Planning a birthday party for your kids can be exciting but it can also be so stressful! Especially if you are trying to combine organising it around working and getting the kids to all their activities. Sometimes it’s just easier to hire somewhere so you can keep the chaos and party games out of the backyard (or living room).
So here are a few suggestions of places and suppliers to check out.
VENUES
Outdoor playground parties and indoor ones where you hire a local community hall and some soft play equipment (or a bouncy castle) were definitely the most popular suggestions to come from Mums when I asked in our local facebook groups.
Action Zone
This was always a favourite in our house for bowling, laser tag and arcade games. Make sure you take your own socks if you are going bowling!
https://www.actionzone.co.nz/parties-and-events
Active Attitude
Active Attitude is a gymnastics and trampoline centre in Kensington that offers a range of activities, including tumbling, trampoline, and parkour. The centre has birthday party packages for boys and girls which start at $319 for a 2 hour party for 10 kids. (BTW: These guys got lots of shout-outs and recommendations from Mums in the Facebook group).
http://www.activeattitude.co.nz
Community Halls
Whangarei District Council have a list of all the Community Halls available for hire around the area. Popular ones which are not too far out of town seem to be Kauri Hall, Glenbervie Hall and Whareora Hall. Most don’t seem to advertise their rates online but do have contact details for booking enquiries.
https://www.wdc.govt.nz/Community/Community-Facilities/Community-halls
Flip Whangārei
Flip isn’t your average birthday party spot: it’s a trampoline park where the fun never stops. Packages available for parties include use of their party room. There are options to BYO snacks or have it catered for you. Packages start at $210 -Two Hours Jump Time- for 6 kids.
https://www.flipwhangarei.co.nz/activities/partys
Kiwi North / Heritage Park
Trains, trains trains … If you have a train mad child, then this is the perfect place to organise their birthday party. They have a room you can hire and plenty of space if you wanted to hire a bouncy castle as well. Parties start at $30 per party for a minimum of 4 children.
https://www.kiwinorth.co.nz/venue-hire/venuehire
Marist Sports Club
You can book the upstairs area at the Marist Sports Club at Kensington Park which has lots of room to put an indoor bouncy castle, plus a full kitchen. Obviously there are some limitations on bookings on Saturdays (and sometimes Sundays) throughout the winter sports season. For bookings, call 09-437 2416 or email maristwhangarei@gmail.com
Outdoor Playground Party
If the weather’s good then a very cost effective place to have a party is at one of the local playgrounds. Mair Park and Mander Park are both popular options. Mair Park has a few picnic tables and you can always take the kids down to see the ducks. Mander Park has great play equipment but it isn’t fenced so I would avoid that one if you have run-away toddlers and pre-schoolers like I had.
The one at Onerahi beach is awesome when the weather’s good and is one you might not have thought about. There’s toilets, a playground, the beach (obviously) and if you get there in the morning you can grab a picnic table under the trees for shade in summer! So great! Use paper plates, bring some snack foods or have a sausage sizzle…no dishes at all so clean up is easy! Just take a rubbish bag with you!
Whangarei Aquatic Centre
If your child loves swimming, why not have a pool party at the Whangarei Aquatic Centre? The centre offers a variety of pools, including a toddler pool and a hydro slide. The party package includes a party room and a lifeguard to ensure the safety of all the children.
https://www.clmnz.co.nz/whangarei-aquatic-centre/kids/
Whangarei Parents Centre
Another great indoor option which is centrally located off Central Ave. Ideal for a small party.
Bookings: https://whangarei.parentscentre.org.nz/other-services/
HIRE EQUIPMENT FOR PARTIES
(Backdrops & Balloon Arches, Bouncy Castles, Soft Play Equipment & Teepees for Slumber Parties)
BadGal Bizz & Events
Stevie and her whanau-backed biz offer an amazing selection of backdrops and balloon garlands to take your kid’s party to the next level! Packages start from $475 and have lots of colours and themes available.
Jump Party – Bouncy Castles
They have bouncy castles in a variety of sizes and themes. You can also get combo bouncy castles with slides and obstacle courses for added excitement! (They also have options for older kids too). Castles start at $220 for a 6 hour hire.
Northland Events Co (Soft Play Equipment)
These guys have a very cool range of pastel coloured soft play equipment which would be perfect for younger kids under 5yrs. Hire a local hall to put it in and you have an awesome party option. Play Sets start from $250 and you can see all these colours and options on their website. https://northlandeventco.co.nz/home
They also have a really cool summary of the various venues people have used to host parties with their soft play equipment on their Instagram page.
https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17994551263816529/
Snugz Parties
A gorgeous selection of teepees and sleepover themed products for parties for both boys and girls. Lots of themes available including Unicorn, Butterfly, Mermaid & Dinosaur.
https://snugz.co.nz/
The Boutique Teepee Company
Luxury Sleepover Parties & Picnics – Oh my gosh these are the most gorgeously styled teepees and start at $150 for two teepees. They seem to be mostly themed for girls but you could enquire for boy options.
https://www.boutiqueteepees.co.nz
CAKES
Cakes and Castles
A range of bouncy castles for kids from 1yrs – 10yrs. They even have Princess and Dragon bouncy castles which are cool! So many great options to choose from and smaller castles start from $80 per day. They also have some child sized trestle tables and chairs for hire if you need some extra seating.
Their castles need to be set up outside on the grass and you need to pick up and set them up yourself.
http://www.cakesandcastles.co.nz/castles.html
Cuppacakes
A beautiful selection of cakes and cupcakes for all your birthday party needs. Look out for cute themed cupcakes particularly over the school holidays. I love the Mermaid ones, they are my favourite!
The Whole Cake and Caboodle
Lisa is an absolute cake magician and creates amazing works of cake art that not only taste great, they look stunning.
http://www.thewholecakeandcaboodle.co.nz
Have you thought about having family photos to celebrate this milestone?
Birthdays are always the perfect time to think about having family photos. They always signify the end of one phase and the start of another for your family. I know you’ll have a million photos of the kids on your phone, but when was the last time you were in them?
Hi everyone, I’m Tracey Morris & I’m a family, maternity and newborn photographer in Whangarei. I find that parents are drawn to my style of capturing very relaxed and natural images of them with their kids. Many are often quite camera shy and love the way I guide them through the whole process so we get exactly what they want from their session – whether that be digital files for their photobooks or beautiful artwork for their walls.
