Party business market research?

[rubytue]

Would you all mind helping me? Full disclosure, I’m running off something my friend and I came up with this morning, and I think it actually might have potential. Not being a mom, could you let me know if I am off base?

The target audience is probably middle school boys. It would be someone that comes to your party and runs a 2-3 hour role playing game for the kids? Think DnD adjacent. Might be good for an evening activity before a slumber party (game master would leave before the slumber part of course). 

Not asking about price, because that’s so market dependent (and I know what an onsite “princess party” costs in this market). 

What would you expect such a service to provide? The game, obviously. But more like tables? Chairs? A bunch of cloaks and/or costume props? Decorations? Food?

And then, for the employees? The game masters would probably be 20-something males. Background checks, sober. And a second adult to observe. What other concerns would moms have with something like this? 

Corollary is the same concept but for group murder mystery-type dinner parties (teamed up with a caterer). I just think the kids side would have a better market. 

[dish2501]

Video game trucks are hugely popular here. They are about $400 for a few hours. I absolutely love your idea. I’d expect the business to provide everything needed: tables, chairs, props, etc. Maybe I’m naive, but I would not expect background checks on the employees. I’d essentially want to only supply the house and food.

3 hours is probably too long. Boys don’t really care about decorations usually.

[waverly]

I think for the game trucks, they have their own seating, so whether you bring a gaming table and chairs might be a discussion between the host and the vendor. Some have their own and some do not.

My experience, is that the attention span might be less than the 2-3 hour mark on one thing. In our circle, the middle school boys like to go to the park and play flag football, basketball, and geocaching. An outdoor game element similar to geocache might be of interest for those that want to move around a bit in the backyard.

Some like to dress up some do not, I think that is personality dependent, but you may want a few items. I don't really have concerns considering they are on my property and I am there. DS just isn't personally interested in that, and I did try to get him to go to one that the library sponsors. I do see some party vendors provide decorations, for example those that are providing a sleep over party set up with those little tents. And lots do balloon arches etc.

I don't think party entertainment typically provides food. You might keep some pizza suggestions on hand if anyone asks for ideas.

[expectantsteelerfan]

While I think it's a fun idea, that's a very niche party. I've got 2 teens, and neither got 'into' roll playing games despite being the types of kids who might enjoy them and my dh and I suggesting them as activities for them. I don't believe any of their friends are into them. I have 1 adult friend who I know is into them, and still meets up with a group to do so. If you end up doing this, I'd be prepared for groups of adults or mixed groups to inquire as well, and to know whether you want to take those on too (not because they need someone to lead them, but maybe for special occasions to add something to their usual meetings).

I honestly don't know if my kids would choose to go to this type of party if invited, unless it was for one of their very best friends. As a parent, I would have been wary of having that type of party unless I knew all the kids who were invited were into it or at least open to it. Of course, there are groups of friends who all do roll-playing games together, so I'm sure there would be SOME interest, so if you're only thinking an every once in a while gig, that might be good, but it might not be cost-effective for the things you'd need to purchase/provide.

Like pp, I'd expect you to provide anything needed to make the game playing fun and comfortable, so if that means table and chairs, then yes have them to offer, def. costumes/props, and decorations maybe if it would enhance the playing/experience, but not things like plates/napkins etc. Def. wouldn't expect you to provide food.

[wanderingback]

I have no insight on the concept, but For me personally if I were hiring for a kids party I would at least want the option to have everything included, so I didn’t have to think about anything.

That might not be everyone though. So having packages would probably work well. For example, game only, game and food only or game, food and supplies.

[noodleoo]

I could see this being a profitable side business assuming you offer a range of types of games and not just DnD. I’d expect you to take care of everything: provide all games, props, and specifically have a very kid friendly adult who will run the whole party and keep the kids entertained. I actually think 2-3 hrs is way too long. Most kids parties are 1 hr of activity and then 30-45 mins for pizza /cake. I think you could offer different packages but definitely do a 60 mins one, that’s probably the most popular. When we’ve hired princesses for my girls parties, we did the 60 mins package and then take care of the food/cake ourselves. (Note my kids are 6 and 9 for reference. I expect by middle school we will stop paying for party entertainment and just let the kids figure it out themselves).

