Looking to make your child’s next birthday an unforgettable one? Bring your party animals to the Thunder Bay Museum for an afternoon of games and activities sure to make your child’s big day special! The museum offers birthday parties for kids ages 5-11 from September – November & January – June.

What do I get with a Thunder Bay Museum Birthday Party Package?

  • Exclusive 2-hour use of the party room.
    • For Theme Parties, the first hour will include games and activities facilitated by your host. The final hour can be dedicated to gifts, cake and exploring the galleries with adult chaperones.
  • Set-up and clean-up by Museum staff (excluding the clean up of kitchen dishes and utensils)
  • A host to run the party games and activities
  • Admission to the galleries for your guests (up to 10 children and 10 adults)
  • 4 free passes so that your family can come back and explore the Museum another day
  • Crown for the birthday child
  • Name tags for guests

What themes are available?

Video Games Alive Party

Whether your little gamer is a fan of the classics or obsessed with the newest game to hit the market, this party is sure to level up any birthday celebration. Get into the spirit of the games by creating a Mario or Luigi party hat (or Princess Peach crown), then make a cool Minecraft key chain. Still got some energy? Then it’s time for the Angry Bird Bad Piggie Stomp! Recommended for children 8-11. 

Jazzy Jewellery Party

This party’s the perfect choice for a birthday child with a love of glitz and glam. Our party host will help the kids create a feathered fascinator that’ll give their hair-dos that Old Hollywood glam effect. Then, party guests will have a chance to make a one-of-a-kind beaded bracelet and necklace. We’ll wrap up by playing a classic hand slap game.

Heroes & Villains

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s… your birthday child! After a quick discussion about superheroes and villains (and what makes them so awesome), party guests will develop their own superhero personas. To protect their true identities, guests will create masks and wrist cuffs that reflect their new superpowers. When the crafts are finished, our heroes and villains will have to work together and think fast to survive the treacherous lava flow in our classic party game.

#Selfie Party 

During our #Selfie Party, guests get to create items to decorate their bedrooms AND themselves! Start by creating a gorgeous hand-painted photo frame, then make a one-of-a-kind beaded bracelet and a funky necklace to take home with you. Finish up by getting sparkly with face paint and taking your most creative #selfies.

Outta This World Party

Attention all sci-fi lovers: This is the party for you! Gathering inspiration from the night sky and their favourite sci-fi television shows and movies, party guests will decorate wooden photo frames to take home with them. Then, it’s time to get a little messy and make some alien snot. Our party hosts will also lead the kids in a space-themed party game.

Once Upon a Time… Party

Forget a land far, far away – the Thunder Bay Museum throws a pretty magical birthday party! Quickly brainstorm the elements of a great fairy tale before painting your very own Story Stones and making a felt pouch to keep them in. Round out the party by playing a game of Fairy Tale Pictionary.

Pirate Party

Yarrrr, m’hearties! To kick off our pirate-themed birthday party, guests will get a fierce pirate name and learn to talk like a pirate. Then, since we all know that any pirate worth their sea legs needs a hat and a hook for a hand, guests will have a chance to make both. When everyone’s fully kitted out in their pirate garb, we’ll finish by playing a few rounds of Shrinking Island and/or Ship-to-Shore. Recommended for children ages 5-8. 

Do-It-Yourself Party

You provide the inspiration and activities and we provide the facilities. There is no party host, crafts or museum programming included in this option. You still have the party room for two hours and access to all three floors of galleries.

What days & times are available?

Parties can be booked on Saturdays and Sundays from September to November and January to June (exact dates are subject to availability). Parties run from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

*All parties must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.

What do I need to bring?

Cake, candles, matches, cake cutter, utensils, napkins, plates, cups, tablecloths (for two 8-foot tables), drinks, and decorations as desired. Limited use of the kitchen will be available to you, including the fridge, microwave and stove if needed.

What is the cost of a Museum birthday?

  • $120.00 for a 2-hour theme party with host
  • $90 Do-It-Yourself Party
  • Museum members receive a 10% discount

Reservations and a signed contract are required for a birthday party. The full birthday party fee is due at the time of booking to reserve the Murphy Room and/or the party host. We accept payment with cash, cheque, credit, and debit.

Note: Parties cancelled with at least 10 days’ notice will be refunded the full amount less a $50.00 administration fee.

How many children can we invite?

We only have adequate space for 10 children maximum (including the birthday child) for the activities that we have planned. Please consider a Do-It-Yourself Party for larger groups (up to 25 people).

Is a Museum tour part of our activities?

Our casual staff members, who host the party activities, are not historical docents and can therefore only give basic information about the Museum. A tour is not part of your scheduled activities.

How do I book a party?

We will check the availability of the party room and party hosts and respond to your request as soon as possible (typically within 3 business days). If you have any immediate questions or concerns regarding booking a birthday party at the Thunder Bay Museum, please feel free to contact Marissa at (807) 623-0801 ext. 16 or education@thunderbaymuseum.com.