Host your child’s party at the Arboretum

Having a party? Houston Arboretum & Nature Center has a variety of fun and engaging spaces available to celebrate your child’s birthday! Surrounded by nature, all party packages come with your choice of a complimentary add-on that will allow your guests to learn and explore.

Birthday party packages:

A Family Tree Membership or above is required to book a party. Click here to become a Member today.

Availability and Booking

Rentals are available Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am – 12 pm and from 2 – 4 pm.

Please note that only one full Nature Playscape Rental is available per month.

Parties must be reserved at least two weeks in advance and booked by the birthday party coordinator. A party is not considered reserved unless a non-refundable 50% deposit is paid. The remainder of the balance must be paid at least 10 days before the party date.

Email [email protected] to learn more and book your child’s birthday party.

Want more fun? Add one of these activities!

Complimentary add-ons do not add any additional time to the party and will take place within the 2-hour rental time. A second purchased activity will add 30 minutes to the party and a third purchased activity will add 1 hour to the party.

Guided Nature Walk – $100

In our Guided Nature Walk we teach your guests how to become Nature Detectives. Nature Detectives move through nature quietly and slowly to look for signs or clues that animals leave behind. An Arboretum Facilitator will teach you how to look for those clues and how to identify the animal that left them behind. A checklist will be provided to keep track of the signs or animals spotted on your walk.

Animal Encounter – $150

Your party will get to meet and learn about an animal of your choosing. Learn about the animal’s natural history, where it lives, what it eats, and how it survives in the wild. Animals may be presented in the Nature Center building. Please understand that we will do our best to accommodate your choice, but cannot guarantee any specific animal.   

Craft – $100 for up to 20 children, $200 for 40

Supplies and guided lesson will be provided for the craft. Choice of either a beaded coral snake keychain or native plant seed bombs. 

Birthday Party Assistant – $200

In addition to regular Birthday Party Facilitator duties, a Birthday Party Assistant will meet you at your vehicle with a rolling cart, help you unload, and assist in setting up the party. When your party ends they will assist in tearing down and loading up any left-overs and presents that need to be taken back to your vehicle.

Paid Parking – $110/20 passes

Parking passes will be emailed when the deposit has been paid. Parking passes are in PDF form and will need to be printed and placed on to the vehicle’s dashboard. They will need to be distributed to the guests before the party.  We will have extras on hand the day of the party in case any guest forgets their copy, but the guest will be responsible for putting the pass on their dashboard. 

More Play Time – $150/hour

Additional time on the Nature Playscape can be rented. Limit 2 extra hours.

Additional Tables – $10/table

Limit 2 extra tables.

Rules & Regulations

• We are an environmentally friendly space. Absolutely NO balloons, glitter, piñatas, inflatables, glass bottles, streamers, confetti, or silly string.
• Any decorating for the party must fall within your time allotment.
• Groups of children will not be allowed in the Discovery Room as part of the party. Guests can individually visit the Discovery Room before or after the party with their parent(s).
• Alcohol is strictly prohibited.
• You are welcome to bring your own food or have it delivered. NO hot plates, crockpots, chafing dishes, sparkler candles, or any other heating or warming devices are allowed during birthday parties. 
• There is no electrical connection in the Nature Playscape or at the Lilly Pond. Generators and extension cords are not allowed. 
• Children are allowed to be dropped off for the party, but you are required to have enough chaperones for monitoring the children during the party. We require at least 1 adult to every 5 children.
• Pets are prohibited during birthday parties.
• Bikes, scooters, skateboards, and water guns are prohibited.
• You are expected to clean up your own trash. We will provide trash bins for cleaning up. A $75 fee will be charged if any trash is left at the rental location or on the Nature Playscape.
• You will need to provide your own party supplies such as food, drinks, table coverings, plates, napkins, and cutlery.
• No outside vendors (ex. caterers, face painters, characters, etc.)

Cancellation Policy

Written notice is required and must be acknowledged by the Party Manager no later than 10 business days in advance of the reserved birthday party, for a 50% refund of your party fee. There is a 50% non-refundable deposit required to reserve your birthday party. There are no refunds for birthday parties canceled less than 10 business days before the confirmed date.

In the event of extreme inclement weather, a partial refund or rescheduling of your party will be issued. An indoor alternative may be offered, if available, but cannot be guaranteed. Rescheduling may not be possible due to our tight calendar, but every attempt will be made to do so.

Photo credit Anthony Rathbun