Birthday Parties with FRNC

Host your child’s next birthday party in “green” fashion. Friends of Rye Nature Center offers birthday parties that are eco-friendly, educational, and of course a lot of fun! To help make these parties green, we provide reusable tableware, water and a minimalist, natural setting. 

Choose from a variety of programs suitable for all ages—from animal adventures to herbal tea parties, there’s something for everyone. Price and guest limit vary based on chosen party theme.

* An Environmentalist-level membership ($125) or higher is required to book a party. Membership may be added at booking.

For more information or questions about booking your birthday party, email kassandra@ryenaturecenter.org or call 914-967-5150.

Currently All Parties Are Booked Until September 2025

Fall party dates will be available soon.

Party Days

Parties are offered on Fridays and Saturdays Only

Party Hours

Fridays: 4:00PM - 6:00PM

Saturdays: 10:00AM - 12:00PM, 2:00PM - 4:00PM

Note: Times may vary slightly

Available Dates

PLEASE CLICK “Book a Party Today” ABOVE TO SEE AVAILABLE DATES

Note: Dates are subject to change. Please check back regularly for updates.

All party dates are booked through summer. Fall dates coming soon.

Summertime Exclusion Policy

Please be aware that Birthday Parties are not hosted between Memorial Day and Labor Day at the Rye Nature Center.

Limited Availability Notice

Hurry, spots are filling up quickly! If your desired date is full, keep an eye out for additional openings.

  • Booking a birthday party with FRNC entitles you to 2 hours of fun! Three-year-old parties are limited to 1.5 hours (and 15 guests) to maximize the fun, please also be aware that the party parent/adult must be present for additional supervision throughout the entirety of the birthday party. We do not host parties for children younger than 3 years old.

    Hour 1: An experienced FRNC educator will provide your child and his or her friends with a program of your choice. See below for details.

    Hour 2: Children will enjoy refreshments, food, and activities of your choice. FRNC provides tables, chairs, reusable plates, forks, cups, spoons, napkins and water. FRNC does not provide food, cake, beverages (except water), or decorations.

    Note: Each attendee must complete the waiver and emergency contact form.

  • Birthday parties are a member-only benefit at the Environmentalist-level ($125) or above.

    The base party fee is $550. This fee includes up to 20 children. All children aged 3 and over (including siblings) are included in this count. Up to 5 additional children may be added to the party for a $10 fee per child. The party may not exceed 25 children. EXCEPTION: For three-year old parties, the group size is limited to 15 children max. Certain party themes have a lower guest limit and added components (campfires, crafts, etc.) will incur additional fees; see "party themes" below for more information.

    Full payment is required within three days of booking. Membership is non-refundable. Payment is refundable less a $50 processing fee if cancellation is requesting in writing at least 30 days prior to your party date. No refunds are available less than 30 days prior to event.

    We encourage parents to limit the number of decorations. We do not allow non-eco-friendly decorations including balloons, noisemakers, streamers and piñatas.

Download the Attendee Waiver & Emergency Contact Form here.

Party Themes

We offer a variety of exciting themes tailored to different age groups, ensuring that every celebration is memorable. Choose from a selection of themes designed specifically for your child's age group. Most parties allow you to select two themes for added fun, while others offer a single, immersive theme experience. Explore our options below and let's create the perfect party for your little one!

Ages 3 & Up

  • 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 Sprinkles the Tortoise, an “air show” by our winged friend Paloma the Dove, or everyone's favorite reptile, Popcorn the Corn Snake. (Which animals are presented varies depending on circumstances.)

  • Choose from a variety of Nature Adventures below:

    • Seasonal Hike: Children attend a naturalist-lead seasonal hike. In spring and fall, children search for critters including earthworms, deer, birds and more. In winter, children can track animals in the snow and search for wintering birds.

