Birthdays!
Celebrate your child’s special day with a wild and unforgettable birthday party at River Bend Nature Center! Our nature-themed birthday parties are fun, educational, and full of hands-on adventure. Each party includes a guided walk through our Conservatory, a visit to the butterflies in Peyton’s Place, and an exciting live animal presentation. Choose from a variety of themed party options—such as Snake Birthdays, Dino Dig, Nature Detective, Butterflies, Bug Hunt, and Critter Connection—each designed to spark curiosity and connect kids with the natural world. Every party includes age-appropriate activities and a fun nature craft to take home. We also offer custom themes to suit your child’s unique interests!
- 2.5-hour rental (includes setup and break down)
- Learning Center available after business hours
- Pavilion available anytime
- Includes goodie bags for all participating children
- Attending adults and babies under age 1 are free
The minimum cost is $200 for up to 10 children for non-members and $175 for members, (click here to become a member) with each additional child just $10. Parties must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance, and can be booked up to one month before your desired date. Come celebrate with us—where nature meets birthday magic!
Click here to see available dates!
- All parties will include age-appropriate activities
- Birthdays can only be scheduled one month ahead of the date, and we need at least two weeks’ notice before the date is needed
Birthday Party Inquiry
Interested in having a birthday party at RBNC? Shoot us a message!
Snake Birthday!
Looking for a wildly unique birthday experience? Celebrate your child’s special day with a Snake Birthday Party at River Bend Nature Center! Kids will get up close and personal with some of RBNC’s resident snakes during a live animal presentation and learn fun facts about these fascinating reptiles.
- Meet and touch real snakes in an exciting live animal presentation
- Discover awesome snake facts and learn how snakes survive in the wild
- Create a striking snake-themed craft to take home
- Play a fun and interactive snake game
- Explore nature with a conservatory tour and butterfly visit
- Enjoy nature-themed activities tailored to your child’s age
- All activities are tailored to your child’s age group
Dino Dig Birthday!
Get ready for a prehistoric party adventure like no other! Young paleontologists will travel back in time to the age of the dinosaurs with hands-on activities, exciting games, and interactive fun. Whether they’re digging for fossils or erupting volcanoes, your birthday explorer and their friends will roar with excitement!
- Dig for dinosaur bones just like a real paleontologist
- Make a volcano erupt and learn the science behind it
- Go on a thrilling dino egg hunt
- Play “Hatch the Dino Eggs” and uncover hidden surprises
- Enjoy even more dino-themed activities and games
- Includes a nature walk and a visit to Peyton’s Place Butterfly Enclosure
- See live animals up close in an exciting animal presentation!
- All activities are tailored to your child’s age group
Nature Detective Birthday!
Calling all curious kids! Get ready for an exciting day of mystery, exploration, and nature at a Nature Detective Birthday at River Bend Nature Center! Your little detectives will gear up with custom-made kits and hit the trails on a thrilling mission to uncover nature’s secrets. Along the way, they’ll collect leaves, seeds, bark, and more—turning every step into a clue-filled adventure!
- Build your own detective kit for exploring the outdoors
- Go on a guided trail walk to collect natural “clues”
- Create a beautiful nature collage to take home or make a Play-Doh casting of real animal tracks
- Includes a visit to the Conservatory and Peyton’s Place Butterfly Enclosure
- Get up close with live animals during a fun animal presentation
- All activities are tailored to your child’s age group
Butterfly Birthday!
Celebrate your child’s special day with a flutter of fun and fascinating discovery at a Butterfly Birthday at River Bend! Kids will explore the magical world of butterflies—from their senses and defenses to their life cycle and anatomy. With hands-on crafts, close-up encounters, and a visit to our live butterfly exhibit, this party is sure to take flight!
- Learn about butterfly senses, defenses, and life cycle
- Tour Peyton’s Place, our beautiful butterfly exhibit, and observe butterflies up close
- Make fun butterfly-themed crafts:
- A colorful antenna headband
- A painted butterfly showing symmetry, or a coffee filter butterfly
- Includes a walk-through of the Conservatory and a live animal presentation
- All activities are age-appropriate and engaging for young nature lovers
Bug Hunt Birthday!
