Looking for a unique birthday space to keep you warm? We’ve got you covered with indoor birthday parties!

Or celebrate your birthday with the Zoo from home with our Virtual Birthday Parties! 

Birthday Party Available Times are as follows:
Critter Craft and Animal Encounter package party time blocks: 11:00am-12:30pm, 1:30-3:00pm
Zoo-rific party time blocks: 10:30am-12:30pm, 1:30-3:30pm
See below for our party offerings!

Critter Craft Birthday Package

Critter Craft (Includes time for children to do age-appropriate craft)
($325 Member / $350 Non-Member)
This party is a 1.5 hour party. Party times are 11:00am-12:30pm and 1:30-3:00pm
Includes:

• Zoo admission for up to 30 Guests (not including birthday child or birthday child’s parents- all other adults and children count towards headcount) Additional children $15 (includes one adult); additional adults alone $11 each
• Coloring based craft- age appropriate
• Zoo party paper goods (Includes plates, napkins, cups, forks & tablecloths)
• Zoo staff party coordinator to handle all of your setup, cleanup and to run the party
• Section of the carousel for 1.5 hours
• Special gift for the birthday child
• 4 carousel rides per child
• 2 large pizzas (pizzas are cut into 12 kid size slices) and two 2 liter bottles of soda (Soda choices- Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, Sprite Zero, Ginger Ale, Lemon Tea, Sweet Tea)

Animal Encounter Birthday Package

Animal Encounter (includes an up close and personal meeting with 1 of our education animals)
($400 Member / $425 Non-Member)
This party is a 1.5 hour party. Party times are 11:am-12:30pm and 1:30-3:00pm
Includes:

• Zoo admission for up to 30 Guests (not including birthday child or birthday child’s parents- all other adults and children count towards headcount) Additional children $15 (includes one adult); additional adults alone $11 each
• Animal encounter (approximately 20 minutes)
• Zoo party paper goods (Includes plates, napkins, cups, forks & tablecloths)
• Zoo staff party coordinator to handle all of your setup, cleanup and to run the party
• Section of the carousel for 1.5 hours
• Special gift for the birthday child
• 4 carousel rides per child
• 2 large pizzas (pizzas are cut into 12 kid size slices) and two 2 liter bottles of soda (Soda choices- Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, Sprite Zero, Ginger Ale, Lemon Tea, Sweet Tea)

Zoo-rific Birthday Package

Zoo-rific (combine the best of both packages and have your guests create a Zoo craft AND visit with one of our education animals!)
($500 Member / $550 Non-Member)
This party is a 2 hour party. Party times are 10:30am-12:30pm and 1:30-3:30pm
Includes:

• Admission for party & zoo for up to 40 guests ((not including birthday child or birthday child’s parents- all other adults and children count towards headcount) Additional children $15 (includes one adult); additional adults alone $11 each
• Animal encounter (approximately 20 minutes)
• Coloring based craft- age appropriate
• Zoo party paper goods (Includes plates, napkins, cups, forks & tablecloths)
• Zoo staff party coordinator to handle all of your setup, cleanup and to run the party
• Section of the carousel for 2 hours
• Special gift for the birthday child
• 4 carousel rides per child
• 3 large pizzas (pizzas are cut into 12 kid size slices) and three 2 liter bottles of soda (Soda choices- Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, Sprite Zero, Ginger Ale, Lemon Tea, Sweet Tea)

Virtual Birthday Parties

Get wild with Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo right from your own home with our “Birthday In A Box”!  Our virtual parties include an Animal Encounter with our animal care staff so you can learn all about your favorite animals via ZOOM!

“Call Of The Wild” Craft Box

• Crafts for up to 10 children
• Plush gift for the birthday child
• 20 minute Zoom Animal Encounter at a scheduled time
• E-vites provided upon request
• Orange drawstring bag
• Shipping included

Member Price: $100
Nonmember Price: $125

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Contact our Rental & Events Department at (203) 332-4243 to book a Zoo Birthday party today!
Not yet a Zoo member?  Become a member today and get an immediate discount on your package by paying the discounted member price!
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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What animals are available for the Zoo-It-Yourself Animal Encounter package?
   At this time, we unfortunately cannot accept animal requests for our Animal Encounter and Zoo-rific  packages.  Several factors go into the Educator’s decision as to which animal to bring out, including whether the animal is booked for another program, their behavior and their stress levels, so we cannot guarantee a specific animal will be shown.
   
   
2. Can the children hold the animal?
   Due to current social distancing protocols, the Educator is the only person that can hold the animal.
   
   
3. Who provides the birthday cake?
   You will need to bring your own birthday cake (or other dessert) and candles.  We are not able to store your cake ahead of time for your party, so please don’t bring an ice-cream cake or anything that needs to stay cold! Please bring a cake knife with you.
   
   
4. Do you provide invitations?
   We have postcard invitations that we can send you free of charge – please be sure to request them when you book your party.  Just let us know how many you need and we will mail them to you. You will need to fill in your party details and the mailing address of your guests and add postage.  We also have E-Vite’s available that can be e-mailed to you in a PDF.
   
   
5. Do I need to leave a deposit, and if so, how much? What if I need to cancel the party? 
   A non-refundable deposit of $100 is required to hold a specific date.  Deposits are done by credit card so that we have a credit card number on file. Final balance is due the day you submit your final attendance to the Rentals and Events department and will be charged immediately. Final payments are made by credit cards.  We do not accept personal checks or cash.  If you need to cancel after paying the deposit, you can rebook your party for up to one year later and still apply the deposit to that party.
   
   
6. In lieu of gifts, I would like to ask guests to make a donation to the Zoo. How do I do that?
   Your guests can make donations via check or credit card by using this link.
   
   
7. What if it rains/snows on my party day?
   The party is still held since it is held indoors. If the zoo decides to close due to inclement weather we will contact you and inform you, you then have the option for a refund of the deposit or to reschedule.  However, we want you and your guests to be safe in your travels, so if you decide it is unsafe to travel and want to reschedule, your non-refundable deposit will be good for one year from the date of your original party.
   
   
8. Can I bring balloons, piñatas or other decorations?  What about other foods?
   Balloons and piñatas are not allowed on Zoo property for the safety of the animals. The only decorations you would need, if you desire, are table covers, plates, napkins, etc. or table top centerpieces or a banner-type display that can be hung on the edge of the table. If you would like to bring in food, you may bring in cold finger foods such as veggie/fruit platter, crackers and cheese, chips/dips, grinders/wedges, snacks and similar foods. No hot food, sternos or alcoholic beverages are allowed. Water and juice boxes are fine.
   
   
9. Is there designated parking for the birthday party guests?
   Parking at the Zoo is free for everyone. There is not a designated parking area for birthday party guests, so we suggest arriving early to park. Zoo admission is included for your guests in your package, so they can arrive early, find a place to park, and head to the party in the carousel.
   
   
10. What is the check-in procedure when we arrive?
    When you and your guests arrive, please inform the front gate attendant that you are here for a birthday party.  Please have your guests sign in under the birthday party sheet.  From there, please head to the carousel building for your reserved party space! 
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The Zoo is also available for Special Events and Rentals! (To see our other venues, click here).
For more information or to make reservations, please e-mail bdayparties@beardsleyzoo.org.