we bring sound, lighting, props, games and prizes. If you're unsure whether your hall or front room is suitable, send us the venue name and we'll tell you.
Are you insured?
Yes — public liability insurance, and our cover includes bouncy castle use. Halls and schools often ask to see the certificate before they'll let a party go ahead. Download the certificate →
Is your equipment safety tested?
Everything that plugs in is PAT tested. Mark is a qualified PAT tester, so it's checked by him directly.
How many children can you handle?
No cap, and no per-child charge — the price is the same whether eight turn up or thirty-five, including if more arrive than you expected. Every child goes home with a prize, not just the ones who win a game. Mark runs school discos with well over a hundred in the room, so a full house at a birthday is routine. Tell us roughly how many when you enquire and we'll bring plenty.
Who actually turns up on the day?
Mark. Every time — no agency, no subcontractor, nobody you haven't already spoken to. Worth knowing, because it isn't obvious from outside: many “party companies” are booking agencies. You book with the company, a large portion of what you pay stays with them, and an entertainer goes out on what's left — sometimes at short notice, and often neither of you knows who until the day. Fair question to put to anyone you're considering: who is turning up, and how long have they been doing it?
How experienced is Mark?
Mark has worked at over 4,000 children's parties — he's seen it all, so you're in safe hands.
Why aren't you the cheapest?
Because we're not trying to be, and it would show — at rock-bottom prices the speaker, the mic, the lightshow and the costumes usually look and sound it. The money goes into equipment that's genuinely good, replaced before it's worn out, with a backup in the van. It also buys time: the diary is spaced so your party gets a full setup and a proper soundcheck. None of it disappears into a booking fee. If price is the deciding factor there will be cheaper options, and we'd rather say so.
Do I have to pay it all up front?
No — a £100 deposit secures your date, and the balance is cash on the day. Pay in full instead if you'd rather have nothing left to think about. Either way it's fully refundable if you cancel with enough notice, and if something goes wrong you can move your date rather than cancel. Read the terms →
How do I pay?
By card, once we've confirmed we're free — no account needed. You choose: pay a £100 deposit to secure the date and settle the balance in cash on the day, or pay in full and have nothing left to pay for the party itself. Either one locks the date in for good — the deposit isn't a lesser booking.
What if I need to change the date?
Moving your date is free and we'll do our best to accommodate you. If something's gone wrong, ask about moving before cancelling — you'll almost always be better off.
What if I have to cancel?
Cancel more than 28 days before and you get back everything you've paid us. Between 7 and 28 days we refund what you've paid minus a £100 cancellation fee — so if you've only paid the deposit, that window is where it's kept. Inside 7 days we can't refund, because it's too late for us to fill the date — but you can move your date and we'll honour the party with the money already paid. Whatever happens, cancelling never leaves you owing anything: the cash balance and any extras simply never happen.
What if my child is poorly on the day?
Get in touch and we'll move you rather than cancel. That's exactly the situation free date changes exist for.
Do you do parties at home as well as halls?
Yes, plenty. We scale the setup to the room rather than turning up with more kit than fits.
How far do you travel?
All of Surrey, and into West Kent. Some party companies charge travel or mileage — we don't and never will. If you're not sure whether we reach you, just ask — you'll get a straight answer either way, and quickly.
What if you're already booked on my date?
James at KentKidsParties.co.uk is our preferred work partner and he offers exceptionally high quality entertainment just like us. We're more than happy to check his availability on your behalf.

Still stuck? Email mark@surreykidsparties.co.uk or call 07891 159018. The full terms cover the detail.

Make a bookingCheck availability