Fun Birthday Parties at New Jersey Museums

Here at the Mommy Poppins NJ brain trust, we are putting together an uber party guide, that will hopefully simplify the party-throwing process for you and your brood. We'll be your one stop guide to where, how, who, and what does it cost. Here's a look at many of New Jersey's excellent museums and the various packages they offer for birthday shindigs. My daughter has already decided on an art party. See? The guide is working! 

Touchy Feely stuff

Garden State Discovery Museum (Cherry Hill) 

This charming museum will satisfy your animal lover, scientist, and adventurer. With birthday parties ranging from princesses to pirates, cooking, dinosaurs and more, there's a theme for everyone. There's even a slumber party! Prices range from $9.95 a child for weekday parties, $17.95 per child for theme parties, to $35 per child for the slumber party. Goodie bags can be purchases for $5 a bag and food can be arranged through the on-site caterer. You can book your party online, or call 856-424-1233 ext. 303 for booking information.

NJ Children's Museum (Paramus)

The interactive fun of the New Jersey Children's Museum makes it an ideal place for a birthday party. Children ages 1-7 will love the hands-on exhibits, including a real fire truck and helicopter, fossil/dinosaur cave, pretend ballet studio, and medieval castle. Parties range in price from $249-$299 for 14 guests. Each additional guest is $16. For an additional $100 you can choose a specific theme, such as safari, dinosaur, train, construction, princess or fire truck. These parties include hats for each guests, matching decorations and a costumed host. All parties include food, paper goods, and invites. Call 201-262-5151 for booking information. 

Imagine That!!! (Florham Park) 

This hands-on museum appeals to pre-school and young children with many opportunities for kids to pretend, play and engage their imaginations. There are seemingly endless options for birthday parties at Imagine That!!! with everything from a party spent exploring the museum to puppet shows, ice cream parties and themes that include arts and crafts, dance, pirates, race-cars and more. Imagine That!!! also specializes in parties for 1-year olds. Party packages begin at $219, but there are many à la carte items. Call 973-966-8000 for booking information. 

Conductor, Miner, Soldier, Cake

NJ Museum of Transportation (Wall Township) 

I understand there are sometimes kids that enjoy trains (gasp!), so a party in a 100-year old train station, complete with a tour, a conductor or engineer's hat, train ride and a personalized ticket, would probably be pretty phenomenal. The New Jersey Museum of Transportation offers all of this for the low price of a $50 rental fee and $4 per child fee for the train ride. Maximum 20 children approximately. Cake and refreshments not included. Contact Idella LuBrant at  for booking information.

Franklin Mineral Museum (Franklin) 

If it's digging and rocks your kids love than this delightful museum is just the place. 'Mine' in one of three collecting areas, visit the fluorescent room and examine the glowing minerals, visit a full size mine replica, examine Native American stone tools and admire the petrified wood display. Call 973-827-348 for booking information.

NJ Naval Museum (Hackensack) 

Throw a party at the New Jersey Naval Museum and let your little one be 'Captain for the Day.' Party includes a Captain's hat for the guest of honor, a certificate for the honorary Captain, a USS LING souvenir for each guest, birthday cake, punch and all paper goods, as well as a guided tour of the USS LING, a WWII era, 312-foot long submarine. This fascinating museum also includes torpedoes, a diving suit, a SEAL delivery vehicle, Vietnam-era patrol boats and loads of other interesting memorabilia. The birthday party will be held in the museum. $175 for the first 8 guests. $12 for each additional guest. Call 201-342-3268 for booking information.

Party Like an Art Star

Montclair Art Museum (MAM) (Montclair) 

The Yard School of Art at MAM offers birthday parties the include a tour of the Museum for inspiration, followed by an art project lead by one of MAM's art teachers, or a chance to experiment with ceramics several different ways including air dry clay, kiln fired clay, or Sculpey for kids 6 and up, and wheel-throwing and kiln-fused glass for kids 8 and up. The party is two hours, with the first hour for creating and the second for partying. Food and decorations provided by you. $20 per child for up to 12 children. Maximum 20 children. Ceramics and glass-fusing parties have special pricing. Party hosts must be members. Call 973-259-5139 for booking information. 