Get ready to explore the tiny but mighty world of insects with a Bug Hunt Birthday at River Bend Nature Center! Perfect for curious kids who love creepy crawlies, this party takes young explorers on an outdoor adventure to discover the hidden lives of bugs and their important role in nature.
- Embark on a guided bug hunt along the Wild Side Trail (weather permitting)
- Search for clues and signs of buggy neighbors in their natural habitat
- Tour the Conservatory and learn about how insects help our ecosystems
- Make a fun and creative bug-themed craft to take home
- Includes a visit to Peyton’s Place Butterfly Garden
- Enjoy a live animal presentation featuring some of RBNC’s fascinating residents
- All activities are tailored to your child’s age group
Note: Bugs are most active during warmer weather, so plan accordingly for the best buggy fun!
Critter Connection Birthday!
Step into the wild and celebrate your child’s special day with a Critter Connection Birthday at River Bend Nature Center! Young nature lovers will go on an exciting outdoor adventure to discover the secret lives of native Texas animals. Using all their senses, kids will explore the Wild Side Trail (weather permitting) to look for signs of local wildlife—like tracks, burrows, and other clues!
- Guided nature walk to explore animal clues on the Wild Side Trail
- Tour the Conservatory and learn how native animals impact our ecosystems
- Create a real animal track casting using Play-Doh or plaster—yours to keep!
- Visit Peyton’s Place Butterfly Enclosure
- Enjoy an up-close live animal presentation featuring RBNC’s resident critters
- All activities are tailored to your child’s age group
Mad Science Birthday!
Ready to mix, fizz, and experiment your way into an unforgettable birthday? Celebrate with a Mad Science Birthday Party at River Bend Nature Center—perfect for kids who love hands-on fun and exciting science! Young scientists will explore the wonders of chemistry and creativity with colorful, gooey, and explosive activities that make learning a blast!
- Make your own slime—squishy, stretchy, and totally fun!
- Watch a foamy, explosive elephant toothpaste demonstration
- Create a vibrant tie-dye craft using markers
- Enjoy a guided walk through the Conservatory
- Visit Peyton’s Place Butterfly Garden
- Meet fascinating animals in a live animal presentation
- All activities are safe, age-appropriate, and mess-friendly!
FAQ
What kind of birthday activities are included with a party?
Does RBNC provide goody bags?
River Bend does provide goody bags to participating children above the age of 3.
Does RBNC decorate?
RBNC does not decorate, but we do provide tables, chairs, goody bag (for children over 3 years old), and entertainment. Please do not decorate with glitter, table scatter, or confetti. If using helium balloons, please attach extra long strings. Balloon releases are not permitted.
When is the payment for the party due?
Full payment for the party is due at the conclusion of the party. The cost for non-members is minimum $200 for 10 children, each additional child is $10.00. The cost for RBNC members is $175 for 10 children, and each additional child is $10.00.
How do I make a birthday reservation?
Birthdays can be booked one month in advance of the birthday date, and anytime after that. Please give us at least two weeks notice so we can prepare for your party. Give us a call at 940-767-0843 to make an appt. to fill out your birthday contract. We require that you pay a $50.00 deposit when you fill our your contract in order to hold your reservation and rental time. There will be a $2.00 convenience fee if you choose to pay your deposit with a credit card.
Payment is due at the conclusion of your party. Your deposit does not go toward your party payment. You will receive your deposit back by mail if you meet the terms of your contract.
How long are parties?
Birthday parties are 2.5 hours long. Generally, the first 15 minutes are used for set up. The party includes an hour-long program, an hour for food, cake, and ice-cream, and 15 minutes for clean up. Please do not arrive early; your rental time includes set-up, event time, and break down time.
Where will the party take place?
Birthday party rentals will only be scheduled after regular business hours. Do not arrive early, your rental time includes set-up, event time, and break down time. Parties can be in the exhibit hall or pavilion.
Business hours are as follows: Monday thru Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. We are closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Easter, and Independence Day.
How many adults should I bring?
In addition to the field guide, trail tour birthday parties require parental or guardian accompaniment on the trail. Parents are expected to supervise their children. Field guides will be present in each party area.
How much is it for children ages 1 and under?
There is no charge for children ages 1 and under unless they want to participate in activities.
What does it cost?
The cost for non-members is $200 for 10 children; each additional child is $10.00. The cost for RBNC members is $175 for 10 children, each additional child is $10.00. Become a member here.