Angel Eyes Lifeguards watches over kids (and adults!) during back yard pool parties or swimming events. The company is now in its 17th year of professional service.

The staff is Red Cross certified in Lifeguarding and CPR. Members are also first-aid qualified, as well as responsible, mature, and friendly.

Lifeguards arrive professionally dressed, safety equipment in hand.

ArtKisses is a professional face painting service serving the Bay Area for more than seven years. All of the face painters are college-trained artists, muti-cultured, and working as art teachers and professional artists.

Ash K. the Pretty Good is trained in magic and the art of being with children. He performs at events ranging from children's parties, library shows, city shows, and school shows to corporate events for grown-ups. Guided by the company’s motto, “Appropriate entertainment for all, 1st graders to visiting dignitaries,” his magic show is a combination of “interesting” use of the English language, physical humor, and playfulness.

Ash K. the Pretty Good has been entertaining folks for over twenty-five years, and can even do shows in Balka (his mother tongue) French or German.

When GoCityKids visited a recent show, the six-year-old sitting next to us said, "Wow. That guy can really do magic. And he's hilarious, too!" (That kids happens to be a close relative who is usually fairly shy; but Ashkenazi had him in stitches the whole show.)

Benny and Bebe offer packages for birthday parties that include a comedy magic show, balloon sculpting, face painting, and temporary tattoos. Additional options include mini workshops in magic, juggling, plate spinning, a bubble environment, and arts & crafts. Puppet party packages are available, as well.

Benny and Bebe also present educational multicultural shows for elementary school assemblies, including The Wizard School of Magic & Science, Tricksters the World Over (Tobacco Use Prevention Education), Circus Funtasticus (Clown Theater with Visual Art Education), and The Magical Holiday Elf Workshop.

A native of Berkeley, Betsy grew up performing with her dad - a pianist and composer whose songs were published by Disney and also used on Captain Kangaroo.

As a party entertainer, Betsy plays double bass and guitar, among other instruments. She can bring rhythm instruments for the kids to play, and has a wide repertoire of sing-along songs for little ones.

If clowns came with pedigrees, Boswick would have one. He graduated from Clown College, toured with Ringling Bros. and the Barnum & Bailey Circus, and is still considered one of the greatest shows in town - on the birthday circuit anyway. Boswick is even the the star of an internationally distributed Children's DVD called Here Comes The Clown.

His specialty is a Vaudevillian brand of humor that he uses liberally while juggling, performing magic tricks, and creating balloon animals, among other things. A father of two, his specialty is kids but he notes that the oldest one he has performed before is 80. "I treat every birthday party like a special show," he says. His shows run about an hour and he can work any size crowd, indoors or out.

Boswick encourages audience participation and says he strives to make parents look like heroes for hiring "a real clown." He is also available for preschools, company picnics, family reunions, and graduations.

Singer/songwriter Ira Marlowe heads up a recording and performing company called Brainy Tunes. Ira's first CD, The Teasing Bird, was a winner of the coveted Parents' Choice Award. His second CD, All the Colors, was released in December 2006.

Ira's songs are highly visual and include stories about a moose who escapes the Bronx Zoo, a gorilla who learns to read, a Mexican jumping bean who hops his way across North America, a family that encounters a Triceratops while toy-shopping, and much more.

The Brainy Tunes philosophy is to challenge kids, including bits of material just enough over their heads to trigger questions and curiosity. Ira takes pride in creating music that parents want to hear as often as their kids want to play it.

Party performances: Ira performs in the Bay Area at parties of all kinds, usually consisting of two half-hour sets, with an emphasis on children's participation through song, dance, and movement.

Check out the website, www.brainytunes.com, to hear some songs, read the lyrics, and enjoy amusing games and videos.

California Kids Jump is an outfit that rents out those big, inflatable jumpers that make up the centerpiece of many little kids' parties. We've been to affairs where one of these plus a cake is all the kids need to think the party's been great.

The rates are reasonable and the choices fairly broad. You can get a small jumper or a big combination one that includes slides. In addition to jumpers, California Kids Jump rents out cotton candy, popcorn, and sno-cone machines with supplies, and kid-sized tables and chairs (blue, red, and yellow).

If you don't have room for one of these in your backyard, and who does, call the San Francisco Recreation & Park Dept and reserve a park for the party.

Creative Learning through Arts Programs (CLAP) specializes in educational and entertaining performing arts programs for children. Enriching courses and fun themes expose participants to various forms of the arts while nurturing their self-esteem and encouraging creativity and self-expression.

Visit the CLAP Arts website for class locations, summer camp listings, parties, and other program information.

CLAP Arts actors and dancers are also available for birthday parties.

Check the website for CLAP Arts locations.

Cyber Jumps provides inflatable jumper rentals for birthday parties, baptisms, and other events. The company offers free delivery and set-up.

