Naturally WILD Birthday Parties!

At the MooseWood Nature

$125.00 (not-yet members), includes a complimentary Family Membership

$100.00 (with a current family or higher membership)

for up to 12 children (an additional $5/child over the limit of 12)

MooseWood Nature Center offers an exciting place for your child to experience an extra special birthday party! We answer all those “Why?” questions your child is asking about their natural environment.

MNC will Provide:

• 2.5 hour room rental for a maximum of 12 children (includes set-up and clean-up time).
• Recommended ages for parties: 4-12 years.
• 45-minute to 1-hour educator led program (indoor and/or outdoors). See available programs below.
• use of nature center room inhabited by live animal displays and wildlife.
• tables and chairs.
• a small freezer is available for your use if bringing ice cream.

Birthday Parents Must Provide:

• Cake, food and drinks.
• Food may be brought or delivered (no cooking area available) for party.
• Decorations, quiet party favors and tablecloths.

Set-Up and Clean-Up:

• We suggest arriving 30-minutes before your program start time to decorate the party space.
• Please leave the party space, tables and chairs the way you found them.
• Recycling is encouraged for cardboard, and rinsed glass, metal and plastics 1-7.
• Trash removal is your responsibility. Please bring 1-2 trash bags for your garbage and take it with you when you leave. MNC does not have immediate access to garbage disposal from October 31 to May 31. Thank you.

Scheduling, Fees and Payment:

• To schedule your party, e-mail to moosewoodnc@gmail.com or call 228-6250 with Birthday Party Request is Subject line with name, phone number, your first and second choice party dates with times, and the best time to contact you. An educator will contact you within 48 hours to discuss your party details. Birthday parties must be booked at least 2-weeks in advance please.
• When you schedule a party, a 2.5 hour time slot (approx.) will be reserved for you (this includes set-up & clean-up). Time slots are most commonly scheduled on weekends, but week day evenings may also be arranged depending upon our educator(s) availability. Please note that our operating hours are Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 – 4:00 pm.
• Fee: $125.00 for Not-Yet-Members (includes a complimentary Family membership), $100.00 for Members (with a current $25 Family or higher membership). An additional fee of $5/child will be charged for children guests beyond 12.
• Payment can be made by check, cash or money order and will be accepted prior to party date or day of party. On-line payments are accepted by scanning a QR code at the nature center where payment can be made through credit card, Google Pay, and Apple Pay through secure payment by Square.

Supervision and Helpful Tips for an Excellent Party Experience:

• Please provide adequate supervision for maximum enjoyment of the program and your visit. With children 3-5 years, we suggest a ratio of one adult to three children, for children six and older the suggested ratio is one adult to five children.
• Smaller party groups may make your child’s program more meaningful. Your party fee allows a maximum of 12 children, with parents and supervising parents at no additional charge.
• Heath codes require that all adults and children must wash their hands prior to and afterwards when handling or touching the animals. Bathrooms are provided on site and hand sanitizer is available.
• For the safety of our visitors, please do not reach into animal exhibits to touch animals.

In Case of Inclement Weather:

• In case of inclement weather, parent(s) may request an alternate activity or program in place of their original activity or program.

Program Evaluation:

• Your feedback is very valuable to us. If you have visited us recently, please take a moment to complete an evaluation form. Your feedback will help us improve the quality of our programs and let us know how we are doing. Thank you!

Donations are not required but greatly appreciated!

Choose your exciting birthday theme from the age-appropriate programs listed below. Each program lasts between 45 minutes – 1 hour and will be facilitated by a MooseWood Nature Center naturalist(s).

MNC Educator Led Programs:

4 – 5 YEARS OLD

Little Pollinators Party- We will explore a pollinator garden and learn all about birds, butterflies, and bees! Paint your own mini-flower pot, and then plant a seed in it so you can start your own garden at home! Recommended time of year: summer.

Little Critters Party- Meet new animal friends, sing a song, read a story, make a craft, or play games! Recommended time of year: all seasons

6 YEARS OLD +

Cold Blooded Birthday Party- Celebrate your birthday at the MooseWood Nature Center, reptile and amphibian style! Hike through the bog in search of some of Michigan’s reptiles and amphibians. Learn to identify frog calls, and enjoy a reptile craft! Suggested time of year: late spring through early fall.

Insect Safari Party- Six legs, three body parts, two antennae and usually some wings are a great recipe for fun. During this party, we’ll become explorers of the insect world and find out who lives there. If your child is into creepy crawlies, you won’t want to miss this safari party!  Suggested time of year: summer and fall.

Bodacious Bee Party- Bees are amazing and busy creatures. Children will learn all about bees and bee keeping by exploring an observation hive and learning about the equipment used. We will learn about bee habits, search for the queen and learn how to do a waggle dance and play bee games! Suggested time of year: summer

7 YEARS OLD +

Magnificent Mammal Party- Follow the animal track to the MooseWood Nature Center for a magnificent mammal party! Go on a guided hike to search for signs of animals, and learn about our local mammals big and small. Create your own animal tracks to take home, enjoy a game or craft. Suggested time of year: All year round.

CUSTOM PARTY

Custom Birthday Party- Don’t see anything here that fits your adventurer? Let us know and we can help you build a custom birthday that is as unique and wild as your party animal!