Hunterdon Art Museum: Center for Art, Craft & Design (Clinton) 

This contemporary art and design museum, which is housed in an old stone mill,  is a great place to take your burgeoning artist for a day of ceramics, jewelry or print making, tie dye, glass fusing, or LEGO robotics. An art instructor will run the party, which will be held in two studios, one for the party and one for the creating. The Museum will also provide tablecloths, balloons and a birthday banner. You are responsible for food and other decorations. The party is 2 hours. $300 for up to 15 children, $270 for museum members. $20 per additional child. Maximum 30 children (20 for LEGO Robotics). Glass fusing has special pricing. Call 908-735-8415 ext. 116 for booking information.

Center for Contemporary Art (Bedminster) 

New Jersey keeps on giving when it comes to birthday parties that let your young artist and his or her friends express their inner Frida and Diego. At The Center kids can choose from seven creative and inspiring themes for their party that include ceramics, painting on canvas, jewelry making, printmaking, and artwork inspired by Monet, Van Gogh and O'Keefe. The classes are taught by an art teacher and an aide, and the center provides tablecloths, balloons and a one-time $5 gift certificate. You provide cake, food and additional decorations. Parties are 90 minutes. $250 (non-member fee is $300) for up to 12 children. Each additional child is $18. Maximum 15 children. Call 908-234-2345 for booking information.

Science and Critters

Liberty Science Center (Jersey City) 

The Liberty Science Center offers a full-service bash that includes all day admission to the exhibit floors for all guests, birthday cake and refreshments, paper goods, downloadable invitations and thank you cards. A crown, sticker and goodie bag for the birthday boy or girl, and a Liberty Science Center pencil for each guest. The party will begin with an hour of noshing and partying in a semi-private room. This package is $350 for 20 guests. Each additional guest is $15. LSC also offers a truly spectacular, unforgettable super extravaganza that includes, in addition to cake, all day admission and invites, a theme such as making your own crown or kaleidoscope, fossil hunting, and dissections! With this package the birthdayer will receive a deluxe goodie bag, a birthday crown and stickers, and all guests will receive birthday stickers and a Liberty Science Center pencil. This party begins with two hours of noshing in a private room. This package is $775 for 30 guests. Each additional guest is $15. If you still want more, you can add on IMAX movies, simulator rides and 3D movies. Call 201-253-1310 for booking information.

Jenkinson's Aquarium (Point Pleasant)

A visit to the Jenkinson's Aquarium for a birthday party is a day at the beach (literally), and a lovely way for your young marine biologists to party with the wildlife. The 90-minute party includes a one-hour guided tour, ice cream cake and drinks in the party room, party favors, invites and a special appearance by Perky the Penguin (Jenkinson's costumed mascot). $250 for up to 15 guests. $12 (adults) and $16 (kids) for additional guests. Maximum 40 guests. Birthday boy or girl must be turning four or older. Call 732-899-1659 for booking information. 

Insectopolis: The Bugseum of New Jersey (Toms River) 

Don't you just love bugs? I'm a big fan of lice and mosquitoes. Amazingly, there are astonishing scientists who actually do love bugs and they are more than willing to share their passion for termites, bees and butterflies (awww…), with your birthday boys and girls. A Bug Bash includes a tour of the museum with one of the insect handlers, followed by refreshments. Call 732-349-7090 for booking information.

Space Farms Zoo and Museum (Sussex) 

This unique hybrid of zoo and museum (owned by the Spaces for 80 years — you'll find nothing intergalactic here), features everything from the largest private collection of North American mammals to a museum full of random treasures. Mommy Poppins' very own Shari Simpson celebrated her daughter's birthday there just last year. Open April 2 thru October 31. Call 973-875-5800 for booking information.

image: Liberty Science Center