Profile
Parents searching for a party venue in Benoni will find a magical option at The Faraway Tree Party Venue, a dedicated children’s entertainment space located at 78 A Rennie Road, Benoni North AH, Gauteng. Owned and operated by Suzette van der Walt, The Faraway Tree Party Venue has been creating memorable birthday celebrations and special events for families in the East Rand since opening in 2013. The venue draws inspiration from Enid Blyton’s beloved The Magic Faraway Tree series, transforming the classic children’s stories into a whimsical real-world setting where young guests can explore, play, and celebrate.
Themed Party Venues and Indoor Play Spaces
The Faraway Tree Party Venue features multiple themed party rooms designed to capture children’s imaginations while providing practical space for celebrations. The venue’s signature room, The Enchanted Forest, accommodates up to 35 children and immerses guests in a woodland fantasy environment complete with painted murals, decorative trees, and fairy-tale elements. A second party space, The Moonface Room, offers a slightly smaller capacity suitable for more intimate gatherings of up to 25 children. Both rooms come equipped with party tables, chairs, and dedicated serving areas, allowing parents to focus on their guests rather than logistics. The venue’s indoor jungle gym and play equipment ensure that children remain entertained throughout the celebration, with slides, climbing structures, and safe play zones designed for various age groups from toddlers to pre-teens.
Party Packages and Catering Options
The Faraway Tree Party Venue offers flexible party packages tailored to different budgets and preferences. Standard packages include venue hire for a two-hour celebration, use of all play equipment, tables and chairs, and basic party setup. Parents can choose to bring their own food and refreshments or select from the venue’s catering menu, which features child-friendly options including hot dogs, toasted sandwiches, chicken nuggets, mini pizzas, and a selection of snacks. The venue provides platters, juice, and cake-cutting services as add-ons. Suzette and her team handle setup and cleanup, allowing parents to participate fully in their child’s celebration. Themed decorations matching popular children’s characters and color schemes can be arranged in advance, and the venue welcomes parents who wish to personalize their event with their own decorations and party supplies.
Entertainment and Activities for Children
Beyond the built-in play structures, The Faraway Tree Party Venue coordinates additional entertainment options to enhance birthday celebrations. The venue works with trusted local entertainers who provide services including:
- Face painting with a variety of designs from princesses to superheroes
- Balloon twisting and balloon animal creations
- Magic shows suitable for different age groups
- Puppet shows and interactive storytelling sessions
- Craft activities and take-home projects
- Bubble parties and foam machine entertainment
The Faraway Tree Party Venue’s staff supervise the play areas during parties, ensuring children’s safety while allowing parents to socialize and enjoy the occasion. The venue’s layout enables good visibility, so adults can monitor their children while relaxing in designated seating areas.
Booking Process and Availability
The Faraway Tree Party Venue operates primarily on weekends, with party time slots available on Saturday and Sunday mornings, afternoons, and early evenings. Weekday bookings can be arranged for special circumstances, including school holiday parties or mid-week celebrations. To secure a date, parents should contact Suzette directly on 082 567 7682, as bookings are confirmed only after deposit payment. The venue typically requires booking several weeks in advance, particularly for peak birthday season months between September and December. The Faraway Tree Party Venue accommodates one party per time slot to ensure each family receives full access to all facilities without overlap or rushed transitions between events.
Location and Accessibility in Benoni
The Faraway Tree Party Venue sits in the residential area of Benoni North AH, easily accessible from major routes including the N12 highway and Tom Jones Street. Benoni North lies approximately 30 kilometers east of Johannesburg’s city center, making The Faraway Tree Party Venue convenient for families throughout the East Rand region including Boksburg, Brakpan, Springs, and Kempton Park. The venue provides secure off-street parking on the property, accommodating multiple vehicles for parents and guests. The residential setting offers a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere compared to busy commercial entertainment centers while still being centrally located within Benoni’s northern suburbs.
