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.
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.
Hands on Birthday Parties are Educational and Fun!
For Parties call
203-372-3521 ext.129
or send email here.
For Overnights call
203-372-3521 ext.121
or send email here.
1. What days and times can I have my child’s birthday party?
All parties (with the exception of Planetary Wonders) are available on Saturdays and Sundays beginning between 11am-2pm. Planetary Wonders Parties can only be booked on Saturdays or Sundays at 11am. 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. 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, cake or paper goods. 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 includes assorted gifts. 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.
Each WonderKids Preschoolers and WonderKids Young Scientist parties includes 15 children and 16 adults. Additional adults are $5 each. Maximum of 30 people per room. Due to room capacity limitations, if more children or adults are desired, please see our Mega Museum Parties. *
Junior Explorers, Explorers, and Senior Scientists includes up to 20 children and 2 chaperones. Additional adults $5 each. Maximum of 30 per room. *Activities are based on the age of the Birthday Child. Activities and materials may not be suitable for younger children. Due to room capacity limitations, if more children or adults are desired, please see our Mega Museum Parties. *
*Star Gazer: $295 non members; $245 members. This party is limited to 12 children (including birthday child) and 2 free chaperones.
**Mission to the Moon: $295 non-members; $245 members, includes: 12 children (including birthday child) and 2 adult chaperones.
Please consult Lynn Olins (203) 372-3521 x121 regarding upgrades to Star Gazer & Mission to the Moon parties.
Have more children than a standard party allows? Think about upgrading to a Mega Museum Party. Additional costs: Mega Museum Party– Original Birthday Party Fee + $75 upgrade fee + $15 per additional child (max 40 children) + $5 per additional adult (max 10 adults).
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF GUESTS (BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS) ARE FOR YOUR SAFETY AND BASED ON ROOM CAPACITY PER THE BRIDGEPORT FIRE CODE. MAXIMUM GUEST COUNTS ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE.
Each WonderKids Preschoolers and WonderKids Young Scientist parties includes 15 children and 16 adults. Additional adults are $5 each. Maximum of 30 people per room. Due to room capacity limitations, if more children or adults are desired, please see our Mega Museum Parties. *
Junior Explorers, Explorers, and Senior Scientists includes up to 20 children and 2 chaperones. Additional adults $5 each. Maximum of 30 per room. *Activities are based on the age of the Birthday Child. Activities and materials may not be suitable for younger children. Due to room capacity limitations, if more children or adults are desired, please see our Mega Museum Parties. *
*Star Gazer: $295 non members; $245 members. This party is limited to 12 children (including birthday child) and 2 free chaperones.
**Mission to the Moon: $295 non-members; $245 members, includes: 12 children (including birthday child) and 2 adult chaperones.
Please consult Lynn Olins (203) 372-3521 x121 regarding upgrades to Star Gazer & Mission to the Moon parties.
Have more children than a standard party allows? Think about upgrading to a Mega Museum Party. Additional costs: Mega Museum Party– Original Birthday Party Fee + $75 upgrade fee + $15 per additional child (max 40 children) + $5 per additional adult (max 10 adults).
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF GUESTS (BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS) ARE FOR YOUR SAFETY AND BASED ON ROOM CAPACITY PER THE BRIDGEPORT FIRE CODE. MAXIMUM GUEST COUNTS ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE.
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. Any changes to your party after booking will result in a $50 rescheduling fee. 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. 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. Parents are welcomed to bring decorations.
· Table top decorations only
· Individually weighted balloons permitted
· NO piñatas
· No sparklers
· Table top decorations only
· Individually weighted balloons permitted
· NO piñatas
· No sparklers
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. No sparklers or any type of open flame except for regular birthday party candles.
16. What should we bring?
You are responsible for all refreshments and decorations.
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?
If you would like more children than allotted, you may book our Mega Museum Party, which allows up to 40 children.
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF GUESTS (BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS) ARE FOR YOUR SAFETY AND BASED ON ROOM CAPACITY PER THE BRIDGEPORT FIRE CODE. MAXIMUM GUEST COUNTS ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE.
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF GUESTS (BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS) ARE FOR YOUR SAFETY AND BASED ON ROOM CAPACITY PER THE BRIDGEPORT FIRE CODE. MAXIMUM GUEST COUNTS ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE.
19 Does the Discovery Museum offer birthday cake or paper goods?
No, the museum does not offer refreshments or cake. The museum does provide some paper goods 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.
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.
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)