Birthday Parties - Party at the WILDEST place in town!

 

You have two party options at the Natural Science Center:

 

1. Come for a hands-on Workshop Wonders with animals, activities, and a craft. Great for groups up to 15 children.


2. Come for a special Museum Exploration and let us help host your celebration in a private room before you tour the museum.
 Workshop Wonders - Option 1
Creature Feature (ages 5 - 9)

Meet 5 different animals and learn about adaptations among critters with fur, slime, scales and feathers.  This hour-long workshop then creates wild masks to take home.

 

Animals that currently appear in parties may include a ferret, guinea pig, rabbit, hedgehog, snake, lizard, frog, turtle or bird.
Dino-Mite! (ages 2 - 9)

If you dig fossils you’ll love this prehistoric party. Learn about dinosaurs, meet distant relatives and take home a fossil craft.

Note: ages 2-4 have a ½ hour workshop; ages 5 and up are one hour workshops.

 
Magical Mysteries (ages 7 - 11)

See how much fun science is as you mix potions, create chemical reactions and perform amazing feats of “magic” with the able assistance of two magical animals. This is an hour-long workshop only.
Up Close Critters (ages 2 - 4)

Meet 3 different animals and learn who they are and the difference between them. This half hour party may opt to do an animal tracks stamping craft.

 A Workshop Wonders party includes:

  • Natural Science Center admission (museum and zoo) for a total of 15 children and 16 adults. Up to 3 additional children may be added with notice for $10/child.
  • Reserved tables in our lunchroom, draped with white paper table covers.
  • 45 minutes of your celebration time first

Saturday parties start at 10:00, 12:30 and 2:45.

Sunday parties start at 12:30 and 2:45.

  • 30 minute (ages 2-4) or 60 minute (ages 5 and up) workshop. Workshops begin after your 45 minute celebration. See Themes below.

You bring:

 

  • Paper products, decorations and refreshments. We ask that no piñatas or confetti join the party. If balloons are used as decoration they must not be taken into the zoo.

Cost:

 

Ages 2-4 (1/2 hour workshop): $90 Members/$120 Non-members

Ages 5+ (1 hour workshop): $105 Members/$140 Non-members

Admission fees beyond 15 children/16 adults: $10/child; $6/adult
 Museum Exploration - Option 2

A Museum Exploration includes:

  • Private room rental with tables draped with white paper table covers.
  • 45 minutes of celebration time with no workshop.

Saturday parties start at 10:00, 12:30 and 2:45.

Sunday parties start at 12:30 and 2:45.

 

  • Natural Science Center admission (museum and zoo) with special admission rates for your guests. Admission fees are collected during your party.

You bring:


  • Paper products, decorations and refreshments. We ask that no piñatas or confetti join the party. If balloons are used as decoration they must not be taken into the zoo.

Cost:

 

Room rental: $60 Members/$90 Non-members

Admission fees: $5.00/child (with one free adult/child); $6.00/additional adults

NOTE: Museum Explorations are for family birthday parties only. For museum rentals, contact us at 336-288-3769, ext. 315.

 

SPECIAL NSC INVITATIONS

Let your friends and family know about your Natural Science Center birthday party in a unique way!

Send a special Natural Science Center postcard-style birthday party invitation (see below). Fifteen hedgehog or meerkat postcards are available for $6.00.

 

 

 

 

Above: Back of the hedgehog invitation.

 

 

 

Above: Back of the meerkat invitation.
 Birthday Party Schedule:


Saturdays

Celebration: 10:00 - 10:45
Workshop: Begins at 10:45

Celebration: 12:30 - 1:15
Workshop: Begins at 1:15

Celebration: 2:45 - 3:30
Workshop: Begins at 3:30

Sundays

Celebration: 12:30 - 1:15
Workshop: Begins at 1:15

Celebration: 2:45 - 3:30
Workshop: Begins at 3:30

YOUR PARTY PLANNER

 

 Planning highlights:

  • Workshop Wonders include 15 children/16 adults. You may add up to 3 children over this number for $10/child; $6/adult.
  • Museum Explorations can have any number of adults and children. Reserve your room first; your final numbers are totaled and charged on your party day.
  • Saturday parties start at 10:00, 12:30 and 2:45. Sunday parties start at 12:30 and 2:45.
  • Check, cash and credit cards are accepted. Parties are only booked with full payment.
  • Memberships/passes are not valid beyond discounted rates; Member children and adults are subject to party rates and do not receive free admission.
  • To schedule a party, call 288-3769 ext. 315 or stop by the Education Office.
  • Cancellation policy: Parties cancelled two weeks or more before the date receive full refund minus $5

On your party day

 

  • You may arrive to set up 15 minutes before your party.
  • A cart is available to transfer party goods to and from your car.
  • If you have a 2:45 workshop, please remember that the zoo closes its doors at 4:00 (and visitors may remain until 4:30). You may choose to invite guests to arrive earlier to tour and gather at 2:45 for the party. You will be able to set up your table 15 minutes before the party.

 Our tips:

 

  • Parties often book 4-6 weeks ahead.
  • 12:30 parties often bring lunch – take-out pizza is a favorite.
  • There is no freezer space available for ice cream or ice – plan accordingly.
  • Need party favors or balloons? Call the Natural Science Center’s Thesaurus Shoppe at 288-3769 ext. 320 for details.
  • Download our self-guided scavenger hunts and activity booklet to add a new twist to your museum experience!
  • Need an invitation? We have two styles available below – choose packs of 15 peacocks or hedgehogs for $6.00.

 

Contact the
Thesaurus Shoppe
for your child's birthday party needs!