Safety and Venue Facilities
The Faraway Tree Party Venue maintains high safety standards throughout its indoor play areas, with equipment regularly inspected and maintained. Soft-play surfaces minimize injury risks, and the venue’s enclosed spaces ensure children cannot wander outside supervised areas. The facility includes dedicated bathroom facilities sized appropriately for young children, with adult-height fixtures available for parents and caregivers. The Faraway Tree Party Venue features climate-controlled indoor spaces, ensuring comfortable temperatures year-round regardless of Gauteng’s weather extremes. This indoor focus makes The Faraway Tree Party Venue particularly valuable during Johannesburg’s summer thunderstorm season and cooler winter months when outdoor celebrations become impractical. The venue’s enclosed nature also provides peace of mind for parents concerned about child safety in open outdoor environments.
Guest Reviews and Reputation
The Faraway Tree Party Venue has built a loyal following among Benoni families, with parents praising Suzette’s hands-on approach and attention to detail. Reviews consistently highlight the venue’s cleanliness, the quality of play equipment, and the stress-free experience for parents who appreciate not having to host parties at home. Many returning customers book The Faraway Tree Party Venue for multiple children’s birthdays over several years, citing the reliable service and children’s enthusiasm for the themed environments. The venue’s Facebook page features photographs from past parties, showcasing the decorated spaces and happy young guests, which helps prospective customers visualize their own celebrations.
Additional Services and Special Events
While birthday parties form the core of The Faraway Tree Party Venue’s business, Suzette also accommodates other children’s celebrations including baby showers, christening after-parties, and end-of-year class celebrations. The venue has hosted small play groups and toddler gatherings during weekday mornings, providing supervised play sessions for parents seeking social opportunities with other families. The Faraway Tree Party Venue occasionally organizes themed events during school holidays, offering drop-off entertainment sessions where parents can leave children for a few hours of supervised play and activities. These holiday programs typically include craft projects, snack time, and structured games led by the venue’s staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the minimum age for children to use The Faraway Tree Party Venue’s play equipment?
A: The Faraway Tree Party Venue welcomes children from toddler age through approximately 12 years old. The indoor jungle gym includes sections suitable for younger toddlers with lower climbing structures and softer play areas, while older children enjoy more challenging climbing equipment and slides.
Q: Can parents bring their own birthday cake and party food to The Faraway Tree Party Venue?
A: Yes, The Faraway Tree Party Venue allows parents to bring their own food, birthday cake, and refreshments at no additional charge. The venue provides tables, serving areas, and refrigeration for items that need to be kept cool, and staff will assist with cake cutting and serving.
Q: How many adults can attend a party at The Faraway Tree Party Venue?
A: The Faraway Tree Party Venue does not limit the number of adults who can attend. The party rooms and surrounding areas provide seating for parents and family members, and adults are welcome to supervise their children in the play areas or relax in the designated parent zones.
Q: What is included in the standard party package at The Faraway Tree Party Venue?
A: Standard packages include two hours of venue hire, use of a themed party room, access to all indoor play equipment, tables and chairs, basic party setup and cleanup. Additional services like catering, entertainment, and themed decorations are available as optional add-ons at extra cost.
Q: How far in advance should I book The Faraway Tree Party Venue?
A: Booking at least four to six weeks in advance is recommended, especially for weekend dates during peak birthday season. The Faraway Tree Party Venue accepts bookings several months ahead for families who want to secure specific dates, with a deposit required to confirm the reservation.
Q: Does The Faraway Tree Party Venue provide supervision during parties?
A: The Faraway Tree Party Venue’s staff monitor the play areas and assist with general supervision during parties, but parents and guardians remain responsible for their own children. The venue’s layout allows good visibility so adults can easily watch their children while the venue staff help maintain safety and order.
Q: Is The Faraway Tree Party Venue available for weekday parties?
A: While The Faraway Tree Party Venue primarily operates on weekends, weekday bookings can be arranged by contacting Suzette directly on 082 567 7682. Weekday availability is particularly useful for school holiday parties or for families who prefer quieter, less busy celebration times.
Q: What happens if we need to cancel or reschedule a party at The Faraway Tree Party Venue?
A: Cancellation and rescheduling policies should be discussed directly with Suzette when making your booking. Generally, The Faraway Tree Party Venue requires advance notice for cancellations, and deposit refund policies depend on the timing and circumstances of the cancellation.
For more children’s party venues and entertainment spaces in the region, explore the Benoni event venues directory and the broader Gauteng event venue listings.
