Balloon Artist for Events in Boston!

Jungle Jim’s of Boston, Massachusetts delights people of all ages with his amazing balloon sculptures.

If you’re looking for unique entertainment at your next event, consider Jungle Jim’s Professional Balloon Artistry. We twist balloons at corporate events, fairs, festivals, promotions and special events. Our Balloon Artists are Boston’s Best at twisting fantastical balloon sculptures. We don’t just make great balloon animals – we make great memories. What makes us different than other balloon artists in Boston is that we entertain while we twist balloons. We also don’t create just dogs and swords; we make unique sculptures like ladybugs, superheroes, octopi, balloon caricatures and more! Party guests love to bring their balloon sculptures home as a souvenir of the party or event.

Our Balloon Artists create astounding balloon sculptures that will truly impress your guests. The great thing about our balloon art is that we take the time to develop truly complex sculptures. We can make sure all of your guests get to see something that will truly amaze them.

Jungle Jim’s Balloon Twisters are available throughout much of New England including Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and parts of Connecticut. Email or call today for availability.

*Balloon Artistry is a division of Jungle Jim’s of Boston. Please visit our website to learn about the exceptional entertainers in all categories available for your up coming events.

617-223-1700 -or- 1-888-33-JUNGLE (1-888-335-8645)

What Parents can do to Find a Safe Sitter!

Here's a great article from Adrienne Kallweit from Seeking Sitters.  Enjoy!

What Parents can do to Find a Safe Sitter:

It is always important to do your homework when seeking a qualified childcare working to bring into your home. Whether you are looking for a one-night out or a part-time or full-time regular sitter, you should spend the time to take the necessary steps to screen a sitter and find the best match and safest option for your family. Here are some steps that you can use when looking for an in-home childcare professional:

1) Assess your need: research the appropriate pay based on your need. i.e., number of children and experience
2) Obtain qualified applicants: You will want to advertise for sitters in a multitude of locations to get a large pool of qualified candidates to choose from.
3) In Person interview: Find several candidates to conduct interviews in-person and have your applicant sign a background screening waiver so that you can conduct a screening on the applicant.
4) Level of desire: be sure that when conducting your interviews you are identifying that the sitter has a strong level of desire to work with kids and it is a passion.
4) Past Employer Check: Verify reliability through the three most recent employers
5) Verify References: Check at least three childcare related references as you want to make sure the applicant has the experience level that you need for your family.
6) CPR and First Aid: When any childcare professional is working in your home, you should verify that they have CPR and First Aid training. This can be obtained by the local red cross and will help your sitter have the skills necessary in any type of accident in the home.
7) Perform a thorough background screening. I feel this is your most important step as this will give you a behind the scenes understanding into the worker's character and how she will react in certain situations. Make sure to find a reputable background screening company that screens eachapplicant's personal character history, address history, criminal and civil records as well as credit history records.
8) Selection Process: When when you have narrowed down your candidates follow up and find out if the schedule you desire works for their availability and decide on a payment schedule
9) Set clear expectations: Once you have selected your childcare worker, you want to set very clear expectations for the sitter to make sure she has an understanding of what you expect in the home.
10) In-home monitoring: If you choose to have an in-home camera, let the sitter know it is there and use it to your advantage by getting the most productivity out of your childcare professional. You can even utilize a two-way camera that will allow you to say "Hi" during the day to your little ones.
11) Update your Lists: Always remember that there is nothing morepermanent than change and that it is more likely that you will have numerous childcare workers in your home because peoples schedules and needs change. Be comforted in the fact that your children have you as a consistent in their life and that the transition into new childcare professionals can be a welcomed change if you approach it with a great attitude.

