Bring your birthday boy or girl to Wood Lake for a great party!
Wood Lake Nature Center offers a variety of birthday parties that are fun, educational, and the mess stays with us! Wood Lake provides a naturalist-led activity and use of the party room with tables, chairs, and tablecloths. Payment is due when the party is booked.
Time: 2 hours (hour with naturalist, hour in party room)
Resident Fee:
$90 for up to ten children
$4 per additional child, 15 children maximum
Non-Resident Fee:
$99 for up to ten children
$4 per additional child, 15 children maximum
Green Birthday (optional add-on):
$10 (includes reusable plates, bowls, cups, and silverware, and recycled paper napkins)
Treat Bags (optional add-on):
$2/bag (includes WLNC pencil, magnifying bug box, jumping frog, wooden bird whistle, tattoo, plastic insect)
To schedule a birthday party, choose one of the party themes listed below and call 612-861-9365.
Critter Hunt Birthday: (ages 4-5)
Become nature detectives and go outside to look for clues from hidden animals that live at Wood Lake. Available year-round.
Treasure Hunt Birthday: (ages 5-9)
Lead the group in a hunt for hidden treasure. Solve riddles along the trail to receive puzzle-piece clues. Once the puzzle is put together, the treasure can be found! Available year-round.
Scaly Tales Birthday: (ages 5-12)
Meet a live snake, turtle, and salamander and learn all about these amazing creatures! Then, time permitting, hike outside with a naturalist to look for reptiles and amphibians in their natural habitat. Available year-round.
Creatures from the Marsh Birthday: (ages 5-12)
With nets and buckets at hand, go out to the floating boardwalk to discover what kind of creatures lurk in the Wood Lake marsh. Available May-September.
Tracks and Trails Birthday (ages 5-12)
Make a plaster track to take home, then hike the trails to look for real animal tracks outside. Available year-round.
Games Birthday: (ages 7-12)
Hawk vs. crows, squirrel tag, everybody?s it! Play an assortment of fun, nature-oriented games chosen by the birthday child. Available year-round.
Big Foot Birthday: (ages 7-12)
Snow conditions permitting, hike over hill and dale to explore the winter wonderland with big snowshoe feet. Snowshoe rental is an additional $1 per person.
Survival Birthday: (ages 8-12)
Learn basic survival tips and build an outdoor shelter. Work together and see if your group can survive! Available year-round.
Please note that helium balloons and alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the building.
Wood Lake recommends:
- Invite the party guests 5-10 minutes before the party start time so the naturalist can start the program on schedule
- Book your party about two months in advance- weekends fill up quickly!
- Smaller birthday parties typically allow the birthday child, as well as the other attendees, to receive more personal attention. Groups of about 10 children typically work best.
- Come back for more! We offer many party themes and can adapt them to older age groups (including adults!) if requested.
Have a green birthday!
A green birthday is an environmentally-friendly party. Reducing waste is key to having a green birthday.
Why should I have a green birthday?
1) It reduces unnecessary waste
2) It saves money
3) It prevents landfills from filling
4) It's better for the environment
How can I have a green birthday?
Choose to produce as little waste as possible. Wood Lake offers a green party option:
For $10, you can use Wood Lake's reusable plastic cups, plates, and bowls; silverware; and recycled paper napkins. Or bring your own!
Make your party even greener by following these suggestions.