Birthday Parties

[Kempojujutsu]

For you out there that may do b-day parties, what do you charge, what kind of activities/games do you have for them. Was thinking this could be a good way to promote your school and get some new students. Especially if you give each guest a free pass for say a week of classes. Does anyone have any ideas? :)
Bob:asian:

[Damian Mavis]

!.....how does a martial arts school do birthday parties?

Damian Mavis
Honour TKD

[J-kid]

I went to my Judo contest with my friends and got second. Then with my friends went to hooters , Then went to a mixed martial arts fights, They had submission wrestling . kickboxing it was fun!@

[dsp921]

I had my son's birthday party at his school just a couple
months ago. It was $10 per kid, 10 kid minimum (not real
strict about that), and $75 for the use of the dojo, they
put up some decorations and had table and chairs, and they
did all the clean up. We brought the drinks and cake.
Two instructors were there, they did basic strikes and kicks
on pads, a couple simple self defense techniques, gave the
speech about not using any of it on friends and family, etc.
I think one kid from the party started taking classes.
Oh yeah, it was two hours, one hour for "class" and one
for presents and cake.

-Dave

[lvwhitebir]

There's a site called www.goshinproducts.com that sells a birthday party agenda. Never used it myself, but was thinking about it.

I've heard a lot of pros and cons about doing it. But it seems like it would be cool; for just a few hours of work you get a lot of possible prospects and some cash in your pocket.

WhiteBirch

[Elfan]

Birthday parties are definantly a good way to promote your school. I can think of 3 that do it off the top of my head. Two charge some fee for it (don't recall what) while the third does it for free and uses it as his main form of advertising.

[Nightingale]

just make sure you get a signed waiver from each kid's parents to CYA.

[lvwhitebir]

I found the birthday party info I downloaded a while ago. Hope this helps...

ć Get list of names from parent for VIP passes.
ƒá Prepare ¡§goody¡¨ bags with VIP pass, candy and little toys, stickers, & pencils. Tie with curling ribbon.
ć Order cake 3-4 days ahead of date. (vanilla)
ƒá Order pizza day of party to arrive at 3:00 PM. (Cheese Pizza from Petti¡¦s)
ć Check supplies for party: balloons, pop etc.
ć Schedule SWAT members to assist.
ć Send a note 3 days ahead to birthday child.
ć Send Thank you immediately following the event.
ć Set up obstacle course ahead of time.
ć Have focus pads, boppers, and other equipment ready to use.
ć Arrange for a short demonstration at 2:45 PM.


PARTY GAMES & FORMAT

2:00 PM ¡V Welcome guests. Reward birthday child with special belt. Explain attention stance, bow, ready stance, at ease, and listening position (take a knee).
2:05 PM ¡V Explain & play ¡§Reaction¡¨ (musical chairs) using hand target pads & stereo. Play twice if it goes well the first time.
2:15 PM ¡V Split group into 2-3 teams for Dragon Pop Balloon game. Each child receives a balloon that they need to keep off the floor to the end of the mat where they sit or step on the balloon to pop it. Then they race back & tap the next team member to start.
2:30 PM ¡V Learn the High Block. Have host child demonstrate. Use boppers to practice. Teach kiai.
2:35 PM ¡V Explain & play the ¡§Ninja Noodle Game¡¨. They must duck under or jump over the noodle or use the high block to cover their head.
2:45 PM ¡V Demonstration of katas, weapons, self-defense, & skits.
3:00 PM ¡V Serve Pizza & Pop.
3:10 PM ¡V Open presents. Present a gift from the school (dog tag, mug, T-shirt etc.)
3:20 PM ¡V Learn punch. Have host demonstrate. Practice on hand targets & bags. Then toss a hand target to each child and have them punch it back 4 to 6 times. Remind them of using kiai and punching straight to return the pad straight.
3:30 PM ¡V Learn Front Kick. Have host demonstrate first. Practice on body shields and bags. Divide group into 2-3 teams for a relay to the bags. Kick right, then left & run back to tap the next team member.
3:40 PM ¡V Serve cake with a karate figure on top.
3:50 PM ¡V Obstacle course ¡V Have each child run the course twice and use the best time.
4:00 PM ¡V Distribute ¡§Goody¡¨ bags and say ¡§Come again!¡¨ Host receives leftover pizza and cake.

Post ¡V Party Clean-up:
ć Dust mats.
ć Sweep floor in lobby.
ć Clean off tables.
ć Put away supplies & equipment.
ć Pay assistants (12 & under $5 / 13 & over $10).