It is important to always have a safe and smooth sitting experience when having a childcare worker in your home. This is what we strive for atSeekingSitters, to help families with the above steps as they may be overwhelming for some parents looking for someone to care for their little ones.

http://www.seekingsitters.com/blog/blog.html

Birthday Party Ideas for 8 year olds

I performed at Ameen's birthday party in Wellesley, MA today.  It was a Star Wars Jedi Knight Training party, and it went very well.  But parties for this age, especially when they're all boys, can be a little wild.  Here's a few tips on how to make it a success:

1. Get rid of that energy: 8 year old boys are old enough to need an organized activity, but young enough that they still have a ton of energy.  We use parachute games for this purpose.  I spend about 5 minutes getting the children to expend that energy into the parachute.  When you plan your first activity, try to exhaust the kids.  Seriously, try to exhaust them.  It will pay dividends quickly.
2. Be Strict:  When I arrive at a birthday party with older children, I don't smile for the first 20 minutes.  I'm not a mean person, I swear.  But this is the age where you really have to earn the kids respect.  My sense of humor is very dry, so even when I make jokes, I don't smile.  I do this to gain the attention and respect of the children.  Once we're all working together as a team, then we can really have some fun!
3. Repetition: When instructing the children, repeat what you need done, 5, 6 or even 7 times.  Its a bit of a pain, but these guys at this age have a "pack" mentality, and you need to be able to overcome it.  Don't lose your cool.  Remain calm and keep refocusing the group.

8 year olds can be a tough bunch, but you can manage them.  Just remember who's boss and the end goal: that everyone has fun!

Birthday Party Ideas for 8 year olds

I performed at Ameen's birthday party in Wellesley, MA today.  It was a Star Wars Jedi Knight Training party, and it went very well.  But parties for this age, especially when they're all boys, can be a little wild.  Here's a few tips on how to make it a success:

1. Get rid of that energy: 8 year old boys are old enough to need an organized activity, but young enough that they still have a ton of energy.  We use parachute games for this purpose.  I spend about 5 minutes getting the children to expend that energy into the parachute.  When you plan your first activity, try to exhaust the kids.  Seriously, try to exhaust them.  It will pay dividends quickly.
2. Be Strict:  When I arrive at a birthday party with older children, I don't smile for the first 20 minutes.  I'm not a mean person, I swear.  But this is the age where you really have to earn the kids respect.  My sense of humor is very dry, so even when I make jokes, I don't smile.  I do this to gain the attention and respect of the children.  Once we're all working together as a team, then we can really have some fun!
3. Repetition: When instructing the children, repeat what you need done, 5, 6 or even 7 times.  Its a bit of a pain, but these guys at this age have a "pack" mentality, and you need to be able to overcome it.  Don't lose your cool.  Remain calm and keep refocusing the group.

8 year olds can be a tough bunch, but you can manage them.  Just remember who's boss and the end goal: that everyone has fun!

Birthday Party Ideas for 8 year olds

I performed at Ameen's birthday party in Wellesley, MA today.  It was a Star Wars Jedi Knight Training party, and it went very well.  But parties for this age, especially when they're all boys, can be a little wild.  Here's a few tips on how to make it a success:

1. Get rid of that energy: 8 year old boys are old enough to need an organized activity, but young enough that they still have a ton of energy.  We use parachute games for this purpose.  I spend about 5 minutes getting the children to expend that energy into the parachute.  When you plan your first activity, try to exhaust the kids.  Seriously, try to exhaust them.  It will pay dividends quickly.
2. Be Strict:  When I arrive at a birthday party with older children, I don't smile for the first 20 minutes.  I'm not a mean person, I swear.  But this is the age where you really have to earn the kids respect.  My sense of humor is very dry, so even when I make jokes, I don't smile.  I do this to gain the attention and respect of the children.  Once we're all working together as a team, then we can really have some fun!
3. Repetition: When instructing the children, repeat what you need done, 5, 6 or even 7 times.  Its a bit of a pain, but these guys at this age have a "pack" mentality, and you need to be able to overcome it.  Don't lose your cool.  Remain calm and keep refocusing the group.

8 year olds can be a tough bunch, but you can manage them.  Just remember who's boss and the end goal: that everyone has fun!

Star Wars Jedi Knight Training

Have you ever seen what a Jungle Jim's Birthday Party is like?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WcY0qt3qek

Check it out today!

Flatbread Pizza Somerville

Hey Everyone,

I twist balloons at Sacco's Flatbread Pizza in Davis Square in Somerville every Monday night from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.  Its a great time for families in the Somerville, Cambridge, Arlington area.  Last night, I made Ryan, one of the staffers there.  Take a look:

If you're looking for great food, great balloon artistry and fun for the whole family, come to Sacco's Flatbread on Monday night from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.  You can learn more about Jungle Jim at http://www.JungleJimBoston.com

Jim Manning 

Jungle Jim's

617-223-1700