Museum Parties and Overnights

Parties & Overnights

Discovery Birthday Parties

Birthday parties at The Discovery Museum cover a wide range of engaging science topics for children ages 3 to 13. Admission to museum exhibits and public planetarium shows are included in party fees.

The museum provides the room, staff, materials and access to a refrigerator. Parents provide refreshments, paper goods and all required fees.

Click on one of the categries below to show/hide the detailed descriptions for each:

Hands on Birthday Parties are Educational and Fun

WonderKids Preschoolers ages 3-5

Young Scientists grades K-1
Junior Explorers, grades 2-3
Explorers grades 4 and up
Senior Scientists grades 6 and up
Explore the Museum (all ages)
MUSEUM PARTY POLICIES

Birthday Party FAQ's (click to open close)

1. What days and times can I have my child’s birthday party?

With the exception of Mega Museum Parties, all parties are available on Saturdays beginning between 11am-2pm and Sundays beginning between 1pm and 2pm. Mega Museum Parties are available on Saturdays only – Planetary Wonders may be held at 11am and parties for grades 2 and up may be held starting between 1pm – 1:30pm. Planetarium Show for the older Mega Museum Parties will begin at approximately 3:45 pm. Items must be removed from the party room before attending the planetarium show.

2. How do I reserve a date for my child’s birthday party?

Reservations can be made by phone and are based on space and time availability. We require reservations be made at least 2 weeks in advance. Please contact our Birthday Party Coordinator at 203.372.3521 x129.

3. What happens at a Discovery Museum birthday party?

Parties at The Discovery Museum are a unique and exciting way to celebrate your child’s birthday. We ask that you allow 2 hours for our parties (Full Challenger Mission birthday parties last for 3 hours). You select a theme from the appropriate grade level and our staff will plan and direct all science activities for 1 hour. When it’s all over, your child and his or her guests will have some great memories, a fun project to take home and a little more science knowledge. You will then have 1 hour for refreshments and gifts (provided by the party hosts). Access to the museum after the party ends is also included. We do ask that all items be removed from the party room at the end of your scheduled time.

4. What does the Expert Party Guide do?

Our Expert Party Guide will direct all science activities from your chosen theme for 1 hour. The depth of the science instruction will depend on the interest level of all of the party participants. Although the subject matter may be the same, it will be taught at age-appropriate levels.

5. Where do I go when I arrive for my birthday party?

Please check in at the reception desk 30 minutes before your party start time. Our staff will escort you to your party room for set-up. Guests will be held in the main lobby. Your Expert Party Guide will meet you and your guests in the Lobby 15 minutes prior to your party start time. All guests reserved for the party will receive a wrist band. At your scheduled start time, you will be escorted to your party. Any late arrivals will check in at the reception desk and will be escorted to the party room.

6. Can I bring my own food and cake?

Yes, please bring your own food and cake. The Discovery Museum does not provide food or cake. Several local pizzerias deliver to the Museum. Please ask if you would like more information. We recommend that you have the pizza delivered 45 minutes before the end of your party to be sure there is adequate time.

7. What if I have guests coming that are not in the age range of the party activity?

Guests that are not in the age range are still permitted to participate in the party activity and are included in the birthday guest count unless they are under 6 months. Party activities are designed for the grade level of the birthday child, and may not be suitable for younger children.

8. Does the Discovery Museum offer goodie bags and what is included?

The Discovery Museum offers goodie bags starting at $5 per bag and include assorted scientific gifts. We ask for two weeks notice to prepare goodie bags. Our bags are created to match the theme of the party. Please contact our Birthday Party Coordinator for goodie bag options.

9. Does the birthday child count in the fee?

Yes, all party fees include the birthday child. Please refer to the specific birthday party for fees and maximum guest counts.

10. What if I would like to eat at a particular time?

Your science activity occurs at the beginning of your party. This is necessary due to the nature of our projects. We ask that you keep this in mind when you choose your start time, and allow for some flexibility in your dining schedule. Limited refrigeration is available upon prior request. We will try and accommodate you in any way possible, but there is no guarantee of a specific time to eat.

11. When is my final guest count due?

Guest counts are due at the time of booking. If you should have a change in numbers, please contact us at least two weeks before your event is scheduled, and we will try to accommodate changes if space is available. We have limited space for large parties, however, and our large group space tends to book early. Please note that we do not offer refunds if your party size is smaller than planned.

12. When do I settle my bill?

Fees are due and payable upon booking your party. Reservations will not be held without full payment and receipt of signed Birthday Party Agreement. All parties and memberships are non-refundable. An additional fee of $50 will be charged for any changes in date, time or theme of your party. Unfortunately, we are unable to make changes within two weeks of your party date.

