If you’re looking for more educational programming this year at your school, library, or camp, we offer not only educational shows (such as our science and bubble shows) but hands-on circus camps!
Circus camps with Kaleidoscope are 3 distinct classes that teach kids ages 7-teen some of our favorite types of entertainment here. All 3 are designed to get kids thinking, problem-solving, and moving during short waves of learning.
Our classes are taught primarily by Kenny the Clown, a public school educator and life-long circus entertainer. Kenny will help break down simple concepts into step-by-step instructions that will leave kids with practical skills after the class is over.
Here are some tips for making your circus camp classes a success:
Involve adults! Our entertainers and instructors aren’t able to take responsibility for watching the kids they’re teaching, although many of them are educators and parents themselves. The best run classes always happen when adults (whether they’re counselors, teachers, or parents) learn and play along with the class.
Budget less time and earlier tasks with younger kids. This will set them up to succeed with both their motor skills and attention spans. When you book one of our circus instructors, you’ll pay by the hour and can budget that time with different lengths of “waves” for different age levels or groups.
Consider take-home supplies. Our classes have a fixed hourly price no matter how you divide up the time. But if you have the budget, you can opt to give kids take-home bags of supplies to show their parents and continue the magic at home.
Add a show. If you’re familiar with the classroom “I do, we do, you do”, you’ll know how fundamental it is to give kids context and goals in learning. Before the kids jump into learning, we highly recommend booking Kenny for his hour-long variety show which includes juggling, magic, puppetry, and clowning. The stage show can be done once for your entire camp or school, and then Kenny can accommodate waves of kids in circus camp classes after.
When you book with us, we’ll explain our grab-and-go products designed to be impressive at large events. Generally speaking, we can get up to around 30 designs done per hour per artist (2 minutes per design).
We’ll also quote you for how many artists we suggest at your event and include all bulk nonprofit discounts.
Upon booking, we’ll give you any and all marketing materials you want (from high-res images you can put on billboards to mini sharable social media tidbits).
We’ll also boost your event with our thousands of active clients via email newsletter and social media.
Finally, we’ll help you determine the right system to recoup all costs. For some clients, this might be charging $3-15 per design depending on your audience. For others, this may be an optional tips/donations jar. Either way, all money will go back to your organization.
Stage Shows
If having stations at your event doesn’t make sense, we also have a variety of stage shows. While they cost more per hour than our visual artists, they can entertain much bigger audiences at once and help break up the schedule of your event.
Our magician James has a classical Victorian magic show for all ages that is done with the same materials, tricks, and techniques that would have been done in an 1800’s parlor. Our non-profit clients love that his show is truly a great fit for all ages, as well as that he looks so much like a classic magician that he naturally draws attention.
Our resident clown Kenny can likewise provide a variety show with magic, puppets, juggling, and comedy. While Kenny’s show is built for kids, he includes plenty of jokes and gags for adults and comes in a huge variety of costumes to fit every event’s theme.
But if your mission is grounded more in science than magic, our bubble show invites guests to build a hypothesis and test it as they watch mesmerizing bubble tricks from one of our resident bubble scientists! Each bubble show comes with an optional bubble photo booth which can be used to recoup costs, just like ay of our visual artists.
We also have a science show in development, but if you’re looking to book that now you can ask our office for more details!
Add to The Ambiance
Finally, if your goal is to impress and entertain donors or organizational VIPs, some of our nonprofit clients look for entertainment that adds life to the party.
Stilt walkers are a fan favorite for walks and runs. Our non-profit clients love that they can greet guests at finish lines or help kick off a 5k!
Costumed characters are wildly popular for theme park-style meet-and-greets. They add to the event and can be placed in a booth, on a stage, or left to walk around your event.
Finally, we offer DJs and foam cannons for outdoor summer events. Invite your guests to dance, run, and play through mountains of endless bubbles in the sunshine. Foam events are something that they’ve likely seen on reality TV or social media, and make amazing compliments for 5k events, charity walks, and outdoor carnivals.
Looking for country club entertainment ideas? Kaleidoscope has been helping private clubs create perfect parties since 2013, and with our extensive list of entertainers for hire, your club can boost membership value and engagement all year long.
Here are some of our favorite ways to captivate your members and help you create events unlike anywhere else.
Kaleidoscope is hiring for character actors, face painters, and balloon twisters in all of CT, MA, NH, and RI! Positions pay a high hourly rate and travel–get paid to be the life of a party!
No experience is required since we train for everything. Just make sure you meet the requirements and want to learn some new fun skills.
