Throw the Best Fall Parties!

AMJ Fall Event Planning

Use the fall colors, scents and nature as inspiration for your big fall party. Planning and preparation are the key to any good party, and throwing an outdoor fall party is no different. There are certain things that you need to take into consideration, especially the weather (unpredictable as it may be). AMJ Spectacular Events has been helping to plan parities & events for over 15 years, here are some fall planning tips from our experts to ensure your fall outdoor party will be fun, successful and guests will be left wondering when the next  celebration is!

Pick an Outdoor Fall Party Theme

Fall has a lot happening, which opens the floodgates of theme ideas. You can throw a harvest party utilizing pumpkins, apples and leaves as inspiration. Fall is known for football so that can be your theme. Back to school and Oktoberfest are great themes too. So the first thing you need to do is decide on your fall party theme. Once that is in place, you can work on the rest of the outdoor party ideas. halloween_1510982c

Plan a Fall Food Frenzy

There are so many great fall foods and if you are planning on feeding guests you may want to consider grilling it’s always a great option for outdoor events, but it can be time-consuming. If you want fall snacks AMJSE rents Hot Pretzel Warmers and Popcorn Machines for easy on the go fall snacks.  Other popular fall foods are our Mini Donuts with different toppings as well as our Churro Warmer.  

If you something more festive with the season your guests will love our Carmel Apple Bar with different toppings and sauces it is sure to be a huge hit.  The weather can be quite chilly so be sure to warm up guests with Hot Apple Cider or Hot Chocolate, which features customizable options for the table.  amj-hot-apple-cider-hot-chocolate-bar-table-28-111

Keep Guests Entertained

Plan some fall-themed activities or rent some fun games.  Put out some backyard games for your guests to play. Corn hole is always a good option. Additionally, horseshoes and bocce ball can also be played in the fall too. Let kids bob for apples or have potato sack races. Make a pumpkin painting patch for the kids as well.

footballtoss2_295Guest will love playing our oversized version of Jenga, Connect Four or even Battleship they fit perfectly into fall themed events. If your looking for more sports related rentals try our Inflatable Football Toss or Framed Football Toss.

If you’re hosting an event were you have a bit more space your guests will love our inflatable Haunted Mansion  and our all new Happy Halloween Fun Village.  If your event has more of a fall theme check out our Corn Maze, its so fun to see how fast guests can get through the maze.

 

Lindsey Rhea, an event planner at AMJ, loves putting together fall movie nights with AMJ’s inflatable screens,  “Create an outdoor movie party to take advantage of the earlier nightfall and decorate the area with pumpkins and other fall or Halloween items. There are so many great Halloween themed movies you can choose from.” says Lindsey. Please visit us at amjse.com for more information.


Perfect 4th of July Party Planning!

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Before you know it, summer will be in full swing. For those of us who love to barbeque, this means that the most beloved holiday of all is here: the 4th of July. This Independence Day, why not celebrate in style with the perfect July 4th party?

If you’re looking to have a killer 4th of July bash, read on to discover some handy party planning tips from AMJ’s  Event Planner, Lindsey Rhea.

Load Up on Party Props

In true 4th of July spirit, fill a basket or bucket with red, white, and blue trimmings. Visit the dollar store or your local party store and load up on all sorts of inexpensive, what-would-you-need-this-for? items. We’re talking about paper pinwheels, flag picks, and streamers. Hint: Don’t overlook the decor meant for tables, walls, and ceilings, either.

Kick Your Theme Up a Notch

“Integrating a theme is my favorite part of planning a party, and it’s so easy to do with a party like this one. You don’t have to come uIMG_3162p with a theme for a 4th of July party; it’s already there in the holiday itself.”, says Lindsey.  Even if you don’t love planning parties and want to keep it simple, showing your patriotism with a few bursts of red, white and blue can pull your party together visually and turn a little shindig in the backyard to a fabulous party.

A few ideas:

  • Serve festive foods like red, white and blue snow cones.
  • Play patriotic music in the background
  • Decorate the tables with Mason jars filled with red and white carnations and a small American flag, decorated with a blue ribbonScreen Shot 2018-06-11 at 9.17.17 PM

Patriotic Bites

What’s a 4th of July party without a barbeque? AMJ can help you throw the perfect BBQ with our grill rentals, in case you need extra!  The easiest way to feed a lot of guests quickly and efficiently is buffet style. And with the addition of table & chairs rentals and tent rentals you can ensure to create the perfect outdoor space. As a tip, try to get all of your rentals, including inflatables, from the same company, as it will be the easiest to coordinate and the most cost effective.

