How to Politely Handle Other People’s Naughty Children

Because sometimes the chaos isn’t coming from your own kid…

You’ve planned the perfect kids' party. The balloons are up, the cake’s ready and the entertainer is keeping the kids giggling. But then it happens - one child starts to act out. Whether they’re refusing to take turns, shouting over the entertainer or kicking off over cake slices, the truth is: it’s awkward.

So, how do you handle other people’s misbehaving children without offending their parents or making a scene?

At Non Stop Kids Entertainment, we’ve been to thousands of parties - and yes, we’ve seen our fair share of meltdowns, mini tantrums, and high-speed sugar crashes. The good news? There are ways to manage these moments gracefully and politely. Here's how.

1. Stay Calm and Non-Judgmental

First and foremost: don’t panic, and don’t jump to conclusions. All kids have off days - sometimes it’s tiredness, sugar, shyness or just plain overstimulation.

• Use a calm tone

• Avoid labels like “naughty” or “bad”

• Assume the best - maybe they’re not used to structured parties or big groups

Treat the behaviour as a moment to redirect, not discipline

2. Give Gentle Reminders of the Rules

Sometimes a child just needs a quiet nudge in the right direction. Use language like:

• “Let’s give everyone a turn so it’s fair.”

• “We’re using our inside voices for this game.”

• “Why don’t you come and help me hand out the party hats?”

Framing it as inclusion rather than correction can work wonders.

3. Get Them Involved, Not Isolated

Often, disruptive behaviour from children comes from boredom or feeling left out. Try assigning small tasks that make them feel special:

• Holding the music speaker

• Helping hand out props

• Being the “party helper” during a game

4. If It Escalates, Speak to the Parent Privately

If a child is becoming aggressive, unsafe, or repeatedly disruptive, it’s time to loop in the adult who brought them. Here’s how to keep it polite:

• Keep your tone friendly and concerned, not blaming

• Focus on the behaviour, not the child: “Jack’s finding it hard to stay calm - would you mind giving him a little breather?”

• Suggest a cool-down or snack break

Most parents will appreciate the heads-up, and many will already know their child can be a handful in party settings.

5. Manage Expectations in the Invite or Welcome Speech

If you’re expecting a bigger group or more structured entertainment, it’s okay to set boundaries in advance. You can say:

• “We’ve got an entertainer, so the kids will be doing games and shows - thanks for helping keep things on track!”

• Include a note on the invite like: Please supervise younger siblings, as we’ll have group games throughout.

This makes your expectations clear - without singling anyone out.

6. Talk to Your Entertainer (That’s Us!)

At Non Stop Kids Entertainment, our entertainers are experts in crowd control without conflict. We use:

• Non-elimination games that keep everyone engaged

• Positive reinforcement to encourage good behaviour

• Subtle redirection techniques when kids get too wild

We don’t just perform - we manage the room, so you don’t have to play referee.

7. After the Party: Let It Go

If a child’s behaviour was truly disruptive, you might be tempted to vent in the group chat. But unless something serious happened, it’s usually best to:

• Move on - kids are unpredictable, and parents often feel worse than you do

• Address it privately if needed, especially if it affected your child

• Remember that one tricky guest doesn’t ruin the entire celebration

You created a magical memory for your child - and that’s what matters.

Let Us Handle the Chaos (So You Don’t Have To!)

Planning a children’s party doesn’t mean you have to manage every mood swing, meltdown, or cheeky moment on your own. With Non Stop Kids Entertainment, our trained entertainers know exactly how to handle the unexpected, keep the energy positive and make sure every child has a brilliant time - including the ones who might need a little extra attention.

From hilarious magic shows to immersive themed adventures, we know how to engage every personality type in the room - and make life easier for you.