The Best Parks and Playgrounds for Kids Parties in Melbourne

So you live in a high-rise apartment or a tiny town house in the inner suburbs of Melbourne, that doesn’t mean you can’t host a fun birthday party for your child! If you don’t have a backyard or you’d simply rather not have so many guests in your house, a party in the park is a great option. Here are some of our favourite parks and playgrounds in Melbourne. Some are tried and tested favourites, others hidden gems, but all are perfect for large groups of excited kids.

Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden
Birdwood Ave, South Yarra

This magical garden is something you would expect to be far away from the city, but it’s actually part of the Royal Botanic Gardens, which are right next to the CBD on the banks of the Yarra River. Kids can explore beautiful wetlands, a rocky gorge, a meandering artificial river and a bamboo garden among half a hectare of gardens. It’s also fenced which should stop dogs and stray soccer balls from interrupting the party, and your guests can make use of the toilet facilities.

Markham Reserve
Victory Blvd, Ashburton

If you’re in Melbourne’s west, this reserve has plenty of open space and a very creative playground. Watch the little ones go crazy on the rope nets, slides and see-saws, there’s even a miniature hill with rock climbing holds that’s perfect for adventurous toddlers. Extra facilities include BBQs, extensive car parking and toilets.

Bicentennial Park
Scotch Parade, Chelsea

Tucked away in the south is a park with one of the longest slides outside a theme park in Australia. Bicentennial Park has been recently renovated and it now has a fairy garden, just the right setting for a fairy party. The playground features ropes and climbing equipment, soft-fall mats, small cottages, and even a quirky Smurf themed village. It also has excellent disabled access, children in wheelchairs can use raised sandpits, as well as special swings. An ample number of tables, BBQs and toilets make this suitable for almost any birthday.

Centenary Park
Gavan St, Bright

If huge forts are your child’s thing they’ll go bonkers when they see the size of this one. It’s got plenty of slides, ramps, ladders and other features to climb all around. The park is situated on a river bank with extensive shading, making it ideal for a hot summer’s day.

Beckett Park
Parring Rd, Balwyn

A beautiful wooden fort made from Cypress Pine is the centerpiece of this children’s wonderland in Melbourne’s east. A large shaded sandpit is accompanied by ramps, bridges, climbing walls, a rope climbing pyramid, a flying fox and a ground level trampoline. There’s also a small maze and the park itself adjoins Maranoa Gardens. Adult guests can take a walk to admire the flowers while the party games are going on, or allow the kids to explore after the cake’s been cut.

Hays Paddock
Longstaff St, Kew

Hays Paddock is super popular on the weekends, and it’s easy to see why. Lots of swings, a huge trampoline, a magical treehouse and a giant musical instrument made of pipes that be hit to make a sound. A small wetlands area provides a beautiful backdrop for the adults to admire while the kids are entertained.

Packer Park
Hunter St, Carnegie

A wetlands themed park, Packer has one of the largest playgrounds we’ve seen. A huge spider web rope climb will keep even the most active kids occupied and a musical snake boardwalk is a fun toy for the smaller ones. Cute toadstool seating areas are the perfect place to set up snacks and the cake, while extensive grassed areas provide all the room you’ll ever need for party games.

If you can’t wait to get outdoors for your child’s next birthday, check out our Park Pack. Two super fun hosts will run a series of high-energy games that are guaranteed to please.