Host an Event

Birthdays & Parties

Looking for Something? Jump to…
Party PackagesParty Pricing & UpgradesResources3D ToursParty FAQ
Ready to Book?
Reserve your party at HMNS! Before booking, please take a look at our FAQ for more information about party details.
Birthday Party Deposit
T-rex illustration

Your One-Stop-Shop for Party Planning

You’re busy. We’ve got birthdays & parties down to a science, so leave the planning to us.

From selecting a theme and deciding on décor, to securing activities and entertainment—we’ve got you covered. Our parties are intended to match your budding scientist’s interests with age-appropriate activities. We know that science and fun are for everyone, so we want to make sure you get to spend your special day in our favorite place: HMNS!

Available Party Time Slots:

HMNS at Hermann Park: 9–11am, 12–2pm, 3–5pm

HMNS at Sugar Land: 11am–1pm & 2pm–4pm

Have more questions? Fill out the interest form below to learn more about parties at HMNS at Hermann Park.

Contact ReservationsInterest Form
Leaf Illustration A
Leaf Illustration B

Party Packages

Select an age range to see available themes for the perfect party.

Ages 1-3

Age 1-3
Dinosaurs
  • Personal reading of Dino Dave
  • Tour our massive Paleontology Hall
  • Create your very own dino footprint
Age 1-3
Butterflies & Insects
  • Personal reading of Bug Zoo
  • Create your own caterpillar
  • Visit to the CBC & more!
Ages 1-3
Astronomy
  • Personal reading of Mae Among the Stars
  • Burke Baker Planetarium viewing
  • Planetary marbling
Ages 1-3
Science Explorers
  • Tour the Hall of Texas Wildlife
  • Explore bubble with shape science
Ages 1-3
Egypt
  • Tour the Hall of African Wildlife
  • Create a mini crocodile friend
  • Egypt parties are only offered as small parties (30 people max)

Ages 4-6

Ages 4-6
Dinosaurs
  • Tour our massive Paleontology Hall
  • Dig in to a mini dinosaur excavation
Ages 4-6
Butterflies/Insects

Note: The Butterfly/Insect theme will be available starting the weekend of April 1st.

  • Tour of the Cockrell Butterfly Center
  • Create your own Butterfly Life Cycle
Ages 4-6
Astronomy
  • Take a trip through space in the Burke Baker Planetarium
  • Make your own solar prints!
Ages 4-6
Science Explorers
  • Scout the Hall of African and Texas Wildlife
  • Create UV beads
Ages 4-6
Egypt
  • Take a tour through our Hall of Ancient Egypt.
  • Create your own Egyptian Cartouche
  • Egypt parties are only offered as small parties (30 people max)

Ages 7-9

Ages 7-9
Dinosaurs
  • Tour our massive Paleontology Hall
  • Make your very own dino cast
Ages 7-9
Butterflies/Insects
Note: The Butterfly/Insect theme will be available starting the weekend of April 1st.
 
  • Create your own creepy crawly
  • Embark on expedition to the CBC
Ages 7-9
Astronomy
  • Engineer straw rockets of your very own
  • Voyage to the moon and back in the Burke Baker Planetarium
Ages 7-9
Science Explorers
  • Scout the Hall of African and Texas Wildlife
  • Whip up your own slime with glow in the dark slime!
Ages 7-9
Egypt
  • Take a tour through our Hall of Ancient Egypt.
  • Create your own mummy
  • Egypt parties are only offered as small parties (30 people max)

Ages 10-12

Ages 10-12
Dinosaurs
  • Tour our massive Paleontology Hall
  • Examine real fossils
  • Take home your very own fossil
Ages 10-12
Butterflies/Insects
Note: The Butterfly/Insect theme will be available starting the weekend of April 1st.
 
  • Craft a mosaic out of real butterfly wings
  • Tour the Cockrell Butterfly Center
Ages 10-12
Astronomy
  • Survive a tornado and fall into a blackhole at the Burke Baker Planetarium
  • Craft an egg-lander in a friendly engineering competition
Ages 10-12
Science Explorers
  • Take a tour through our wildlife halls
  • Create a chromatography project
Ages 10-12
Egypt
  • Take a tour through our Hall of Ancient Egypt.
  • Create an Obelisk in a friendly competition
  • Egypt parties are only offered as small parties (30 people max)