Other Games To Add Or Substitute:
¡§Gladiator¡¨
¡§Sensei Says¡¨
¡§Teamwork ¡V Clean-up Drill¡¨
¡§Blind Man¡¦s Bluff¡¨
¡§Dragon-Dragon-Lizard¡¨ (Duck-Duck-Goose)

[c2kenpo]

Originally posted by Kempojujutsu

For you out there that may do b-day parties, what do you charge, what kind of activities/games do you have for them. Was thinking this could be a good way to promote your school and get some new students. Especially if you give each guest a free pass for say a week of classes. Does anyone have any ideas? :)
Bob:asian:

We do bday parties about 3 per month and growing even more. We keep a base charge for the use of facilities and the clean up nothing more the student can bring up to 30 guests. Average turn out is 10-20 guests. Each guest signs a waiver and sheet with name and address and phone.

Parents: Responsible for food/drink and party favors.
Studio: Responsible for games staff and clean up.

Two hour time frame for the party. Games and lesson vary for age groups

A lot of good ideas down here that I can add. THANK YOU ALL!
Email me for mine...I have 6 programs for different groups....too much to list here.. But at the end of the bday give each student a card for free classes for whatever you decided.

TIP:: Not all parents stay. So run bday party a little late till a good amount of parents are there to SEE what thier kids have learned.
I use a concentration game in the beggining of the party and close with it when the parents are picking up kids.

Times up
Dave

[Damian Mavis]

What is the concentration game?

Damian Mavis
Honour TKD

[c2kenpo]

Originally posted by Damian Mavis

What is the concentration game?

Damian Mavis
Honour TKD

Kids love to try to keep up. And it is never about who wins just having fun.
We do the attention stance, sitting hands on knees, laying on your backs, laying on your bellies, back to hands on knees and then the attention stance. We even toss in duck and jump from time to time.
Speed the game up and watch how the kids are locked in to every thing you say and do. This is why I end the bday party with this parents love to see thier kids paying ATTENTION to someone.
Also at the end of the party I sit the kids down and tell them to tank the guest of honor and tell them thank you for coming. While the kids are getting ready to go I announce to the parents that if there are interested in any of the programs that we have feel free to talk to be before they leave.
We are getting 3 bday parties a month and 3 new students so far.
Hope this helps!

Dave

[Shinzu]

i know our school does birthday parties. it's a good way to bring in new students and to expose others to what your students do in the dojo/dojang.

i'm not sure what the cost is but the kids seem to have a good time playing games as well as training.

[teej]

I can also use some advice on hosting a birthday party please. Pricing, format, games, etc. I had a parent ask me yesterday to do one right after Christmas. Not much time to prepare with all the holiday stuff coming.

Thanks for your help
Teej

[Sin]

Birthdays???

::shakes head::....americanized McDojo

[Satt]

You know what's great about birthdays in a dojo??? You get to give "Singapore" style spankings!!! :whip: J/K LOL.

[Flatlander]

Birthdays???

::shakes head::....americanized McDojoWhat is it about holding a birthday party at the dojo that reduces it to a "McDojo"? Would you care to elaborate? I can certainly see why some who have contributed to this thread may find that disrespectful. Perhaps if you clarified your position, you could reduce that likelihood.

[teej]

Americanized McDojo???? Well this is what I would expect from a 17 yr old beginner. But look at it this way. If my students parents are going to spend money for the skating rink or bowling alley to host their childs birthday, why shouldn't they pay me to do it?

I also do not want to be primarily a birthday party host. But I would like to offer it to my students only, as being available to them for being a member.

Any of you out there that are parents like I am are used to hosting kids parties already. Now we have the option to do it and get paid.

I do understand the McDojo thinking, I also want to train my students to survive in todays real world. However; as a business owner, I am open to trying different ways to generate income to be able to keep my doors open so I can train my students as well as provide for my family.

I for one did not take the McDojo comment personally. This young man as he is training for real world encounters outside the dojo, is just beginning to experience the other threats out there in this world. Being responsible for and paying your bills. :ultracool

Teej

[MartialMom]

It just so happens that I had my 7 year old's birthday party yesterday at our Dojo. The turnout was good and the kids had a blast running drills and learning techniques rather than stuffing their faces with pizza and spending their parents money on video games.

As a Mother and a Martial Artist I am glad to see Dojo's offering more than classes to the young martial artists. Too often are the places our children frequent lacking in structure and over abundent in the "stick them in front of the TV or video game and let them stuff their faces into blissful obesity" mentality.

Birthday parties, after school programs and kids fun parties are not "Mc-enizing" anything they are opening opportunities for children to enter the Martial Arts world through a fun yet structured environment where they may have never been introduced to it.

