By Goldie Chadowitz, Taylor Lynn Corporation London
When you plan events for a living, people often assume your children’s parties are extravagant productions, circus tents in the garden, unicorns in the kitchen, fireworks at bedtime. The truth? As a mum to an eight-year-old boy and an eleven-and-a-half-year-old girl, I’ve learned that the secret isn’t scale, but personalisation. Children don’t care about spectacle for spectacle’s sake. What lights them up is when a party feels like them.
It’s Not About Scale, It’s About Personality
I’ve designed events on every scale, from wedding banquets to intimate birthdays, but the approach is always the same: get to the heart of the person or people we’re celebrating. With children, that’s even more crucial. They’re wonderfully uncompromising about what they love!
For my son’s eighth, the request was clear, paintball. Not bigger, not flashier, just paintball. So, we didn’t overcomplicate it, we booked an all-inclusive experience where he and his friends could run, laugh and let off steam. The personal touches made it his; each guest went home with a hoodie stamped with a bespoke logo we designed just for him, and the cupcakes were tailored to every dietary need, so no one felt left out. Months later, those hoodies are still being worn, and every time I see one, I’m reminded that more thought always wins.
And for my daughter, the dream right now would be anything K-Pop Demon Hunters, it’s all she talks about and sings! So, I’d build a party that let her and her friends step right into that animated world. Imagine a studio-style space with neon backdrops and stage lighting, a playlist and a choreographer teaching the group a routine to perform together. Add in a craft or beauty activity, K-Pop nail art, perhaps, and don’t forget Korean snacks. Then send them home with personalised swag bags full of customised phone cases, keyrings, the lot…
Both would be unforgettable, because they reflect who they are.
Bringing Their Passions to Life
This is where the magic of bespoke comes in. Instead of reaching for a generic “princess” or “superhero” theme, ask: What makes this child unique? Maybe it’s a fascination with volcanoes (cue a mini science lab with bubbling experiments). Or maybe it’s a passion for animals, so we create a mini “safari” complete with a petting zoo, jungle-themed games and explorer hats for all. One of my favourites was for a young bookworm: we transformed a marquee into a library, with storytelling corners and a cake in the shape of their favourite novel.
Food is another opportunity to bring personality into the mix. Rather than the standard pizza-and-chips spread, why not design treats that echo a child’s passions? Cupcakes iced like footballs, a violin-shaped cake, or even build-your-own burger stations for budding chefs. Children love to see their interests come alive in edible form.
A Mum’s Perspective
Of course, behind the scenes, these parties need the same careful choreography as any high-end event: creative suppliers, entertainers who truly connect with children, and décor that balances wow-factor with practicality (and wipe-clean resilience!). But when it all comes together, the result is priceless. Time and again, parents tell me the best parties are the ones where their child feels truly seen.
For me, the joy of this work is blending my professional toolkit with my perspective as a mum. I know what excites children, what overwhelms them, and what sends them home overtired. And I also know that years from now, my kids won’t remember how tall the balloon arch was, they’ll remember that their party reflected who they are. That’s what makes “personalised and bespoke” so much more than a trend.
Because in the end, whether you’re eight, eleven-and-a-half, or forty, a celebration should be a mirror of your personality, your passions, and your story. And that’s what makes it unforgettable.
Whether you’d like a little help keeping the day running smoothly or a fully bespoke party from start to finish (think mini-Disneyland at home) TLC can sprinkle extra magic on every detail, so the celebration feels truly unforgettable.
www.tlc-ltd.co.uk | email: [email protected] | 0161 876 6266
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Goldie’s Top 5 Tips for a Truly Bespoke Children’s Party
- Start with their passion
Ask your child what they’d love most – their answers may surprise you. The best themes often come from their quirks and obsessions, not from Pinterest boards. - Make food part of the fun
Tie catering to the theme. From galaxy cupcakes for a space party to DIY pizza stations for budding chefs, edible creativity always goes down a treat. - Think experience, not excess
A magician who teaches tricks, a choreographer who gets everyone dancing, or a mini science lab; interactive activities create far richer memories than heaps of décor. - Balance wow-factor with practicality
Beautiful setups should still work for children. Think safe props, easy-to-move chairs, and quiet corners for kids who need a breather. - Celebrate the little things
Focus on details that reflect your child. From a cake shaped around their favourite hobby to personalised invitations with their very own logo.