Ages 13+

6-15
Birthday Late Night at the Museum
  • Duration: 3 Hours (and 30 minutes of set up time)
  • Capacity: Up to 30 Participants
  • Pricing: Varies from $1,100 to $1,500
  • Program Request form
12+
Sleuths and Secrets
  • Duration: 6-7:30 p.m.
  • Capacity: 10 to 14 Participants
  • Pricing: Varies from $450 to $600
  • Program Request form
13+
Expedition Center Mission
  • Duration: 1 to 2.5 Hours (Depending on the Mission)
  • Capacity: 12 to 40 Participants (Depending on the Mission)
  • Pricing: Varies from $300 to $500 (Depending on the Mission)
  • Ready to Book? Reservations@hmns.org
Adults
Behind the Scenes Tour
  • Duration: 1 to 1.5 Hours
  • Capacity: Up to 25 people. If you have a larger group, we can discuss your options!
  • Pricing: $625 for any one Permanent Exhibit Hall. $1000 for a Special Exhibit.
  • Ready to Book? Reservations@hmns.org
Adults
Museum Scavenger Hunt
12+
Crime Scene Investigation
  • Duration: 1 to 2
  • Capacity: Up to 25 Participants. If you have a larger group, we can discuss your options!
  • Pricing: $250 to $500
  • Ready to Book? Reservations@hmns.org

Party Pricing

Small Party
Up to 30 Guests
Large Party
Up to 75 Guests
Deluxe Small*
Up to 50 Guests
Deluxe Large*
Up to 75 Guests
Members
$350
$550
$800Family Members & Up
$1,200Discoverer Members & Up
Non-Members
$475
$675
Unavailable
Unavailable
*Deluxe Small and Deluxe Large are not available at HMNS at Sugar Land

Party Upgrades

Purchasing a Party Upgrade will replace either the tour or the activity portion in your Party Package. Changes can be made up to two weeks prior to the date of your party. Please note not all of our party upgrades are available for our Sugar Land location.

You are welcome to bring in your own food or have it delivered, but there are some restrictions: no alcoholic beverages, no heating devices, and no full-scale catering. Please email us ahead of time with information regarding any deliveries you may be expecting. This will help us ensure your party goes smoothly!

 
Planetarium
  • Up to 30 People – $150
  • Up to 75 People – $375
Want to add a planetarium show to your party? We can help with that! Fly through the universe, experience the vastness of space, roam planetary surfaces or navigate asteroid fields.

Shows are subject to availability, but we will make an effort to place you in an age appropriate show.

Add your child’s name in the stars before your Planetarium show for only $50.

Please note: This option is not available at HMNS Sugar Land.
 
 
Giant Screen Film
  • Up to 30 People – $180
  • Up to 75 People – $450
Journey around the globe and explore the hidden wonders of the natural world with breathtaking views. Add a Giant Screen Film to your party and you’ll do just that!

Shows are subject to availability.

Please note: This option is not available at HMNS Sugar Land.

 
 
Butterfly Release
  • $250
Give your kids the unique experience of releasing live butterflies into our Cockrell Butterfly Center rainforest! Includes 20 butterflies, only available for insect themed parties.

Please note: This option is not available at HMNS Sugar Land.
 
 
Live Animal Presentation
  • $275
 
Live animals and real Museum specimens give students of all ages a unique, hands-on opportunity to dive into life science! Meet unusual animals and learn about their adaptations for survival, as you experience life science in a whole new way!

Presentation lasts 30 to 45 minutes depending on participant age.
 
 
Dinosaur Discovery Presentation
  • $275
What was a dinosaur, and what was it like to be one? Marvel at dinosaur bones, horns, claws, teeth, and skin as you meet carnivorous and herbivorous dinosaurs through real fossilized specimens. You’ll investigate what dinosaurs ate, how they hunted, and the adaptations they developed to survive in a harsh and competitive prehistoric world.
 
Presentation lasts 30 to 45 minutes depending on participant age.
 
 
Live Insect Presentation
  • $275
 
Giant katydids, hissing cockroaches, exotic beetles, and beautiful butterflies will fascinate children of all ages during fun, hands-on presentations. Insect availability may vary.
 
Presentation lasts 30 to 45 minutes depending on participant age.
 
 
T-Rex Meet and Greet
  • $450
Want to take your dinosaur party to the next level? Book the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s own T-Rex for an exclusive 30 minute meet and greet with a walking dinosaur.  Talk with the handler, learn some irresistible T-Rex facts, and participate in training our new friend!  Don’t forget your camera!
 
Please note: This option is not available at HMNS Sugar Land.
 
