We know that an event can’t be successful without its attendees, and the same goes for family-friendly events. This means that all your event decisions should be centered around your target audience—guests of all ages. Data shows that people want to share special experiences with their children instead of just buying them new toys or iPads. This means that making your event family-friendly could lead to more success! As professionals in the event industry, it is our job to create opportunities for families to come together and make memories. Now is the time to make your events fun for the whole family! 

Want to organize a family-friendly event? Much of the strategy for organizing an event for the whole family is similar to other events. But there are a few extra things to consider. Read on to learn more!

THE PRICE IS RIGHT

Despite the fact that everyone enjoys getting stuff for free, paying for a ticket isn't always a deal-breaker for family-friendly events, as long as it's priced reasonably. Inflation has increased in 2023, and that has surely affected the vast majority of homes in the US. If you want families to attend your event, consider a ticket price that will give you a fair profit while also being affordable for young families!

Here are some other considerations while deciding on ticket prices:

• If your event has activities that cost money, tickets, or coins, offer free admission! This will most likely encourage more people to attend your event, and they’ll spend more money on games, rides, and food!

• If your event offers free activities and entertainment, then an admission ticket price will be expected. You can sell tickets ahead of time by offering early-bird specials or discounts for large groups. This will make families happy and help save some money!

• Attendees anticipate having to pay for food at the event, whether the tickets are free or not. Invite your favorite local vendors to serve up delicious foods that will excite both adults and their children.

PROMOTE YOUR EVENT

Today’s millennial parents often use two methods to engage with events: social media and word of mouth. In fact, the majority of millennials will revert to social media to find events. This means that you need to get your event’s information online! Attendees are not only able to register online, but they will often help spread the word about your event by sharing it on their social media platforms. Free marketing? It’s a win-win! Sending emails and paying for advertising are also great ways to get the word out. If you want to encourage a senior crowd to attend, flyers in the mail or newspaper ads will get their attention. Think about your target audience and how they will best receive information.

INCLUSION IS A MUST 

It is so important to have an inclusive event that is fun and enjoyable for everyone. Include ramp access at every corner of your event for parents with strollers and wheelchairs. Make sure you have a safe location to store unoccupied strollers, or else your event could be littered with empty strollers and disoriented parents trying to figure out which one belongs to them! Accessible bathrooms for guests with wheelchairs and elderly attendees are also crucial to include. Our industry is becoming more aware of the importance of taking care of our neurodivergent guests, so prepare a quiet space for those guests to get a break from all the noise and large group stimulation activities. Family-friendly events should be enjoyed by all, so do your best to consider the needs of others, and you’ll find your guests leaving happy and satisfied!

To learn more about making your event accessible and inclusive to all, read our blog, “Language Accessibility: Ensure Your Event is Welcoming For All” and “How Events Can Better Foster Inclusion”.

KEEP IT CHILD-FRiendly

If you are promoting your event as “family-friendly”, then you need to make sure that all elements of your job are safe for children to be around. We know that beer and alcohol sales are a huge component of the financial success of an event. Although we don't oppose the sale of alcoholic beverages, it's important to avoid fostering an environment that favors excessive drinking and raucous behavior. Happy hour specials, two-for-one drink deals, and other incentive-driven discounts are for another time and place when children aren’t present.

When choosing the music and entertainment for your event, be weary of explicit topics such as alcohol, drugs, sex, and violence. Focus your energy on finding entertainers that stick to appropriate music for the whole family to listen to. Invite magicians, clowns, and dancers to add to the fun!

It is so easy for parents to get caught up in their work, so it’s important to create opportunities for families to spend quality time together. School is almost out, and summer is the perfect time to host your event! The best way to set your family-friendly event up for success in 2023 is with the help of Wizard Studios. Reach out to us today!