    • Scavenger Hunt: Similar to our hike, children will obtain scavenger hunt cards to search for seasonal nature objects including sweet gum balls, acorns, leaves, sycamore balls, and worms

    • Nature Crafts: Choose from one of the following crafts:

      • Decorate your own plant pot - $3/child

      • Design your own bug collection jar - $3/child

      • Create your own pine cone birdfeeders - free

    • Plant Your Own Seed: Plant your own seed with a garden naturalist to bring home and watch it mature. This option can be conducted all seasons of the year, inside or out. Additional $50.

  • Garden Party: (April – early October) Ages 3 and older. Put your green thumbs to work! In this birthday party, children will plant their own gardens to take home. Projects for your party guests include, but are not limited to, planting a salad garden with lettuce, radishes, and nasturtium flowers, and making a fragrance garden with culinary herbs such as mint and basil. Limit 20 children. Additional $50

    Apple Cidering: (September - early November) Ages 3 and older. Get a taste of fall and see how cider is made! We will explore the apple cidering process and everyone will get a firsthand experience with the apple cider press. Cider samples for all! (Best for children under 6.) Additional $50

    Maple Sugaring: (February - early March) Winter permitting Ages 3 and older. Learn how to tap sap the old-fashioned way! We will explore how maple trees produce sap and get a peek at the sugaring process in RNC's own maple sugar shed. Children will even get to sample maple syrup. Additional $25

Ages 5 & Up

Children 5 years old and up may choose any themes listed in the younger age groups in addition to:

  • Follow clues to a hidden treasure! This program uses nature riddles to find a treasure hidden in the woods. Parent must provide a treasure chest and an eco-friendly prize (or prizes) for the treasure hunt finale.

  • Add a science experiment to your child’s birthday! This program will be altered and modified based on your child’s age and interests. Additional $35

    Choose one of the following science experiments:

    • Create a vinegar volcano

    • Make slime to take home

    • Egg parachutes. Will your egg survive? (Ages 7+)

    • Potato Lightbulbs (Ages 7+)

  • Choose one of the following nature crafts:

    • Paint your own birdhouse - Additional $5/child

    • Decorate your own plant pot - $3/child

    • Design your own bug collection jar - $3/child

    • Create your own pinecone birdfeeder - free

Ages 6 & Up

Children 6 years old and up may choose any themes listed in the younger age groups in addition to:

  • A campfire can be added to the last 15 – 30 minutes of any party where the birthday child is age 6 or older. Children will enjoy a chance to roast marshmallows, hot dogs and more! Food products are not provided by RNC. This is an add-on and is not counted as one of your party themes. We cannot add-on a campfire to parties for 3, 4 or 5-year olds.

    Additional $50

  • Start the party with an animal show showcasing RNC’s pond critters. Spend the second half of the party getting a little wet investigating RNC’s ponds. Guests should be advised to come prepared with rain boots and clothing that can get dirty.

    A one-theme party.

    Max group size: 15.

Ages 7 & Up

Children 7 years old and up may choose any themes listed in the younger age groups in addition to:

  • Follow a naturalist to the RNC quarry. Children will get a chance to collect their own piece of feldspar, mica, gneiss or quartz just like real miners.

    A one-theme party

    Max group size: 15

  • There's a treasure hidden in the woods, but to find it you'll need to learn how to use a compass, read a map, and solve riddles. Parent must provide an eco-friendly prize for the treasure hunt.

    A one-theme party

    Max group size: 15

  • Bring a flashlight, marshmallows or hot dogs, and your courage. Children will need the latter as they listen to stories and poems, some are even about Westchester's haunted forests, houses, and caves. Stories progress from silly to spooky to scary!

    MAY CHOOSE A SECOND THEME

    Additional $50 Campfire Add-on Required

Ages 9 & Up

Children 9 years old and up may choose any themes listed in the younger age groups in addition to:

  • If you had to spend a night in the woods unexpectedly, could you do it comfortably? Can you make a fire without using matches or a lighter? Our ancestors tens of thousands years ago could, and it kept them safe, warm, and fed. In this program children learn shelter building and will get to try a variety of fire making methods - from ancient to hi-tech.

    A one-theme party

    Additional $50