Best of the Gold Coast 2019: Gold Coast’s best kids’ parties
Love your kids? Want to give them a great party? Look no further than this list of the Gold Coast’s best children’s parties as voted by you.
Best of Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Best of Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
LOVE your kids? Want to give them a great party? Look no further than this list of the Gold Coast’s best children’s parties as voted by you.
MY LITTLE FARM FRIENDS
Want all the coolest kids at your party? My Little Farm Friends can help with a guest list including cheeky baby goats, deer, alpacas, miniature horses, piglets, calves, chickens, lambs and bunnies (if they aren’t busy with their Easter duties). Owner Pequeeta Logan says their mobile farm can drop by your backyard or a nearby public park, you’ll just have to check with Gold Coast City Council for permission. You’ll feel extra warm and fuzzy knowing your new friends were rescued from tough starts — they’re often orphans or from drought-affected properties — and given a happy forever home and lifetime’s supply of cuddles. “As people move to urban environments and lose their connection to the land and the farmers that are our lifeblood, we get so much joy from seeing kids reconnect by interacting with our animals and learning about our life on the farm,” Pequeeta says. Backyard farms are priced from $230.
DRAX4KIDS
1 Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach
While Dracula’s provides a night out for the adults, Drax4Kids gives the little monsters something to scream about. Director Haydie Newman says their parties feature live rock music, interactive games, dancing, singing, and lighting and technical SFX that will blow the minds of even the most tech-savvy kids. “The two hours of interactive fun and games includes a professional show featuring extremely talented local child performers,” she says. “Our Drax4Kids cast include local children who have been working with us for almost a year now.” Hot and cold party treats and unlimited soft drink fuel the fun. Entry is $35 per person for guests lists nine or fewer kids, with price perks for larger parties.
MERMAID FANTASY
With her beautiful pink and purple tail, Jaime the Mermaid is a real-life mermaid available for hire and she loves nothing more than being invited to children’s birthday parties. Set the scene at the beach or pool and your little landlubbers could even experience a mermaid ride. There’ll be time for plenty of pictures with their favourite mythical creature as they enjoy structured games, free playing, drawing and colouring, or even education in water safety and ocean conservation. Jaime is an accredited swimming and water safety teacher and her sidekick is a trained pool lifeguard. Bookings are from $200 per hour.
INDOOR SKYDIVING
3084 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
Flying is probably the coolest superpower and an iFLY birthday party can hook you up. Designed for kids aged three to 16, packages include two flights each, a certificate (bragging rights), cupcakes and a designated birthday table in the viewing gallery. One of iFLY’s flight and safety instructors will give the birthday flyer and their friends a short rundown of the basics of indoor skydiving before decking them out in official flight gear, including goggles, helmet and a special flight suit. When it’s time to fly, you’ll enter the wind chamber. Supported by a cushion of air, it’s hard to beat the floating feeling.
THEME PARK TREAT
Themeparks.com.au/birthdayparties
From Wonder Woman to water slides, the party planners at Village Roadshow Theme Parks are the real heroes. Head of conferencing and events Caroline Duveau-Clayton says their packages make it easy to pull off a blockbuster bash. “We can offer a wide range of birthday parties from a Super Hero party at Movie World, a Splashtacular water party at Wet’n’Wild, a party filled with fun and adventure at Sea World or a complete farmyard experience at Paradise Country,” she says. “By far one of our most popular parties is the Super Hero party at Movie World, where the kids can meet some of their favourite members of the Justice League such as Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman and then spend the day exploring the park and going on the rides with their friends.”
DESSERT DREAMS
Cowch, Shop 1606/07 Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Broadbeach
If you want to have your cake and eat it too, Cowch parties are a sweet dream come true. Owner Arif Memis says the Pacific Fair dessert bar offers perks for parents too. “Our kids’ parties are so popular because we create a fully customised and interactive experience for kids where they can create their own milkshakes, pizzas and ice cream,” he says. “While the kids are busy, parents can sit back with a sneaky cocktail.” With packages and spaces to suit small or large groups, you can request a tasting table, plan a dessert pizza party or let the little ones get creative crafting their own naked pops and smoothies.
COSTUME CHARACTERS
In her 15 years in the birthday business, Strawberry Fundaes owner Natalie Faulkner has been the special guest at more than 3000 parties. Her experience working with children includes making magic happen for The Starlight Foundation and Make A Wish Australia, but she says there’s an art to capturing their imagination. Whether masquerading as an on-trend princess, mermaid or superhero, Natalie and her team can run party games, dancing, face painting, craft and balloon twisting. “We are much more than a person in a costume,” she says. “The Frozen Parties are still quite a steady request and will certainly pick up again this year with the release of the new Frozen 2 movie.”
