Birthday Parties at John Janzen Nature Centre

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Kids exploring nature near a shallow body of water.

Celebrate your child's birthday with a nature adventure at the John Janzen Nature Centre.

Birthday Party Packages

John Janzen Nature Centre Birthday Party Information Package

Get ready to play! We’ll use our senses to discover what life is like for nature’s smallest creatures. We’ll peek inside a beehive, search for bugs and create a critter of our own to take home. This program includes up to 45 minutes of playtime in our nature-themed indoor playground.

Program Information:

1.5 hours plus 1 hour room rental
Maximum group size is 15 children (including siblings) plus 15 adults (a minimum of 4 adults must stay during program). Adults must stay with children during the program.
Fee: $265
Evenings: $370 (facility closed to drop-in visitors)

Dinosaur Adventure Party (Ages 4-8)

Welcome to your dino-mite birthday party! We’ll have a roaring good time as we handle real fossils, make a craft with our own claws and solve some gigantic mysteries about our prehistoric pals.

Program Information:

1.5 hours plus 1 hour room rental
Maximum group size is 26 children (including siblings) plus 4 parents (a minimum of 4 parents must stay during program)
Fee: $265
Evenings: $370 (facility closed to drop-in visitors)

Fairy and Folklore Party (Ages 4-8)

Let’s jump in and explore the myths of the forest! Try on a pair of magical wings and discover which plants and animals are a fairy’s best friend. We’ll go on nature walk to look for signs of fairies and nature sprites, make a craft to bring home and have a whimsical time playing games.

Program Information:

1.5 hours plus 1 hour room rental
Maximum group size is 26 children (including siblings) plus 4 parents (a minimum of 4 parents must stay during program)
Fee: $265
Evenings: $370 (facility closed to drop-in visitors)

Bug Mania Party (Ages 6-11)

Our friendly Nature Centre bugs are throwing a party and you’re invited! We’ll go exploring to find out who lives nearby, create our own critter to take home and meet some bug eating animals while we’re at it.

Program Information:

1.5 hours plus 1 hour room rental
Maximum group size is 26 children (including siblings) plus 4 parents (a minimum of 4 parents must stay during program)
Fee: $265
Evenings: $370 (facility closed to drop-in visitors)

Party Booking Information

You will have a party room to use for the entire duration of your booking
The first portion of your booking is 60 minutes of activities guided by your natural history interpreter (45 minutes for Nature Play parties). This is followed by 30 minutes of free play time in the Tegler Discovery Zone (45 minutes for Nature Play parties).
The second portion of your booking is 1 hour of time for you to spend in your party room eating and opening presents. During this time, you and your guests are welcome to return to the Tegler Discovery Zone and check out our exhibit room as well as spend time in your party room.
The minimum number of adults (2) required for each party must stay with the group at all times to assist with supervision
All fees must be reserved and paid in full at the time of booking. No refunds will be accepted once the booking has been placed.
Program dates and times cannot be booked or held until payment is received

Book Your Party

Reserve Your Space!

Birthday parties are available year round, but space is limited. We recommend parties be booked at least 6 weeks in advance. Book early to avoid disappointment! Payment for the program must be made at the time of booking.

If you have any questions about our birthdays, email: artsattractionsbookings@edmonton.ca.

Cancellation Policy

You are required to provide written notice of cancellation of the birthday party via email at artsattractionsbookings@edmonton.ca.
Programs cancelled with 30 days notice or more will not be charged the program fee or cancellation fee.
Programs cancelled with 8-29 days notice are subject to be charged 50% of the program fee.
Programs cancelled with 7 days notice or less, the full program fee will be charged.
Programs run rain or shine. In the event of poor weather, you must email artsattractionsbookings@edmonton.ca if you are not coming.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive regarding our birthday parties. If the answer to your question isn’t listed, you can contact the birthday bookings office by emailing artsattractionsbookings@edmonton.ca and we will be happy to answer your questions!

What happens if I need to end the program before it is scheduled to end?

Please let your interpreter know prior to or at the start of the program when you would like the program to end, so that they will end the program with enough time to ensure the group is back in the party room for parents to pick up their children.

