One of the questions I sometimes get when planning parties is:
“Can younger children join in too?”
I completely understand why you’d ask — when you’re hosting a party, you want everyone to feel included and have fun.
The short answer is: I always try to include as many children as possible… but safety has to come first.
Age guidelines aren’t there to exclude anyone — they’re there to make sure every child can take part safely, comfortably, and happily.
🎈 Balloons (Recommended Age: 2+)
Balloons are always a favourite, but they do come with risks.
Every year, children choke on:
- Uninflated balloons
- Broken balloon pieces
Younger children are naturally curious and often explore by putting things in their mouths, which is why balloons aren’t suitable under 2.
Even for older children, parent supervision is really important. While I’m busy creating and entertaining, I’m not able to watch every child individually.
👉 You can read more about how balloon queues work at busy parties in my queue management guide
🎨 Face Painting (Recommended Age: 2+)
Face painting is designed to be safe and gentle, but:
- Younger children have more sensitive skin
- Products come with manufacturer age recommendations
- My insurance requires me to follow those guidelines
Little ones are also more likely to rub their face or touch the paint, which can lead to irritation.
👉 Planning a party? Have a look at my face painting services page
✨ Glitter Tattoos (Recommended Age: 3+)
Glitter tattoos use a skin-safe glue, but it’s only recommended for ages 3 and up.
Younger children:
- Have more delicate skin
- Are more likely to pick or rub the area
- May put their hands in their mouth after touching it
👉 Learn more about Glitter Tattoos
🌈 Festival Glitter (Recommended Age: 3+)
Festival glitter is beautiful (and very popular with adults too!), but:
- Loose glitter can get into eyes
- Younger children tend to touch and rub their face more
For older children, teens, and adults — it’s always a hit ✨
👉 Learn more about my Glitter Bar
🫧 Balloon Workshops (Age 8+)
Balloon workshops are brilliant fun, but they’re more challenging than they look!
Children need:
- Hand strength
- Coordination
- Confidence twisting balloons
Younger children often struggle because their hands simply aren’t big or strong enough yet — which can lead to frustration rather than fun.
🧪 Science & Slime Parties (Age 6+)
These are always exciting (and a little bit messy in the best way 😄), but they do require:
- Good hand control
- Ability to follow instructions
- Care when handling materials
Younger children are more likely to spill or need constant help.
They can still join in if a parent or older sibling is helping them one-to-one the whole time — and it can actually be a lovely activity to do together!
🎨 Craft Workshops (Age 6+)
Craft sessions are similar — they’re designed so children can:
- Work independently
- Follow steps
- Enjoy creating something they’re proud of
Younger children usually need full one-to-one support, so if they join in, it becomes a shared activity with a parent rather than a drop-off experience.
And honestly? That can be a really nice bonding moment — not a chore 😊
👨👩👧 Supervision Still Matters
Even when children meet the age guidelines, supervision is still important.
At busy parties, my focus is on:
- Entertaining
- Creating designs
- Keeping everything running smoothly
I’m not able to supervise individual children — especially when there are lots of excited little ones around!
👉 If you're planning a party for very young children, check my blog post What to Do for a First Birthday Party
“But My Child Will Be Fine…”
I completely understand this — every child is different.
But these age limits aren’t based on individual children, they’re based on:
- Safety guidelines
- Product recommendations
- Insurance requirements
- Real-life risks
Sometimes parents do ask me to make an exception, but I have to stick to these guidelines to keep everyone safe.
👉 Your child’s safety will always come first.
🎉 No Upper Age Limit!
The good news?
None of my activities have an upper age limit!
Teenagers and adults are always welcome to join in — whether that’s:
- Face painting
- Glitter
- Balloons
- Workshops
In fact… the grown-ups are often the most enthusiastic 😄
Thank You for Understanding
I know it can be disappointing if a younger child can’t take part in something just yet.
But these guidelines are there to make sure:
- Everyone stays safe
- Children enjoy the experience (without frustration or risk)
- Your event runs smoothly
If you’re ever unsure, I’m always happy to help suggest the best options for your group 💛