Best Parks for Kids Outdoor Birthday Parties in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter

Choosing a venue for a kids birthday party is no easy decision. There are some who love having parties at home or in a specific party venue. However, don’t overlook hosting a party at a local park in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Hunter or Port Stephens.

It doesn’t matter if you’re hosting a 1st birthday party for kids and adults or a party just for kids, there’s a suitable park or playground for your party. You don’t have to worry about a mess in your house or running out of room.

Hosting your party at a local park or playground means there are no limits to how many people you can invite (especially if family and friends are invited too). Plus, with play equipment and wide-open areas, there’s plenty of room for kids to run around and play.

Newcastle Area

Blackbutt Reserve – Carnley Avenue

On the other side of Blackbutt Reserve is Carnley Avenue section. Popular with families due to the Bowerbird Playground and animal exhibits, it’s a busy place for parties on weekends. Reserve a picnic shelter in advance to guarantee a spot. For something fun, you can also arrange your own reptile encounter for party guests. Full review

Blackbutt Reserve – Richley Reserve

With the addition of the new adventure park, this is a great spot to host a party. You can either rock up and hope you can get a picnic shelter or reserve one through the City of Newcastle. There’s a clear line of sight to the playground from the picnic shelters so it’s great to keep an eye on kids. The playground is divided into two areas, one for younger kids and one for older kids. There’s also free electric barbecues if you’re planning on barbecuing.  Full review

Centennial Park

Located in the middle of Cooks Hill, Centennial Park is a beautiful spot for a party. There’s lots of grassy area surrounded by trees plus a modern playground and rotunda. There are picnic tables but bring chairs or picnic blankets. You’re also next door to Lowlands Bowling Club if you feel like a drink or food. Full review

Dixon Park

Covered picnic shelters, fenced playground and a view of the beach make this an ideal location for beach lovers. There’s barbecues so you can cook food and you’re a short walk from the playground and toilets. There’s also a picnic shelter by the playground that you can nab if you get there early enough. Plus you can go for a swim after the party, weather permitting. Full review

Foreshore Park

In the event of rainy weather, the Tramsheds at Newcastle Foreshore Park are a lifesaver. Fully covered, you can host a birthday party here. Sure, the kids might not be able to play on the nearby play equipment but bring some chalk or other undercover activities and you can manage to salvage a party.  Also good when it’s a really hot day and you need shade. Full review

Islington Park

There’s lots to keep kids occupied at Islington Park making it a fun place for a kids party. We’ve been to a few here!  You will need to supervise your kids as there’s the creek nearby to the playground. Also note, that there’s no toilets near this playground. Full review

Jesmond Park

There’s two playgrounds at Jesmond Park but if you pick the back playground for a party, you’ll find it’s a lot quieter with more to do. Here you’ll find covered picnic areas and barbecues along with playground equipment and basketball court. Just bring mozzie spray as they can be an issue with this park. Full review

King Edward Park

An inner-city favourite, this park regularly hosts birthday parties and weddings. The rotunda is a popular choice but there’s picnic tables and seating scattered around the grassy area.

There is a kids play area but it’s across the road so you will need some parental supervision. Full review

Lambton Park

The central location of Lambton Park makes it a top spot for parties. There’s plenty of green spaces for kids to run around and the nearby playground keeps kids occupied. Take advantage of the free barbecues to cook up food. Full review

Nesca Park

Nearby Nesca Park is also great for hosting a party. There’s covered picnic shelters, barbecue facilities and a fun playground for kids. Nesca Park is a large park with lots of green space and palm trees, perfect for ball games and games of hide and seek. Full review

Stockton Active Hub

Views of the harbour and a combination of playground and skate park make this an ideal spot for a party especially for older kids who like to scoot or skate. There are lots of covered picnic shelters in the middle of the Hub which makes it easier for parents to keep an eye on kids whether they be in the playground or at the skate park. Full review

Lake Macquarie Area

Lake Macquarie Variety Playground at Speers Point Park

The largest playground in the Newcastle region is a popular spot for parties. However, some people think it’s too big and too busy. No matter what you think, this fenced massive playground features picnic shelters, barbecues and tons of playground equipment for kids to play on. If you are planning on hosting a party here, you might need to have a few parents to supervise kids. Full review

Pasterfield Sports Complex

If you’re looking for a large park that combines sports and play, head to Pasterfield Sports Complex in Cameron Park. It’s a great spot for an active kids party. This huge community area combines a playground, fitness area, netball courts, skate park and an AFL and cricket field. Between the climbing area and playground are toilets, shelters and barbecue facilities. Full review

Reay Park

With upgraded amenities in 2021, Reay Park at Dudley is a great spot for a small birthday party for kids of any age. The toddler/preschool playground is fenced to the road on three sides, the undercover barbecue area has three picnic tables and two free barbecues and there are clean amenities, including disabled amenities. There’s also a multicourt with a half basketball court, half tennis court and rebound wall plus a large, adjoining field for kids to run around on and play. Full review.

