Find a kid friendly DJ that can do more with the crowd then just play music and hope everyone dances and has a good time. The DJ that can engage the Dads and Daughters in fun group dances, games and activities is the one who can turn a mediocre event into truly a life time memory for both Dad and Daughter. Charge a little at the door but get a DJ that makes it special. Usually budget 400- 500 dollars for entertainment.
Has anyone run into problem of NO male role model available? This is our first father/daughter and it is 1 wk away. The mother is asking for her friend, like a 2nd mom, to bring the daughter. I am sympathetic to the child but several other families the dads are not around and the comment was, maybe next year. We also hold a dance in May that is school wide anyone can attend. (Last yr my 4 yo went and didn't go to school there yet.)
Here at Confluence Academy Old North we held our first Father Daughter Dance ast school year and OMG an awesome time was had by all. Daddys gave there daughters Red Roses donated by a parent. We served light dinner and soft music was provided by our Dj.
I was at a school before that did this and it is something I plan on implementing at my currrent school this year as well. Before, we did the dance after Easter (girls usually had an Easter dress to wear-or could buy one if needed/wanted fairly cheap because they were on sale), we provided the DJ, cookies and lemonade. We charged $7/per "couple" (father/daughter) and $1 for each extra daughter. We used a background that we had at the school or made our own (a simple stool for dad to sit on, with a column and a potted plant beside it and soem blue butcher paper).... We charged $3 for one picture and $5 for two, then extras could be purchased for $1.
Being a school where 85%+ were economicaly disadvantaged this was a GREAT event for our PTO! Just don't forget that not everyone has "DAD" around, so make sure you get the message out that it can be STEPdad, GRANDdad, Uncle, or even Family Friend.....
***JUST TO NOTE*** We also started a Mother/Son Sports Night so the boys didn't feel left out. Moms could come with their sons and play games like Soccer kick, tug of war, football throw, etc. and we also had a couple of bounce houses. A hotdog, chips and a drink were on the menu. We had a high schooler volunteer to come out in the Mascot's costume to take pictures with the moms and sons. The boys held a football and posed and mom had a pair of pom-poms (on loan from a cheerleader). We charged the same amount as we did for the Daddy Daughter Dance and both events were help from 7:00pm to 9:00pm on a Friday night. The Mother/Son night was held in the Fall (to coincide with Football season), but it could be held in the Spring also (to coincide with Baseball season).
We have asked the local beauty school to come in and do updo's and paint nails for our daughters. They come our school and the girls come in after school gets out. They charge $ 5 per updo and $ 5 for nails. It is great fun and the kids love it.
Our school hosts a Father/Daughter Dance each year for K3-6th grade. Our PTO sponsors this free event. The only thing the Dads have to pay for is their picture package. The PTO provides the food, drinks and also the music; which is usually played through a borrowed stero. We hold this event in the cafeteria. The PTO allows a $400 budget, this pays for decorations, invitations, food & drinks. We generally have a very large turnout, I would estimate between 100 - 150 Fathers and Daughters.