What happens if we arrive late?

Your program will start when you arrive at the Nature Centre, and will end at the scheduled end time indicated on your booking confirmation sheet.

Are there food services on-site?

There are beverage and snack vending machines in the Nature Centre hallway.

I booked a room rental. Do we have the room for the whole time?

Yes. Food, presents, and other belongings can be left in the room during the program. Some of our program activities may take place outside of the room and in other locations around the facility, so we will not be in the one room the entire time. We usually draw the doors closed when the party is out of the room. The rooms do not lock. If you have small valuables, such as a purse, we recommend bringing them with you.

How will I know which room is the birthday room?

We have two party rooms. Interpreters will put a sign at the top of the stairs past the front desk of the nature centre to direct individuals to their designated party room.

Do we need to clean up afterwards?

Your interpreter will clean up the room after your party. Please be considerate and help our staff by ensuring that all garbage and recycling is placed into the correct receptacles. Additionally, please assist our staff with any large messes (for example, spilled food/drink) by minimizing/containing the spill. If no paper towels are available in the room, please ask your interpreter for some.

Can parents enter the facility to drop-off/pick-up their child without paying admission?

Yes. If you are passing by the front desk staff, please let them know that you are there to drop-off/pick-up for a birthday.

Can we have the room rental before the program?

Yes, this is possible. Please include your request/preferences in the “notes to interpreter” section of your booking confirmation sheet at the time of booking. When your interpreter calls, please discuss your request with him/her, them so that the interpreter can plan the program accordingly.

Can we have a snack/bathroom break in the middle of the program?

Yes. Please include this request at time of booking in “notes to interpreter”.

I have only 15 children, but each of them has 1 parent (a maximum of 30 total in the group.) Can they all participate without the parents paying extra admission?

Yes. The maximum group size for our parties is 30 (includes kids, siblings, parents).

I have 20 children, but only 10 parents. Can they all participate without paying extra admission for the children?

For most of our parties, this is possible, as long as the maximum number of people is 30. For Nature Play Parties, the maximum number of kids we can accommodate per party is 15. This is to ensure a high-quality program. If you have additional children that you wish to invite, we recommend booking a second birthday program.

Do you offer any birthday programs for infants/toddlers (children under the age of 4)?

We have one birthday party program specifically for preschoolers (ages 3-5), called Nature Play Party.

The majority of our other party programs are for children ages 4 years and up. Some families choose to book combined family birthdays, where the majority of children are 4 years and up. Younger children (siblings) are welcome to attend these birthdays with additional adult supervision, but they may not be able to or interested in participating in many of the activities. Please call our birthday program bookings office if you are interested in booking a mixed-age birthday party and would like more information.

Can I tip my interpreter if they did a great job?

No, City of Edmonton employees cannot accept money. Once the program is over, you can thank them verbally. You are welcome to offer them a piece of cake or leftover food to express your appreciation.

Do birthday party activities include outdoor activities as well as indoor activities?

Yes, all of our programs include a combination of outdoor and indoor activities. Please dress for the weather, so that guests are comfortable spending some time outdoors. In the event of inclement weather, more program time will be spent indoors.

My child is sick the morning of my program and I want to cancel/reschedule

The safety of you, your family and visitors, and our staff are of utmost importance.

Please stay at home if you are feeling unwell. Contact your interpreter immediately to let them know you are not coming, then contact our birthday bookings office by email (attractionsexperience@edmonton.ca) to officially submit in writing your cancellation or reschedule request.

We will all discuss options at the time of cancellation or reschedule request.

Birthday Parties

Birthday parties are a snap at City of Edmonton attractions and recreation centres.

Contact Us

John Janzen Nature Centre

Location
7000 143 Street
Whitemud Drive & Fox Drive

Shared parking lot with Fort Edmonton Park

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 2359
Edmonton, AB T5J 2R7

Email	artsattractionsbookings@edmonton.ca

Birthday Parties at John Janzen Nature Centre

Birthday Party Packages

Party Booking Information

Book Your Party

Cancellation Policy

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John Janzen Nature Centre