Best Kids’ Party Venues in the Inner West

Children’s birthday parties are a highlight of the calendar year, but they can be a planning headache for busy families – especially with limited house space. Party planning becomes even more challenging during the cooler, rainy months when people need a wet-weather option.

With this in mind, the IWMs team have put together the following list of venues, including commercial spaces, community centres and church halls, which offer both indoor and outdoor space for kids’ parties. Some of these provide the complete package – a space, food and entertainment – for a fuss-free experience; others are rooms or spaces for hire where you can add your special touch (bring on those K-Mart party supplies!). All of the venues have been recommended in the Inner West Mums’ group.

Which one will you choose for your child’s next party?

This article was first published in 2017, and updated in 2023. If we’ve missed your favourite venue, or any of the information in this piece need updating, please email us at info@theinnerwestmums.com.au.

Artspark Studio
43 Merton Street, Rozelle
Phone: 0434 154 811
Artspark Studio’s art and sewing parties are a great option for creative kids. The art parties are suitable for children aged four years and up; the sewing parties are for children aged seven years and up. Each child takes home their special creation, and there may even be an opportunity to feed the resident guinea pigs or find eggs laid by the hens in the studio’s eco-garden.  The parties are drop-off parties but families are invited to return in the last 30 minutes to celebrate the special guests’ birthday. Bring your own drinks and snacks to enjoy after the art or sewing activity. The parties cost $570 for up to 10 children, plus $45 for each additional child. There is a maximum of 15 children for the art parties and 13 for the sewing parties.

(Image courtesy of Artspark)

Also try:

Julie Peadon Art
71 Lyons Road, Drummoyne
Phone: 0416 135 146
Julie Peadon Art runs 2-hour long art parties on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Choose from a wide variety of genres, from Van Gogh to Pop Art, or even something specific like unicorns and dragons There are more than 60 styles of art to choose from. There’s a courtyard space with giant Lego blocks for sculpture building once the art class is over. Bring your own food and drinks. The parties cost $50 per child, for a minimum of six children, maximum of 24.

Paper Rock Scissors Art Studio
760 Darling Street, Rozelle
12 Flour Mill Way, Summer Hill
Phone: 0423 206 090
Paper Rock Scissors has studios in Summer Hill and Rozelle. These can host parties on both days of the weekend.  The cost is $45 plus GST per child, for a minimum of six and maximum of 24 children. All parties include a guided art activity.

Want to find out more about Paper Rock Scissors’ pre-school art classes? Read our review here.

Bridge Road School’s Forest
127 Parramatta Road, Camperdown
Bridge Road School is a short-stay primary school offering an “intensive, specialised behavioural intervention program for young children”.  In the absence of a P&C, the school fundraises by hiring out its fantastic adventure playground-style forest on weekends.  The space is fully fenced and facilities include a covered deck which can accommodate around 50 people, a wooden fort and obstacle course, picnic tables and a small, paved bike track. Guests will have use of the 18-space school car park and the school’s visitor toilets. The Forest can be hired for $350. This covers access from 9am to 7pm. Barbecue hire is an additional $50. Want to know more? Read our full review here.

Concord Bowlo
1 Clermont Avenue, Concord
Phone: (02) 9743 2309
Concord Bowlo is a good option for rain or shine, and regularly mentioned by IWM members.  It offers a covered outdoor area, a jumping castle for hire, use of the lower green and barefoot bowls. Plus there’s a function space upstairs if the weather doesn’t play ball.  Contact the Bowlo for prices: https://concordbowlingclub.com.au/functions/

(Image courtesy of Concord Bowling Club)

Gymkidz gymnastics parties
Coronation Hall, 95 Lennox Street, Newtown
Phone: 0406 042 385
Gymkidz in Newtown runs fun, non-competitive gymnastics classes for children aged 0 to 12.  It is available to hire for parties on Saturdays, from 3.15pm – 4.45pm.  It’s suitable for children aged 4 – 12 years and includes a gymnastics circuit run by the centre’s coaches. After the hour long gymnastics class, the children enjoy 30 minutes of snacks/cake in the waiting area.  The parties are self-catering but a long table is set up and there are facilities to reheat food, as well as a fridge/freezer. Cost: $399 for 15 kids. 

Got you thinking your little one might be interested in a gym class? Check out our full review here.

(Image courtesy of Gymkidz)

Also try: 

Aerialize
7-9 Close Street, Canterbury
Phone: 8964 6135
This circus skills group hosts birthday parties on Sundays across three time slots: 10am – 12pm, 12.30pm – 2.30pm and 3pm – 5pm. The two hour party includes time for a cake and snacks, plus a group photo. Bring your own food and drinks. Prices start at $275 for 1-7 people. For details visit: https://www.aerialize.com.au/parties 

Jimmy Little Community Centre
19 Cecily Street, Lilyfield
Phone: 02 9810 1622
An Inner West Council-run venue, Jimmy Little Community Centre in Lilyfield provides an excellent space for children’s parties. There is a large, open indoor space, outdoor play equipment and a kitchen. Tables and chairs are included in the hire cost. All Inner West Council venues must be hired at least 7 days prior to the event. Visit the website for prices.