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Keep the kids occupied with festive inflatables including AMJ’s red, white & blue single lane slide or bounce house. If the weather is going to be extra warm then adding a water slide is a must like our 18′ modular slide with pool.  Adults love our Giant backyard games including our Giant Jenga, Giant Connect Four and Bag Toss.  With an inventory of over 1,000 items AMJ can help plan the perfect event to fit all your needs.

Contact Lindsey today and get started with your summer party planning!

Planning a Springtime Event….Start with a Call to AMJ!


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Spring is about more than just flowers. As events move outdoors, the season brings an abundance of ideas for colorful, cheerful decorations, appetizers, centerpieces, and more. From whimsical tea parties and Easter-egg hunts to jaw-dropping floral design and fresh cocktail recipes, spring-theme events will always be popular. Springtime events can be so fun including communion & graduation parties as well as end of the year and Memorial Day celebrations.  Whether you’re planning a company outing, teambuilding activity, fund-raiser, or school event, there are plenty of ideas for spring events and corporate entertaining this spring.  Let’s look at some helpful tips:

  1. Start the planning process early. In fact, start earlier than you think you need to. This allows you to do your planning in a relaxed orderly fashion. It is never a problem to finish early and be able to sit back and relax. Starting early also allows you the ability to more easily address any problems that crop up during the process.
  2. Talk to a professional planner or coordinator.  If you need a lot of support and help, you should hire a real professional that has some solid experience and can provide the direction and guidance you need. AMJ Spectacular Events is a complete party rental company, designed to fit any sized party at any budget. They are family owned and operated while being supported by a professional & dependable staff. Their Event Specialists have many years of experience planning events for backyard parties, corporate events, picnics, country clubs, tradeshows, churches, colleges, and holiday parties.
  3. If you are going to hire a professional there are a lot of things to consider:
    1. First and foremost, make sure you are comfortable with them;
    2. What type of experience do they have;
    3. Can you see some photos of events they have done;
    4. How long have they been in business;
    5. Can they provide testimonials from people they have worked for and with;
    6. What are their fees;
    7. Will they handle booking all of the service providers for the day or will they simply coordinate all of the moving parts for you.Company_Picnic
  4. Consider an Outdoor Event Spring is a perfect time to consider holding an event outside. Before summer starts to heat things up, the spring is a perfect time to enjoy temperate weather and get some fresh air. Events can be held anywhere from company grounds to a nearby park or on rented space. Determine the location that’s best for you and the events that suit your party’s theme. Ask about our tents, tables and chairs too!
  5. Don’t Skip the Entertainment A good party should be about more than just getting tIMG_3162ogether and eating. Put some consideration into finding DJ service or entertainer. Other ways of livening up the mood include events like trivia/game show rental  or karaoke. Consider a range of entertainment options that can satisfy all your guests. Some popular choices include  Giant Game Rentals like Jenga and Battleship as well as  inflatables for all ages including a Wizards Castle or a Hungry Hippo for older kids.  AMJSE has 1literally 000,’s of inflatables, games, concessions, interactive products, trains, photo booths, and much more.  Their products are fun and add excitement to events, which in turn creates memories that last a lifetime for everyone in attendance!

Relationships with dependable and reliable vendors allow us to provide additional services to make your event truly spectacular. AMJSE would like to be your “one stop shop” to ease some of the stress of event planning. Give us a call or email today to begin your planning!

You Sunk My Battleship!

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A classic 70’s game that you try to sink your opponents battle ships before yours are sunk. We just blew it up to be giant sized.

Command your fleet and rule the seas! Seek and sink your enemy’s ships before they find and sink yours! Unlock hidden super weapons like torpedoes and heat-seeking missiles to launch a firestorm of destruction. There are more ways to play, so fire away!

We’ve all played it, that wonderful game that pits player against player with warring strategy and tempts us all to throw the board. The game, is Battleship. The goal of Battleship is to hit the opponent’s ships with pegs or ‘missiles’ until you win. Each player is given the opportunity to configure their battle plan however they choose placing their ships around the board.

Our all new Battleship is perfect for college events, team building activities, corporate events and picnics!  Entertain your gusts for hours will keeping them on their toes. This game is the perfect addition to our Giant Games family pair it was Giant Jenga, Giant Hungry Hippo and Giant Twister for a retro theme!

Dating back to World War I, the concept of Battleship originated when war games were popular. Beginning as a ‘pencil and pad’ game, it was published in this form by several companies and in the 1960’s was released as a plastic board game by the toy and gaming giant, Milton Bradley. The game was thought to have originated in France and has changed and evolved ever since.