Thomas H Halton Park

This huge, fully-fenced, all-abilities playground in a beautiful lakeside location at Croudace Bay is a great spot for a birthday party. The kids will have a great time playing on the huge pirate ship, in the water play area and in the many different, natural ‘play zones’. There are accessible toilets as well as two covered picnic areas, each with a bbq and picnic table. Full review.

Warner Park

If you like a fully fenced playground, choose Warner Park on Warners Bay Foreshore! This fully-fenced playground includes slides, climbing structure and nets. There’s also covered picnic shelter and amenities block making it ideal for parties for younger kids. Full review

Hunter Area

Bridges Hill Park

Bridges Hill Park at Cessnock has plenty of undercover barbecues and picnic tables located close to the carpark which makes it convenient for unpacking and carrying party supplies from the car to the party area. There’s also a large, clean amenities block and heaps of equipment for kids to play on at this park, although it’s not all visible from the picnic table areas so you’ll need to keep an eye on smaller kids. Full Review

Huntlee District Park One

There’s heaps of play equipment at this park to keep kids of all ages entertained. Whether you are celebrating a baby, preschooler or teenager’s birthday, a party at this park will be a hit. There is one large, undercover picnic table area and two smaller ones, but if the weather is fine there is plenty of uncovered tables and green lawn space to spread out some picnic rugs. The onsite cafe means that the adult guests can grab a hot coffee and the car park is close so you won’t have to walk far to load and unload the car. Full review

John Tucker Park Playground

Located within the spacious and picturesque John Tucker Park at Paterson is a great, fully-fenced kids playground. Featuring slides, climbing equipment, a seesaw and small flying fox, the playground is also completely shaded by a large shade sail. There are also undercover picnic tables, bbqs and modern amenities, making John Tucker Park the perfect spot for an outdoor party.

Maitland Park

Fully-fenced, this playground enables kids to play while parents keep an eye on them from picnic tables outside the playground. With plenty of parking, its central location means its busy with Maitland families. Full review

Raworth Park

There’s only one undercover table, with a barbecue, at Raworth Park. But, if you are lucky enough to grab it, Raworth Park is an ideal spot for a kids birthday party. With play equipment suitable for kids of all ages, it’s fully-fenced and there’s plenty of car parking space located close to the park. Full Review

Rose Point Park

With undercover barbecue/picnic areas located a short walk from the carpark and a clean amenities block, the fully-fenced Rose Point Park Playground has so much equipment for kids of all ages to play on (including some all-abilities equipment), making it an ideal spot for your next kids birthday party if you are located in or near the Singleton area. Full Review

Port Stephens Area

Boat Harbour North Headland

Best suited to older kids, the playground located at Boat Harbour North Headland is right on beautiful, calm Boat Harbour Beach. It’s an ideal spot if you are looking for a beachside location, however, being so close to the water kids will need to be supervised. The amenities are conveniently located right next to the playground and there are three undercover picnic tables to choose from as well as a barbecue. The playground itself is timber in structure, surrounded by sandstone block seating.

Caswell Reserve

Located on the foreshore of Mallabula, Caswell Park has a large covered picnic shelter with gas barbecues, a clean amenities block and a great little playground with swings, climbing equipment, balance beams, a roundabout and concrete paths to ride scooters round and round. The carpark is located right next to the park for convenience. Once the birthday celebrations are finished, everyone can take a walk through beautiful Tilligerry Habitat. Full Review

Fern Bay Reserve

This fenced playground is the ideal place for a kids party. With an undercover picnic table and bbq, plus other picnic tables in the reserve, access to the Fern Bay Hall toilets from the outside and access to the half-sized basketball court, there’s something to keep kids of all ages entertained. Full Review

Finnan Park

Finnan Park, located between Medowie and Raymond Terrace, near Grahamstown Dam, is a large, gated park with plenty of undercover picnic tables to choose from. With lots of large, open space for kids to run, gravel tracks around the park to ride bikes, a kids playground and toilets, it’s a popular spot in the Port Stephens area for parties.

Robinson Reserve

A top spot that would suit birthday party for older kids is Robinson Reserve in Anna Bay. As well as climbing play equipment, swings, vertical balancing logs and a group swing, it’s also next door to Anna Bay Skate Park.

There are picnic tables and barbecues here as well as amenities conveniently located. If you feel like a beach walk, Birubi Beach is nearby.

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