Do I have to pay extra for birthday party booking?

No. Birthday party booking is included with every ProgramChamp plan, including the $29 Parties Only plan. Class registration plans start at $69 and include parties too. There is no premium pack and no extra fee for party management.

Can some party packages be inquiry-only while others book online instantly?

Yes. Each party package has its own public booking setting: instant online booking, inquiry-first only, or both so families can request a consult on one package and self-serve on another. Staff edit inquiries in the admin inbox and convert them into booked parties when you confirm date, package, and price.

Do I have to offer public online booking?

No. ProgramChamp™ supports inquiries and manual booking first. You are not required to publish a self-serve booking page. Turn on online booking only when you want families to book themselves.

How do I let parents book kids birthday parties online without chasing me by text?

Use party booking software that gives families an online booking flow: pick a package, choose a start time, pay a deposit, and receive confirmations. ProgramChamp includes birthday party booking with every plan, so you spend less time on back-and-forth messages.

Can I take a deposit for a party and track the balance automatically?

Yes. You can collect a deposit at booking and track the remaining balance in ProgramChamp™. Parents can pay the balance later through the parent portal or payment links.

Does birthday party booking software work for mobile and in-home party businesses?

Yes. ProgramChamp™ supports addresses, notes, and add-ons for mobile party businesses (not only brick-and-mortar studios), so your team sees parking, gate codes, and timing in one place.

How much does birthday party booking software cost for a small business?

Parties Only is $29 per month for birthday booking only (owner plus one staff seat). Class registration starts at $69 per month for Starter, with parties included. Extra staff seats are $7 per month. Cancel anytime.

Can I still book parties manually if someone calls in?

Yes. ProgramChamp™ includes manual booking entry so phone and text bookings stay in the same system as online bookings.

Can staff book private events or field trips with a custom time and price?

Yes. Families send a party inquiry with preferred details. Staff confirm the window and quoted price in Manual party using Custom time and quote, then send a payment request for the balance. Public checkout stays package-based; freeform hours and price are staff-only.

Do parents get a login to see party details and balances?

Yes. Parents get a portal to view the booking, balance due, and pay online, which reduces what do I owe texts.

Can parents leave feedback after a birthday party?

Yes. After the party date, the booking parent can leave a rating and optional comment in the parent portal. You can enable this per party package and add a short prompt. This is host-family feedback on that booking, not a class survey and not a public review listing.

Is party booking software only for dance studios?

No. ProgramChamp™ fits mobile spa parties, character and princess parties, art parties, slime parties, kids entertainment, and other small businesses that sell birthday experiences, not only dance or gym studios.

Can I attach a waiver to a kids birthday party booking?

Yes. Share the public guest waiver link from the party Waivers tab so guest parents can sign without a portal login, or email portal signing links to the booking parent for named attendees. Signed PDFs stay on file, and staff can mark paper waivers signed with a scan.

Can guest parents each get a waiver link before the party?

Yes. Staff share one public guest waiver link from the party Waivers tab. Guest parents open it, enter their child's name and age, their email for a signed copy, and sign without logging into the host parent's parent portal. Staff can also email portal signing links to the host parent for named attendees, or use paper waivers at check-in.

Can I charge per extra child or add-ons like more time?

Yes. Party packages can include per-child pricing and add-ons. An Extra hour add-on can extend the booked end time. Families see the longer slot when they select it at checkout, and the calendar uses that same end.

What if a family needs to reschedule a party?

You can reschedule and keep the booking and balance in ProgramChamp™ instead of rebuilding everything manually. Display your cancellation policy on the booking form.

Can I automatically add gratuity to party bookings?

Not yet. ProgramChamp™ can help with sales tax and pricing for processing fees; automatic gratuity on party bookings is not available yet.

Birthday party booking software for small businesses

Birthday party booking is included with every ProgramChamp™ plan. No premium pack. No extra party module. Families pick a start time online. Rooms, packages, deposits, and waivers stay in one system. Parties Only starts at $29/month. Class registration plans start at $69/month and include parties.

Included on every plan
Families book start times online
Rooms and packages in one place
Deposits and waivers, no chase

Start a free 30-day trial (No credit card required)

The free trial matches the $29 Parties Only product. Class tools stay hidden until you add class registration.

Built for gymnastics gyms, dance studios, indoor playgrounds, and kids party businesses that do not want to pay extra for birthday parties.

