Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ's
Yes! We changed our name from Phil’s Children’s Parties to Cotswold Children’s Parties to reflect the fact that we are growing.
We’ll be picking up all the messages posted via BOTH websites and from BOTH email accounts; philschildrensparties@gmail.
We cover any area under an hour from Cheltenham. This covers Gloucester, Stroud, Tewkesbury, Cirencester, Bourton on the Water, some parts of the Forest of Dean and more. For places further than 30 minutes from Cheltenham there is an additional mileage charge:
No cost – Under 30 mins from Cheltenham
£5 – 30-34 minutes from Cheltenham
£10 – 35-39 minutes from Cheltenham
£20 – 40-44 minutes from Cheltenham
£30 – 45-49 minutes from Cheltenham
£40 – 50-54 minutes from Cheltenham
£50 – 55-59 minutes from Cheltenham
£60 – 60-64 minutes from Cheltenham
£70 – 65-69 minutes from Cheltenham
We’ve made a little (Cheltenham-centric) list of venues on google maps, which some people have found helpful. When we last checked, the contact details for all of these listed still worked!
Our prices are fixed irrespective of the number of children present. Phil does parties for as few as 5 or 6 children and as many as 40-45 children.
For between 45-200 children you will need a more bespoke package, please speak to us directly about what you’re hoping for for.
Maddy’s parties are full of interactive bubbly magic and because of that, they are only suitable for 30 children, so there’s space for all the children around the activities.
Phil’s parties are suitable for groups of children turning age 2 to turning age 8, with varying formats for each of the ages. His parties also work well with mixed ages, from 0-10.
Maddy’s parties are suitable for age 3-6, with different formats for the age groups within that bracket. They also work well for a mix of ages – who doesn’t love to be put inside a bubble?
The entertainer will arrive 45 minutes before the party start time. We know that some times room bookings can be a bit tricky, so Phil can set up in 30 mins with help, but Maddy has so much bubbly equipment it’s a little harder for her to get all that unloaded and set up in much less than 45 mins.
All our weekend parties last two hours, with a break after the first hour for food, and ending with an action packed disco.
The entertainers both need 30 minutes at the end to pack down.
To fit in two parties in the day, Phil’s parties are usually held at either:
10am-12pm | 10:30am-12:30pm | 2-4pm | 2:30-4:30pm
Maddy has more flexibility on timings as she prefers just one party a day. Just message us to ask if you have any questions about timings.
- Message us via the “contact us” form or at hello@cotswoldchildrensparties.co.uk, and we’ll agree a date and time together.
- Use the “booking form” link from the main menu, and put all your details in for us.
- We’ll reply within 2 days with a booking confirmation and details for the £100 deposit via bank transfer.
- Once we’ve received the deposit your booking will be confirmed in the diary.
- There’s then nothing else to do apart from make the final payment a day or two before the party. We take it that late as a lot of people add balloons and we know that parties often have last minute cancellations so we want you to be able to have a good idea of your numbers.
We hold parties in large and small village halls, large and small homes and gardens, and (only if approved by the relevant authority!) in farms, fields and parks!
Power?
Parties can be held in places with no power but bear in mind that lots of our exciting equipment (bubble and snow machines, lights etc) do need power to run. Phil and Maddy have extension leads so all they need is access to one power socket to run their rigs. They do both need cover providing for them if it’s outdoor and it’s possible it could rain, as they have a lot of electrical equipment.
Hall vs. home?
We’ve done both for our kids over the years and really couldn’t pick which is better. There’s something very exciting and magical for the kids about setting up and decorating a hall just for them, and being able to invite their whole class, but there’s also something very special about being able to have everyone over to their own house. The shows work really well for large numbers and also really well for an intimate few. There’s a cost saving holding it at home but more clearing up! Also you need to think about your carpets and ornaments if you want snow ball fight and snow foam as part of your party! If it’s a party with Maddy then there’s a lot of bubble liquid involved so it is best to hold either outdoors or somewhere with a solid floor!
Size Matters.
Our parties work really well in all sizes of home and hall, as long as there’s an appropriate space for the number of kids invited. There needs to be space for the lights and set, for the children to run around to play the games, and for the children to eat. Most village halls are great for a whole class party, and an average home is great for about half the class, or more if it’s bigger!
We get asked this question all the time. The parties are designed to be non stop entertainment for the children, so that, including the break for food you provide, there is nothing else needed to keep them busy for a full two hours! However we know that some times children really want a face painter or bouncy castle, and we often have them at parties, and it works really well. If that’s what it takes to make every birthday dream come true, then it always seems worth it!
For face painters, usually based at the other side of the hall to where the entertainer is performing; the children can take it turns to get an amazing face paint while the rest of the kids are fully entertained by the entertainer – no waiting around required!
Bouncy castles add an extra bit of “wow” to a party. We have them on for specific times, and off the rest of the time so that the children can get the most out of the entertainment. The bouncy castles usually go on: when the children are all arriving, getting to know the entertainer and becoming comfortable in the space; off for the show; on again while the children finish up their food; off for the start of the structured games in the disco; and on for the last few minutes of the party after the epic snow foam finale. The adults can then keep the castle on for a few minutes to entertain the children while they get a head start tidying away!