The Big Backyard — Attraction in New Berlin

This review is specific to a birthday party. Had my son's 4th bday party here yesterday. I paid over $200 for the Standard Party. Website reads that a maximum of 30 guests is recommended. The room we were brought into had two standard sized picnic tables and 6-8 plastic chairs lined up against one wall. There was one folding table on which to put food, drinks, cake, and presents. The table was not large enough to hold all of this. The room absolutely was not large enough for 25-30 guests, again, which the website states. There were not enough seats, and when we had everyone gather in the room to sing happy birthday, it was awkwardly cramped and very hot, as you can imagine. My son never got the t-shirt that the website mentioned for the birthday kid either.

Our party was from 1-3pm, which was the time slot given by the venue. Apparently, they actually close for the day at 3. There was confusion surrounding this. Our designated party room helper kept giving me updates on how many more minutes we had left until 3. I asked at the 30 minute warning if I had to have the room empty at 3 - or if the party ended at 3 and then I could clean up. She told me at 3, I would have to start cleaning up and get our items out of the room. About 15 minutes later she returned and said that she wanted to make sure she had been clear and that we actually had to be out at 3pm. Before 3pm hit, we had to scramble to get everything packed up, we had a worker in the room sweeping and asking if she could throw things away from the picnic tables, meanwhile we still had guests making their way out who we wanted to thank and say goodbye to but it was rushed since we were stressed about getting our stuff out of the room. It would have been nice if we actually had the room up until 3 for the party since that's what we paid for. Clean up shouldn't be a part of a customer's paid party time. 2 hours is already a short period of time. The website says you can pay to add more time on, but since the place literally was closing at 3 that would not have been an option.

Our party should not have been scheduled up to 3pm with no cushion before the facility closed. Again, the time was not our choice. They determine the time of the parties based on your request form where you're asked for a range of times that works for you.

Also, inside the room there's a plastic sign that says maximum 25 people. The website reads 25-30. That part is very surprising to me. It was embarrassing having people show up and have nowhere to sit down and eat since there was so little seating.

I would absolutely keep that in mind if you plan...

It was fine but we probably won’t be back.

Pros Price was good for a few hours of playing indoors. Pretty Clean and fairly organized for the amount of items there. LOTS of ride on toys (trikes and bikes) and plenty of space to move and ride.

Cons No toys in the playhouses (no pretend food or kitchen supplies). No separation between the younger and older kid area. Slides are very steep and little to no padding on the floors (spots have been worn away due to slide use). Would be chaotic when busy. No staff in the playroom (the front desk is in a different room). Little to no explanation of rules or expectations when I arrived. (It was our first visit and we didn’t even know to take shoes off, just a sign saying so before you go in. Maybe the person at the desk explained just that, but I was also trying to figure out the waiver at the same time).

Honestly I was mildly disappointed by our visit. It’s an awesome idea, but just doesn’t seem to be executed well. However, the best part was the space to ride the bikes, and the variety.

As it seems for every kid place…There were adults there not watching their kids/grandkids or not intervening when kids were not being kind or careful. I even had to help a child (under age 2) who’s parent had walked away. It would be nice if there was staff present in the playroom area, instead of having to press a doorbell button to get a staff member to come to the counter in the playroom.

We might try again another time, but just doesn’t...

Super Great place for everyone to play( not just for children). Plus is is only $8.00 all day & $9.00 all day on Saturdays. Fridays they are from 8am?- 8pm every Friday Shorter hours during the rest of the week & shorter hours on Saturdays. They have a special going right now until 10/31/23 for 10 play punch card which doesn't expire at all( normally $65.00, but if you get the punch card before 10/31/23, you will save an extra $10.00, for a price deal of just $55.00 vs $80.00 for 10 individual play dates. They have a bounce house with a slide, several super slides, a climbing wall, lots of toy cars/ motorcycles kids can ride, among other things, plus a big food counter where they sell both hot & cold foods, snacks and drinks. There is also a microwave - so if you want to bring microwaved type foods with you, the staff can heat your food/drinks for you. There are several picnic tables ( set up inside the snack counter area that are for both adults & little kids to use to eat at, and if the kids don't want to stop playing & you need to relax or eat, you will still be able to watch the kids play while you're taking a breather / feeding your face. This facility has private party rooms that you can reserve for birthday parties, etc for a real decent price. Birthday parties include play time in the facility too. The Big Backyard facility is located in the New Berlin Industrial Park, near Moreland & Cleveland. Contact the facility for...