Pricewise: it would need to be around $250 for an hour or less for me to deal with the hassle of having the party at home. We can host parties at a play place for $300-500 (and up but we avoid the super expensive places). It is totally worth the extra money to not have to deal with the mess and effort of having it at home.

ETA: definitely have your staff background checked! I just assumed that all the places do that. But it’s also a liability for you so I would make that a prerequisite before hiring anyone.

[mccallister84]

I think the number one thing is to have someone who is going to be AMAZING at engaging middle schoolers, which is a tall order. I don’t know enough about role playing games to really advise on the rest, but I do know that Blood on the Clocktower - a werewolf type game - will run a virtual game for you for $300ish. I considered doing something like that because I thought it could be fun to get a group together to celebrate a birthday and we are not geographically close. I don’t know that I would feel the need to have someone do it in person.

[thebreakfastclub]

For kids who are really into games like DnD, they usually play at card/game stores in my experience. The stores have specific times that they host game play.

So those kids would just meet up at the local store to play with others who are also into the games.

[devonpow]

My kid is really into D&D but can you even really have a good game in one sitting? The campaign he’s doing has been going on for literally years. I admit I don’t know much about it though - only tidbits of what he tells me.

We live in a HCOL area. I’ve done things like hire a face painter/balloon artist for parties. I feel it’s usually around $300-$400 for a few hours

[devonpow]

Oh kind of s similar thing - to hire someone to do a trivia game (for a larger group) it’s $500. The game lasts 2-2.5 hours and they bring the sound equipment, trivia sheets etc

[brooke77]

I am not familiar with the game, but I would expect whoever I hire to provide themed invitations (online), game, game master, cake, decorations, props, and plates/napkins. I would love if there were add-ons (more time, more players, gift bags, more food, etc). My expectation is that the basic package would include all the major things for a 90 minute party.

This sounds like a fun idea! Planning parties is my least favorite parent activity.

[tacokick]

Reminds me of the LOTR episode of Gilmore Girls.

I’ve seen people do this at the library who also to do parties but I think you’d have to cover a pretty large area to be successful since it’s pretty niche-y.

Unless you are teaming with a caterer, I would think food would be the most difficult part because there are a lot of regulations around that and it’s very time consuming to prep, set up and transport. Maybe a cake or cupcakes if you easily and reliably outsource that.

I think just what is needed to play the game and decorations would be what most people would expect. Maybe tables and chairs but I’d really up price on that in the hopes most people don’t want you to provide them because that would be a pain to set up and store

[rachers]

I would focus on the game/staging/decor over food or snacks. I’ve outsourced for several parties and I’d rather source the food myself.

I think it’s an interesting idea! I know parents in my area are always asking for new ideas. Maybe make it more general and not super role playing? That seems a little niche.

[rubytue]

Nov 11, 2024 17:59:03 GMT -5 devonpow said:

My kid is really into D&D but can you even really have a good game in one sitting? The campaign he’s doing has been going on for literally years. I admit I don’t know much about it though - only tidbits of what he tells me.

We live in a HCOL area. I’ve done things like hire a face painter/balloon artist for parties. I feel it’s usually around $300-$400 for a few hours

There are “one shots” designed to be 2-3 hour. Pretty sure they have 1 hour ones, too. Honestly, I am not the SME on the gaming part, but would fund the startup costs and be CFO. 

I checked and someone already has the gaming truck franchise locally lol

This is partially motivated by some sort of exit plan given the shit show about to happen and my source of income. I’m also training myself in fencing tournament stuff (reffing, etc) to help fund that when I am RIFed. 

[tacokick]

I would also think you might have to market this more than something more common like a princess party. I think it’s something people might be interested in but wouldn’t think to search out.

