End of Year Celebrations – Kids just wanna have fun!
A Snapshot of what’s in Cheeki Jean’s magic boxes.
by Cheeki Jean 4 Nov 2025
All you want see are smiling faces, and when you hear those giggles (or LOL’s), you know you can relax – a little :). Happy days mean happy memories. Yay!
There’s someone else who also wants to see your kids’ engaged, excited, and happy. Cheeki Jean. That’s why I do what I do.
I create shows to delight your children – and make happy memories.
But, it’s not about being everything to all people. Just the right entertainer for some people.
Maybe you?
There are certain lovely individuals (you know who you are) who love what I do, and they invite me back year after year (sometimes more often). Their kids are excited to see me again, and to find out what’s in the magic boxes this time.
Because there’s always something new.
They want something familiar, yet different to what they’ve seen before.
I get it. So, I make it happen.
Here’s a snap shot of what’s happening right now:
Let’s start with preschoolers and kindergarteners. The Puppet Magic shows are specially designed for this age group. These are interactive shows that are performed with different kinds of puppets and magic tricks. There are even puppets doing magic tricks! You can expect this part to run for about 30 minutes. That’s followed by your choice of activities.
Your choice of 30 min Puppet Magic Shows are:
*Sox and Gloves
*Scary Things
*Where’s Christmas?
Followed by 30min choice of activities:
*Treasure hunt
*Balloon twisting
*Quick face Painting
*Colour Me
*Puppet games
If, for example, you have a 4th birthday party with 15 kids, I would recommend:
Sox and Gloves Puppet Magic show + Treasure Hunt + Balloon twisting. (Everyone gets a balloon)
If you’re organising for a preschool with 35 kids, I would recommend:
Sox and Gloves Puppet Magic show + Puppet games. (Keeps everyone interacting).
The Puppet games include the chance for all the kids to have a go at controlling a string puppet (very exciting).
Oh, wait a second…..
You want something for middle sized (6-9) kids….
I now introduce you to the ‘Choose your own Magical adventure’ shows. The kids (especially the birthday child) get to choose what happens next, again and again throughout the hour.
You choose which show I bring to your party:
*Witchme vs Favourite Things
*Christmas vs Far away Lands.
So, for example, you pick ‘Witchme vs Favourite Things’. I come to your party, introduce myself and the show. The children then get to choose between ‘Witchme’ and ‘Favourite Things’. If they choose ‘Witchme’ the show continues with some puzzles and magic in that theme. Then they’ll get another choice. Then another…
The kids are creating their own show (bending me to their will), and every show ends up being different.
There are Magic tricks, puzzles, and games. The show runs for an hour, but you are welcome to extend with other activities.
*Treasure hunt
*Balloon twisting
*Quick face Painting
*Colour Me
If you want a more Arty experience the activity called ‘Colour Me’ involves me drawing individual pictures for the children, and they go on to colour their pics. Bespoke Colouring in Pages.
40 kids at the library? All different ages?
You might need the ‘Mad, Mad Hatter show’. The Mad Hatter has lost their Tea Party, and they need the help of the children to find their way through Wonderland (we all need a cup of tea). There are Puzzles, Magic tricks, Maps, and Games. Everyone gets to be a part of this adventure.
Roving Magic required? No problem.
A mixture of balloon twisting and mini face painting? Yes, can do.
I’ve been doing this kind of thing for over 25 years, and you’ll find that I’m fun and organised. Just run your party/event requirements by me, and you and I can work out if any of my shows will be a good match.
Finally, I have a monthly Newsletter email. If you would like to join my email list please send a message to:
cheekijean.news@gmail.com
If you have any questions about anything please send me a message:
jeandixon.entertainer@gmail.com
Insider information – the Kids’ Entertainer.
How to find the best entertainer for your event.
by Cheeki Jean 17 Oct 2025
Excite your kid, bring the children together, and make some cool memories.
