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Birthday Parties | Birthday Party FAQ

  1. How early do I need to book my party?
  2. How many classrooms do you have and where are they located?
  3. How do your themed parties work?
  4. Where do you get your cake and pizza?
  5. What does each room include?
  6. What is your cancellation policy?
  7. Do parents of guests have to pay to attend? What about babysitters, grandparents, and other adult acquaintances? Is there a limit of adults?
  8. Will there be reserved parking for me and my guests?
  9. What do I need to do to make a reservation?
  10. Do you offer parties during the week?
  11. Can I have my party at the picnic dome?
  12. Can we go anywhere in the museum the day of the party?
  13. What if I have more children then allowed? 
  14. Can I send out my own e-vite?
  15. Do parents coordinate the Museum visit afterward/before?
  16. Are there any restrictions as to what can be brought in to the party area - food wise, drink wise? 
  17. Do you have a space to store our party items before our party starts or after it is over?
  18. We want to provide train tickets for the guests, can you give us feedback on the best way to do that?
  19. What do we do in the case of severe weather?
  20. Will I be allowed to come in early and decorate?
  21. Are there any prohibited items?
  22. Can I extend my time in the party room?
  23. How will guests’ siblings be handled?
  24. What if some of those invited families are members, are they included in the 20?
  25. Can a member book the party for a non member?
  26. Are the birthday children included in the guest count?
  27. Is there a different price reduction for a weekday? What are the times on a weekday party?
  28. Can I have a party with two different themes?
  29. Do you give guided tours with your parties?


  1. How early do I need to book my party?
    Parties must be booked at least 15 days before the event date. It is recommended that you book your party 4–6 weeks in advance.

  2. How many classrooms do you have and where are they located?

    3.    Building Program Age Group
    Kid Lab
    		 Main Building
    		 Basic, Animals
    		 1 – 7
    Creekside
    		 Free standing. Beside picnic dome.
    		 Basic, Dinos
    		 1 – 7
    Lep Lab
    		  Butterfly House
    		 Basic, Bugs, Butterflies 1 – 7
    Bio Lab
    		 Main Building
    		 Basic, Science Magic, Animals
    		 4 – 12
    CSCLab
    		 Main Building
    		 Basic, Science Magic
    		 7 – 12
     Scientifica  Main Building
    		  Basic, Trains
    		 1 - 12

  3. How do your themed parties work?
    Our themed parties include a 30-minute educational portion on the themes of: Animals, Bugs, Butterflies, Dinos, Trains, and Science Magic. These programs are usually done at the beginning of the party (but this is something that can be flexible based on your Educator). The educational program consists of an interactive lesson and a small craft.

  4. Where do you get your cake and pizza?
    Our cake is from Mama Corie's Confections and our pizza is from Randy’s Pizzeria.

  5. What does each room include?
    Each room includes tables and chairs for the children, a birthday party banner, a birthday party sign for the door, CD player, hand washing station, and access to a refrigerator and freezer.

  6. What is your cancellation policy?
    • There will be a $25 cancellation service fee if party is cancelled.
    • There will be a $25 rescheduling fee if the party date is changed 15 days or less before the original event date.
    • There will be a 50% cancellation fee if party is cancelled 15 days or less before the date of the event.
    • Worry free packages will be refunded in full if cancelled 72 hours in advance. If NOT cancelled 72 hours prior, customer is responsible for paying full amounts.

  7. Do parents of guests have to pay to attend? What about babysitters, grandparents, and other adult acquaintances? Is there a limit of adults?
    • Themed parties include 12 children and up to 40 people total including babies, children, and adults. Children under age 3 that do not participate in themed party programs are not included in the 12 but are included in the total guest count. Additional children are $10 each, and additional adults are $8 each. 
    • Basic parties include 20 children and up to 40 people total including babies, children, and adults. Children under age 3 are not included in the child count, but are included in the total guest count. Additional children are $5 each, and additional adults are $8 each.

