Celebrate your next birthday with us
Nature-themed parties for kids of all ages!
Make your birthday extra special by celebrating it with a party at DPNC! Our parties can offer many of your favorite things about the Nature Center, including visits with live animals, natural crafts, nature walks, outdoor free play and more. Educators tailor parties to age, group size and season, so each party is unique!
At DPNC, we schedule two hours for birthday party fun. During the first hour, a Nature Center educator will host you for the nature theme of your choice and the second hour is yours for exploration, cake and gifts. Birthday party guests are welcome to enjoy the Nature Center trails and natural history exhibits during that time, but they must be supervised by adults.
Birthday parties can be scheduled either on weekends or weekdays. If you are looking for a party after our center closes at 4 pm, please inquire about our Nocturnal Notions party theme.
Nature-Themed Birthday Parties
Animal Encounter
Our most popular party theme! Meet the animals who live at DPNC, such as turtles, frogs and snakes. After that, let’s head outside for a hike and visit the resident birds of prey in their enclosures. Scavenger hunts can happen in place of the hike, and a nature craft of your choice can be added as well.
Pond Adventure
Use nets to explore Duck Pond led by one of our DPNC naturalists, and discover the amazing world of frogs, fish and insects. Plan on getting a little muddy! This party is hosted from April to December.
Owl Prowl
At this party, you and your guests will meet a live owl and learn about their unique adaptations. Dissect an owl pellet and take the bones home as a souvenir!
Nocturnal Notions
Find out which animals wake up and start their days when the sun goes down! We’ll head outside for a night hike to test your senses in the dark, and wrap up the evening around a campfire.
Woodland Survival (Ages 8+)
This exciting birthday includes time outside, building forts and a campfire. Learn tips for surviving in the woods and end the party with marshmallows around the fire.
Nature Fairies
Hear a story about nature fairies before heading outside to create fairy houses in the woods. Create a fairy craft to bring home.
Nature Art
Using nature as an inspiration, children will create artwork to bring home. Craft options will vary by age and interest. Craft projects can include weavings, sculptures and collages.
Cooking at Coogan
For kids who love the kitchen! Party goers will spend time at Coogan Farm’s teaching kitchen cooking up delicious foods before heading over to the JX Barn to enjoy their creations. Cooking options include personal pizzas or smoothies. Food for the cooking portion is included in the cost of the party and you will have use of the JX Barn for the duration of the party time. (Coogan Farm is at 162 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic, CT)
Customize Your Party Theme
Let us create a unique party suited to your child’s particular interests, from insects, butterflies, rocks and minerals to flowers, gardening, bats, snakes and more. Our Nature Center educators have a wide range of knowledge about natural history and can create a custom party experience for your child.
To book your party, contact us at [email protected] or 860-572-6800.
Birthday Parties
Birthday Parties
Members: $195
Non-members: $225
Prices include 12 children.
If siblings will be attending, please include them in the count of 12 children. Additional children are $10 each, with maximum of 15 children total.
There is no charge for adults supervising children’s parties, but due to the size of our party rooms, we limit parties to 25 people total.
A $100 non-refundable deposit is due at booking time.
Cooking Parties
Cooking Parties
Members: $295
Non-members: $325
Limited to 12 children.
There is no charge for adults supervising children’s parties, but due to the size of our Coogan kitchen space, we limit total attendees to 15 including adults.
A $100 non-refundable deposit is due at booking time.
What to Know
We provide:
- A private room for two hours
- A one-hour nature program of your choice led by our naturalist (we can help you choose your program or design one based on your child’s interests!)
- Tables and chairs
You provide:
- Food, drinks and ice
- Tablecloths, napkins, cups (no Styrofoam, please), plates and utensils
- Decorations (no balloons, please) and party favors
- Excited kids and their supervising parents
Most forgotten Items:
- Candles
- Lighter or matches
- Knife to cut cake
Setup time begins 30 minutes before the start of the party, and guests are scheduled for 30 minutes after the party for clean-up.
