Play & Party Hire
Ball pit hire that works as a play area and a photo corner
A ball pit is the smallest, cheapest and most photographed piece of play hire you can book. For a first birthday it often does more work than anything else in the yard.
Ball pit hire is usually a round or square padded pit, sometimes with a small slide or steps, filled with several hundred plastic balls. Most sets come in a colour palette, and pastel is the one that dominates first birthday styling in Australia at the moment.
It is the easiest play hire to fit into a small space. Two metres square is enough for most sets, which makes it the option that works in a townhouse courtyard or a small apartment common area where a castle or a full soft play set would not.
Cleaning is the question worth asking. The balls go in mouths, and a supplier who cannot describe their sanitising process is telling you something.
Who it suits
Ball pit or full soft play set
A ball pit is a component. A soft play set is a play area. Which you need depends on how many little ones are coming and how long they need occupying.
| Your party | Book | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1st birthday, small guest list | Ball pit alone | Enough for a handful of babies, and the photos are the point |
| 6 or more under fives | Soft play set with a ball pit included | One pit becomes a queue with that many toddlers |
| Small courtyard or apartment | Ball pit alone | It is the only play hire that reliably fits |
| Wide age range | Ball pit plus something for the older children | Over fives lose interest in a pit within about ten minutes |
What you are booking
What ball pit hire covers
A small booking with a short list, which is part of the appeal.
Usually included
- The pit, padded sides and matting
- Several hundred sanitised balls in the chosen palette
- Delivery, setup, pack down and collection
- Cleaning between hires
- A small slide or steps on some sets
Worth asking about
- The ball count and how it is topped up between hires
- The exact cleaning process and how often balls are replaced
- Whether the palette can be matched to your styling
- Whether it can go on grass, tiles, carpet or pavers
- Whether a soft play add on is available for the same delivery
Making it photograph well
It is the corner people take photos in, so set it up like one
A ball pit gets photographed more than anything else at a first birthday. A little thought about placement pays off on the day.
Before you book
What to ask before booking a ball pit
Short list, and the hygiene question is the one that matters most.
- How are the balls cleaned between hires, and how often are they replaced?
- How many balls come with the set?
- What surfaces can it be set up on, indoors and out?
- What is the hire window and the delivery and collection time?
- Can the colour palette be matched to my styling, and is that extra?
Get quotes
Tell us the space and the palette
Ball pit quotes are simple. Space, date and palette gets you almost everything you need to compare.
- Say where it will go and what surface it is on
- Mention the colour palette if styling matters
- Tell us if you want soft play delivered at the same time
Questions parents ask
Ball pit hire questions
How much space does a ball pit need?
Most sets fit in about two by two metres, including the padded sides. That makes ball pit hire the play option that works in a courtyard, a townhouse yard or an indoor lounge room where a castle or a full soft play set would not fit.
How are the balls cleaned?
Reputable suppliers sanitise every ball between hires and top up or replace stock regularly. Ask for the specific process rather than a general assurance. Given the age group and the fact that balls end up in mouths, it is the most important question on the list.
What age is a ball pit for?
One to about five. It is at its best for first and second birthdays. Over fives will enjoy it for ten minutes and then want something more physical, so for a mixed age party you will want something else alongside it.
Can a ball pit be set up indoors?
Yes, and indoors is often better. Softer light for photographs, no wind, no heat, and the balls stay contained. Check the supplier is comfortable on your flooring, particularly on carpet or polished timber.
Should I hire a ball pit or a full soft play set?
A ball pit alone suits a small first birthday with a handful of babies. Once you have six or more under fives, a full soft play set with a pit included gives them somewhere to actually play rather than one thing to queue for. Compare soft play hire.
Do suppliers match the balls to my colour scheme?
Many offer set palettes such as pastel, rainbow or neutral, and some will mix to order for an extra fee. Mention your styling in the brief and quotes come back with the options each supplier can actually deliver.
Get ball pit quotes for your date
Tell us the suburb, the date and roughly where it will go. Suppliers who deliver to you come back with quotes.