Two paths, one system

Keep parties on the same system as classes, not in a Google Calendar or a paid add-on. Staff book from a call, or families lock a slot themselves.

Path 1: Leads and staff-led booking

Best for referrals, social, walk-ins, and consult-heavy packages.

Share a party inquiry link or embed the form so requests land in one inbox.
Set each package to inquiry-first, instant booking, or both.
Work leads in Party inquiries, then convert when date, package, and price are set.
Use Book a Party for phone bookings, deposits, and pay-later. For private events, staff can enter a custom time and quote (no public freeform pricing).
Connect Stripe later when you are ready for self-serve. Same party records carry forward.

Path 2: Customer self-serve booking

Best when families should lock a slot without phone tag.

Publish party types and pricing on your public listing.
Families pick a slot, pay a deposit or balance online, and get confirmations automatically.
Balances, waivers, reminders, and the parent portal share the same admin hub as Path 1.

Run Path 1 only, blend both, or graduate to Path 2. Your party history stays in ProgramChamp™ either way. Not sure which fits? Read how owners cut email back-and-forth.

Workflow snapshot: your desk vs. self-serve checkout

How ProgramChamp™ fits manual versus online party booking workflows
Your workflow	How ProgramChamp™ helps
You book parties (calls, consults, DMs)	Lead intake, staff scheduling, manual party entry, notes, confirmations, and payment. No public checkout required.
Customers book online	Published listing, time slots, deposits, automated confirmations, balances: the same admin hub as internal bookings.

Switch approaches anytime; your party records stay in one place.

Still booking birthday parties manually?

•Paying extra for a birthday party add-on
•Parties living in Google Calendar, not your class software
•Texting back and forth to confirm dates
•Chasing deposits, balances, and guest waivers
•Tracking balances in spreadsheets
•Forgetting add-ons or extra-child charges

Sound familiar? Estimate what manual booking costs you before you compare software.

Birthday parties included, not a premium pack

Owners switching from iClassPro and similar tools are tired of paying more for party management. ProgramChamp™ includes parties on every plan, including the $29 Parties Only plan if you do not need class registration.

✓ Party booking included on every plan, no extra module
✓ Families pick start times online when you publish packages
✓ Rooms, packages, and class calendars in one system
✓ Staff booking after calls or consults, with notes in one place
✓ Deposits, balances, and guest waiver links without the chase
✓ Custom add-ons (extra child, extra time, and more)

✓ Waivers and e-signatures with signed PDFs on file
✓ Two-way messaging with parents
✓ Reminders for payments due and party details
✓ Admin dashboard for upcoming parties
✓ Staff logins included (1 on Parties Only, 3 on Starter)
✓ Parent portal, digital invoices, and cancellation policy on the form
✓ Post-party rating and comment in the parent portal (per package)

Collect feedback after the party

After the party date, the booking parent can leave a rating and optional comment in the parent portal. Turn this on per party package, and add a short prompt if you want to ask something specific (for example, how check-in went). This is feedback from the host family on that booking, not a class survey and not a public review listing.

Built for mobile & kids party businesses

Not just brick-and-mortar studios. Princess parties, mobile spa, art, slime, and entertainment teams use the same booking, deposit, and waiver flow.

In-home parties

Book at the family's address with times and details in one record, not buried in texts.

Parking & setup notes

Gate codes, parking, and setup-time notes travel with the booking to your team.

Extra guest charges

Per-child pricing and add-ons so families see the total before party day.

Non-refundable deposits

Collect deposits online and show your cancellation policy on the form.

Party booking from $29/month

Parties Only

$29 / month

Party booking only. Owner plus one staff seat. Extra seats $7/month. Stripe processing only. ProgramChamp does not add a per-transaction fee.

Unlimited party bookings
Inquiries and manual booking
Online deposits and balances
Waivers and families
No class registration

Starter

$69 / month

Classes and Parties. No premium pack. No per-booking fees. Compare to what manual admin time costs in the ROI calculator.

Unlimited party bookings
Class registration included
Online deposits
3 staff logins included
Parent login portal
No contracts

See full pricing | Free trial available. Setup takes less than 30 minutes.

What is manual booking costing you?

Most teams underestimate admin time on confirmations, payments, and re-typed details, plus upsells families skip when checkout is unstructured. Run your numbers, then compare to one month of software.

