Birthday Parties
Birthday Parties at the Zoo are available to Houston Zoo Members only.
ZOO BIRTHDAY PARTIES have been designed with both adults and kids in mind. We offer a full complement of amenities and services that will make your celebration easy and fun. The Zoo is open 364 days a year and accepts reservations for parties on any one of those days with the exception of Zoo Free Days: Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Columbus Day, The Friday after Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. The Zoo is closed on Christmas Day.
THE BASICS
- Zoo birthday parties are reserved for children ages 12 and under.
- Party times are 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.and 3:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. every day.
- There are two (2) party packages to choose from:
- The covered Yellow outdoor pavilion, which has a base price of $400.00
- The Red indoor air-conditioned pavilion, which has a base price of $500.00.
- Admission to the Zoo for 25 guests (adults and children) on the day of your party – Additional guests may attend your party for an additional fee of $6.00 per child and $6.00 per adult.
- A birthday party greeter may be added for $40.00 to greet your guests at the Main Gate. The birthday party greeter will greet your guest at the Zoo’s front gates, give your guests admission tickets, zoo map and direct them to the party. If the birthday party greeter is not for you, then your tickets will be mailed to you a week prior to your party. If the birthday party greeter is not for you, then 25 tickets will be mailed prior to your party.
- Two (2) hours in a reserved pavilion in the John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo complete with shade and picnic tables with benches.
- Your choice of cup cakes or brownies, ice cream cups, punch, plates, napkins, and utensils for 25 guests.
- Decorations including table covers and a “Happy Birthday” sign
- Setup and cleanup before and after the party
A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA
- Hot Dog: Hot Dogs, Chips and Juice Boxes ($4.99 per person)
- Cheeseburgers: Mini Cheeseburgers, Chips and Juice Boxes ($5.99 per person)
- Pizza: Large Pepperoni or Cheese Pizza ($14.99 per pizza)
- PB&J: Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches, Animal Crackers and Juice Boxes
($4.50 per person)
- Deluxe PB&J: Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches, Animal Crackers, Fruit and Juice Boxes ($5.99 per person)
DETAILS
Birthday Parties at the Zoo are available to Houston Zoo Members only.
Anything off of our full menu can also be ordered for birthday parties. Food orders must be received at least 5 days prior to the event. All menu options include paper products and utensils. Prices do not include 8.25% sales tax.
- A Live Animal Experience: Invite some of the Houston Zoo’s favorite residents to your party! Your guests will never forget the fun of learning about and interacting with some of the Zoo’s cutest and most fascinating animals. We offer these experiences from October 1st through June 1st every year. A 30-minute encounter is $200.00. The Animal experience will be based on availability and weather conditions and must be booked two (2) weeks in advance. No Exceptions!
- Carousel Rides: Thrill your guests with rides on the spectacular new Wildlife Carousel just steps from your birthday party pavilion! Please note that, as a safety precaution, each child under 42 inches in height must be accompanied by a free adult who is required to stand next to the child while the ride is in motion.
Carousel Tokens are $1.00 each with advance purchase or $2.00 each when purchased the day of your party.
- Goodie Bags: There are two options for goodie bags to make the party even more of an adventure. Contents of goodie bags may vary and are subject to change. $5.00 – Small toys and trinkets that may include: puzzles, note pad, yo-yo and toy animal. $10.00 – includes a plush animal, puzzles, note pad, yo-yo and toy animal. Contents of goodie bags may vary and are subject to change. Goodie bags may not be suitable for children under 3 years.
BOOKING POLICIES:
Zoo Members must make reservations at least one (2) weeks in advance. To book your party or check availability on the dates that you are considering, plese call (713) 533-6797 or 713-533-6876 or email
birthday.parties@houstonzoo.org. Someone in our events department will answer your questions within 24 hours Monday-Friday.
- Pavilion rental fee is due upon booking. We will only finalize the party reservation when we have received this deposit. Final payment is due 5 days prior to the party.
- Upon completion of your reservation you will be sent a copy of our policies that you must sign and return to the Houston Zoo prior to your party.
- Final payment with credit card, check, or cash will be due 5 days prior to the party. A final guest count is due three (3) business days prior to your party.
- You will be charged a fee of $6.00 per child and $6.00 per adult for each unexpected guest over your limit of 25 on the day of the party.
- There will be a 20% charge for an outside caterer.
- No shows will be charged the entire price of the party package.
At the Houston Zoo, protecting animals, their habitats, and the people who care for them is our primary mission. At its sole discretion, the Houston Zoo reserves the right to refuse the use of its facilities by any prospective lessee for any reason. All events at the Houston Zoo, including birthday parties, happen whatever the weather.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
How do I finalize all the details of my party?
A birthday party coordinator will be in touch with you to make sure everything is just as you want it once you have paid your deposit.
- Where will my guests enter the Zoo?
All birthday party guests will enter through the Zoo’s Main Gate inside Hermann Park off Golf Course Drive.
- Will there be any type of transportation provided?
For safety reasons the Houston Zoo will not be able to provide transportation for you or your guests the day of your party. Please make sure that you and your guests arrive early as parking will not be reserved for birthday parties.
We do suggest that you bring a wagon or some sort of transportation for your gifts as you will be responsible for bringing them to and from the Children’s Zoo.
- What should I bring for setup and cleanup?
Leave that to us. We will handle all the setup and cleanup for you. If you decide to bring any extra decorations they must be pre-approved by HZI before they are brought on grounds.
- Are there any items that I cannot bring into the park?
In order to keep our guests and our animals safe, we cannot allow you to bring food for the animals, glass bottles, alcohol, plastic straws, streamers, balloons, balls, frisbees, confetti, string in a can, piñatas, inflatable objects (of any kind), live animals, any electric toys, or anything on wheels into the Zoo.
- Can the party exceed the allotted two (2) hour time slot?
The pavilion will be reserved for your party for two (2) hours beginning at the designated start time that you have reserved. Extra time will not be allotted for late arrivals so please make sure you are prepared and arrive on time.
To make sure everyone receives the full two (2) hours, the Houston Zoo will charge a $30.00 fee for every 15 minutes that your party exceeds its designated conclusion. This fee will begin 10 minutes after the party’s scheduled ending
**** Please allow extra time for parking!
- What should I do if I need to cancel the party?
All party cancellations and refund requests must be submitted to the Houston Zoo catering department in writing at least seven (7) business days before the party. Pavilion rental fee is non-refundable and will be retained upon cancellation. No-shows will pay the full price of the birthday party package. No Exceptions Allowed!
If you would like to have an outside caterer they must be pre-approved by the Houston Zoo at least two weeks prior to your party. There will be a 20% charge paid to the Houston Zoo for the use of any outside catering company.
- What happens if it rains?
All events at the Houston Zoo, including birthday parties, happen whatever the weather.
