IMPORTANT BIRTHDAY PARTY DETAILS
● Offered Wednesday – Sunday
● Birthday parties can be booked up to 4 months in advance and no later than 2 weeks in advance.
● Birthday party guests (adults and children) are welcome to play in the Museum all day so you can play before and after the party.
● ALL refreshments other than water, as well as all foods, must be consumed in the birthday room or outside.
● Decorate your table(s) with fun table coverings, centerpieces, balloons, confetti, and banners. Please note: balloons and confetti are not permitted on the museum floor. No staples, nails, or anything else that puts holes in the wall are allowed to set up decorations. You may use Command strips or Painter’s tape. Please clean up and discard decorations before you leave.
● Outside goodie bags are welcome.
● Smoking and Alcohol are Strictly Prohibited.
● If a child is being dropped off for your party you are responsible for that child’s safety and welfare. Please get the parent’s contact information and inform your other party guests.
Type of packages include:
● The traditional birthday party package and backyard package include 1 hour and 30 minutes rental time of our classroom/backyard space, plus a 30-minute set-up period and a 30-minute take-down period.
● Maximum of 30 guests, capacity includes adults and children (per fire code capacity).
● The private birthday party package includes 2 hours of rental time of the whole museum (Only on Sundays from 9:30 am to 11:30 am), plus a 30-minute set-up period and a 30-minute take-down period.
● Maximum of 40 guests, capacity includes adults and children (per fire code capacity).
All party packages include:
● Museum admission for guests during the party time slot.
● Ability to bring your own food, beverages, snacks, and birthday treat/cake.
● All-day admission to the Museum for party guests (adults and children) so you can play before and after the party
● Time in the party room
● The birthday child’s name is posted in the birthday room.
Book your party:
● Use the online link to book your birthday party. Once you have selected the date and party package, our rental manager will email you within 4 business days the agreement form and payment link. You have 14 days from the payment email to make the full payment.
● A birthday party booking will not be considered complete until the Museum receives the full payment and signed agreement. Agreements are included in the payment email you receive after completing the request form.
● After making the payment and signing the agreement form, you will receive a confirmation email.
● Parties are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis and must be booked at least two weeks in advance.
● Party hosts are responsible for their valuables at all times.
● Parties must stay within specified guest capacities. If parties go over the capacity limit any additional guests will be subject to pay the discounted price of $10 (adult and child).
Frequently Asked Questions
● Can I bring outside entertainment such as face painters, bounce houses, balloon artists, birthday clowns, etc.?
Yes, the entertainer will be counted as part of the total guest and must stay in the party area. Please contact the rental manager for approval.
● Can I drop things off the day before the birthday party?
Yes, if the room is available and has been approved by my rental manager. However, the museum is not responsible for any overnight damaged items once you have dropped the items in the designated room.
● Can the staff receive my balloon, cake, and decoration order at the museum?
No, museum staff will not be responsible for receiving or signing for any items for the birthday party.
● What do I have to clean after the party?
The party host is responsible for clearing the decorations from the room/patio, placing trash in the designated area, stalking chairs against the wall, and taking all valueless/gifts. The staff will wipe/sanitize tables, sweep and mop the floor, take the trash out, and set the room/ patio back to its original setup.
● Where can I hang a Pinata?
A pinata can be set up outside on the patio. You may tie a rope around the corner of the awning and the corner of the wooden fence. Please ask the staff for assistance.
● If my guests are museum members would they be counted as my total amount of guest?
Yes, any visitor that is at the museum for the birthday party will be counted tours the number of total guests due to room capacity.
● Are infants counted as a guest for the birthday party?
No, children under 1 year of age will not be counted tours the total number of guests.
● What does check-in look like?
The host can check in 30 minutes before the party at the front desk. A staff and cart will be available to assist you with unloading and take you to your party room. Please have your guest check in at the front desk by providing your name or the birthday child’s name.
● Who is responsible for supervision of the children?
The chaperones are responsible for the direct supervision of the children.
● Can we get more time?
Guests may pay for additional time in the party room. The additional time fee is $100/per 30 minutes.
● What is parking like at the Museum?
Free parking for the host and guests. Parking is located at 1050 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe, NM.
● May I bring my own food and refreshments?
You may bring your own food, special cake, ice cream, and drinks. Museum staff cannot be responsible for signing cake deliveries for your party from an outside vendor.
● How many guests can a party room accommodate?
Our party rooms accommodate 40 people. The party room includes 40 chairs, as well as 7 six-foot-long rectangular tables which are covered with colorful disposable table covers.
● How is the room arranged?
We arrange 4 tables in the center of the room, with 6 chairs around each table. The other 3 tables are set against the wall. 2 in a line at the entrance and the other near the patio door. The additional chairs wrap around the room against the wall.
● Does the party room have an ice maker?
We do not provide an ice maker in the party room. Please bring your own ice if needed. The room does have a large refrigerator and a sink with cabinet space around it.
● What is not allowed in the Museum?
Balloons, Piñatas, Silly Strings, Confetti, Alcoholic Beverages, or Pets. Other items may not be permitted, please ask first.
● May I bring additional entertainment?
Yes, outside entertainment such as a character appearance, face painter, balloon artist, and/or a magician is permitted in the party room. A Certificate of Insurance will be required. Please provide the birthday
party coordinator with entertainment information if you do decide to book someone. We recommend keeping the party room door closed so that the public does not think it is an open event. You can play music off our device or bring your personal Bluetooth speaker. There is no audio/visual equipment in the rooms.
● May I bring extra decorations?
Centerpieces/Table-toppers are permitted. Any type of large decorations or items that may be placed on the floor such as freestanding backdrops must be approved by the birthday party coordinator first. We do not allow anything to be taped, tacked, or hung on the party room walls. The party room walls are colorful and painted to coordinate with our exhibit color schemes. Any repairs caused by damage to the room will be charged to you. Museum staff cannot be responsible for signing decoration deliveries for your party from an outside vendor.
● What am I responsible for?
Our staff is not permitted to serve food to your guests, nor clean up after refreshments are served. Trash containers are provided for you to use in the party room. Please plan on promptly vacating the party room at the end of your party.
● Do I tip staff?
Please do not tip our staff. However, we welcome your comments on Tripadvisor/Social Media etc about their great efforts to make your child’s day special!
● What do I need to bring?
-Cake, candles & lighter, cake cutter
-Drinks, cooler, and ice
-Goodie Bags
-Tabletop Decorations (please do not tack or tape to walls or hang from
ceilings, large décor must be approved by the birthday party coordinator)
-Paper Goods (Plates, Cups, Utensils, Napkins, Etc.)
-Large bags to carry the presents home easily.
CONTACT:
Norma Flores
Reservations Manager
505-989-8359, ext. 110
normaflores@santafechildrensmuseum.org
Birthday Add-ons
Enhance your child’s celebration with one of our custom programs with special guest facilitators and bonus fun! (Each party package includes a guest facilitator and all materials for up to 30 guests. Additional fees may apply for larger parties.)
Activities currently available
- Custom/themed art projects
- Science experiments with one of our Museum Educators
Special Guest Options
- NM Fairy Hair – 90 minutes
- Have a “Bug Bash” with Wade Harrell of the Harrell House Bug Museum
- Wade Harell will meet you at the museum party room for a 60-minute presentation with a selection of approximately 12 live creatures for an animal experience!
- Stargazer Planetarium show with Museum Planetary Scientist Asis Gonzalez- Includes 1-hour exploration in the stargazer dome or discovery dish
Call 505- 989-8359 ext 115 or email programs@santafechildrensmuseum.org for booking your add-on and more information.