Battleship is played with two players who each have their own fleet of ships. Each player places their fleet on a grid (squares) that are identified by a number and a letter for coordinates. There are five ships that are placed on the grid and include: the carrier, which is five grid spaces; the battleship that is four; the cruiser that is three; the submarine that is 3; and the destroyer that is two.

Once the players place their ships on the grid each takes turns shooting missiles to sink each other’s fleets. If a ship is hit, you put a peg in it to show that it has been hit. The game goes on until one player sinks all the ships of the other player.

A super fun game – one that we have all played and that is great if you’re looking for a bit of strategy mixed with a bit of luck. This classic is now larger than life, and is perfect for an indoor or outdoor event where you’re looking to add giant synergy, hours of excitement and lasting memories. Rent this today for your next college, fun fair or corporate event!

Top Ways to Beat The Heat At Your Event!

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If you’re planning an outdoor summer event in Chicago, you know that some days can be brutally hot. Luckily, there are things you can do to to help guests beat the heat while not giving up details that make the day picture perfect.

Shield Your Guests From The Sun

By renting tents and canopies, you can shield your guests from the hot sun and provide protection from the frequent pop-up storms of summer. Place fans at each enCIMG2368d of a tent to create a flow-through breeze. Place the dance floor near a fan. The instant breeze will keep guests cool without the worry of them passing out while doing the “Cha Cha Slide”.

Have Cool Treats On Hand

Beat the heat with cool treats for your next summer event. Whether you want to serve up frostie’s, Good Humor Ice cream or snow cones these summertime favorites will keep everyone cool while enjoying a tasty treat!Screen Shot 2017-07-07 at 7.20.55 AM

Let Your Guests Splash Around

Kids love the chance to explore, climb, slide, jump, and have a healthy, happy, active playtime. They can do all this with inflatable slides, and when attending events that feature these blow up bouncy houses, they won’t want to leave. Adding water to a summer event can also prevent the kids from over-heating or getting fussy and uncomfortable. Water slides and inflatable pools are perfect for a foot soak or a splash.  Just make sure to have some towels handy to dry off.

Screen Shot 2017-07-06 at 12.21.33 PMSummer time in the midwest can be an excellent time for an outside event. You just need to know how to keep your guests cool for a great time. Let AMJ Spectacular Events help wtih planning your summertime event.

Outdoor Games & Activities to Play at Your Backyard Bash or Picnic

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Summertime means a lot of things to a lot of different people, but for those of us in the party business, it means party time. Graduation parties, weddings, showers and family reunions. No matter the theme, no matter the type, we know that if you’re planning a party, you want to save money and throw the biggest, most talked-about bash around. So we’d like to take the time to give you some ideas to help you pull off one spectacular summertime event!

It’s summer! Get outside and play. Throw a themed “backyard bash” party at your place or include them at your picnic for tons of laughs and a great time:

  1. Let There Be Bubbles – Who doesn’t love bubbles right! Rent our bubble machine, for endless fun. A professional bubble machine will leave your little ones laughing for hours as they chase hundreds of bubbles. Adorable.
  2. “Giant”  Games – Looking to add some ginormous fun at your summer party check out our Gaint Jenga, Connect Four, and our all new Battleship Games. Perfect for the backyard!File_005
  3. Lawn Games– Set up  lawn games for your guests to play. These can be anything from croquet, to horseshoes, to volleyball or even badminton. If you have a large number of guests attending, then consider having teams and doing a tournament!
  4. Groovy Dance Contest – Put on some dance music like the “Macarena”, the “Cupid Shuffle” or the “Cha-Cha Slide” and let your guests shake their stuff! Need something more check out our audio equipment rentals.
  5. Dodge Ball & Kickball – Divide your guests up into two teams and play some exciting games of dodge ball or kickball. You can have a mini tournament if you have a large number of guests and give the winning team some small prizes. We even rent Bocce Ball!
  6. Water Fun – We rent a huge selection of inflatable water slides, and dunk tanks to help your guests cool off this summer.  Need something simple try to make a lot of water balloons and play some water balloon games, such as water balloon tag, or have a water balloon tag. Tell guests to bring swimsuits or a change of clothes and have some extra towels ready, as you and your guests are going to get soaked with these games.wild.rapids
  7. Frisbee Golf – Set up a golf course in your backyard or at a nearby park or field. Use various household items to make “hazards” at each “hole”. Also set up a flag or stick at the end of your “hole” numbered 1 through 9. All you have to do is take turns throwing a Frisbee until you hit the numbered flag. Keep track of how many throws you make, and the person with the lowest score at the end wins!
  8. Scavenger Hunt – Make a list of common household items or of outdoor things. Your list can include anything from a rock, to a spoon, a spool of thread or even a leaf from a certain tree. Divide guests into teams of three and send them out into the neighborhood to find the items on the list. The first team back with everything on the list wins! If you are including items where team members will need to ask neighbors, make sure that children have an adult on their team to help them out and keep them safe!