How will you find the right entertainer for your kids’ party?
OK, I’m going to get a bit silly now. Here’s some categories that parents/carers may fall in to when trying to book an entertainer:
1) The finger crosser. You end up crossing your fingers and picking an agency. This strategy can turn out well, but not knowing the quality of the entertainer until the day of the event can be a little stressful.
2) The Questioner. There’s an entertainer that you’ve seen and really liked, but you would prefer some different activities. You have more questions.
3) DIY. Of course you can organise the entertainment yourself. It’s a lot of work, but it can be very satisfying. Plus, it’s a great opportunity for you and your kid to triple bond 🙂
4) Whichwayer. Too many recommendations have come your way, and you don’t know which way to go.
Although I’ve been in the industry for over 25 years, I’m always learning something new about kids. I’ve worked with several agencies, and I’ve worked directly with parents, councils, and corporations. People have told me a lot about what they like, but I’m sure there’s more. That said, when it comes to private parties this is what I think you want (generally):
– an entertainer that offers shows and activities that match your child’s wish list; and the expertise to follow through.
– an entertainer who can engage the children, and give your child, and your guests, something to talk about.
It can be tricky. You want recommendations from sources that you trust, but you also may want something different. You want an entertainer who can handle pressure and has lots of interesting things to do, but how can you tell? You want your child and guests to happily talk about the party long after all the cake has been eaten, but what if the entertainer eats all of the cake? (OK, I’m totally joking here, no entertainer will eat ALL of the cake).
This is what I suggest you do. Write down what you and your child like, and then (this is very important) mark the most important activities. I mean the activities that you’d really love to experience, the things that would be special to you and your child. And remember, sometimes letting go of some activities is just as important as the ‘must haves’.
Here are some examples that may go on your list:
– Magic show
– Games set
– Balloon twisting
– Puppet show
– Bubble set
– Face Painting
– Sports set
– Costumed character
– Animal show
– Science show
– Mystery show
– A bucket full of Activities
I think that generally covers it. Expand this list as much as you need to; there’s a lot of options.
Think about what you really, really want.
Focus on that.
Consider recommendations that align with what you want.
If you get a recommendation for a particular agency it’s probably a good idea to request the entertainer that is at the centre of that recommendation.
You may be concerned that an entertainer that you’ve seen before, and really liked, will do the same activities at your party. Ask them. They may have some cool options.
Read the websites and consider who will turn up on the day, and what they will actually do.
Solo Entertainer businesses are likely to be more experienced. This is also where you’ll often find more unusual acts.
If you can speak (or message) directly with the entertainer, and you’re happy with the discussion, then you’re probably onto a winner.
Ask some questions and see what answers you get. You might get Magic!
If you’re based in Sydney and you’re interested in having me entertain the kids at your party, please reach out, I’m happy to answer your questions.
Cheeki Jean
jeandixon.entertainer@gmail.com
Kids’ Party Entertainment – It’s all about the Vibe.
Organising a great kids’ party
by Cheeki Jean 29 Sept 2025
Organising a kids’ birthday party can be lots of fun, but there’ll probably be some tricky bits too.
You’ll have many questions searching for answers. The first question may be; Does your child even want a Party?
Yes, yes, yes! Good. Let’s move on.
It’s time to create a list of questions. Run your eye over this list, and we’ll come back to it later:
1) Where
2) When
3) Who to invite
4) Food
5) Cake
6) Entertainment
7) Theme
8) Presents
9) Party Bags
Before you start making any decisions here is something you may find helpful. Ask yourself this: Of all the celebrations you and your child have attended, what did you enjoy the most? Brainstorm together. Sit down and write out all the birthday party ideas that tickle your fancy. Everything you can think of.
Here are some prompts:
– Charlie had a Dragon cake
– We wore fancy dress to Allie’s party
– Rafael had a magician entertainer
– Bella had a unicorn pinata
– Jack had 10 kids at his party
– Sade had 28 kids at her party
So, what’s on your list? How did these things make you feel?