Someone asked about cost. I paid $190.00 but all I had to do was set a time and show up, everything else was taken care of for up to 20 children. I had the option of paying $140 and purchasing my own cake, drinks, etc.

SDA

[Kempojujutsu]

Well, I was the one who started this thread. I was just wanting to know how others handle and run birthday parties at thier schools. I agree with Teej & MartialMom on their comments.

Today martial art owners have to come up with new ways to attract students. Just because you hang a sign up people are not just going to drop in. Marketing is everything. Even the good ones Market themselves.

Wow $190.00 bucks. I charge about a 1/4 of that. Have to look into changing prices.

[teej]

Kempojujutsu, call your area's skating rink and bowling alley, etc. and ask what they charge for birthday parties as well as what they provide. This will give you a better idea of what to charge. It seems that you are rather low with your price depending on what you provided.

Teej

[Lisa]

My youngest daughter had two birthdays two years in a row at our school. Basically I supplied the cake and food and the instructor supplied the place and fun. She loved both her parties, it exposed some of her non MA friends to her training and a good time was had by all. It was a lot cheaper then going bowling or anything else like that and I could afford for her to invite more friends then normally would be allowed.

[TigerWoman]

This is a great idea for the students to share their interests with their friends, to expose them and their parents (our school district forbids any MA flyers) and for the school to build their reputation. Really alot more fun than going bowling, rollerskating, or pool party which seems common. But I'm partial. ;) TW

[Ceicei]

My dojo does b-day parties also. I can't recall the price, but these are held for two hours on Saturdays. The party consists of a fun class of kenpo drills and techniques, a rock climbing session, and of course the food/drinks. The parent(s) provide the cake. Kids love it... and the instructors have so much fun.

- Ceicei

[Sin]

To me the Dojo is some what of a sacred place. It is a place where you can forget about everything but learning your art. Where you can completly consintrate.

I recently got out of a relationship that was good but ended bad. I mean I was at the end of my rope and when I went to the Dojo, we didn't talk about relationships or anything like that we only studied the art. I didn't even think about her. She broke my heart and when I was in the Dojo she didn't matter.

That is why I belive the dojo should be kept sacred and only use it for learning your art. Keep your personal life (I.E. Parties) outside the Dojo. Sure someones birthday can be mentioned in class and invitations to the party at a diferant location can be handed out, and you/your child can be wished a happy birthday. But don't let it take presidence over learning the art

That is just my personal opinion, meaning no disrespect.

[teej]

Well "Sin" makes a valid point, and the dojo does have a sacred meaning and place.

The birthday parties are a business opportunity for after hours times in the dojo. ie, Saturday afternoons & or Sundays. This would not affect the regular students or there training times. In fact, the majority of students would not know that there was a party planned or that there was a party there. You would still be able to relax and do your training as you probably would not be there when any of the party activities happen.

Again, this is for a parent to BUY a party. So they will be inviting other kids,(including non karate student friends) parents and family members to attend. So as a member of your dojo, if you were not invited to this private, paid for birthday party, you would not be there. In fact, you probably would not know anything of the party. You probably would not even know that there had been a party there.

With my dojo set up, the party aspect of tables, chairs, food, drink, decorations, etc. would be in my lobby area. The dojo area is still the training area. So the birthday party attendees would have the fun activities in the dojo. Karate type drills and games, basic strikes, kicks, & blocks would be taught as well as some basic self defense techniques.

So this will enable the dojo the potential to make a little extra money as well as get some new people into the dojo to see what goes on there. The hopefull intent here is not the money, but the potential to meet and eventually get some new students.

As a young, enthusiastic student, Sin may not know how much time, planning and money it takes to advertise for students. Keep in mind Sin, without new students coming in, your dojo would eventually close. Ask your instructor how much it costs to run an ad. How much it cost for a yellow page ad per month.

So think about a birthday party this way. With a birthday party, instead of paying out money for an ad to get people to hear about your dojo, the party hosts are paying me to come to my school for a couple of hours, and they are going to pay me to bring guest with them. I am getting paid to be a host and show them a good time. I am going to put on a karate show with them participating. The idea here is that the kids will have a great time. The partents will see this and may enroll their kids. If they don't do this, at least they will have been in my school, met me and seen what and how I teach. Again, if they did not enroll, down the road if they happen to think about taking karate classes, they will think about me and my school. If the parent hears someone talking about taking karate classes, they will remember and recommend my school.

