Play & Party Hire
Kids party hire, sized to the space you actually have
Seven kinds of play and party hire, all delivered, set up and packed down. The right one depends on two things you can measure before you enquire. The age of the children and the flat ground you have.
Play hire works differently from entertainment. Nobody performs, nobody needs the room to be quiet, and the hire window usually covers the whole party rather than an hour of it. That makes it the better value option for the ages a performer cannot hold, and a useful backdrop for the ages who can be held.
The constraint is physical rather than social. Every item on this page has a footprint, a clearance requirement and a surface it can or cannot be installed on. A castle that will not fit through your side gate is not a cheaper castle, it is no castle at all.
Measure the flat area, measure the narrowest point of your access, and note the surface. Those three numbers make every quote you receive accurate.
Browse
Every play and party hire option
Each one has its own page with the detail, the buyer questions and the planning notes that actually differ.
Soft Play Hire
Padded play sets, mini slides and fencing for under fives.
ExploreJumping Castle Hire
Themed castles, combos and slides sized for your space.
ExploreInflatable Hire
Obstacle courses, giant slides and water slides for bigger kids.
ExploreBall Pit Hire
Sanitised pastel and rainbow ball pits that double as a photo corner.
ExploreToddler Play Hire
Small scale play sets and sensory equipment for ones and twos.
ExploreKids Party Games
Giant garden games, carnival stalls and prize activities.
ExploreKids Party Equipment Hire
Fairy floss, popcorn, kids tables, chairs and teepee sleepovers.
ExploreCompare
What fits, and who it is for
Footprints are indicative. Always confirm the exact figure with the operator.
| Hire type | Best age | Rough space to allow | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft play hire | 1 to 5 | 3 by 3 to 5 by 5 metres | Grass, pavers, decking or indoors |
| Jumping castle hire | 3 and up | About 5 by 5 metres plus clearance | Flat grass, or hard surface with ballast |
| Inflatable hire | 6 and up | 10 to 15 metres for a course | Flat grass, parks and ovals |
| Ball pit hire | 1 to 5 | About 2 by 2 metres | Almost anywhere, indoors included |
| Toddler play hire | 1 to 3 | Smaller than soft play | Indoors on carpet or timber, or outdoors |
| Kids party games | 4 to 12 | Spread across the space | Grass, decking or a hall floor |
| Kids party equipment hire | All ages | Table space plus power | Anywhere with a power point |
Before you enquire
Three measurements that make every quote accurate
Five minutes with a tape measure prevents the most common problem in play hire, which is a delivery that cannot be installed.
Common questions
Kids party hire questions
What is the difference between soft play and a jumping castle?
Soft play is a padded, ground level play area for babies through to about five. A jumping castle is an inflatable needing power, anchoring and open ground, suited to about three and up. Parties with a wide age range often book both in separate zones.
Is delivery and setup included?
Almost always for play hire. Delivery, setup, pack down and collection are normally in the price, with the hire window typically running three to four hours. Confirm the delivery and collection times when you book, because they are the detail that most often slips.
Can play hire be set up indoors?
Soft play, ball pits and toddler play generally can, on most flooring. Inflatables usually cannot, because of ceiling height and anchoring. If the forecast is uncertain, an indoor capable option removes the risk entirely.
Is supervision included with play hire?
No. Play hire is equipment, not supervision. An adult needs to be watching the area for the full hire, and every operator says the same in their terms. Some castle operators offer a supervising attendant at extra cost.
How far ahead should I book play hire?
Four to six weeks for most weekends and longer through the October to March peak. Soft play and castles are the two items that book out first on a Saturday morning.
Tell us about the party once
One brief, matched to suppliers who cover your suburb and are free on your date. Free for parents, with no obligation to book.