Summertime is wonderful for getting outdoors and having some fun in the sun. Your themed “backyard bash” party is sure to be a hit if you include some of these ideas. Need help planning soemthing more elaborate or for more ideas contact one of our event planners at:

amoonjump4u@gmail.com or 630-833-4386!

Spectacular 4th Of July Celebrations!

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Independence Day is quickly approaching and it’s time to start planning your celebration! You want to have a party that is as effortless as it is entertaining…and here’s how!

All that is needed for a fantastic 4th are three key ingredients:

1. Planning

2. Preparation

3. Activities

1. Planning

The best way to ensure that your Independence Day party is a success is to plan out the details ahead of time so stress is minimized and you can enjoy the festivities along with your guests. Assign jobs to other people and they will be happy to help out so that you can enjoy the day as much as the rest of your family will!

Write down your thoughts, ideas and items to purchase. Some people create a timeline and write down what needs to be done when. Others make a master list of all items to be purchased.

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It doesn’t take much to transform your backyard into a patriotic party zone, but the key is to do as much as you can in advance. Here are some steps to prepare the backyard for your party:

• Set up the yard with extra tables, chairs and even a tent to shade guests from the sun or rain.

• Plan the menu and make a shopping list of what you will need.

• Inspect the grill to make sure it works, check the propane tank! Need an extra grill for a larger party we have plenty for rent.

• Set up any 4th of July decorations you want, such as tiki torches, twinkle lights, American flags and patriotic streamers.

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Whether you choose well-organized games and contests or simply let folks relax, having a few activities around can help keep the party flowing.

Here are a few ideas:

• Outside games such as horseshoes, badminton, volleyball and croquet. Or “Giant Games” like Jenga, Connect Four or Bulls Eye Game!

• Patriotic games such as American history trivia, famous Americans charades or state word scramble.

• Kids love water games such as water balloons, squirt guns or running through the lawn sprinkler. The keep the cool rent one of our inflatbale water slides or patriotic inflatables.

• With adult supervision, have some fireworks fun with sparklers, firecrackers and fountains.

It doesn’t have to be a lot of work to throw a 4th of July party. Staying organized can keep stress levels under control and result in a party that even Uncle Sam would be proud to attend.

Outdoor Event Planning Starte Here!

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As warm weather approaches, it’s time to start planning for summertime events – outdoor movies, festivals, golf outings, run/walks and more. All of these can be fun events, but if they’re being held outdoors the planning can get tricky.

Here are 8 important things to remember, put together by our AMJ professional event planners, so your next outdoor event will go off without a hitch.

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1. Obtain permits and research ordinances. If a permit is necessary for your venue, this is the first step. The fastest way to shut down an event is to hold it without a permit. Also look into noise ordinances, as well as fire and safety codes. Talk to the local authorities, fire department and police about these.

2.  Devise a plan for promoting your event. For a private event, you may just need invitations. These can be print or digital. For events that are open to the public, the promotional options are endless – newspaper ads, signs, banners, social media, news releases. Be sure to put a plan in place so you’ll get the most for your advertising dollars.

3.  Cover all the bases on logistics & layout. Take photos of the venue and create a detailed sketch of how it will be set up. Unless you are utilizing an existing outdoor facility, you’ll be bringing in everything – power, food, communications, equipment, toilets, everything. And when it’s over, you’ll be taking everything out. Advance planning and coordination are crucial. Meet with your suppliers at the venue to coordinate the logistics – from set up to tear down and everything in between. Be sure to factor “loading in” and “loading out” into your timeline.

4. Plan for Entertainment Now that you’ve planned the layout, think about what activites or entertainment will be provided.  How about food & drinks what will you serve?  See below for some suggestions on fun and games for your event!

5.  Supply your event with power. Food stations, music and areas that will need lights will need power stations. If there are not enough, tell your vendors to bring extension cords, and check the power load per plug. Just be sure the power cords don’t run across walkways. Also, have a backup power source on standby.

6. Ensure the comfort and safety of guests. Have a steady supply of drinking water or drinking fountains. Make sure they’re throughout the venue. Some events provide mist sprayers or portable air conditioners to help guests beat the heat.

Sanitation is also important. A lack of restroom facilities or poor toilet facilities can ruin your event. They don’t have to be exactly on the property, as long as they are within a reasonable walking distance.Provide adequate lighting. For an evening event, be sure all exit paths, walkways, restrooms and parking areas are well-lit.Have medical professionals on standby, especially if your event is in a remote area. Or at least keep a first-aid kit handy.

