There’s nothing like the happy chaos of hosting your child’s birthday party at home. There are streamers to buy, cupcakes to bake, and family heirlooms to secure in off-limit areas of your property.

Planning the entertainment—in advance—is key, and programs can include storytelling, magic shows, animal demonstrations, scientific activities, and more.

There are many professionals in Connecticut and Rhode Island who delight young audiences with their performances. We spoke with some of them to find out more about what they do and what parents should expect when they hire someone.

Simply Enchanted, Westerly

Rochelle Weinrauch is an actress and singer who has always enjoyed fairy tales. She says it was a natural step to start a business specializing in princess parties.

During the party, Rochelle takes on the role of a princess character. Her program includes activities such as singing, storytelling, a princess coronation, games, and photographs with the princess.

Transforming into a princess isn’t as easy as the Fairy Godmother made it look. Putting on stage makeup alone is a process that usually takes about an hour. Some costumes include corsets, hoop skirts, or other features that lengthen the preparation process. In the end, Rochelle typically needs 90 minutes to two hours to prepare. And while sitting in traffic in a corset isn’t the most comfortable thing in the world, Rochelle says it’s all worth it.

“The most rewarding part about putting on a children’s birthday is the smiles and hugs I get from the children, especially the birthday child when they feel like you’ve just made their dream come true,” says Rochelle.

When booking any performer, Rochelle says, it’s especially important to check the performer’s availability before sending out your invitations. It’s also good to be flexible about the date if the character is going to be the most crucial part of the party. Even if your ideal time slot is taken, a performer might be able to show up later or at the same time on a different day.

Parents can also help out the entertainer at a party by reading the contract details and keep up with e-mail correspondence so they know whether any preparations are necessary. For example, Rochelle’s parties a space with access to an electrical outlet for her stereo system.

Limiting distractions also can help ensure that children will be more invested in an entertainer’s performance.

“Kids have short attention spans, so the more activities that are available to them at one time—such as character and bounce house—the less attention they will give to the character,” says Rochelle. “Which means you’re not getting your full money’s worth.”

A one-hour party package from Simply Enchanted starts at $300. As with most performers, tips are appreciated but not expected.

Rochelle says the cost of a performance takes many factors into consideration. These include a non-character assistant to help set up the party, costumes and makeup, travel, props, and maintaining a website.

“There’s a lot more behind the scenes work to make a party magical than one might realize,” she says. “Whether you hire me, Simply Enchanted, or another company, just do your research to know what type of experience you’re going to get at your party.”

For more information on Simply Enchanted, call 401-603-8520 or visit simplyenchantedparty.com.

Riverside Reptiles, East Granby

Working with animals and running educational programs is a dream job of Brian Kleinman’s, even with the challenge of caring for 150 animals and a large cockroach colony to feed them.

As the owner of Riverside Reptiles, Brian visits schools, libraries, camps, and other venues to teach children and adults about these animals. He can also be booked for birthday parties, usually bringing nine or 10 animals with him.

The program teaches children about the species, including its natural history and fun facts. It also includes a feeding demonstration and the chance for children to touch or hold most of the animals. Brian says he particularly enjoys it when a child who is hesitant about interacting with a creature at the start of the program is comfortable with holding a snake at the end.

“My goal in doing these educational programs is to change people’s misconceptions and irrational fears of amphibians, reptiles, and bugs,” he says.

For this reason, it can be frustrating when an adult expresses aversion toward an animal in front of the partygoers. Brian says that while he appreciates having one or more adults in the room to help manage the party, too much chatting among the group will interfere with the program.

Another way parents can help with an animal demonstration is to provide a parking spot close to the home, since creatures such as pythons can be quite heavy and difficult to carry. A tent or other shady area is ideal for outdoor parties.

“Lizards love hot sun, but most kids and bald reptile guys do not,” Brian jokes.

Book at least a month or two in advance, especially for weekends, since these dates can fill up quickly. Riverside Reptiles programs usually last about an hour and cost $230 plus travel, which typically ranges from $5 to $60 for Connecticut locations.

For more information on Riverside Reptiles, call 860-653-2535 or visit riversidereptiles.com.

Sunny Train, Westbrook

Christopher and Anastasia Jankowski (right) are the husband-and-wife duo who make up Sunny Train, a children’s musical group. Between them, the couple plays numerous instruments including the ukulele, mandolin, saxophone, trumpet, and harmonica. In addition to their public performances, Sunny Train can be booked for private birthday parties.

“We are both longtime performers and educators who found that creating together, and sharing it with children, is the ultimate reality of our dreams,” says Christopher. “We are so grateful to say that what we do is what we truly love.”

In addition to the music, Sunny Train provides a variety of entertaining activities at a party. These include yoga, theater, circus arts, and “the world’s biggest bubbles.” Children are provided with props such as egg shakers, hula hoops, rainbow streamers, and drums to add their own accompaniment to the tunes.

While last-minute requests can sometimes be fulfilled, Sunny Train is more likely to be available if you call with as much advance notice as possible. Christopher says parents should also provide as many details such as the age of the birthday child, the number of guests, what types of entertainment you are interested in, and whether the party will be taking place indoors or outdoors. This information helps the duo set up an appropriate program for the party.

“The work of a children’s entertainer is pure happiness,” says Christopher. “An experienced, professional children’s entertainer has the ability to create magic at a time of celebration and love. We facilitate a joy and connection that creates memories to last a lifetime.”

Private performances by Sunny Train vary based on the location, size, and time of the party. The current rate is $250 for a 45-minute performance, and discounts are available for early bookings and Music Together families.

For more information on Sunny Train, call 860-304-2651 or visit sunnytrain.com.

Creative Fun Faces, Niantic

When she was a young girl, Amy Moreno’s family predicted that she would become either an artist or a nurse when she grew up. She had demonstrated a talent for art, and would later attend the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, but her kind personality was also well-suited for the medical field.

The prediction was close to the mark. Today, Moreno works as a medical assistant in a pediatric office and runs the business Creative Fun Faces. This enterprise brings her to a variety of events, including children’s birthday parties, where she creates a range of beautiful face painting designs.

“The most rewarding part about the children’s party for me is making them happy for their special day, and knowing that I was able to create that,” Amy says.

On the day of the party, Amy arrives early to set up the materials for face painting. The birthday child gets to have their face painted first, and she usually hands out numbers of other children so they can enjoy other activities instead of waiting in line. However, many children are fascinated by her work and stay to observe the painting process.

In addition to face painting, Creative Fun Faces does glitter tattoos. Balloon twisting work is also available on request.

Amy says parents should provide an estimate of the number of guests, since face painters use this number to determine how much time they will need to attend to each partygoer. She says she does not require much notice, but tries to limit her bookings to one or two a month.

Rates for face painters tend to increase with the artist’s training, since they offer a higher skill level and can complete their work more quickly. Creative Fun Faces bases its rates on travel times and the number of guests, charging $75 to $100 per hour for 10 to 15 children and $150 to $200 per hour for 16 to 25 children; glitter tattoos and balloon twisting are an extra $25 per hour for each.

For more information on Creative Fun Faces, call 860-451-2179 or visit creativefunfaces.yolasite.com.