Alexis is a Farmington CT magician and face painter who is rated as one of Kaleidoscope’s most popular party entertainers. She would love to come to your next event for magic, games, and tons of fun!
December is one of the busiest months in the events industry, and every year our artists entertain at dozens of Hannukah events in synagogues, homes, daycares, and Hebrew / Jewish day schools.
We’ve compiled some of our favorite entertainment ideas that we’ve helped clients dream up for their Hannukah party, and we hope this list can inspire you to come up with a truly unique event this holiday season!
Lean into the Festival of Lights
Our normal holiday menus for face painting and balloon twisting have Hanukkah, Christmas, and secular winter designs that they bring to large events all December long–so if you hire any of our artists they’ll have special designs for Hanukkah.
But for parties that are specifically for Jewish families, we love bringing in UV face painting and LED balloon twisting! Our artists can create all sorts of things that kids will love at your event that will literally glow throughout the night! (And you can either provide your own blacklights or rent them from us at a discounted rate whenever you order a UV or LED package.)
If you’re looking for something a little more elegant (and for all ages), glitter looks also add a special sparkle to any nighttime event. We’ve seen these paired with disco ball-like mirror decorations to transform an entire recreational room into a sea of glimmering magic!
Winter Holiday Face Painting & Balloon Twisting
If you want classic face painting and balloon twisting, all of our holiday menus (which we bring to every event) come with designs for Hanukkah, Christmas, and secular winter. Our goal is to make sure no one feels left out during the winter holiday season, no matter what event they’re attending!
When you invite us to your Hanukkah event (or see us out in public), we look forward to celebrating Hanukkah with Jewish guests!
Try our Fan Favorites
And if you want some classic party entertainment, we have plenty of other ideas that are great for any type of family event!
Caricatures are perfect for organizations that want to commemorate an occasion. Our artists can draw any couple or family and include “Hanukkah 2028” (or whichever year) right on the drawing.
If you’re on a budget, temporary tattoos are also really fun! Artists can get through around double the guests than they can with face painting or balloon twisting, so if you’re looking for something special that doesn’t break the bank, it’s a great budget entertainment idea. (Glitter tattoos and flash tattoos are especially fitting for The Holiday of Lights!)
Want to create Something Custom?
Just ask our office for a quote and check any boxes you want pricing for. We’d love to put together something special for you!
And if you’re looking for additional holiday entertainment, check out our line of holiday entertainment!
Purim is a joyous holiday celebrated worldwide to commemorate the Jewish people’s salvation from extermination in ancient Persia. It’s a day of celebration, feasting, and merriment, with festivities including costume parties, parades, and carnivals. To add more fun to the celebration, why not consider incorporating face painting and balloon twisting into your Purim activities?
Face painting is a great way to get into the Purim spirit. Children and adults alike can enjoy having their faces painted with bright colors and festive designs.
With our full face painting packages (10-12 kids an hour), you can transform yourself into a favorite character from the Purim story, like Queen Esther or King Ahasuerus, just by adding a festive mask or crown. Want something unexpected? Ask for a hamantaschen!
Balloon twisting is another classic form of entertainment for kids and can be tailored to fit the theme of Purim.
When you order our full balloon twisting package (10-12 kids an hour) balloon artists can create various Purim-themed items such as masks, swords, and crowns!
And of course, with both face painting and balloon twisting, kids who come in their own unique costumes can get something that matches what they’re wearing–whether that’s an animal, superhero, mermaid, or anything else they can dream up.
On a budget for a large event? Our artists also offer Speedy Faces and Simple Balloons, which include simple designs outside of a Purim theme but can entertain 20-25 kids per hour per artist.
Here are some examples of the differences in our full design packages and speedy/simple design packages:
Our face painters and balloon twisters come dressed as regular people to entertain at your Purim. But if you want to add that extra level of excitement, ask our office about pricing to have them dressed as costumed characters. If your Purim has a theme, our artists can dress to match! And if you just want some extra costumes, we have pirates, mermaids, clowns, fairies, and more that can come not only provide your guests with amazing art, but make your event feel more festive!
And finally, we love caricatures for Purim because not only are they great for all ages (including teens who might be too cool to dress up) but our artists can draw everyone in their costumes for the year!
We’d love to come make your next Purim event one to remember!
(And if you’re going to be looking for Hanukkah or Bar/Bat Mitzvah ideas, we have you covered too!)
And if you’re looking for additional holiday entertainment, check out our line of holiday entertainment!
Princess parties are one of the most popular themes we see year after year. But with a limited amount of actresses trying to fill a massive demand, we can’t always fill all of the requests we get for princess parties.
So, instead of simply sending a costumed character to your party, we’ve put together a super-fun package for any princess party: royal makeover parties!