7. Monitor the weather and plan for rain. Start monitoring the weather as far in advance as possible. In addition to rain, keep the wind in mind. You don’t want things to blow over, so make sure everything is anchored securely. Devise a contingency plan in case of inclement weather. Make sure your team knows the plan in advance so they can react quickly if the weather turns. Where will the DJ go? Food and drinks? Registration desks and other essential features?  Maybe have a backup plan to put up tents in case the weather goes south!

8. Make arrangements for clean up. The event may be over, but your work is not. Make sure that you have made arrangements with the sanitation department for cleaning up afterwards. Otherwise, have a hauling firm on hand for cleaning the area once the event is over.

Our AMJ event planners also made a list of some of our more popular outdoor inflatables, games and extras to ensure your outdoor party is SPECTACULAR!

Our expert event planners are ready to help you plan your outdoor event no matter how big or small!  Call us today and let’s get started! 630-833-4386 http://www.amoonjump4u.com

Rope a Calf With Our Rolling Roper!

Rope the calf! …

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It’s been called a calf roping machine, a roll-a-roper, calf roper, and roller roper—no matter what you call it it’s a getty-up good time. The Rodeo Roper is an excellent tool for teaching basic roping skills as well as an exciting piece of entertainment for your next western themed event. The Rolling Roper only requires a basic electrical connection and a 10ft by 20ft space.
Pair Rodeo Roper with spicy barbecue, good country music, your favorite buddies and you’ve got a YEE-HAW’N rodeo!

Pair AMJ’s Rodeo Roper with spicy barbecue, good country music and you’ve got a YEE-HAW’N  rodeo!
You mount the horse, rope in hand. Then, with a swift spurring kick to both sides of the horse, the spring-loaded mechanical calf shoots out from under the horse. If you roped him, just pull on the rope to bring him back for “reloading” and another practice run. You and your guests will love it!

Perfect for company picnics!  How about a western themed company picnic this year!  You will need some props, party Country-Western-Party-Ideassupplies, games, and of course music!  Some good ideas for western party decorations include old wagon wheels, old boots, spurs, vintage cowboy hats, lariats, ranch brand symbols, camp lanterns, saddles, bridles, and Navajo blankets. Your western party decorations can be functional, too. For example, when we host a cowboy party, it’s usually held outdoors. Use bales of hay for seating. Put up “wanted” posters with employee pictures, have some fun with it!  Rent our Photo Booth and let us supply fun western themed props!

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Your guests will the Rolling Roper….steer-roping at it’s best! Rope the steer and win! This attraction is so unique and fun and it also a great photo opportunity! Let AMJSE take care of all the work – we will deliver, set-up, and take down your Rolling Roper for your western themed party, so all you have to do is enjoy! Contact us now to talk about this or about the hundreds of other rentals we have ready to help make your party a spectacular event! Giddy-up and contact one of AMJ’s Expert Party Planners.

Inflatable Zip Line for All Sizes and Ages!

Big news for thrill-seekers in the Wisconsin / Illinois / Indiana area!  A Moon Jump 4U (a division of AMJ Spectacular Events) has recently acquired a one-of-a-kind mobile zip line.

If you’ve wanted to add some real excitement to a birthday party or company event, but worried that a portable zipline might be too scary for some of your guests, we have the solution!  Watch the video below and you’ll see that our zip line has several advantages:

  • riders sit on a seat, so it can accommodate sizes from 300 lbs down to very young children!
  • there’s a slide, for those riders who freak out when they realize just how high up they are when they get to the top!
  • the ride is shorter, but FASTER than many other zip lines – a sprint from top to bottom!
  • can accommodate up to 200 riders per hour – perfect for larger events!

Inflatable Zip Line Rental Illinois

You may see other inflatable zip lines in the Chicago area, but our Tidal Wave Inflatable Zip Line is unique – the striking blue wave patterns make you feel like you’re flying over water.  And ours is only 28 feet tall, so it will fit in more locations than the 35-foot structure offered by some other companies (their extra height comes from a decorative element that sticks out of the top).

If you decide that you want a traditional zip line, we have that too – a huge, 3-story tall, 220-foot long zipline that will make a BIG impression at your upcoming event!

Be sure to contact us right away to check on availability – we had several bookings for this unique inflatable before it even arrived in our warehouse!  Just call us (630-833-4386) or email us (sales@amjse.com) right away.  Imagine having THIS at your event!

Mobile Zipline Rental Indiana