Also try:

Other Inner West Council venues recommended for parties in the IWM Group include:

• Elkington Park Gazebo
• Annandale Community Hall
• Hannaford Community Centre

Joseph Sargeant Community Centre
60 Prospect Street, Erskineville
Phone: (02) 9265 9333
Joseph Sargeant Community Centre in Erskineville is well suited for children’s parties. The centre has both indoor and outdoor areas, including a children’s soft-fall play area. There is also a kitchen. The space can be hired seven days a week, but must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance. Visit the website for prices.

(Image courtesy of City of Sydney)

Jungle Buddies
Level 2, 97 Queens Road, Five Dock
Phone: 1300 883 819
If you’re after a hassle-free party, Juggle Buddies is an excellent option. The venue offers a range of party packages, which include an hour of unlimited play on the large play structure, a dedicated party room with a party host, and various catering options. Contact the venue for pricing: https://www.junglebuddies.com.au/party/

(Image courtesy of Jungle Buddies)

King Pin Strathfield
3-5 George Street, North Strathfield
Phone: 4063 1514
IWM Group members recommend bowling or laser tag at King Pin for parties for older children. There’s also karaoke and arcade games, as well as food options. There are a range of packages depending on the child’s age and inclusions. For details visit: https://www.kingpinplay.com/en-au/venues/nsw/north-strathfield. Darling Harbour is another option.

Little Nicholson Street Play Centre
13 Union Street, East Balmain
Little Nicholson Street Play Centre in Balmain is an ideal venue for birthday parties for children aged one to five years old.  The centre is available for party hire on Saturday mornings (10 am–1 pm) or afternoons (2 pm–5 pm) for three hours. The centre has an outdoor area with various play equipment, including swings and a sandpit. Barbecue facilities are also available for use. The indoor area has an art room and dress-ups for use during parties. Hired children’s entertainers are allowed, but no jumping castles or rides. It accommodates up to 15 children, with a maximum of 45 people on site.

(Image courtesy of Inner West Council)

Ninja Warrior Sydney
5/1 Jabez Street, Marrickville
Phone: 8068 0001
The Marrickville Ninja Warrior course is available to book on Saturdays and Sundays. Downstairs the kids will have a blast mastering the course – which includes extended monkey bars and an inflatable obstacle course – under the guidance of staff, and upstairs parents and carers can set out the food and drinks, ready for cake time. Cost is $330 plus GST, for a party of 12 children, for 1.5 hours exclusive use of the venue. Bring your own food and drinks.

Also try:

Sydney Indoor Climbing Gym
Unit 4C/1-7 Unwins Bridge Road, St Peters
Phone: 9519 3325
Book the Sydney Indoor Climbing Gym party room and kids’ climbing wall for 2.5 hours on either Saturday or Sunday. The party room has a microwave, oven, fridge and table and chairs, to set out your party. Bring your own food and drinks, as well as plates and cutlery.  There are age and ratio requirements for safety reasons. For example, if the climbers are aged under 12, they must be belayed by an adult or teenager. Gym staff will train the belayers.

The Athletic Buddha
1/2a Rothwell Avenue, Concord West
Phone: 0451 932 013
IWM Group members recommend The Athletic Buddha parties as an option for active kids. Indoor and outdoor parties are available, and run for two hours on both Saturdays and Sundays.  Activities range from parkour to soccer, gymnastics to dodgeball. Bring your own food and drinks. Contact the venue for pricing: https://www.theathleticbuddha.com.au/host-birthday-party/

Yanada Room, Lewisham
Luna Apartments, 22 Hudson St, Lewisham NSW 2049
Phone:  (02) 9392 5000

We all love it when a new venue opens up and Yanada Room in Lewisham – a bright, airy, modern room – great for groups of up to 40 people, might be just the place for your next birthday party. Facilities included in the room hire include trestle tables and chairs and a commercial kitchen – perfect for bringing in your own catering. Just outside is a paved area, outdoor playground – where the little ones can run around – and public bbq . Bookings can be made by the hour, half- and daily.

Contact the venue for pricing: https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/explore/venues-for-hire/rooms-and-small-halls-30-120-people/yanada-room 

(Image courtesy of Inner West Council)

FURTHER AFIELD … 

Treetops Adventure Western Sydney
While not in the inner west, Treetops in Western Sydney Parklands gets mentioned frequently in discussions about children’s parties.

Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq 
Located in Alexandria and offering laser tag, bowling, arcade games and more, this is another option recommended in the Group for parties for older children.

Cover image © shalamov/123RF Stock Photo

About Author

IWM

See author's posts

Related posts:

Term 1, 2020 Activities Guide Keeping your cool at these local swimming pools Kids’ Online Classes & Activities Guide Tips to Avoid Party Planning Panic The Inner West’s Best … Parks for Parties and Picnics Term 4, 2019 Activities