Clients looking to hire a magician for their upcoming event normally have two options: strolling magic or a magic show.
We asked our resident magicians Kenny and James (as well as our booking agent Jessica) to help us explain the differences so every client can book the best fit for their upcoming event.
What is the difference between strolling magic and a magic show?
Our magician James performing a stage show
James: In a magic show, there’s a boundary between the “stage” area and the “audience” area. While volunteers from the audience are often invited up on stage, and the magician frequently makes forays into the audience, there’s a demarcation. The stage (or “platform” or “parlor”) magic show is longer — often half an hour or 45 minutes — with several routines consisting of several tricks, to provide a cohesive whole with a theme. Think of a one-act play.
In strolling magic, the magician approaches individuals or small groups (three to five folks, typically) to present one to three tricks. The magic is more like a conversation than a stage play. Often the members of the audience touch and examine the props, and the magic itself takes place in the spectators’ hands. People sitting a dinner, folks waiting in line for some other event, people standing about — they are the ones who have a bit of magic touch their lives. It’s up close and personal.
Kenny: My personal show is a 50/50 mix of comedy and classic magic with a twist of clown charm. You can expect to see me on a stage while I go through one trick after another with plenty of helpers and laughs. Like most magicians, every show I do is largely the same with some adjustments for the event.
My strolling magic is more clowning around. I do plenty of magic, but can cater each interaction to the event and individuals there. That might be some puppets, juggling, clown gags, balloon twisting, or anything else–all depending on what I think will work best for the audience.
What audiences does *your* strolling magic land best with?
James: For me, it’s often folks above the age of six or seven, though young adults through twenties seem to enjoy it most.
Kenny: My strolling magic is great for all ages, like an animated movie that’s made for kids ages 5-9 but has plenty of jokes and puns for teens and adults.
When would you recommend strolling magic over a show?
James the magician performing strolling magic at a public event
James: Would having everyone sit in rows looking in one direction fit in with your plan for the event? Then go with a show. A corporate dinner and awards presentation, for example. If you have more freedom of motion, mingling, and random movement with no fixed schedule for various phases of the day, go with strolling.
Kenny: I recommend strolling magic for fairs & similar big events where there is 100s off people to entertain a few at a time
Jessica:Â In my experience planning events with clients, event organizers who don’t have a formal schedule for their event often like the flexibility of having a magician wander through the audience.
When would you recommend a show over strolling magic?
Kenny performing a stage show at a school event
James: When there’s a schedule, when you expect folks to be all in one place at one time, then go with a show. If it’s mingling/freeform, then go with strolling.
Kenny: Private parties, corporate events, big events if there is ample seating.
Jessica:Â Clients who are booking entertainment with the goal of keeping kids contained often prefer a show so the kids can sit down while parents talk amongst themselves (or also hang out and enjoy the show!
About how many guests will interact with you an hour?
James: For a show — all of them, all at once. For strolling, probably forty people an hour will be directly involved, with as many more looking on as random chance may provide.
Kenny: In a strolling set I can entertain 15-30 people, depending on how amped up the kids or adults are.
What sort of tricks should guests be ready to see in *your* strolling set?
Kenny strolling on a boat for a private summer camp event
James: Folks should expect to see dice, coins, rings, strings, dollar bills. They’ll see classic sleight-of-hand using ordinary objects. They’ll experience the magic in their own hands.
Kenny: Gravity manipulation with water, magic bags they can reach into, a cheeky puppet named Sherbert, ball juggling, and of course plenty of clowning around!
Our summer camp entertainment ideas, activities, and them inspiration are perfect for camps looking for unique programming ideas. We know camp directors face a few challenges: hundreds of kids needing to be entertained, running a complicated schedule, and having to do it all on a budget!
After over a decade of working with YMCAs, town Parks & Recs departments, public schools, and private daycares, we have our summer camp entertainment packages down to a science to make sure all of your campers are thrilled, parents are impressed, and you stay within your budget.
1. Foam Party
Programming Theme: Splash Day
Alternative Theme Ideas: Luau Party, Beach Day
Entertainment Package: We throw a foam party where campers dance to kids bop, take tons of silly photos, and get out all of their energy–all in our amazing foam pit! This “party in a box” model means you have ZERO PLANNING to do, which puts it at #1 for our list of summer camp entertainment ideas!
Bonus summer camp entertainment ideas for your team to implement:
Want to add more to your foam party? Here are some budget programming ideas that your staff can use, based on things we’ve seen other camps do!
