Anyone who has spent an afternoon entertaining a room full of children knows the truth of it: the props do half the work. A generous, well-chosen prop invites a child in, gives small hands something satisfying to hold, and can turn a shy five-year-old into a willing helper within minutes. But props also end up in mouths, near faces and underfoot. Choosing items that are soft, big enough to handle easily and simple to clean is one of the most straightforward ways to keep a party joyful and safe at the same time.

Start With Size, Weight and Texture

Before you buy anything, picture the three things children will inevitably do with a prop: squeeze it, drop it and hold it close to their mouths. That mental image settles most design decisions. As a rule of thumb, anything that fits inside a cardboard toilet roll tube is too small to hand to a child under four, and anything with a removable part should be treated as a choking risk regardless of age.

• Size: aim for items at least 4-5cm across, and larger for toddlers.
• Weight: light enough to be thrown safely, heavy enough to feel real in the hand.
• Texture: soft or smooth, with no sharp edges, loose glitter or trailing threads.
• Parts: no bells, squeakers, beads or button eyes that could work loose.

Soft Foam Balls: Forgiving and Easy to Grip

Foam balls are the workhorse of children's entertainment. Look for soft, spongy foam roughly 7-8cm in diameter, with a solid core rather than a hollow one. Avoid balls containing internal rattles, as these can work their way out through a split seam after enough enthusiastic squeezing. A set of six in strong, contrasting colours covers a remarkable range of games: rolling a ball gently to a nervous child, balancing one on the back of your hand, hiding a ball in one of two cups, or simply letting a toddler practise catching without the sting of a hard ball.

Wash foam balls in warm soapy water, squeeze them out gently and leave them to air fully before packing them away. Once a ball starts crumbling at the edges, retire it.

Large Coins: Big Enough to See, Too Big to Swallow

Coins are endlessly appealing to children, but real currency is small, dirty and easily swallowed. Oversized coins, around 5cm across and thick enough to grip, work far better. Choose lightweight plastic or smooth wooden discs with rounded edges, and keep a set of eight or ten in a small tin. They vanish under a handkerchief, clink into a cup, and tumble from a closed fist for a satisfying reveal. Children also love counting them, stacking them and handing them back one at a time.

When producing a coin from behind a child's ear, use the lightest possible touch and never press near the ear itself. Count your coins at the start and end of every session; a missing coin in a carpeted hall is a genuine hazard.

Colourful Scarves: Quiet, Light and Endlessly Adaptable

Lightweight scarves, roughly 45-60cm square, are the gentlest props in any kit. Choose hemmed chiffon or similar fabric that floats slowly, and buy bright, clearly different colours rather than pastel shades. Scarves appear from a clenched fist, hide a small object, become a flag to wave, or drift down slowly enough for even a cautious child to catch. Because they make almost no noise, they suit children who find loud games overwhelming.

Avoid anything long enough to wrap around a neck, and check hems for loose threads after each use.

Hygiene, Storage and the Once-Over Before Every Show

Children's props travel, get dropped and get mouthed, so a simple routine pays off. Before every booking, give each item a quick inspection: no splits, no exposed filling, no wobbling parts. Afterwards, wipe rigid items such as coins with a food-safe sanitiser and launder fabric scarves at 40 degrees. Foam balls can be washed in warm soapy water and air-dried thoroughly, which prevents mould building up inside.

• Store props in a dedicated, clearly labelled box, away from food and pets.
• Keep a second identical set so one can be cleaned while the other is in use.
• Count small items in and out of the box at every session.
• Replace rather than repair anything that has started to come apart.

Gentle Props for Therapeutic Clowning

Therapeutic clowning asks something different of your props. Here they are not punchlines but invitations. In hospitals, hospices and specialist settings, the guiding principle is to offer rather than take: hold the ball out and let the child decide whether to reach for it. Keep movements slow, props low and visible, and never produce anything from behind a child. Ask permission before any physical contact, however light.

A soft foam ball is ideal because it can be rolled back and forth for as long as the child wishes, with no expectation of a performance. A scarf can be held quietly and simply looked at together. A single oversized coin, shown slowly with steady eye contact, gives a child something concrete to focus on when everything else feels uncertain. Watch for sensory sensitivity too: some children want the scarf to brush their hand, others emphatically do not.

Because these settings often involve children who are unwell or immunocompromised, props should be cleaned between every child, not simply between sessions, and ideally each child should have their own set for the visit. Using the same familiar props across repeat visits also builds trust, since recognition arrives long before speech does. Keep the kit small, soft, bright and immaculately clean, and you will find that the simplest props carry the warmest moments.