Nature Center Birthday Parties

For the nature lover in your family! Create a unique nature-themed birthday party experience for your child to celebrate their special day! Choose a party based on their interests and the season. During the party, children will spend time discovering the outdoors through observation, exploration and hands-on activities. There is also plenty to do indoors if the weather is inclement. 

Birthday parties are available for children 4 years old and up.


Download a Zionsville Nature Center Birthday Party Brochure HERE

explore

Tell Me More!

A Naturalist-led program with crafts, games, activities and nature exploration with the remaining 30 minutes reserved for free time to explore the Zionsville Nature Center. And cupcakes, of course!

What you receive:

  • An exciting 1-hour program and hands-on activities
  • An experienced Naturalist to present the program
  • A gift from the Zionsville Parks for the birthday child
  • A goodie bag for each child (max 12 children)
  • PDF invitation with directions you can email to your guests
  • Zionsville Nature Center will supply tables, seating, reusable tablecloths, napkins, plates and simple decorations

Party Fees:

  • Residents: $150
  • Nonresidents: $165
  • Fees are for parties of 10 children (2 additional children can be added for $8/each)
  • Max 12 children total - no siblings under 3 years of age
  • Party capacity is 15 including adults
  • Birthday parties are held Saturdays 10:30 a.m. - 12 pm or 1:30 - 3 p.m. Weekday timeslots may be an option during school breaks. Please contact us if you would like to inquire.
  • Availability depends on staff schedules and public program offerings.
trailhopper2

Add the Trailhopper:

Our newest mobile outreach vehicle is packed with nets, bug jars, and fun! Add the Trailhopper to your party with any Zionsville Park Shelter Reservation. To request the Trailhopper or Creekstomper and for full outreach details click HERE.

Trailhopper/Creekstomper Birthday Party Fee:

  • Residents: $100
  • Nonresidents: $125
  • In addition to shelter reservation fees

Click here to reserve your date
Reservations can be made up to 3 months in advance

Pick Your Party Adventure

Add the Trailhopper to parties marked* with a Zionsville Park Shelter Reservation

Meet the Animals

Meet the nature center animals up close and personal! During this party you’ll learn all about the nature center’s reptiles and amphibians.

Wild Things*

Make masks and transform into wild things! We will read Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak and hike the trails to complete a scavenger hunt in search of Zionsville’s very own wild things.

All About Owls

Owls are awesome! Learn about the owls that live here, what makes a bird a bird. Add an owl pellet dissection for each child or pair of children for an additional $2/pellet.

Creekstomp!* (May - August)

We will bring the nets; you bring the fun! Spend the morning exploring Eagle Creek as we search for fish, crawdads, and more! Trailhopper must be added to this party theme. Only available for Overley-Worman Park or Elm Street Green Shelter Reservations.

I Love Leaves (September - December)

Who doesn’t love the crisp smell of fall with leaves crunching underfoot? It’s the perfect time for a hike and learning about nature. Animals and plants alike are preparing for winter in dramatic ways that we can observe. Spend your party hiking and gathering some colorful fall leaves to create a beautiful craft.

Flowers, Butterflies & Bees (May - August)*

Enter the colorful and sweet-smelling world of flowers and their friends, the butterflies, and bees! Grab a net and bug jar as we search for native flowers and their insect partners.

Parental Responsibilities and Party Policy

  • Parents are responsible for providing cupcakes and drinks. Please no other food or drinks with red food dye. Help keep our nature center clean.
  • Gifts will be collected at the start of the program to unwrap at home. 
  • Please do not bring additional decorations or balloons.
  • Parents/hosts are responsible for last 30 minutes of program, supervising children and serving cupcakes
  • Make sure the educational items at the Nature Center are used properly.
  • A minimum of two adult chaperones are always required, including during any hike.
  • You are responsible for the discipline of all children, which may include removing individuals from activities if they are not behaving in an appropriate manner.
  • Zionsville Parks and Recreation reserves the right to end the program if the health and safety of any participant or animal is at risk.
  • Maximum party capacity is 15 (12 children max) total due to space. There are no exceptions, additional attendees will be asked to leave. 
  • Children and parents should come dressed for the weather.