Host a Memorable Birthday Party!
The National Building Museum offers exciting birthday parties for children turning ages 3 to 11. The party lasts 1.5 to 2 hours and includes a building orientation, a museum activity, and a birthday celebration. Parties can be held on Saturdays at 10:30 AM or at 2:00 PM or on Sundays at 2:00 PM. Parties include:
- Choice of party activity
- Hands-on projects for every child to take home
- Use of the Museum's party space including tables and chairs for the celebration
- Party favors for children and plastic "hard-hats"
- Museum t-shirt for the birthday child
- Building orientation
Frequently Asked Questions about hosting a birthday party at the National Building Museum.
Activities for children 3 to 6 years old (1.5 hour party)
Activities for children 6 to 8 years old (2 hour party)
Activities for children 8 to 11 years old (2 hour party)
Activities for children 3 to 6 years old (1.5 hour party)
Experiment with design and build a Rowhouse!
Photo by Museum staff
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Rowhouse Design
Act as an architect and design a rowhouse! During this birthday party, guests explore the shapes and details found on the outside of homes. Guests then create their own rowhouse by decorating foam silhouettes with craft materials. A stand is added so the houses stand upright and can be displayed at home. |
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All Aboard! Train Construction
Become an engineer and design a train! Guests participate in interactive storytelling about trains and are introduced to the different types of objects trains transport. After discovering all the different trains, each child constructs his/her own train using a variety of craft materials. A ribbon is added to each train so children engineers can “drive” their train around a floor map to the sounds of real trains. |
Activities for children 6 to 8 years old (2 hour party)
Have fun and work together to create your very own city!
Photo by Museum staff
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City by Design
Build a dream city! Children become city planners and construction workers as they explore the different types of buildings found in a city. Guests work together to identify buildings that are needed and wanted in their city. Each child then plans and constructs a building using colorful craft and recycled materials. When the buildings are completed, children place them on a city map creating their own miniature city. |
Use your imagination to create some wild buildings!
Photo by Museum staff
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Crazy Construction
Create an extraordinary structure using shiny craft materials! Guests get a little silly during this party as they look at images of famous “crazy” buildings like those of Gaudi and Gehry. Children investigate what makes a building crazy then use an assortment of shiny craft materials to create their own crazy buildings. When the buildings are gathered, everyone giggles to see their unique and zany city. |
Activities for children 8 to 11 years old (2 hour party)
Use wood and other materials to create your buildings.
Photo by Museum staff
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Building with Wood
Become a designer and construction worker all at once to construct model structures using only wood! Children learn how wood is used in structures and buildings. Guests learn how to use a hammer and participate in a nail driving activity. Each child constructs a base for their project and lets their creativity run wild as they build their structures using various pieces of wood joined together with hot glue. |
Create your own city during the City by Design program.
Photo by Museum staff
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City by Design
Build a dream city! Children become city planners and construction workers as they explore the different types of buildings found in a city. Guests work together to identify buildings that are needed and wanted in their city. Each child then plans and constructs a building using colorful craft and recycled materials. When the buildings are completed, children place them on a city map creating their own miniature city. |
Program Fees
- Family level Museum members: $250 (up to 10 children including birthday child).
- Non-members: $310 (up to 10 children including birthday child). This fee includes a discounted family level membership ($60) for one year.
- Additional children may be added and paid for on the day of the party. The fee for each additional child (up to a maximum of 15 or 30) is $15.
Registration
Before registering for a birthday party, please check our calendar of available dates and times.
To schedule a birthday party program, please complete the registration form below, preferably at least two months in advance. After you fill out the registration form, the availability of your selected date and time will reviewed by Museum staff. If the date and time you selected are available, you will receive an email with payment instructions. Upon payment, your party will be confirmed.
Cancellation
To be eligible for a refund, minus a $25 administrative fee, or to reschedule a birthday party program, the Museum must receive a written request no later than three weeks prior to the confirmed program or tour date. If a program is canceled due to inclement weather, the Museum will reschedule the program or provide a full refund.
Party Schedule
For children 3 to 6 years of age (1.5 hours)
- Welcome activity and building orientation—20 minutes
- Hands-on project—45 minutes
- Birthday Celebration—20 minutes
For children 6 to 11 years of age (2 hours)
- Welcome activity and building orientation—35 minutes
- Hands-on project—65 minutes
- Birthday Celebration—20 minutes
The party space is open 30 minutes before the party for set up and 15 minutes after the party for clean up. Please remember that parents are responsible for all set up and clean up of any food and birthday decorations.
Birthday Party Guidelines
- Set up time is limited to 30 minutes. Please plan accordingly and keep decorations and food preparation simple.
- Please use a safety lighter instead of matches to light the birthday candles.
- Music players are allowed. Please inform Museum staff if you are planning to bring one.
- No noisemakers are allowed in the Museum.
- No balloons or piñatas are allowed in the Museum.
- In order to expedite the security check, the Museum advises that participants bring gifts in bags rather than wrapped so guards can see the contents.
- Party guests' parents are welcome to stay and participate in the birthday party with their children (no adult fee).
- Gratuity is not required. If you enjoyed the program, please consider making a donation to the Museum.
Access
The Museum is conveniently located adjacent to the Judiciary Square Metro Station on the Red Line. A parking space for the birthday family will be provided in the Museum’s lot located on 4th Street between G and F Streets. Metered street parking (free on weekends) is available for other participants.
Questions? Contact the Assistant School & Youth Groups Coordinator at 202.272.2448 or email youthgroups@nbm.org.