Round it out to be a full splash day with more water activities
Water play for younger kids
Water balloon fights for older kids
Water sponge dodgeball
Pool time
Ages: 2 – Teen
Great For: Outdoor camps, camps without pool access
Don’t Recommend For: Camps with only indoor space; daycares that are only for infants and toddlers.
Alternative Theme Ideas: Adventure Day, Magic Day, Aquarium Day
Entertainment Package: We invite a mermaid or pirate of your choice for group shows and individual activities. Gather everyone around for mermaid story time or a pirate magic show, then bring by individual groups for mermaid glitter tattoos or pirate sword balloon twisting.
Bonus summer camp entertainment ideas for your team to implement:
Want to add more to your pirates and mermaids day? Here are some budget programming ideas that your staff can use, based on things we’ve seen other camps do!
Have campers dress up as mermaids and pirates.
Hold a “talk like a pirate” contest all day–give each kid a sticker to start the day. If an adult catches them talking without a “pirate accent” they lose the sticker. Whoever can go the entire day talking like a pirate wins!
If your camp has occasional pool access, this is also perfect for a pool day to keep groups busy while they’re out of the pool.
Ages: Our mermaid story time is perfect for ages 2-6, and our pirate magic show is perfect for ages 4-9. Invite one or both of them for a mix-and-match day that fits your needs.
Great For: Camps with younger kids (for mermaids); camps looking to keep kids busy on pool days (both mermaids and pirates); camps who love dress-up days (both mermaids and pirates).
Don’t Recommend Mermaid Story Time For: Camps that are primarily elementary and middle school (mermaid story time is best for younger kids)
Don’t Recommend Pirate Magic Show For: Camps that are mostly toddlers or PreK (magic needs more attention span than that)
Entertainment Package: Kenny the Clown comes and entertains the whole group with a 30min magic show, then takes groups for a juggling lesson using easy-to-juggle clown scarves. Bonus: add a second clown for speedy face painting or simple balloon twisting.
Bonus summer camp entertainment ideas for your team to implement:
Want to add more to your circus camp day? Here are some budget programming ideas that your staff can use, based on things we’ve seen other camps do!
Put on a talent show to create your own variety show as part of the camp circus!
If you have snack time, consider renting a popcorn or cotton candy machine.
Ages: 4-9 for the magic show, 7-teen for juggling class. Learn more here.
Great For: Camps with a stage; arts camps; camps that can program different activities for different ages.
Don’t Recommend For: Daycares that are only for infants and toddlers
Alternative Theme Ideas: Clown School, Circus Camp, Carnival
Entertainment Package: One of our professional balloon twisters will come with enough supplies for groups of up to 15 kids to learn designs at once. Students will learn between 2-4 designs (depending on age and time alotted) and take home their creations.
Bonus summer camp entertainment ideas for your team to implement:
Want to add more to your balloon class? Here are some budget programming ideas that your staff can use, based on things we’ve seen other camps do!
Have staff come to the class to twist along (and have fun!), as well as keep things running smoothly
Include other balloon crafts like origami or paper mache hot air balloons
Consider balloon-themed sports like water balloon fights, balloon-popping relay races, or water balloon dodge ball!
Ages: 7-teen for balloon twisting class, but professional balloon twisting time can be added so younger kids aren’t excluded. Learn more here.
Great For: Small-group breakouts, library camps, arts or STEM camps
Don’t Recommend For: Daycares that are only for infants and toddlers
Alternative Theme Ideas: Arts & Crafts Day, 60’s or 70’s Spirit Day
Entertainment Package: We set up a do-it-yourself tie dye station using spray-dye for a low-mess experience. Campers can bag their shirts immediately after creation and put them in their backpacks to avoid confusing mix-ups when picking up their shirt (no air-dry time required).
Bonus summer camp entertainment ideas for your team to implement:
Want to add more to your tie-dye station? Here are some budget programming ideas that your staff can use, based on things we’ve seen other camps do!
Host the tie dye station for the first day of Color Wars to get everyone in the spirit, and let our office know at booking what colors your camp teams will be repping so we can bring the right colors for you
Before dying the shirts, let kids get creative with Sharpies and draw their own designs in black (or let them write their name / group on the back like jerseys)
Bust out all of your favorite craft activities like chalk art, weaving, or jewelry making for an amazing art day.
Host a different decade every day of the week, and throw in airbrush tattoos (below) for 80’s or glitter tattoos for 90s/00s/Y2K
Ages: 5 – Teen
Great For: Camps that don’t typically have arts and crafts time; take-home projects
Don’t Recommend For: Camps with indoor-only space; camps that are nervous about kids potentially getting dye on clothing or floors.