Dan Chan Magic Man works with Kat the Acrobat and their dog Ace to present a high-energy variety show that combines magic, comedy, pick-pocketing, mind-reading, juggling, escapes, dog tricks, and acrobatics.

Dragonfly Designs brings the creativity of beading to a location of the client's choice with age appropriate beading parties for children, teens, and adults.

The company also offers age appropriate after school jewelry making classes in its South San Francisco location for children and teens.

Included in the two-hour party are invitations, beaded jewelry projects, and a party pouch to hold the newly made treasures. Custom theme charms are also available.

Dreamstar Parties provides characters (princesses, clowns, wizards, magicians, etc.) who attend parties to entertain guests. Character appearances feature magic shows, puppet shows, balloon animals, face painting, and bubbles.

Elegant Eventz offers children's theme parties. Services and features include decor, food, favors, games, makeovers,face painting, and costumed characters.

If you're looking for an entertainment company that can provide a Disney princess for your toddler's birthday one day, then a fire dance show for your teenager's graduation bash the next? Erin Glover, founder of Firepixie Entertainment, and her band of crazy characters can do all that - and even more. In addition to providing your honored guest with an unforgettable character, choose other entertaining options such as balloon animal-making, magic shows, games, face painting, light shows, tea parties, make-overs, to name a few. Firepixie Entertainment travels all over the Bay Area, so don't let the Fremont-based location deter you.

Glitter & Razz Productions in Rockridge produce theater-based workshops and camps for kids and families, host birthday parties, and lead innovative learning events for professionals. Check the website for details and schedules for children's workshops and camps.

Birthday Parties feature a professional birthday artist who comes to the client's house or party space with a "theater-in-a-bag" full of make-up, costumes, and props. Young guests create their own original characters and are led through a process of celebrating the birthday star through a made-up play, dance, and parade that the group performs together. Packages start at $200 for one hour.

HananaBanana is a San Francisco Bay Area music duo, which specializes in interactive shows with lots of great music for kids. Michael sings and plays guitar, banjo, and mandolin; Dave plays guitar and harmonica and sings great, too. The duo arrives bearing rhythm instruments for the kids (and grown-ups).

Heather performs magic at birthday, anniversary, wedding, or holiday parties.

High Touch High Tech provides engaging, hands-on science experiences to elementary and preschool-aged children. There are numerous age-appropriate programs covering the life, physical, and earth sciences.

The company serves elementary schools, afterschool programs, preschools, summer and specialty camps, scouts, church groups, and more. Ask about its Sizzlin' Science Birthday Parties.

Simla Akyol, the woman behind It's a Piece of Cake, is someone who turns her skills as an artist and entertainer toward making children's parties memorable. She offers a complete birthday service, from invitations to goody bags to clean up. Or parents can single out certain elements they want her to take on, such as decorating, or entertainment. Costume characters, magicians, and puppeteers are also available.

Simla custom-designs each party to match the interests of the birthday girl or boy. She's comfortable throwing the bash at parks, houses, restaurants, or wherever clients want it.

In addition to hosting theme birthday parties, It's a Piece of Cake throws holiday arts and crafts parties, entertains at play groups, and offers etiquette workshops.

A nationwide company with a strong local presence, Jump for Fun specializes in renting out big, bouncy, inflatable jumpies that can make or break - if you don't follow proper Jumpie etiquette (see below) - a party. You can choose from many styles: The Mermaid, Dalmations, Toy House, Dream House, Magic Castle, Jurrassic Park, and Jungle King, among others.

These are best for day-long events; if you're trying to organize it for a two-hour birthday party you may find yourself babysitting the Jumpie longer than you'd like. The company delivers, sets up, and leaves it for you - all day, if you'd like. But if you don't like that, the minimum is around 4 hours.

Will deliver to parks only if you have proper permit (See San Francisco Parks & Recreation Dept.)

Proper Jumpie Etiquette: Don't mix ages. Toddlers can enjoy these as can preteens. But when you mix big and small kids you'll get the kind of roughhousing that can lead to tears, or worse.

Just Imagine offers whimsical costume parties for children of all ages. The company carries an extensive line of costumes, invitations, favors, and more.

KatzConnects brings children's authors, illustrators, and musicians into schools, libraries, museums and other events. The company represents over 50 authors, illustrators, and musicians, more than half of whom reside in the Bay Area.

Mad Science is on a mission to stimulate scientific learning through hands-on fun and activities that will get kids excited about science.

Mad Science offers birthday parties for groups of any size, ideal for children ages five to 12. A Mad Scientist comes to your house and presents a 45-minute show, adapted to the ages of the kids in your group, combining high-energy, interactive fun with entertaining science experiments that appeal to kids' penchant for goo, pop, and fizz. A variety of 15-minute "finales" are available for an extra charge, featuring bubbling potions, a laser show, or a rocket launch.