13. What is in the party room?

The Discovery Museum provides tables and chairs. Most classrooms have sinks for your convenience.

14. What time should we arrive?

Party hosts should arrive no more than 30 minutes prior to your party start time. Your guests should arrive no more than 15 minutes prior to your party start time. Parties must begin on time in order to allow for all scheduled activities. Failure of hosts or guests to arrive in a timely manner may result in a reduction of activities.

15. What about decorations?

You may bring any table top decorations you like. Decorations are not permitted on the tables reserved for the science activities. In addition individually weighted balloons are also permitted. NO piñatas or decorations that need to need to be affixed to the walls or ceilings please.

16. What should we bring?

You are responsible for all refreshments and decorations. The Discovery Museum provides plain paper goods on request. If you want to bring your own special themed paper goods, please feel free to do so.

17. Can we have pizza delivered to the Museum?

Yes! Several local pizzerias deliver to the Museum. Please ask if you would like more information. We recommend that you have the pizza delivered 45 minutes before the end of your party to be sure there is adequate time.

18. What if I want more kids and adults?

You may book our Mega Museum Party or our Explore the Museum Party.

19 Does the Discovery Museum offer birthday cake or paper goods?

No, the museum does not offer refreshments or food but we do supply plain paper goods (plates, cups, napkins, forks and tablecloths) on request.

20. What is the Discovery Museum’s refund/cancellation policy?

All parties and memberships are non-refundable. Should you have a change of plans and need to reschedule your party, you may contact our Birthday Party Coordinator. If you contact us two weeks or more before your event, we may be able to transfer your payment to another date (subject to availability). There is a $50 fee for any changes to your party.

Late party arrivals risk a compromised time schedule. No refunds are available for late arrivals. A party will be considered cancelled if the Birthday family doesn’t arrive within 25 minutes of the designated party time. Parties who arrive late will not have time added to the end of their reservation.

21. What forms of payment do you accept?

The Discovery Museum accepts MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, check, money order, or cash. Payments may be made over the phone, dropped off at our admissions desk during museum hours, or you may send a check payable to The Discovery Museum to: The Discovery Museum, 4450 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604, Attention: Birthday Parties.

22. What do I do in the case of bad weather?

If The Discovery Museum is closed due to bad weather, please call 203.372.3521 and listen to the pre-recorded message or check for delays and closings on WTNH Channel 8. We will do our best to reschedule your party as quickly as possible. No refunds will be given.

23. What is your clean-up policy?

Party hosts should clean up any paper goods, refreshments and decorations. All items should be removed from the party room at the end of your scheduled time.

24. What if I still have questions?

For additional questions, please contact our Birthday Party Coordinator at 203.372.3521 ext. 129, Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm or email parties@discoverymuseum.org. We will respond as quickly as possible.

Mega Museum Parties

Have a long invitation list? We can accommodate large parties with our Mega Museum Parties!

Mega Museum Party:
Held in the Wonder Workshop Building
Activities include choice of Planetary Wonders for preschool and grade 1; Slime-ology, Pop Fizz Rockets or Mad Scientist for grades 2 & up

Fees & Guests:
Preschool - Grade 1: $350 non-members; $300 members.
Fee includes up to 25 children (all children ages 6 months & up) and up to 15 adult chaperones
Additional adults $5
Maximum number of children is 25 (including birthday child)
Maximum number of guests including adults is 40

Grades 2 & up: $375 non-members; $325 members
Fee includes 20-30 children and 2 adult chaperones
Additional adults are $5
Maximum number of children is 30 (including birthday child)
Maximum number of guests including adults is 40

Planetary Wonders may be held at 11am on Saturdays only and includes a private planetarium show (Little Star that Could)

Start times for parties grades 2 & up are available Saturdays only between 1pm-1:30pm and includes a private planetarium show (Dawn of the Space Age) at 4pm

Discovery Overnight Program

Come join us at The Discovery Museum for a night of fun and science! Open to any Group of 20 or more kids.

Visitors will enjoy a planetarium show, science lab and movie.
Pizza Dinner and Continental Breakfast included.

All participants will receive a Discovery Museum Scout Patch.
Cost: $45.00/child, $20.00/chaperone (Minimum 20 children, Minimum Fee $940.00)

For more information on content and program please contact:
Lisa Bostick at (203)372-3521 ext. 117

To book your visit please contact:
Uyen Thy Ho at (203)372-3521 ext. 129

The Discovery Museum and Planetarium

4450 Park Avenue, Bridgeport CT 06604 | 203-372-3521