Birthdays

To make a reservation, call 301-600-1646,
or complete a birthday party request form online. 
Note: a 30-day notice is required. 

Overview

Come to Catoctin Creek Park for a birthday party that's full of fun, excitement and learning. The birthday party room will be reserved for 2.5 hours. A nature center host will lead a 1 hour interactive presentation at the beginning of the birthday party. The birthday parents will have the option to select the birthday party theme when they make their birthday party reservation. 

A birthday party host will contact the birthday party family regarding this program 24 hours before the scheduled program to see if they have any special requests (i.e. specific animals they would like taken out during their program). We would like the birthday party family to please leave the room as they found it.

Decorations

The birthday party family will be responsible for providing all birthday party decorations including: tablecloths, balloons, string piñatas, etc. We ask that no decorations are taped directly to the walls.

Set Up

The birthday party family may arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of the party to decorate the room and set up for the party. You may also reserve shelter #2 for free. Reservations for shelter #1 (near the playground) is an additional charge. The live animal portion of the party will be held inside the building. Families are welcome to eat outside in the shelter following the live animal presentation. 

Refreshments

Food and drinks are provided by the birthday party family. This can include cake, snacks, drinks, etc. A refrigerator/freezer is available upon request to keep some of your beverages or party snacks cold. 

Times

  • Saturdays:11 a.m. - 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Sundays:1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Party organizers are allowed to arrive 30 minutes early to set up.

Fee

  • $170 for 20 children.
  • There will be an additional fee of $7 per child over the 20 child limit.
  • Maximum party size: 30 children

Scheduling a Party & Details

To make a reservation, call 301-600-1646,
or complete a birthday party request form online. 
Note: a 30-day notice is required.

When you call to make the reservation please have the following information available:
  • A couple of dates and times in mind for when you would like to hold the party
  • The Birthday Party Theme Selected
  • Decide if you would like to use shelter #2 (free with birthday reservation) or reserve shelter #1 (near the playground) for an additional fee, for your child's party. 
  • If you have any questions about the specific birthday party themes please call the nature center at: 301-600-2051.

Party Themes

Awesome Animals Party

   
  • Year Round
  • All Ages
Children will have the chance to visit and learn about a wide variety of our nature center animals including our lizard, snakes, turtles, and toads. All participants will also have the chance to feed a few of our nature center animals. 

Crafty Critters

   
  • Year Round 
  • All Ages 
Does your little doodle bug love craft time and meeting with live animals? During this fun filled birthday party, your child will have the chance to choose a nature themed craft to make with their friends and meet several of our live nature center animals up close.

Earth Explorers

   
  • Year Round 
  • 6-10 years old
Your child will have the chance to be a paleontologist for the day! Activities will include: making your own fossil, a rocks and fossils dig, and a chance to meet some living fossils whose ancestors roamed the Earth in the time of the dinosaurs.

Fairy Friends

   
  • Year Round 
  • 6-10 years old
Our birthday party host will read a fairy tale, take out live animals for everyone to meet up close and build fairy houses along the nature trail.

Going Buggy

   
  • June-September 
  • 5-10 years old
Future Entomologist and bug lovers will love searching for butterflies, beetles, millipedes, and more. Our experienced birthday host will lead your child’s friends on a fun filled insect safari through the woods and meadows here at Catoctin Creek Park. All participants will have the chance to meet some of our resident insects here at the nature center.

Slithering Snakes

   
  • Year Round 
  • All Ages
We will learn all about snakes in this fun snake themed program including: how they smell, shed their skin, search for food, and many more interesting facts. All participants will have the chance to meet several of our live snakes here at the nature center.