Have you got a special person in your family with a birthday coming up? Whether you are entertaining at home, away, or handing over the reins altogether, we have gathered some ideas so your child can have their perfect party. These ideas also all support local businesses and families in and around our beautiful Macedon Ranges. What could be better? (We’ve listed party options outside of the Ranges at the end of the blog, if you are happy to go a little further).
Party for animal lovers: Parklands Mobile Animal Farm can provide: pony parties which are unicorn, superhero themed or cowboy themed; donkey parties; parties at the Parklands Farm; farm parties that come to you with a pony (for rides) as an option; mini golf hire and children’s chairs and trestle table hire. Wildlife Action (based in Macedon) brings the zoo to you. Clip Clop Pony Parties (based in Newham) likewise bring the ponies to your place.
Sports or pool party: Check out Lovaball for parties for your 4 to 8 year olds. Gisborne Aquatic Centre and Kyneton Toyota Sports and Aquatic Centre offer pool party fun no matter the weather.
Play party: Pop Gaming Arcade in Gisborne also caters and runs parties with lots of arcade gaming fare. Hire a jumping castle from All Seasons Jumping Castles, for a play party at home.mp
Movie party: You can hire out the theatre at Barringo Food and Wine Co to watch a movie and might want to pair that with dinner in the restaurant. You could also head to Readings Cinema in Sunbury or Melton or Hoyts at Watergardens to check out a new release.
Specialist party: There are some parties that cater for that extra special interest. If fairies, unicorns and magic are their obsession, Myths and Legends in Gisborne is the perfect place for that. If your child loves being pampered, Little Miss Prim and Pamper works between Sunbury and Bendigo providing pamper parties.
Hire a venue: If you want to throw a party but would rather not do it at your house, why not hire a venue? The Gisborne Scout Hall has a large indoor area (especially handy for kids born over winter) as well as cooking and toilet facilities. The Ross Watt Hall in New Gisborne regularly runs playgroups and is similarly fitted out but also has play equipment in and outside. (Do you know of other great venues to hire in the Ranges and surrounds? Let us know and we will add them in).
Hire an entertainer: You can hire someone from Pass the Parcel for face painting, glitter tattoos, balloons, music, dance and craft. (Do you know of any more great entertainers in the Ranges? Let us know and we will add them to our list).
Hire party equipment: A few amazing organisations in the Ranges offer party packs for hire, including plates, cups, tables, chairs. Macedon Ranges Further Education Centre has party kits available for hire for just $10. The Gisborne Toy Library also has kits for hire, as does the Facebook group, Macedon Mums Free to a Good Home. Anastasia from Party Poppets hires out kids tables and chairs in a wide range of colours to suit any theme (call 0438 856 659).
Utilise a free venue: If you are happy to take your own food, drink and games, why not hold a party at your child’s favourite park, fresh air fun destination or sport field? Some ideas might be: Kyneton Community Park, Gisborne Adventure Playground, Romsey Ecotherapy Park, Woodend Children’s Park, Taradale Mineral Springs Nature Playground, Riddells Creek Lions Park, Stanley Park Playground, Days Picnic Area near Sanitorium Lake and Hanging Rock.
Some ideas outside of the Ranges, if you are happy to go further afield include:
- Sunbury: Sunbury Indoor Sports Centre, MacDougall Play Centre (play centre and laser tag), Sunbury All Stars, Sunbury Gymnastics Club, Cute and Cuddly Pony Hire, Boxy’s Bright Bitz (tie dye parties).
- Melton: Mick’s Jump and Play
- Watergardens: Timezone (arcade games, laser tag, bowling).
- Diggers Rest: Animal Land Children’s Farm