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What Should I Do If My Child Is Shy or Scared of Costumed Characters at a Princess Party?

By wpadmin In Party

If your child is shy or nervous around costumed characters, let your princess party company know ahead of time so the performer can adjust their approach, start from a distance, and let the child warm up at their own pace instead of rushing in for a hug or photo right away. A little advance notice makes a big difference, and most children who start out hesitant end up completely won over by the end of the visit.

This comes up more often than people expect. A big costume, a full wig, and a room full of excited kids can feel like a lot for some children, even ones who love princesses. Here’s how a good performer handles it, and what you can do to help.

We’ve found that the children who seem the most nervous at the start are often the ones glued to the princess by the end of the visit. It usually just takes a few extra minutes of patience and a performer who knows not to push it.

How Do Trained Performers Approach a Shy Child?

• Starting at a distance instead of walking straight up, giving the child a chance to observe first
• Letting the child set the pace, rather than initiating a hug or handshake right away
• Speaking directly to the child in a calm, familiar tone, similar to how the character talks in the movies
• Inviting rather than insisting on photos, so the child never feels put on the spot

A performer who has done this for a while can usually read the room within the first minute and adjust without making it obvious to the rest of the party.

What Can I Do Ahead of Time to Help My Child Feel Comfortable?

• Mention it when you book, so we know to ease in slowly
• Watch a short clip of the character’s movie together beforehand if your child hasn’t seen it recently
• Avoid hyping up the surprise too much right before the visit, since some kids do better with a gentle heads-up than a big surprise
• Stay nearby during the first few minutes so your child has a familiar face in sight

What If My Child Still Doesn’t Want to Get Close?

That’s completely fine. Plenty of children enjoy watching from a few feet away, waving instead of hugging, or joining the sing-along without a close-up photo. The goal is a positive experience, not a forced one, and a good performer will find a way to include a hesitant child without making them the center of attention before they’re ready.

FAQ

1. Should I tell the princess party company in advance if my child is shy?

Yes, letting us know ahead of time helps the performer plan a slower, gentler approach from the start.

2. Will the performer force my child to hug or take a photo?

No, our performers let the child set the pace and never push physical contact or photos.

3. What if my child wants to watch from a distance the whole time?

That’s perfectly okay. Children can participate as much or as little as they’re comfortable with, including just watching or waving.

4. Does this happen often at princess parties?

Yes, it’s common, especially with younger children or those meeting a costumed character for the first time.

5. Can the performer still make the visit special for a nervous child?

Absolutely. Many children who start out hesitant warm up by the end of the visit, especially once they see other kids having fun.

Ready to Book a Princess Visit Your Child Will Actually Enjoy?

Our performers are trained to read the room and meet every child where they are, shy or not. Contact Parties with Character today to check availability and let us know how we can make the day comfortable for your child.