If you enjoy learning experiences, discovery, exploration and adventure, consider a visit to one of the local museums, including Museums of Science (or Science Centers) and Children Museums. Depending on what you like the most, you could choose between multiple themes, such as Archaeology, Astronomy, History, Natural Sciences or Aviation. Try to have an amazing star party at your Planetarium or Observatory. Feel like an Aviator or Astronaut in an Aviation Museum or Space Center. Make amazing discoveries about nature and animals in an Environmental Center or Botanical Garden. Or find a Science Workshop provider for an amazing Science Party, with hands-on projects.

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Most national public museums offer birthday packages you can choose from. But don’t forget smaller museums, open by hobbists for turists (such as miniature museums), where prices can be lower and you may have even more fun.

Many Museums of Science or Science Centers focus on technics and electronics. And what better indice they love to open their doors to kids than Children’s Museums? Discover also science and exhibitions in Environmental Centers and even Sports Hall of Fame Museums.

Beside the regular hands-on science projects, you may assist to their regular shows and live demos. And many museums offer various themes and activities, such as Dinosaur Parties, where you play and learn how to make a fossil and to uncover dino bones. Or Pirate Birthday Party in museums of Ancient History or Sea Navigation. Or to create flying devices and make special-effect chemical reactions and experiments. Or to become a Firefighter?

If you are fascinated by the sky and the stars, look for the local Planetarium or Observatory. Beside the regular fascinating shows in their domes, with special visual effects, many offer unic star parties, using their powerfull telescopes to get closer than ever to lonely and far planets!

Imagine having a first-hand view of Saturn’s rings or a look at Jupiter’s turbulent cloud belts and its brightest moons. If the planets are not available for viewing, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and other bright objects of interest can be observed and discussed. Your hosts are frequently (student) astronomers and you can learn a lot from them. Look especially for these star parties when the sky is clear and in the days they host these special events (this may fall in your birthday).

If you’re lucky enough to have a Space Center in your local area, get close to the astronaut practices and experience virtual rides in motion or flight simulators.

Many community centers and YMCAs offer now Science Birthday Parties, by themselves or through a Science Workshop provider. You’ll usually have exciting hands-on science projects on chemistry, physics, anatomy, electricity, electronics or construction.

Safety

When hands-on projects involve chemical reactions, they are always performed under close supervision. It’s more important to make kids obey the “Do not touch” signs in museums.

Cost

The price per child can start as low as $5, but this is just the admission. You’ll either have to provide the rest (birthday cake, food and beverages, gifts and decorations) or consider one of their all-included birthday packages (if available).

Museum parties are not always cheap, because they have a lot to offer, unusual things they collected and that you will see nowhere else. In a regular visit to the museum you will have to pay the regular price anyway. The birthday package and this special occasion can actually be the best solution in bringing your child to the museum, offering fun for his/her birthday and taking advantage of a better combined price.

For 2-3 hours, groups of 10..20 people can pay between $100..$300 or much more, depending on the museum. Parties are almost always held during museum hours (so not too late and not too early). Availability could be limited during special exhibits, so try to reserve from time (a $50 or more deposit is usually required).

Most places have no limit of age, so even 3 years old kids can enjoy this birthday party. But it all depends on the museum and the kind of projects they have. Most museums offer also rooms to rent for adult parties (it is not always cheap, but it can be exciting).

Science birthday parties organized at community centers or other unpretentious places are usually much cheaper. Consider them as alternative if you find museum prices too high, but you would still love a science party, with experiments and exciting discoveries.

Checklist

Lots of museums host birthday parties only to members! Or offer major discounts if you already paid for an annual membership (which can be around $100 or higher). It can be worth, if you did not consider the place only for your birthday, or if you already have one. This restriction is not usually required for your guests, so here is a good reason your invitees (many of them with no membership) can appreciate even more your invitation.

If a birthday package is available, try to get it and avoid regular admission fees (they are usually included, but at a better rate).

Try to get for free or at special discount: admissions to the museum exhibit halls, museum gift bags and T-shirts (with museum’s stamp on them), free passes for a return visit, gift certificates to the museum’s gift shop, museum membership.

Most museums offer in their birthday packages free visits for all day long (not just for the 2-3 hours dedicated to the party) to their regular exibitions. Try to see if you can get free or special access to their special exhibits or shows, for which a higher price is usually expected.

The birthday package may also offer a free tour of the museum. This can be guided or not. Try to get at least one party attendant or guide, a museum staff person to assist with set-up.

Many museums or science centers are located close to Planetariums, IMAX movie theatres or family fun parks. Try to get tickets at these attractions or movies for free or at a special rate.

After the hands-on projects, kids could leave with cool science stuff they make or take-home experiments to do with adult supervision.

Many places have not just one, but even two or more available rooms for parties. When you bring your own food, just make sure they have refrigerator and freezer. If you rely on their concessions, check from time what’s available in that area and what you’re allowed to bring in. Check their birthday packages: they may have better deals with their fast food providers for this special events.

Check with the museum if they have and can take care of invitations. What’s more exciting than having special cards with dinosaurs or astronauts on them?

Parking could be a problem, especially if the museum is downtown. Some birthday packages offer discounted or free parking for this occasion.

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