If there is an industry to be in these days, it seems it’s the kids party and entertainment business!
It's an industry that's booming as parents go to great lengths to pull off large-scale events worth thousands of dollars.
Director of Bash Events Alison Chibnall told AdelaideNow that birthday parties have become important events on family social calendars, with the guest list extending far beyond a child’s best buddies.
"We did a party that cost about $4,000; that one was for a five-year-old. I think the cheapest one we've done was about $1,200.”
''It is almost like parents feel they need to outdo the other parents. Each party needs to be bigger, better and have more.''
"Back in the day you used to go to a party and there'd be a few games, you'd get a little gift bag, you'd have a birthday cake and off you went," she says.
"Now it is a huge social event for parents and children. You've got face painting, you've got jumping castles, you've got pony rides. Some of the more extreme ones even have fairy floss machines, and they're hiring function rooms and marquees. It's unbelievable.
"Also, you used to have a few kids at a birthday party, whereas now it is almost like if a child is having a birthday party the whole class will come. And the parents are staying and enjoying the party, whereas you used to drop your kids off, they'd be at the party for a couple of hours and then you go and pick them up," Chibnall said.
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