Barn Cam
Platform Cam
Birthday Parties
Plan your child’s birthday party at the Houston Zoo! Our goal is to make this process as easy and convenient as possible for you so that you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the party! We offer Birthday Party Packages for children 12 years of age and younger.
Our Birthday Party Packages include the following:
- 30 admission tickets (for children and/or adults) with access to the Zoo for the entire day of the party
- Private rental of one of our 3 pavilions in the John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo for two hours
- Two 6 foot tables for food and gifts• Five 48 inch round tables for seating (seating 35 people)
- Re-useable plastic table covers that match the pavilion
- Post-event trash and clean-up service
- Opportunity to purchase additional items including food, entertainment, tickets, and seating
Your guests will be allowed admission to the Zoo for the entire day of the party, but the party pavilion is only reserved for your event during one of the following timeslots:
Party Pavilion Time Slots (Upon availability):
9:30-11:30 a.m.
12:30-2:30 p.m.
3:30-5:30 p.m.
Pavilions and Prices
Become a member and get a discount on birthday parties!
Blue Pavilion
Located Outdoors
Zoo Members – $320
Non-Members – $370
Red Pavilion and Yellow Pavilion
Located Indoors with Heating/Air-Conditioning
Zoo Members – $370
Non-Members – $420
There are five round tables in each of the pavilions with bench style seating and two rectangular tables available for your food and gifts. We’ll place the table covers on the tables for you at the beginning of the party, and we’ll take out the trash at the end.
The maximum capacity in each pavilion is 55 guests. No balloons, straws, glitter, confetti, or piñatas are allowed inside Zoo grounds.
Birthday Party Enhancements:
If you want to “WOW” your guests you can add on any of the following options to your party:
Animal Experience – $ 250
Requires two week notice to schedule
One of our Zoo Keepers will come directly to your pavilion with two animals for your guests to meet and greet. This experience lasts for approximately thirty minutes. Please note that animal experiences are subject to weather conditions and Zoo Animal Staff approval.
Food Items
These items are available to be added to your birthday party package:
- Cupcakes (Each) – $2.50
- Brownies (Each) – $2
- Ice Cream Cups (Each) – $2.75
- Hot Dogs, Chips and Juice Boxes (Per Person) – $5.99
- Hamburger, Chips and Juice Boxes (Per Person) – $6.49
- Large Pepperoni or Cheese Pizza (Each) – $21.99
- PB&J Sandwiches, Chips and Juice Boxes (Per Person) – $5.49
- Deli Sandwich (Ham, Turkey or Roast Beef), Chips and Soda or Bottled Water (Per Person) – $7.99
- Cotton Candy (Per Bag) – $2.75
- Popcorn (Per Bag) – $2.75
- Punch Bowl (Per Person) – $1.50
- Soda and Bottled Water (Per Drink) – $1.50
Anything off of our full menu can also be ordered for birthday parties. Any food/beverage orders must be paid for prior to your event, and 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 18% support charge and 8.25% sales tax.
Children’s Zoo Scavenger Hunt – $50
Connect in a fun way while you and your guests explore the Zoo and learn something new about our animals and each other! You can work together or alone to answer a variety of questions by following the hunt’s clues that will lead them to various areas around the Children’s Zoo.
Carousel Tickets – $1.25 (50% Discount!)
Buy your carousel tickets ahead of time for a discounted rate and avoid long lines! We offer this price if you purchase the tickets prior to the event through our Special Events department.
Additional Admission Tickets – $10
(adult or child)
Greeter (Per Hour) – $75
Two Hour Minimum
Are you worried your guests will misplace their birthday party admission tickets if you hand them out in advance? Add the Greeter to your party and have your guests pick up their tickets outside the main entrance to the Zoo on the day of the event.
Face Painter (Two Hours) – $350
Requires two week notice to schedule
Airbrush Tattoo Artist (Two Hours) – $450
Requires two week notice to schedule
Birthday Party Invitation Template - $25
Customizable birthday party invitations created exclusively for the Houston Zoo! A template will be emailed to you upon purchase of the invitations. Simply fill in the information, print, and distribute the party invites to your guests.
Standard Goodie Bags – $5 each
Let our Zoo Gift Shop take some of the pressure off by preparing goodie bags filled with toys and trinkets exclusively from the shop. Pencil toppers, animal figurines, plastic jewelry, and small puzzles are just a few of the many items that may be included in goodie bags for your party animal and their friends.
Deluxe Goodie Bags – $10 each
Let us take your goodie bags to the next level by including a plush animal with each bag.
Tired of Gift Overload?
This year, consider asking your child’s friends to skip the birthday presents and donate to the Houston Zoo instead! It’s a WILD way to celebrate your little one’s special day, while also helping to support the continued care and feeding of the Zoo’s 6,000 animal residents!
Create Your Own Birthday Fundraiser
Successful party planning tips
Plan ahead and arrive early to avoid parking issues. Ride together so that the driver can pull up to our Medical Center Gate Entrance on Cambridge Street and you can unload your belongings and head straight over to the pavilion. We also encourage you to bring your own wagons and rolling coolers in case we are sold out of our wagons on a busy day.
Downloadable PDFs:
Birthday Party Facility Rental Policies - Details on rentals, tickets, parking, animal experiences and more. Please read this through before booking your party – thank you!
Zoo Birthday Party FAQs - Common questions about birthday parties at the zoo, answered.
Zoo Birthday Party Checklist - a handy reference to help your party planning.
Questions? Contact Us: (713) 533-6832 birthday.parties@houstonzoo.org
