Building Zone Play Birthday Party

Building Zone Play parties last 1.5 hours and include one hour of private play time in the Museum's Building Zone and a birthday celebration. Parties can be held for children turning 2-6 years old on Saturdays at 4:00 pm or on Sundays at 9:30 am.

Party Details

For children turning 2-6 years old
Length of Party: 1.5 hours
Available Days and Times: Saturdays 4:00-5:30 pm, Sundays 9:30-11:00 am
Child Guest Limit: 20
Party Space: Play time in the Building Zone, Birthday Celebration in Museum Room 125, or 221.
Party Favors: Construction Sticker Book, Box of Crayons, Plastic Construction Hat

Program Fees

Family level Museum members: $400 (up to 10 children including birthday child)
Non-members: $480 (up to 10 children including birthday child). This fee includes a family level membership for one year.
Additional children will be paid for on the day of the party. The fee for each additional child (up to a maximum of 20) is $15.

Party Schedule

The birthday celebration space is open 30 minutes before the party for set up and 15 minutes after the party for clean up. Parents are responsible for all set up and clean up of any food and birthday decorations. No food or decorations may be brought into the Building Zone.

Saturday Parties
- 4:00-4:30 pm: Birthday Celebration in Private Museum Room
- 4:30-5:30 pm: Play Time in the Building Zone
Sunday Parties

9:30-10:30 am: Play Time in the Building Zone
10:30-11:00 am: Birthday Celebration in Private Museum Room

Building Zone Activities

The Building Zone is a hands-on introduction to the building arts designed especially for the Museum’s youngest visitors, ages two to six. In this exploratory gallery, children can:

• Build a tower or brick wall.
• Curl up with an architecture picture book in the Book Nook.
• Drive bulldozers and other construction play trucks in the Construction Zone.
• Imagine being a craftsperson complete with a hard hat, tool belt, and goggles.
• Explore the National Building Museum's Project Playhouse, a life-size custom built "green" house.

A young Building Zone visitor grabs some construction gear.

List of Available Dates

Before booking a party, please check our calendar of available dates and times. We are currently accepting reservations through June 2010.

Book a Party

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.

Click here to request a party.

Frequently Asked Questions about hosting a birthday party at the National Building Museum.

Additional Questions? Contact us by phone at 202-272-2448, ext. 3404 or by email at skravetz@nbm.org.