Birthday Parties

Bring your birthday kid to Wood Lake for a great party!
Wood Lake Nature Center offers a variety of birthday parties that are fun, educational, and the mess stays with us! Wood Lake provides a naturalist-led activity and use of the party room with tables, chairs, and tablecloths. Payment is due when the party is booked and birthday parties start promptly at the scheduled time.  In general, parties are offered on Saturdays from 9:30-11:30 am, 12-2 pm, and 2:30-4:30 pm. Weekday afternoon times are often available from 2:30-4:30 pm, as well as some availability on Sunday afternoons. Please call 612-861-9365 to check availability and book a party! Birthday parties are non-refundable, but may be rescheduled within six months.


WLNC Green Party

WLNC Treat Bags
salamanderpond exploration - Copy

snowshoe fun - Copy

Winter Fiesta 2019
 Time:
2 hours (first hour with naturalist, second hour in party room)

Fees:
$135 for up to ten children 
$5 per additional child, 15 children maximum

Optional Add-Ons:
Treat Bags, $4 per bag (Includes WLNC pencil, magnifying bug box, plastic insect, dinosaur eraser, scratch art animal and toy snake. Items in the bag are subject to change.)
Green Party, $10 (Includes reusable plates, bowls, drinking cups, silverware, and recycled paper napkins.)

Party Themes:
Critter Hunt (ages 4-5)
Become nature detectives and go outside to look for clues from hidden animals that live at Wood Lake. Available year-round.
Treasure Hunt (ages 5-9)
Lead the group in a hunt for hidden treasure. Solve riddles along the trail to receive puzzle-piece clues. Once the puzzle is put together, the treasure can be found! Available year-round.
Scaly Tales (ages 5-12)
Meet a live snake, turtle, and salamander and learn all about these amazing creatures! Then, time permitting, hike outside with a naturalist to look for reptiles and amphibians in their natural habitat. Available year-round.
Creatures from the Marsh (ages 5-12)
With nets and buckets at hand, go out to the floating boardwalk to discover what kind of creatures lurk in the Wood Lake marsh.  Available May 10-September 20 only.
Tracks and Trails (ages 5-12)
Make a plaster track to take home, then hike the trails to look for real animal tracks outside. Available year-round.
Big Foot Birthday (ages 7-12)
Explore the winter world in snowshoes, snow-permitting.  Choose a backup theme in case there is not sufficient snow. Available January-mid March.
Survival (ages 8-12)
Learn basic survival tips and build an outdoor shelter. Work together and see if your group can survive! Available year-round.
Geocache Party (ages 8-12)
Learn the basics of using a GPS and go on a high-tech trek through Wood Lake.

Please note that helium balloons and alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the building. 

Wood Lake recommends:
  • Invite the party guests 5-10 minutes before the party start time so the naturalist can start the program on schedule.
  • Book your party about two months in advance- weekends fill up quickly!
  • Smaller birthday parties typically allow the birthday child, as well as the other attendees, to receive more personal attention. Groups of about 10 children typically work best.
  • We encourage parent engagement during naturalist led hikes, but to keep authenticity and allow equal participation of children, please consider only sending a few adults to accompany the naturalist.    
  • Come back for more! We offer many party themes and can adapt them to older age groups (including adults!) if requested.