 
Baby Dino Encounter
  • $225
HMNS has some baby dinosaurs that are egg-cited to meet you! Book an exclusive 20 minute encounter with a newly hatched T.Rex OR Pachycephalosaurus. Your group will learn what makes these creatures unique and how big they will grow! Recommended for ages 5 and below.
 
 
 
Face Painter
  • $225
Recommended for all age groups. 60 minutes.
 
 
Balloon Artist
  • $225
 
A balloon artist will delight your guests with their creations!
Recommended for all age groups. 60 minutes.
 
Additional 30 minutes – 20% of the cost of the party package.
Additional 60 minutes – 30% of the cost of the party package.
 
 
Art Bike
  • $100
Learn about the science of centrifugal force and create stunning works of spin art with our Art Bike! Guests will take turns pedaling for their pals and creating art. While bike operation recommended for ages 5 and up. Anyone can make art!
 
Access to the art bike for an hour.
 
Please note: This option is not available at HMNS Sugar Land.
 
 
Space: Going the Distance!
  • $175
Discover the incredible scale of our solar system as we model the great distances between the planets and our sun. Recommended for children 5 years and older.
Presentation lasts 25 minutes.
 
 
Mummification Presentation
  • $250
 
Take an in depth look at the mummification process, a museum educator will take the kids step by step though what we know about ancient Egyptian mummification process with artifacts to investigate!
Expedition Center Mission
  • $275

The Expedition Center is a learning experience that engages children, transforming them into scientists, engineers or researchers on a simulated space expedition.

Mission lasts for an hour and is for up to 20 children.

This will replace the tour and the activity during your party.

Recommended for children 8 years and older.

Please note: This option is not available at HMNS Sugar Land.

 
 
Chemistry Presentation
  • $275

Have a blast (literally!) witnessing demonstrations of combustion, color changes, and polymers! This exciting presentation takes a look at chemical changes and states of matter, observing various types of reactions and the byproducts created.

Presentation lasts 30 to 45 minutes depending on participant age.

 
 
Mummification Presentation
  • $250
Take an in depth look at the mummification process, a museum educator will take the kids step by step though what we know about ancient Egyptian mummification process with artifacts to investigate!

Birthday Party Resources

The birthday party program at HMNS is your one-stop-shop for party planning – from selecting a theme and deciding on décor to securing activities and entertainment, we’ve got you covered. For more information about party options, what your party includes, and pricing, check out our information packet

Download and share your free Party Smarty invitations for our Hermann Park or Sugar Land locations

3D Tours

See if our classrooms are a perfect fit for your needs!
Classroom 4
3D Tour
Classroom 5
3D Tour
Classroom 22
3D Tour
Classroom 23
3D Tour

FAQ

View All FAQ

You may either email reservations@hmns.org or fill out this interest form to begin the booking process. It is recommended that you book your party 4–6 weeks in advance. Parties are booked on a first-come basis, and full payment is preferred at the time of booking, but a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the party fee is due in order to confirm your party. If you book your party within a month of the party date, spaces may be unavailable and while we will try to accommodate any additional services or amenities, we cannot guarantee availability. Changes to your party package can be made up to two weeks prior to the date of your party. Reservation Coordinators will be unable to make any changes after that time. All birthday parties must be fully paid two weeks prior to the date of the party. Failure to do so will result in the birthday party being cancelled. If it is possible to accommodate any additional services that are requested on the date of the party, or if damages are incurred by a party group, these will be invoiced no later than the following week and due within 14 days of invoice.

Yes, you are welcome to bring in your own food or have it delivered, but there are some restrictions: no alcoholic beverages, no heating devices, and no full-scale catering. Please email us ahead of time with information regarding any deliveries you may be expecting. This will help us ensure your party goes smoothly!

Yes! To be eligible for the member discount you must be a current family level member or above, both at the time the reservation is made and at the time of the party. If you are not currently a member, we are happy to assist you with purchasing or renewing your membership at the time you make your reservation so you can receive the discount.

We can accommodate up to 30 people in a regular party room and up to 75 people in a large party room. For deluxe parties, a small deluxe party can accommodate 50 people and a large deluxe party can accommodate 75 people. If you have more than 75 people, we can discuss a couple of other options for you.

If there is space available, your party will be moved to a room large enough to accommodate all of your guests and you will be invoiced for the additional fee. If space is not available, up to 30 guests may remain in the booked space. Every child must have at least one caregiver. Additional guests will be free to tour the permanent exhibit halls, and you will be invoiced for their admission.

Adult Education

Expand your mind and be inspired to discover the world around you.

Adult Opportunities

Outreach Programs

TEKS-aligned presentations right to your classroom or event.

Explore Outreach