Alternative Theme Ideas: Kids in STEM, Slime Day, Science Museum
Entertainment Package: Our mad scientists will present the kids with a show (similar to a magic show but grounded in the scientific method) and follow it up with hands-on slime labs!
Bonus summer camp entertainment ideas for your team to implement:
Want to add more to your science day? Here are some budget programming ideas that your staff can use, based on things we’ve seen other camps do!
Throw contests where the winning group(s) get to “slime” their camp counselors at the end of the day!
Couple this with other STEM projects: paper boat races, pinewood derby, crystal growing, or seed starting!
Make it a “science museum” day and bring astronomy, dinosaurs, or history into your programming with crafts or a movie screening.
Combine it with the Bubble Show (below) for a Science Week
Ages: 5 – 10
Great For: Camps that like to schedule seated activities; arts camps looking for something out of the box and educational; camps with families who value multi-disciplinary activities.
Don’t Recommend For: Camps that focus on high-energy activities; camps that focus on toddlers and Pre-K only.
Alternative Theme Ideas: Splash Day, Kids in STEM, Science Week
Entertainment Package: Our Bubblologist comes and puts on a show that’s equal parts magic and science–all about bubbles!
Bonus summer camp entertainment ideas for your team to implement:
Want to add more to your bubble show and play? Here are some budget programming ideas that your staff can use, based on things we’ve seen other camps do!
Kids love bubbles! Add a bubble station and bubble photo booth for multiple stations for every group to rotate through.
Add crafts to your bubble day like DIY pipe cleaner bubble wands; “bubble painting” with bingo stampers; and bubble painting.
Combine a bubble day, a foam party day, and pool day to create a whole splash week!
Combine it with the Science Show (below) for a Science Week
Ages: 4-10
Great For: Camps that like to schedule seated activities; arts camps; camps with families who value multi-disciplinary activities.
Alternative Theme Ideas: Glow, Overnight Sleepover, Dance Party
Entertainment Package: We provide a DJ, party lighting, and black-light reactive face painting. Your summer camp is instantly transformed to a family-friendly night club!
Bonus summer camp entertainment ideas for your team to implement:
Want to add more to your black light party? Here are some budget programming ideas that your staff can use, based on things we’ve seen other camps do!
Have kids wear only black and white so the white glows under UV
Couple morning black light face painting with a glowing mini golf field trip in the afternoon
Add light painting or glow stick crafts earlier in the day and watch your creations come to life!
Ages: 4 – Teen
Great For: Camps with large indoor space where windows can be shut and lights can be turned off.
Don’t Recommend For: Camps that are only outdoors during the day.
Alternative Theme Ideas: Picasso Day, Day at the Museum, LIT/CIT Appreciation Day
Entertainment Package: We throw a paint party for your teens where we go step-by-step with a real art teacher to create masterpieces we can take home. (The most common paint party feedback we receive from camp directors is “I can’t believe how engaged the kids are”. If you’re struggling to keep tweens and teens off of phones, this is a great activity to have them lock in on the real world.)
Bonus summer camp entertainment ideas for your team to implement:
Want to add more to your paint party? Here are some budget programming ideas that your staff can use, based on things we’ve seen other camps do!
Bust out all of your favorite craft activities like tie dye (above), weaving, or jewelry making for an amazing art day.
Have a “dress like a famous painting” costume contest and assign each kid a famous painting (Starry Night, Mona Lisa, The Scream, Andy Warhol’s Soup Cans, The Persistence of Memory) and give out awards for Most Fashionable, Most Creative, Best Acting, Most Artistic, and more!
Host a chalk art contest where the LITs and CITs work with their groups to create an original piece of work, again handing out awards for Most Colorful, Best Teamwork, Most Artistic, and more!
Ages: tweens, teens, and adults.
Great For: Camps that like to schedule seated activities; arts camps; camps with families who value multi-disciplinary activities; camps with populations of tweens and teens looking for more mature pogramming.
Don’t Recommend For: Camps with limited space; camps that are nervous about kids potentially getting paint on clothing or floors; camps on a tight budget; camps with a focus on kids in pre-K or elementary school.
Entertainment Package: New England’s most popular clown, Kenny, will entertain your kids with a 45-60min show full of comedy, puppets, juggling, and magic.
Bonus summer camp entertainment ideas for your team to implement:
Want to add more to the day you host Kenny’s extravaganza? Here are some budget programming ideas that your staff can use, based on things we’ve seen other camps do!
Have kids create their own paper bag puppets and write their own skits for their original characters.
Face painting is a great way to get into the Purim spirit. Children and adults alike can enjoy having their faces painted with bright colors and festive designs.
