How are noted experts, 2023 has become one of the successful years in the entire event industry. The demand for various events exceeded the supply. There was a great activity of participants at industry forums. A rating of event management agencies appeared, and event industry players began to set new standards and introduce paid contests at events. But in the segment of the children’s event industry, things are different.
Children’s holidays in 2024 are a symbiosis of new technologies, high-quality props and elements of modern youth culture. The industry is actively developing, offering new ways to make children’s events bright and memorable.
Yes, even 10-15 years ago, only very wealthy and advanced parents invited animators. Today, this situation has changed. Animators, photo booths and candy bars have become the standard of any children’s holiday, but the desire for novelty and the desire to surprise children forces event agencies to look for creative ways of organizing events. Here are the key trends shaping the children’s event industry.
Trend #1
Update popular cultural products
One of the main and surefire ways to determine what will be fashionable in the children’s event industry is to pay attention to the latest in movies, cartoons, books and games. At the moment, the industry is increasingly focusing on commercially successful projects, creating parties and entertainment inspired by well-known characters and plots. This ensures high interest and popularity of the activities, leaving children enthralled.
Trend #2
Influence of animators and event venues
Legislators of fashion in the field of children’s events, such as the School of animators, leading children’s holidays (SHVDP) or the School of Animators “Ura! Game!”, continue to actively influence the entire industry. Their experienced teams of animators, charged with creative ideas and inspiration, create new directions in the children’s event industry, which then spread throughout the country and beyond. It is on such platforms that new standards of quality and originality are formed.
Trend #3
Sets and props: focus on quality
Modern customers place high demands on children’s events, especially on the quality of costumes and props. It is no longer enough to show up at a party in a factory-made outfit or one bought on a Chinese marketplace. Today’s character costumes have to be expensive, flashy and elaborate, and the props must be handmade and of the highest standards. Such attention to detail not only delights children, but also increases the professionalism of animators, which is especially important in the face of fierce competition.
Trend #4
Modern technologies in entertainment
With the development of technology, the form of entertainment is rapidly changing. Today, children’s activities increasingly include various challenges and parties in the style of YouTube and TikTok, where boys use smartphones to perform tasks of the presenter, for example: take a common selfie or shoot a video with a flash mob. Parties using a projector and task screen are also gaining popularity, allowing children to interact with the board and complete various tasks. In addition, virtual and augmented reality are becoming an integral part of the holidays, providing young guests with unique and exciting experiences.
Trend #5
Evolution of show programs
Each show goes through its own unique life cycle, where over the course of a season or two it can transform significantly, keeping the game mechanics but changing the format and elements. Yes, the paper show (lots of finely cut paper) gave way to a more intriguing ribbon show, then the idea of adding whisper bags led to the package show, which later evolved into the fluffy show using pieces of lining fabric that resemble snowflakes . These dynamic changes hold viewers’ attention, keep the show at its peak and prevent it from falling in ratings and value.
Trend #6
Summer foam parties
This trend promises to be as relevant as last year, making it a win-win option for summer events.
Trend #7
Neon and aqua grime
Neon parties, shows with elements of aqua grime, as well as weaving neon braids – in short, everything that glows in the dark will become a trend of the current year. Animators and agencies actively update their costumes and props, adding luminous elements to give events a magical atmosphere, which will surely attract the attention of not only children, but also their parents.
Trend #8
Parties for the little ones
Another important trend will be the growing popularity of events for children under two years of age, such as baby shows and parties. Previously, it was believed that children do not understand holidays and it makes no sense to spend resources on them. However, now more and more parents are aware of the importance of early socialization and development through participation in such activities, which makes them in demand and relevant.
Trend #9
Social networks and openness
Today, event agencies actively use social networks to promote their services, relying on the creation of quality content such as Reels and Stories. Here, the main trend has become a new perception of animators: now they are imagined not just as service providers, but as people with their own emotions and needs. The openness and sincerity of the animators, supported by live stories, help establish trusting relationships with clients, emphasizing that behind every event are real people with their joys and concerns.
Trend #10
Online and offline event formats
In the adult market of events, there is a clear trend to move events to an online format or use hybrid models, which is due to the desire of participants to gain knowledge. In children’s events, despite a temporary increase in online activity during the pandemic, this trend has not caught on. Children appreciate live emotions more, and it is offline meetings that provide them with rich and memorable communication.