FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

These are common questions (and answers) about birthday parties at Brooklyn Children’s Museum.  If you have additional questions, please contact our Party Coordinator at (718) 735-4400 x164 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

What is included in a Brooklyn Children’s Museum birthday party?

Our birthday package is a two-hour experience including a one-hour educational program based on your choice of theme, an hour in our private Party Room, participation, food, and beverage for 20 guests (adults and children), a 10” birthday cake, a party favor for each child, and Museum admission for all attendees.

How do I reserve a date for my child’s party?

To reserve your child’s celebration, please contact our Party Coordinator at (718) 735-4400 x164 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . To reserve your party date and time, a $100 nonrefundable deposit is required. Reservations are based on space and availability. Since Brooklyn Children’s Museum birthday parties are so popular, we suggest making your reservation two months in advance, to ensure the date you wish is available for your child′s party. We accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover credit cards, as well as personal checks and cash.

I am a member of the Museum; do I get a discount on my birthday party?

Museum members at the City Traveler and World Explorer levels receive a $25 discount on Brooklyn Children’s Museum birthday parties.

How many guests can I invite?

Our birthday party package includes participation and food service for 20 people, of which a minimum of five adults is required. The first five additional adults are welcome free of charge. All other additionalparty attendees are counted as additional guests and will be charged $25 per child and $10 per adult, up to the maximum of 30 guests. 

Any party exceeding the maximum count of 30 people is considered a special event.  If your party includes more than 30 people, please call our Special Events and Space Rental Manager, at (718) 735-4400 x127, to discuss your event needs and space requirements.

What if I have guests who are under 2 years old? Do I have to pay for these guests?

Party guests under 1 are free and not included in the count of 20 people, unless they are participating in the activities or eating.  Adults attending are considered participants due to safety and staffing concerns. Please inform us if more than 20 participants will be attending your party, as this will affect staffing and venue needs.

Please note that the additional party-guest fee does not include the cost of food for adults. If you wish to order extra food for your adult guests, you may do so through our Party Coordinator. 

Do the birthday child and his or her parent(s) count in the 20 participants?

Yes, each person is counted at the Museum.

Where do my guests park?

The Museum does not have a parking lot, however street parking is available and usually easy to find. Your guests can also access the Museum via mass transportation. Please see our visitor information pages for directions and detailed routes.

Where do my guests go when they arrive for the birthday party?

You and your guests will be greeted in the Museum lobby by one of our Party Hosts, who will be standing next to a large party wagon decorated with festive, colorful balloons and a personalized sign for your child’s birthday. You may deposit any gifts, goodies, or additional items to be transported to the Party Room in the party wagon, and we will set it up for you during the time that your child’s educational program is taking place in the Museum’s exhibit galleries.

What happens if my guests arrive late?

We can wait for your guests up to 10 minutes after your selected arrival time, however late party arrivals risk a compromised schedule and program. Typically we like to wait for at least half of your guests to arrive before beginning your educational program in the Museum’s exhibit galleries. Once the program has started, a Party Host or the admissions-desk staff will help direct late guests to your location in the Museum. No refunds are available for late arrivals, and a party will be considered cancelled if the Birthday Family does not arrive within 30 minutes of the reserved party time.

When is my final guest count due?

You will be contacted 10 business days prior to your event date and we will go over all party details with you at this time. Final payment, food orders, and guest counts are due at this time. Any last-minute changes should be communicated to our Party Coordinator so that we can be fully prepared to host you and your guests.

How will our party guests be recognized?

Each party guest participant will receive a “Happy Birthday!” sticker to wear while in the Museum. This is our way of recognizing your group, and it also allows for admission to the Museum following your child’s celebration. You will be asked to provide a headcount of your guests to the Party Coordinator prior to arrival at the Museum, and we will provide this exact number of stickers to your participants. While we understand that it is difficult to always know exactly how many guests will arrive on the day of a birthday party, please note that you will be charged for any additional guests (children and adults) above the final count provided 10 business days prior to your birthday party.

How is the Party Room decorated? Can I bring my own decorations?

Our Party Room is beautifully decorated with colorful, eco-friendly paint and a festive, unisex design. Tables are set with party favors, utensils, and food just prior to your arrival. If you’d like us to add balloons or centerpieces to the room, this may be done at an additional charge. If you wish to bring additional party décor, please let our Party Coordinator know in advance so that we may work with you to make your child’s experience special. Please note: We reserve the right to prohibit certain decorations for fire, safety, and environmental concerns.

Is food and cake included in the birthday package?

Yes, meals, beverages, and cake for 20 people are included in the birthday package. You may choose from chicken fingers, individual-size pizzas, hot dogs, yogurt with fruit, turkey-wrap sandwiches, or salads. A breakfast menu is also available for early-morning celebrations, which includes a selection of bagels, muffins with fruit, or cold cereal. If you would like to host a party without food service, please discuss with our Party Coordinator.

Every party is provided with a 10” cake that serves 20 people; however, if you wish, a larger 12” cake can be purchased for an additional $15. We offer either chocolate or vanilla cake, with your choice of filling flavors including chocolate or vanilla pudding, strawberry, or lemon. Our delicious cakes are frosted using white butter cream, inscribed with “Happy Birthday,” and decorated with colorful, festive balloons and confetti or flowers. We can also personalize the cake with your child’s name for an additional fee of $10.

Can we bring our own food and/or cake to the celebration?

Brooklyn Children’s Museum does not allow outside food on the premises, except for individual portions for people with food allergies or special dietary needs. Outside cakes or cupcakes are welcome; however, no reductions will be made in the price of the birthday package. Please note: alcoholic beverages including beer and wine are prohibited at children’s parties.

I would like to provide my adult guests with food that’s different from the children’s menu—is this possible?

Absolutely! Our Party Coordinators can provide you with a full menu of party platters including sandwiches, fruit and cheese, or antipasto. If there is something that you would like to provide your guests, but do not see, please let us know—our caterers are more than happy to customize platters for your celebration.

What is your cancellation policy?

A nonrefundable deposit of $100 is required to secure your date and time. Should you wish to cancel your party 60 days prior to your event, we will refund 50% of the party costs. No refunds will be provided for parties cancelled less than 60 days in advance.

Each event will start promptly. Late party arrivals risk a compromised schedule and program. No refunds are available for late arrivals, and a party will be considered cancelled if the Birthday Family does not arrive within 30 minutes of the reserved party time.

What if I need to change the date of my party but have already paid the deposit?

Once your deposit and signed contract are received, your party is reserved. Should your plans change, and you wish to reschedule the date of your party, please note that we require a minimum of 30 days’ notice, and a fee of $75 will be incurred to reserve a new event date. Your deposit will transfer; however, event dates are subject to availability. Please contact the Party Coordinator to facilitate any adjustments.

What if it snows, and we are unable to get to the Museum for our party?

If, due to a snow storm on or around the date of your event, you feel you need to cancel your party, Brooklyn Children’s Museum reserves the right to withhold your deposit if the Museum is officially open on the day of the scheduled party. In the event that the Museum is officially closed, we will return your deposit or reschedule your party for a later date.

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?

For additional questions, please contact our Party Coordinator at (718) 735-4400 x164 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . We will respond to you as quickly as possible.