PAMPERED PRINCESS
5/7 De Barnett Street, Coomera
Business is booming at Pampered Princess with around a dozen parties each weekend solidly booked six weeks in advance. The popular Pamper Parties see three to 10 year olds transformed into princesses: manicured, pedicured, braided, glittered and lavished. “We do a lovely chocolate facial,” owner Laura Jones says. “We put the cucumber over their eyes and they just love it.” The beauty sessions can be followed by a high tea and royal ball. More active princesses (and their princely guests) can opt for the disco in three themes: mermaid, unicorn or Frozen, and for older princesses, there are step-by-step make-up tutorials with a professional. A flower wall provides the perfect backdrop for Instagram pics.
LEGENDARY LEGO
What kid doesn’t love Lego? Bricks4Kidz Gold Coast owner Georgina Rice hasn’t come across one yet. Georgina runs a mobile party gig — you provide the venue, she provides a mound of Lego, building plans, Lego-based games and her expertise. Themes include Minecraft, Star Wars, superheroes, dinosaurs, ninjas, princesses and more. “We play a couple of Lego games then settle down to some building,” Georgina says. “I play a bit of music and help if I’m needed. Kids love it — boys and girls. It’s educational and creative as well. I tailor it to all ages and interests.” The deluxe party package includes invitations, at least two party hosts, a Bricks4Kidz T-shirt or cap for the birthday person and a sure-fire hit bound to get the thumbs up at school on Monday.
MOUNTVIEW ALPACA FARM
852 Lamington National Park Rd, Canungra
Did you know Ed Sheeran was available for private parties? He’s one of the most popular residents at Mountview Alpaca Farm, although they’re all pretty adorable. “We’ve got around 25 alpacas here and a couple of babies at the moment,” Mountview’s Shania Pack says. “They’re fluffy, cuddly and people love to take selfies with them.” The alpaca crew can come to you or visit them at their country base in the grounds of O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards. Timtam and Pancake love being taken for walks, or perhaps you’d prefer an Eat and Greet with Elvis. “We use our alpacas as therapy animals at hospitals so simply spending time with them is very therapeutic,” Shania says.
RAKUEN JUDO NINJA BIRTHDAY PARTIES
1/54 Paradise Ave, Miami
Even ninjas have birthdays — and, it’s true, they get to cut their cakes with a real samurai sword. Rakuen Judo’s facility at Miami transforms into a dojo to host kids’ parties, complete with red-carpet entrance, activities and games, expert martial arts instruction, a jumping castle and party food. Head ninja Matthew Kinstler says he’s thrilled the parties are getting rave reviews online. “We try to make it special,” he says. “We have a fog machine and low lighting to create a bit of atmosphere and we show them some basic judo moves, but we have a bit of fun with it too, making up different scenarios where they’re stopping the baddies until the police arrive, that sort of stuff.” The parties have been a hit with boys and girls alike — and there are special offers for those who fancy some more formal ninja training afterwards.
BOUNCE BASH
5 Sunlight Drive, Burleigh Waters
If your definition of a successful kids’ party involves burning those boundless energy reserves, Bounce is the spot for you. With its seeming hectares of trampolines, springy surfaces and safety padding, kids are treated to two supervised hours of tailored games and activities, including dodge ball, slam dunk, time on the big bag and, for the acrobatically gifted, freestyle instruction to learn a few new tricks. Parties are fully hosted and tailored to suit the group. They come complete with a party space, food and drink to refuel and ice cream cake although families are free to supply their own birthday cakes if they’d prefer.
GAME OVER GC
88 Siganto Drive, Helensvale
Start your engines! Mini adrenaline junkies will have a field day at this indoor adventure destination. Kids aged seven years and over and more than 120cm tall qualify for a license to thrill on the Junior Karts … and they aren’t your average go-carts, they’re the latest high-speed electric models. For actionmen and women aged six years and under, choose a Clip n Climb or Lazer Tag Party package. The controlled environment and state-of-the-art gear means parents can breathe easy on sidelines.
Blueberry facials, black salt coat treatments: Doggy spa named as best on the Coast
A luxurious pet spa has been named the best dog groomer on the Gold Coast, securing 21 per cent of the Bulletin reader-voted poll. See the top five.
Top five burgers on the Gold Coast named
This northern Gold Coast burger joint has been named the best in the region for the second year in a row. Find out who won.