Birthday Party FAQ

What is included in the birthday party package?
General admission for up to 15 guests, two hours of party room rental (with clean-up), Museum-themed photo stand-in cut-outs, a special gift for the birthday child, and your choice of a craft activity!

Are both adults and children counted toward the total number of guests?
Yes. We do require one adult for every six children in attendance.

Can I invite more than 15 guests?
Yes! The party room can hold a maximum of 25 guests. Additional fees will apply.

Can we bring in our own food?
MPM does not allow any outside food or beverage to be brought in for birthday parties, except for dessert from a licensed bakery. The Museum Café is open for lunchtime hours.

Some of my guests are members at the Museum. Do we still include them in the guest count?
All adults and children attending the party (are in the room, participate in the activity, etc.) do count towards your final guest count.

A relative is a member of the Museum, but I am not. Can I book under the membership rate?
The person with the membership must be the one to complete the request and book the party.

Can I decorate myself?
Absolutely! Feel free to bring paper decorations, photos, or posters. We are sorry, but we cannot allow birthday candles or any other source of open flame –- the Museum has a blow-out LED “candle” for this purpose. Glitter, confetti, open flames, hanging décor, and balloons are prohibited to ensure the safety of the Museum’s collection.

Can I arrive early?
Yes! The room will be available 15 minutes prior to the party start time, if you wish to come in and set up the room with additional decorations.

Am I responsible for set-up and clean-up of the party space?
No. The room will be available 15 minutes prior to the party start time with MPM-provided decorations. Clean-up of the party space will begin 15 minutes following the party end time.

Can I stay late?
If you and your guests are staying at the Museum, we will provide bins to store coats and gifts until departure. The room will no longer be available 15 minutes following the party end time.

Is there a place to store or refrigerate my dessert?
No.

Does the Museum provide invitations?
Yes! You may download invitations and thank-yous here:

How do I use the email invite and thank-you files?
You will need to use Adobe Acrobat Reader to create your invitation and thank-you. Open up the invite or thank-you, fill out the document, and save the document as a different name.

What is the craft activity?

  • Bugs & Butterflies: Explore the beauty of bugs and butterflies with a fun paper craft that will get the kiddos feeling all buggy! Kids will take home their very own buggy or butterfly crown.
  • Dinosaurs: Time-travel back to the age of the dinosaurs with this fun paper craft. Kids can create their own torosaur crown and take an adventure through the Third Planet with their own two-legs (not four)!
  • Ancient Egypt*: Take a trip back in time to ancient Egypt with a fun game of Senet. Kids will be able to make their own Senet board game and battle against their opponent at home, in the car, or out at the park!
    *Ancient Egypt is ideal for children ages 8-10.

What is the special birthday gift?
An explorer’s helmet. There will be sharpie markers available to have the child’s attending guests sign the helmet if they would like.

Are we able to see a Planetarium program with the birthday party?
Yes. Planetarium programs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Am I able to bring outside entertainment?
We’re sorry; clowns, characters/mascots, live animals, and all other outside entertainment are prohibited.

How long can we stay at the Museum?
All day! Birthday party rentals give access to the Museum for the entire day, before and after your party time slot. The party space will only be available for your use during the two-hour time slot.

Will we have a Museum host with us?
A staff member will welcome your group to the Museum and show you where your party room will be located. Staff will set up the craft activity supplies but will not be facilitating the activity.

Will MPM staff chaperone the children through the exhibits?
MPM staff members are not responsible for supervising children while they are visiting the Museum. Please make sure you have a sufficient number of chaperones at your party to aid in supervision.