anyone use a magician (or other entertainment) for their DC's birthday party?

Another birthday party question.

DS is turning 7. We are having such a hard time figuring out what to do for a party for him - everything is so expensive.

We started looking into spaces to rent - maybe with entertainment. DS loves magic - so maybe he would like a magician? Or he might just like entertainment with things like the limbo, conga, maybe a clown?

I AM worried that renting a space + paying for entertainment = $$$$$$$.

If anyone has any experience with a party like this it would be so helpful. The kids would mostly be 7, but we have some 4 and 5 year olds and one 2 year old.

TIA!!!

anyone use a magician (or other entertainment) for their DC's birthday party?

That is going to be more than having it out likely. Rental space along can run $250-$400 at a town center typically, but that depends obviously. Plus at least $200 for the entertainment, then food, etc.

anyone use a magician (or other entertainment) for their DC's birthday party?

Have you looked on Alldealslocal.com, Groupon, etc. for party deals? Alldealslocal always has some. Which area are you looking in?

Re: anyone use a magician (or other entertainment) for their DC's birthday party?

I'm doing something like that for my 5 year old. I'm having a lady come with 10 different animals, that's costing me $275 for an hour. I was looking into renting a space and the cheapest I found was $150, but that's because it was a friend's studio I was going to rent. Most other options were closer to $200. I wound up getting really lucky and asking about renting space at my DS pre-school through the church. The guy was terrible at getting back to me and I called multiple times. I think he felt bad, so he said as long as I cleaned everything up he would let me use the space for free! Now of, course I still had to spend on favors and food, so even though the space was free, the party is still going to end up costing me close to $600.

Re: anyone use a magician (or other entertainment) for their DC's birthday party?

We had a magician when DS turned 4, and it was great. The kids were engaged and had fun. I don't remember the price, though, because it was a while ago (He is 9 now). We did that party in a restaurant. Not too many kids, but with the parent, it was a good group.

DS went to another party were they had a magician as well. This was for a 6 year old. It was drop off and it was a the boy's place. We joined at the ends for cake and it seems they had fun. The did arts and crafts before the show.

Re: anyone use a magician (or other entertainment) for their DC's birthday party?

I did ... clowns.com.. very satisfied!

Re: anyone use a magician (or other entertainment) for their DC's birthday party?

We used this guy. He was reasonably priced, really nice, and great with all of the kids (aged 3-9).
Magic Evan