Other options, for an additional charge, include a cotton candy machine, goody bags, party favors, t-shirts, invitations, and decorations.

Mad Science also offers summer camps at several locations throughout the Bay Area. Camps run weekly from Jun through Aug, including full-day camps for children ages five to 12, and half-day camps for ages four to six. Registration and other information are available online.

MagicMinis specializes in party entertainment that features magic, face-painting, glitter tattoos, and balloon sculpture. Performances are available in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese Chinese.

Mr. Shap (Super Happenings Always Possible) is a balloon artist who performs at a variety of events for both children and adults. His entertainment is geared toward all ages and is delivered to the whole audience, young and old. He can also assist you in planning your parties and events.

Mr. Shap's most popular balloon creations include lions, tigers, bears, monkeys, cats, dogs, horses, clowns, unicorns, swords, flowers, dinosaurs, hearts, motorcycles, spaceships, ladybugs, and wild crazy colorful hats.

Noah's Ark Animal Workshop is a traveling "stuff-n-fluff" activity for children's birthday parties, preschools, day care facilities, scouting groups, and more.

Children choose the animals for their party and participate in stuffing them. Each animal includes stuffing, a rainbow wish star, a birth certificate, a medallion of authenticity, and a take-home bag. Outfits and accessories are optional.

Noah's Ark Workshop is a traveling "Stuff-N-Fluff" Animal Workshop. Children get to choose the animals that they want for their party. Noah's Ark comes to the party with un-stuffed animals, stuffing, wishing stars, outfits, and birth certificates.

Party with Puppets offers a unique blend of music, games, art, dances, and puppet shows for birthday parties - the puppets dance, sing, and play with kids.

The show runs about an hour; the price depends on location and age and number of kids.

A family-run party planning service that specializes in all parties and events, especially for children.

East Bay educator Mr Asper entertains a party crowd with an exciting afternoon of robot building and technology.

Kids can explore the exciting science of electronics, engineering, and basic computer programming as they design, build, and program robots equipped with the same computer technology used to guide NASA robots on Mars.

Challenge robot competitors in the unique Sumo-Robot Ring and Mission to Mars Challenge!

Party cost is $200 (includes robot building certificates for all participants and a t-shirt for the birthday child) for ages six and up. The party program runs about 90 minutes, and there is a 20 child maximum.

Razzberry Lips provides a variety of makeover parties at the Westgate Mall. It also has a large selection of the accessories for girls.

SF Hula Dancers provide children's entertainment such as hula lessons, Tahitian lessons, poi ball lessons, silk lei-making, and candy lei-making parties of all kinds.

Based in San Jose, entertainers travel to San Francisco and the surrounding cities at no extra charge.

Skyana specializes in a variety of artists, costumed performers, and children's services - including ballooners, face painters, and clowns.

Bringing more than 20 years business experience, Skyana suggests and books creative performers for events or parties. The company also has a jam-packed closet of original, hand- crafted costumes by designer/owner Jeanne Lauren. Imagine a warehouse with 400 costumes ranging from Pink Aliens to a dancing Golden Gate Bridge!

A full scale party-planning service, run by the effervescent Sophie, that provides as little or as much entertainment as a family wants. Each party is planned with the child's input. "There are no cookie-cutter parties with us," says Sophie. At the heart of each party is the child's personal vision.

Sophie and company plan activities such as arts and crafts projects, games, entertainment, treasure hunts, goodie bags, pinatas, and decorations. "You name it, we can put it together for you," says Sophie. The only thing she won't do is licensed costumed characters.

The basic package includes games, music, face paints, tattoos, and storytelling. Additional items might include:
balloons ($12 per dozen); decorations ($35+); crafts ($1-$5 per child); goodie bags ($2-20).

The company recommends that you book about three months in advance for weekend dates. For weekday parties book about a month in advance.

A multi-talented children's entertainer, Brian Wishnefsky makes appearances at parties as Sparky the Clown, wizard/ magician, pirate, safari guy, blarney the dino, kids comedian, Santa Claus & other holiday characters, karate guy, cowboy, or balloon twister. He brings music and games.

He can also bring along a mini clown bike or electric scooter.

The Bay Area Double Dutchers lead jump rope activities for parties. Youth and adult teams are also available to train and entertain.

The Cinderella Company provides children's entertainers for parties who dress up as children's favorite fairy tale characters.

The Clown Company provides clowns, magicians, characters, caricaturists, musicians, and more for
all occasions. Entertainers perform magic, facepainting, balloon sculpting,storytelling, music, and games.

The Jungle Island is an entertainment center for children of all ages, which features play structures, family dining, entertainment, and birthday partypackages.