Frequently asked questions

Parties at The Yard are not room hire with entertainment added on. You’re booking a fully hosted, two-hour creative experience in a purpose-built space — with real materials, thoughtful setup, guided facilitation, and complete pack-down handled for you. There’s no rushing, no rotating activities, and no pressure for children to perform or keep up. Parents often tell us the value is in: • Not having to plan or run the party • Watching children genuinely engaged for the full two hours • Leaving without cleaning up or packing away

Every party includes: • A 2-hour hosted experience • Access to the chosen Yard space(s) • All materials, tools, and equipment • Thoughtful setup before your arrival • Full clean-up and pack-down after • 10 children included (birthday child included) There are no surprise add-ons required to make the party work.

We’ve found that two hours is the sweet spot for children to: • Arrive and settle in • Play deeply and creatively • Celebrate together without rushing Shorter parties often feel hurried and over-structured. Two hours allows children to truly engage which is what makes the experience memorable.

Yes. Because the experiences are open-ended. Rather than running through a schedule of games or activities, we create an environment that invites curiosity, movement, collaboration, and creativity. Children move in and out of activities naturally, just like they do when they’re deeply absorbed in play.

Absolutely. The Yard is designed to support many play styles: • Children who love to move • Children who prefer quiet focus • Children who need flexibility and choice There is no pressure to participate in a certain way. Children engage at their own pace, and our facilitators gently support where needed. If your child has specific needs, you’re always welcome to contact us before booking.

We’ve intentionally designed our parties as complete experiences, not scaled-down versions. Offering shorter or cheaper options would mean: • Rushing children through activities • Reducing materials or facilitation • Compromising the experience That’s not what The Yard is about.

Yes. Food, cake, and decorations are BYO. We keep the focus on the experience itself, giving families the flexibility to celebrate in a way that suits them, without being locked into catering packages.

Parents are welcome to stay and observe, relax, or help support their child if needed. Our facilitators lead the experience, so parents are not expected to run the party. We do require a 1:3 adult to child ratio.

Your party has exclusive access to the booked activity areas for the duration of your session. Other areas of The Yard may be in use unless you’ve booked a Combo Party or exclusive arrangement.

For outdoor Exploratorium parties, we monitor weather closely. If conditions aren’t suitable, we’ll work with you to adjust the experience where possible or discuss alternative options ahead of time.

Party spots are limited and often book out several weeks in advance, especially during school holidays. We recommend booking as early as possible to secure your preferred date.

That’s completely normal. Every child plays differently, and we’re happy to help guide you to the best option. Help Me Choose a Party

Final payment is due before your party date. We’ll send a reminder with everything you need closer to your booking.

After booking, we’ll be in touch to help you choose a Makery theme that suits your child’s age, interests, and group. Themes are curated by our team and may vary based on availability.