So again, from a business aspect, instead of paying for an ad, in this instance of a birthday party, I will get paid and I may get some new students from it. Our sacred dojo has to have new students to stay open, or you would not have a place to train. There are exceptions to this I am sure, but if you train in a school where your instructor has to pay rent and make a living from teaching, your instructor also needs new students coming in. He or she may not agree with birthday parties, but your instuctor does have methods in place to attract new students. Birthday parties is another potential method to attract new students and get paid doing it.

No disrespect taken. Sin, you may e-mail me anytime with questions.

Yours in Kenpo,
Teej

[pakua]

Where you can completly consintrate.


.... on your speling :supcool:

But seriously, this had never occured to me. I think it's a great idea. My 11 year old son's friends are all pretty active (soccer, hockey, cricket etc) so why not a Karaty Party. Brilliant.

And what's more there's a McD about 1km away to provide the nosh.

[Sin]

I can see that you want new students coming in all the time, but there are alternitives. Say if one of your students is having a B-Day party and its outside the Dojo. You can go to the party and hand out flyers or Bussness cards (etc) and on those cards you can put on there. Like "Free Week of Karate Classes" ANd as people come in and partisipate they can join the school or not in there weeks vist there.

All in all there are many ways of keeping a Dojo running. Just try not to stray to far from the traditional aspect of MA

[MartialMom]

Sin

The sanctity of a place of practice, worship, meditation, etc. is only tainted by other influences if you allow them to be.

Birthday parties are harmless and in my case nothing more than a pre-paid class with x number of children who eat cake and ice cream in the lobby either before or after. I do not see anything that ruins the sanctity of the Dojo or demeans the traditional value of what is being taught.

I'm not going to speak for other parents, however, I would be disapointed if Sensei came to my 7 year old's birthday party that was not held at the Dojo and began passing fliers and free passes to my guests. That is commercialized intrusion and I know most people hate being sold something when it is inapproapriate and unexpected, like at birthday parties. I would loose respect for my Sensei if this occured. Parties at the Dojo prepare the parents to expect that they will probably be offered free classes and/or asked to fill out visitor cards.

There is peace found in tolerance of others and the internal sanctity and respect for Martial Arts that trivial things cannot remove from you, if you carry this into whatever place you practice and/or meditate it can and will become as sacred as any Dojo ever has been. Such things are maintained by the energy brought rather than the building it is brought to.

Enjoy your weekend.

[Kempojujutsu]

I agree with MartialMom, that is not very tactful to show up at a birthday party and start handing out flyers. There is a time and place to do it. If it is held at your school then it could be done.

[Kempojujutsu]

Something else I have tried and gotten a few students from it. Each Christmas year, I give each student a gift certificate for one month of classes (value $65) They then can give it too anyone they would like. On the certificate there is a From so my student can put there name on it. And To so they can give it to a friend. With some family budgets tight, this is a good way to promote the school.

[teej]

Sin does have a good idea here. Oh coures you would want to be invited to pass out info. If you did know of a student having a party, kids parties usually give out goody treat bags with small gifts to those kids attending the party. So how about offering to give the parent gift certificates for some free classes that the parents can put in the goody bags as part of the gifts to the kids attending?

Teej

(I think Sin realizes you would need to be invited to pass stuff out, it just wasnt' worded that way. And the business owner/instructor also realizes this. Still a good idea there Sin. Thats what these forums are all about for me, stimulating different thoughts and ideas. Nice job! )

[Sin]

If your gonna have the B-day in the dojo keep it respectful to the Dojo and to the art. don't allow it to be tainted with impurities.

Rememmber its a dojo not a recreation hall that can be rented out the the highest bidder.

[RHD]

I understand the needs of a martial business owner to survive and grow financially.

The problem I have with the brithday party thing is that it reduces your school to "martial themed" Chucky Cheese at least for a few hours. I would find this highly distasteful if I were an adult student of serious intent. However, I recognize aas a teacher that out of the average body of enrollment, there are relatively few adults who would fit that description.

So...If it helps you stay alive and prosper, and you have the tolerance and interest in doing that sort of thing...Good for you. It's a shame though, that after all that sweat and blood sacrificed to get where you are, to stay there you have to be an entertainment service. :shrug:

Mike

[Adept]

If your gonna have the B-day in the dojo keep it respectful to the Dojo and to the art. don't allow it to be tainted with impurities.

Rememmber its a dojo not a recreation hall that can be rented out the the highest bidder.
Dont worship the room. It's only wood, metal and stone. Save your respect for the arts and their masters. You can train anywhere from your garage, to the beach, to the street or public park.

[Ceicei]

Dont worship the room. It's only wood, metal and stone. Save your respect for the arts and their masters. You can train anywhere from your garage, to the beach, to the street or public park.
Excellent point! For most people, it is just that--training can be done any where...

- Ceicei