My guess your primary audience would be kids who are interested in this sort of activity but maybe haven’t done it before vs the kids who are already playing on their own or at a game store so you’d have to connect with them somehow.

If it was me, I think I’d offer birthday parties but also something more casual like teaching kids how to play on a random Sunday afternoon or being a regular paid dungeon master (or whatever they are called). Activities that might pay less but would perhaps be more regular and not require things like decorations or dealing with the stress of something as fraught/chaotic as a birthday party. Libraries, book stores, museums, schools or community centers might be interested in hiring someone like that too.

Teachers looking for a second job would make good employees for this.

[Poppy]

My 5th grade son would love it. He and 3 friends from school meet weekly at a local game store for their DnD thing, plus two of the dads have run campaigns for them. You could definitely do a one shot campaign although getting everything done in an hour would be really tight, and it would depend on whether they knew the framework already.

For DnD I would expect you to come with the campaign, characters, dice for everyone (this could be a take home component), and a couple copies of the players' handbook. I would not allow people to bring their own characters for a one shot. Things like printed maps and figs or item and character cards would help make it more immersive. I personally would skip the robes but I'd bring some background music or something to help with theming.

If you have a location that can host, that would be a major upside.



Honestly, though, maybe you would be better off doing an after school program type thing. Easier to find the clients once than as one offs, easier for hiring folks due to the regular schedule, etc. Here, 3rd party companies come into the school for the hour after the bell and run their programs (science, robotics, art, Spanish, etc) and then you'd be able to use the school as a venue. Some have programs at 5-10 schools so do one day a week at each school.

[purplepenguin7]

This is more physical than role playing, but someone I know hired this company for a 10 year old boy birthday. It went over super well with this kids. The instructor provided all equipment and took full control over the games. No food or decor or anything additional was included. Maybe you can source some ideas even if it’s a different type of game.

backyardpe.com/

[momin2013]

Re what I’d expect to be included, I think that would be very hard to determine. Let’s say for the game to work well, you need a table with 6 chairs. Would you ask the homeowner if they have a setup already that would work well, or would you bring the table and 6 chairs regardless? What if they say they have the right setup so you don’t bring it, but when you arrive you find their setup really won’t work? Lots of variables there.

I would not get into food at all - too many risks there with allergies, keeping a proper kitchen that’s approved as a food prep business, etc.

I agree with PP’s that this sounds like a very niche idea. I think you might have more success if you offer more ‘themes’ besides the board game. What about craft parties, where you offer a lineup of certain crafts available. A very basic idea would be, say, bead necklaces - you show up with the string, beads, trays, etc., set it all up, then the attendees spend an hour or on the craft.

I think the main turnoff for me about this type of party is the idea of having someone I don’t know in my home. But I realize that’s likely a ‘me’ thing.

[vamoose]

My middle schooler likes dnd. The issue we would run into with this party plan is that not his whole friend group likes dnd or role play games. Most do not. So then I would be afraid the game would have three kids playing and the rest running amok. Maybe you could have back up alternate games or activities for strays that don’t want to play (I’m thinking jenga or other easy to drop in and out types of games).

I have heard of a party that did a video game themed murder mystery that sounded fun for the tween set but I don’t know any details. That might work well with your planned adult offerings. Minute to win it games are also great for boys at that age, so maybe offering to run a set of minute to win it games and having prizes and all of the supplies and a fun person to run everything? No sure how see you are on dnd type games.

Oh, and I have never had a party activity vendor offer food. They sometimes bring small trinkets for the kids to take home.

[gerberdaisy]

Don't know anything about DnD, but we did a murder mystery birthday party for DD a few weeks ago. It was a kit that was purchased online, but I would have loved hiring someone to come and administer it.

It was actually rather stressful and a lot of work to run, and we needed more games to break up the mystery part of it. The party was 3 hours total and 2.5 would have been sufficient.

For this we would have needed all the material for the mystery, 2-3 additional games to play, perhaps photo booth set up (props/back drop). I don' think food would be necessary to offer.