Birthdays

Make this birthday memorable through a close encounter with the natural world. Fountain Rock offers several exciting birthday party themes for children who love learning through hands-on activities, games, stories, and of course, interactions with our live animal residents.

Your 2-Hour Party Includes:  

• One hour for a naturalist-led program in the Nature Center. You may choose one of the themes below. 
• One hour of parent-provided refreshments and activities in either the outdoor Picnic Pavilion or the indoor Kaufman Cabin. 

Parents may arrive 15 minutes prior to the party start time for set up, and may bring food & beverage, partyware, games, and decorations (please no latex balloons or confetti). You will also have 15 minutes after the party for clean-up.
 
Parents must provide all refreshments. Please note there is no refrigerator available. Restrooms and drinking fountains are located by the Nature Center.

Facilities

• The cozy Kaufman Cabin, a historic tenant house from the days when the park was a limestone quarry, features rustic décor. There are two 8-foot tables at regular height, and two semi-circle tables at child height. Chairs are included. The Cabin is climate-controlled and there are electrical outlets. For restrooms, visitors must make the short walk to the Nature Center.
• The outdoor Picnic Pavilion features a sweeping canopy and open sides. With approximately 12 full-length picnic tables, it easily seats larger groups. The Pavilion is located next to the parking lot and the playground. It includes a grill and has electrical outlets. For restrooms, visitors must make the short walk to the Nature Center.

Party Days & Times

• Saturdays:
  10:00 am - Noon 
  2:00 pm - 4:00 pm 
• Sundays:
  2:00 - 4:00 pm

Fee

$170 (maximum of 15 children)

Scheduling a Party & Details

To make a reservation, call 301-600-1646, or complete a birthday party request form online. 

Scheduling

• A 30-day notice is required when scheduling
• Reservations are for 2 hours

Party Themes
Please have your guests dress for the weather, as we like to use our outdoor spaces for many of our games and activities. 

Animal Adventure
The theme for the child that just LOVES animals! We’ll discuss cool animal traits while we examine up close Fountain Rock’s awesome artifacts, including furs, bones, eggs and feathers. Then we’ll meet some of the resident live snakes, turtles, lizards and insects. 

Fantasy Fun
Dragons and fairies, oh my; things that jump and leap and fly! In this theme that explores some of our favorite legends, we’ll search for the dragon’s lair and build fairy houses in the woods. Who knows? Maybe we’ll discover real mythological creatures living in the nature center!

Turtle Time
Come meet the nature center's resident turtles up close and personal! We’ll learn all about these charismatic creatures through stories, fun displays, and a nature walk to visit the wild turtles swimming in the Quarry Pond.

Bugging Out
Explore what life would be like as an insect as you smell like a bee, see like a fly and eat like a beetle. Budding entomologists will meet our resident insects at Fountain Rock Nature Center. Weather permitting, participants will enjoy a bug safari throughout Fountain Rock Park.