Wait a second….
You want the vibe, but you don’t want to do the exact same things at your party.
You want your own party mix.
It’s time to find things that will surprise and delight your guests, and make your party special for you.
Let’s go through the list again and see what you can do:
1) Where. No matter where you choose to have your party, place something unexpected in the space to draw the kids’ attention as they arrive. For example; if your party is indoors, release 40 round balloons for the kids to play with.
2) When. Having your party on a weekday, after school, opens up possibilities that aren’t available on the weekend. For example: you can keep the kids together after school, and go straight to the party space.
3) Who to invite. Your child may be more comfortable with a smaller party. If you want to invite only a few kids from school (rather than the whole class) just send the invitation via email rather than delivering paper invitations. This may be a good opportunity to add a more personal touch to the invitation and set up the vibe.
4) Food. This is one area where doing the ‘usual’ is probably a good idea. Keep it simple. Ask other parents.
5) Cake. Small cupcakes do rock – less waste and easy to manage. Of course, the decoration options are amazing, whether it’s professional, homemade, or kid made at your party as an activity.
6) Entertainment. I am a Children’s Entertainer, so I have lots of opinions 🙂 But, for this conversation I’ll say that entertainment is about choosing activities to engage the kids, and then organising the lot. It’s a big job, and there are many choices. But whether you decide to do it yourself or hire someone, entertainment can make a big impact on the vibe.
7) Themes. Many of your questions may be answered with a theme. However, a theme can bring expectations. Is everyone expected to dress in theme? Does the cake have to be in theme? What about decorations? A simple theme may be best. Some examples are; Birthday kids’ favourite colour, or monster, or animal. How good would it be to be known as the one who had the butterfly party?
8) Presents. It’s funny that I have this near the end of the list when it’s usually the first thing you have to manage at your party. Set a table for presents. Make a deal with your child prior to the party that they will open presents after the party (you’ll thank me later). If the kids can’t keep their hands off the presents, pack them into large see through bags (the presents, not the kids). This will protect your party vibe 🙂
9) Party Bags. If you choose to do party bags, a few lollies and a toy that matches your party vibe will be just right. For example; a monster finger puppet is perfect for a monster theme, and a mini bouncy ball is perfect for a games party.
I hope this helps a little. I wish you all the best organising your kids’ party, and I hope you enjoy yourself too.
If you’re based in Sydney and you’re interested in having me entertain the kids at your party, please reach out, I’m happy to answer your questions.
Cheeki Jean
jeandixon.entertainer@gmail.com
Cheeki Tales from Cheekonia
Where’s the kids’ Magic?
by Cheeki Jean 18 Sept 2025
There’s a place that’s very close to where you are now.
A place filled with magic and fun.
A place that can be hard to find with your eyes, but easy if you use your imagination.
Cheekonia.
To find Cheekonia you need to use your mind’s eyes. The eyes that are inside of your mind. Your imagination. These eyes can see what you choose to see.
Try to see Cheekonia now. Use your mind’s eyes.
There are giant purple trees that are bigger than a house. Within the branches and leaves of these trees live dragons. Some dragons are large, nearly as big as a whale; and some dragons are small, only the size of a mouse. These dragons are different colours; blue, green, yellow, orange, red, pink, and purple. All the colours of the rainbow!
Magical people and other creatures live here too. Some are kind, and some are naughty.
I’m Cheeki Jean and I live in Cheekonia. I love magic, and I sometimes leave Cheekonia to bring magic to the children of the real world. The Magic Kids.
Magic Kids are the kind of children who love to play. The ones who use their imaginations and like to have fun. There are also grown ups who want to join in with the kids magic. They are the most special kind of Grown ups.
Do you know any Magic Kids or Grown ups?
Cheeki Jean would love to bring you one of her Kids’ Magic Shows.