Open the ROI calculator

Switching is easier than you think

•No data migration required
•Use it just for new bookings
•Keep your current website
•Add a public booking link when you are ready
•No long-term contract
•You control everything

Evaluating a switch from another platform? See our Sawyer alternative or Jackrabbit Class alternative.

Related guides

Deeper reads on operations, revenue, and switching birthday party booking software.

How Much Is Manual Party Booking Costing You? (ROI Calculator) Estimate admin time cost and missed upsell opportunity, then compare to software pricing.
Birthday Party Booking Without Email Chaos Manual admin costs, upsells, deposits, and one structured booking flow.
The Hidden Cost of Manual Birthday Party Booking Where time and revenue leak when parties live outside one system.
Increase Revenue Per Birthday Party Packages, add-ons, and checkout that help families buy more upfront.
Dance Studio Birthday Party Booking Software Studio parties alongside classes, recitals, and team tuition.
Dance Studio Registration Software Guide Classes, recital fees, team tuition, and studio parties in one guide.
Indoor Playground Party Booking Software Guide Room rentals, open play, and party packages for soft play venues.

Start a free 30-day trial | See pricing

Questions party business owners ask

Do I have to pay extra for birthday party booking?: No. Birthday party booking is included with every plan, including the $29 Parties Only plan. Class registration plans start at $69 and include parties too. There is no premium pack.
Do I have to offer public online booking?: No. Many businesses prefer inquiries first, then manual booking after a call. You are not required to publish a self-serve calendar.
How do I let parents book kids birthday parties online without chasing me by text?: Turn on online party booking when you are ready: package, date, deposit, and confirmation from your ProgramChamp™ listing page. Prefer calls first? Staff book the same flow internally.
Can I take a deposit for a party and track the balance automatically?: Yes. Collect a deposit at booking, track the balance, and let parents pay the rest in the parent portal or via payment links.
I run a mobile party business. Does this work if we are not a brick-and-mortar studio?: Yes. Capture addresses, setup notes, parking, and add-ons so your team has what it needs before arrival.
Can I charge per extra child or add-ons like more time?: Yes. Define party packages with per-child pricing and add-ons so families see the total upfront. An Extra hour add-on can extend the booked end time. The booking form shows the longer slot when they select it, and the calendar uses that same end.
How much does birthday party booking software cost for a small business?: Parties Only is $29/month for birthday booking only (owner plus one staff seat). Class registration starts at $69/month for Starter, with parties included. Extra staff seats are $7/month. See full pricing.

Can I still book parties manually if someone calls in?: Yes. Manual booking keeps phone, text, and Instagram leads in the same system as online bookings.
Can staff book private events or field trips with a custom time and price?: Yes. Families send a party inquiry. Staff confirm the window and quoted price with Custom time and quote on Manual party, then send a payment request. Public checkout stays package-based.
Do parents get a login to see party details and what they owe?: Yes. The parent portal shows the booking, balance due, and payment options.
Can parents leave feedback after a birthday party?: Yes. After the party date, the booking parent can leave a rating and optional comment in the parent portal. You can turn this on per party package and add a short prompt. See post-party feedback. This is host-family feedback on that booking, not a class survey.
Is party booking software only for dance studios and gyms?: No. It fits princess parties, mobile art and slime parties, spa parties, and other kids party businesses. See dance studios and indoor playgrounds for venue-specific workflows.
Can I attach a waiver or liability form to a kids birthday party booking?: Yes. Share the public guest waiver link from the party Waivers tab so guest parents can sign without a portal login, or email portal signing links to the booking parent for named attendees. Signed PDFs stay on file, and staff can mark paper waivers signed with a scan.
Can guest parents each get a waiver link before the party?: Yes. Staff share one public guest waiver link from the party Waivers tab. Guest parents open it, enter their child's name and age, their email for a signed copy, and sign without logging into the host parent's parent portal. Staff can also email portal signing links to the host parent for named attendees, or use paper waivers at check-in.
What if a family needs to reschedule? Do I start from scratch?: Reschedule in place and keep the booking, balance, and history. Show your cancellation policy on the form up front.
Can I automatically add gratuity to party bookings?: Not yet. ProgramChamp™ supports sales tax and pricing for processing fees; automatic gratuity is not available today.