Birthday Parties

Host your child’s next birthday at Rye Nature Center! We offer a variety of programs for all age groups. From animal adventures to wilderness skills and even keeping a slime mold pet - there's something for everyone! Our experienced environmental educators provide an exciting and educational experience for your child and their friends.

Birthday parties are available for children turning 3 years old & up on a variety of Fridays from 3:30-5:30 and Saturdays from 11:00-1:00 and 2:00-4:00. During the summer months birthdays are only available on select Saturdays. Please see available dates for more information.

Party Themes:

Animal Extravaganza: Let “party animals” entertain and educate your family and friends! Enjoy a live animal presentation from our menagerie, including a visit from our hungry friend Hercules the Bearded Dragon, an “air show” with our winged friend Paloma the Dove, and wear a snake necklace: our friend Popcorn the Snake.

Nature Adventures: Children attend a naturalist-lead hike searching for critters including earthworms, deer, birds and much more. This is best combined with Animal Extravaganza.

Slime Mold Pets: Learn all about real life micro-monsters that live in our woods, creeping under logs and eating any little creatures too slow to get out of their path! We'll go in search of them and then you'll learn how to keep one as a pet. Bring a plastic container with a lid.

Pond Investigations (Late March – September): Begin the day with an animal show including RNC’s pond critters. Spend the second half of the session getting a little wet investigating the RNC ponds. This program is suggested for ages 6 and over. All children should come prepared with rain boots.

Maple Sugaring (February – Early March): Learn how to tap sap the old fashion way! We will explore how maple trees produce sap and get a peek at the sugaring process in RNC’s own maple sugaring shed.

Apple Cidering (September - November): Taste apple cider right off the press! We will explore the apple cidering process and everyone will get a first hand experience with the apple cider press.

Rocks, Minerals and a Pair of Safety Goggles: Follow a naturalist to the RNC quarry. Children will get a chance to mine their own piece of feldspar, mica, gneiss or quartz just like real miners. Suggested for ages 7 and up. Max group size: 15.

Map and Compass Treasure Hunt: There's a treasure hidden in the woods of Rye Nature Center but to find it hidden in our 47 acres, you'll need to learn how to use a compass, read a map, and solve riddles. Parent must provide prize for the treasure hunt. Suggested for ages 7 and up. Max group size: 15.

No Match, No Problem: Can you make a fire without using matches or a lighter? Your ancestors tens of thousands years ago could, and it kept them safe, warm, and fed. In this program you'll get to try a variety of firemaking methods-from ancient to hi-tech. Suggested for ages 9 and up.

Ghost Stories by the Campfire: Bring a flashlight, marshmallows or hot dogs, and your courage. You'll need the latter as you listen to stories and poems, some are even about Westchester's haunted forests, houses, and caves. Stories progress from silly to spooky to scary - you can discretely retreat when they pass your confort level. Suggested for 7 and up.

Wilderness Skills: If you had to spend a night in the woods unexpectedly, could you do it comfortably? This program can be customized to feature shelterbuilding, foraging for wild food and safe water, or making fires. Suggested for ages 9 and up.

*Please note party themes may be combined. In addition, if we don’t have theme that interests you, one of our educators would be happy to develop a program that better suits your child’s needs and interests.

Event Details
Booking a birthday party at RNC will entitle you to a 2-hour rental.

Hour 1: An experienced RNC educator will provide your child and his or her friends with a program of your choice. Please be aware that the parent must be present for additional supervision.

Hour 2: This is time for your child and his or her friends to enjoy refreshments, food and activities of your choice. The nature center does not provide food, paper goods or decorations. We do provide tables, chairs and kitchen access.

Booking Information

Birthday Parties are a member’s only benefit. Membership may be added on the day of booking. Please visit our membership page for more information.

Price is $350 for up to 20 children. Up to 5 additional children may be added for $10 each.
A nonrefundable $50 deposit is required to hold the date within 3 days of booking. The balance is due the day of the party.

Please contact Jeni Casinelli at (914) 967-5150 or jenicasinelli@ryenaturecenter.org to book your party today.