  8. Will there be reserved parking for me and my guests?
    Unless your party is on a special event day and you are notified by staff, there will NOT be a parking space saved for you. Guests are responsible for finding their own parking.

  9. What do I need to do to make a reservation?
    You will need to contact our Reservations Department at 220.5429 ext 315. Full payment is due at time of booking, and parties are sold on a first-come, first-served basis (i.e. sooner is better than later!).

  10. Do you offer parties during the week?
    We can offer parties during the week. However, this is a case-by-case basis due to our weekly educational programs and summer camp.

  11. Can I have my party at the picnic dome?
    You can have your party at the picnic dome, however, it is on a first-come-first-serve basis. These parties are not coordinated by Museum staff and guests do not receive free admission.

  12. Can we go anywhere in the museum the day of the party?
    Yes! You and your guest can enjoy all areas of the Museum all day long!

  13. What if I have more children than allowed? 
    There is an additional charge per extra child. $10 for themed parties, $5 for unthemed. Your guest count will be recorded at the time of your party and a charge for extra children will be applied the following week if necessary.

  14. Can I send out my own e-vite?
    Yes you may. The Museum also provides postcard invitations for you to send to your guests.

  15. Do parents coordinate the Museum visit afterward/before?
    Yes. You and all of your guests receive all-day admission to the Museum. Some hosts coordinate with parents and guests to explore the Museum together, others simply have the party and then guests are free to explore on their own.

  16. Are there any restrictions as to what can be brought in to the party area – food wise, drink wise?
    You are more than welcome to bring in your own food and drinks. Alcoholic substances are not allowed.

  17. Do you have a space to store our party items before our party starts or after it is over?
    Yes, we have a catering kitchen where we can safely store your party supplies and perishables until it is time for you to enter your party room or leave the Museum.

  18. We want to provide train tickets for the guests, can you give us feedback on the best way to do that?
    We offer special birthday trains at 11:45, 2:15, and 3:15. In order to reserve a birthday train time, you must purchase at least 24 tickets. These tickets can be reserved in advance. Hosts are also able to buy tickets from our regular train times (on the hour and half hour). These tickets have to be purchased on the day of the party and can often sell out quickly as they are available to all guests. It is strongly recommended that you purchase tickets for both the children and their parents.

  19. What do we do in the case of severe weather?
    In the event of severe weather, there is a possibility of the Museum closing. This will only happen if the weather is extremely bad. The decision on whether or not to close the Museum will be made by 8am on the day of your party and you will be contacted by the Birthday Party Coordinator to let you know if it is closed. If you do not receive a telephone call, then we will be open. If we stay open and you feel the driving conditions are dangerous, then you can reschedule your party without charge.

  20. Will I be allowed to come in early and decorate?
    You are allowed to enter the party room 30 minutes before the start of your party. You can use this time to decorate and set out your party items. Guests can enter the room at the party start time.

  21. Are there any prohibited items?
    Balloons are not allowed on campus as they are a safety hazard to our animals. Confetti and glitter are not allowed. Alcohol is prohibited, and any pinatas must be the pull-ribbon variety. 

  22. Can I extend my time in the party room?
    Basic parties can be extended a half hour for an additional fee of $50. Themed parties can be extended on a case-by-case basis for an additional $50. 

  23. How will guests’ siblings be handled?
    Siblings are included in the guest count. It is not unusual for hosts to ask the parents to pay admission for the siblings that were not directly invited to the party.

  24. What if some of those invited families are members, are they included in the guest count?
    They will still be included in the guest count. 

  25. Can a member book the party for a non member?
    No.

  26. Are the birthday children included in the guest count?
    Yes.

  27. Is there a different price reduction for a weekday? What are the times on a weekday party?
    No, there is not. Weekday parties can be taken on a case-by-case basis and times will be negotiated at that point. Party times will have to be during Museum hours.

  28. Can I have a party with two different themes?
    Unfortunately due to location and resource restraints, this is not an option.

  29. Do you give guided tours with your parties?
    We do not.