The Magical Gardens product reviews

We have used the Magical Garden a couple of times under different circumstances. Last year we attended a Halloween Party there, which I believe was a fundraiser for something. We paid a small amount and took along a plate to share. We dressed up in costumes and a group of like-minded parents and kids turned up. The kids played several games outside, as well as being able to climb on the play equipment.

There were games inside the hall they have, as well as a treasure hunt. My eldest daughter is very competitive and needs things to be as fair as possible. During the games we did have some issues as she hung back a bit or missed out on this and that. The hosts were always good at helping me settle her and get her involved again. It was quite a large group, so under the circumstances it was fine.

This year we also used the Magical Garden for a school holiday programme alternative. They were the only place in town doing an Easter Tuesday programme since it was outside of the standard school holidays. My daughter loved the day programme and had a lot of fun. There was an Easter hunt and some Easter activities as well. She came home with lots of things she had made and chocolate that she had won.

Most recently we went to our friend's daughter's 5th birthday party there. What I found amazing was that when we turned up, my daughter was recognised and they greeted her like a regular. They knew her name and engaged her in small talk. It made her feel special. The party was really well run and my daughter has said she would like her next party there too now.

The venue can cater for boys and girls. There is outside and inside stuff to do. The kids can join in or play by themselves; whatever they want to do seems to work fine. The prices seem very reasonable as well.

My daughter was on the front page of The Waikato Times after a local indoor playground closed it's doors a couple of days after I had booked and paid for her fifth birthday. The Magical Garden's owner Sharon contacted the reporter and offered us a free birthday party. We were so overwhelmed by their generosity and accepted the offer. My daughter had her party with 9 friends last weekend.

Sharon was very lovely to deal with via email, over the phone and at the party. She is very bubbly and no question was too small for her. She greeted us when we arrived and popped in to check everything was going well. She and her husband were the ones that cleaned up after we were gone.

We chose to have a fairy party and I had thought the boys would find it too girly but they all loved it too. We were very fortunate to have Fairy Briar looking after us throughout the party. She had a great manner with the children and encouraged them to participate in the activities but there was no pressure especially for the one and two year olds that spent most of the time doing their own thing.

The party games were twists on traditional games. Instead of pass the parcel the childre passed the wand around and the one with it when the music stopped got to choose a lolly. Musical chairs was hoops on the floor and the hoops got eliminated rather that the children so the challenge at the end was for all the children to fit into one hoop. There was a hunt for the fairy's dress ups and fairy footsteps (a statues game).

There were also a variety of dress ups available for the children to use and my girls changed outfits a few times during the party. There was a table set up with masks, and foam shapes that the children could add glitter and sequins to and most of the children had a turn at this. Fairy Briar also did face painting for those the wanted it.

At the end of the party the birthday girl was placed on a throne and the guests each presented her with their presents. Fairy Briar read out the cards. To end it all the birthday girl was dressed in a cape and tiara, special music was put on and she was encouraged to give a royal wave. The children each received a goody bag to take home.

The package we were given costs $280 for ten children for two hours. The only thing I provided was the food although if I wanted they could have done this as well. As a parent it was a very enjoyable party and I was able to relax and take lots of photos. The other parents also commented on what a great party it was.