Birthday Parties at the Des Moines Children’s Museum
Thank you for your interest in celebrating a birthday at the Des Moines Children’s Museum!
There are two party packages to choose from. Each package includes the use of our party room including tables, chairs, disposable plates, cups, napkins, and cutlery. Party hosts are welcome to bring any food and drink they would like to serve at the party, a refrigerator is available for use but is not located inside the party room, and electrical outlets are available in the party room. No alcohol is allowed on the DSMCM premises.
Package #1 – Parties During Museum Hours
$150
Includes a 2 hour reservation of one party room and admission for 15 guests (between ages 1-10). Adults and infants are not counted toward this total.
Only the party room reservation is limited to the 2 hour time window, party guests may play in the museum any time during our open hours on the day of the party.
Parties are scheduled a minimum of 30 minutes apart. Party hosts may use this time for set up and clean up. We recommend arriving approximately 15 minutes before your start time to allow time for the previous group to pack up and our staff to clean and sanitize the party room. Only your 2 hour reservation time is guaranteed to be private, it is possible that staff may be cleaning or another group may be arriving or leaving during the time between party reservations.
Package #2 – Private Parties
$250
Private parties are scheduled outside regular museum hours, the museum will not be open to the public during the party reservation time, includes a 2 hour reservation of our exhibit space and one party room.
Parties are scheduled a minimum of 30 minutes apart. Party hosts may use this time for set up and clean up. We recommend arriving approximately 15 minutes before your start time to allow time for the previous group to pack up and our staff to clean and sanitize the party room. Only your 2 hour reservation time is guaranteed to be private, other groups may be arriving or leaving in the time between reservations.
XL Option
Both parties during museum hours and private parties have an XL option. For an additional charge we will remove the dividing wall between the party rooms to create one extra large party room. Our party rooms are comfortable for up to about 35 people, we recommend larger groups consider the XL option.
Deposit
A $50 deposit is required at booking, the remaining balance is due by the conclusion of the party
Decorations
Party hosts are welcome to decorate the party room however they would like for the party, provided that decorations do not cause damage to DSMCM property.
Outside Entertainers
Party hosts are permitted to bring in outside entertainers such as face painters, magicians, or costumed characters. For parties held during regular hours, any such activities that are not available to all museum guests must stay in the reserved party room only. Masks are not allowed in public areas of the mall, any costumed characters with a mask will need to enter through the loading dock or get into costume after arriving at the museum. Please contact dsmchildren@gmail.com to inform our staff about any planned activities and confirm details.
Additional Guests
Up to 10 additional guests during parties during open hours are allowed at a rate of $6 per child. We recommend that groups expecting more than 25 children consider the XL option, which includes admission for 30 children. Payment is due by the conclusion of your party.
Please note that the Children’s Museum reserves the right to charge a $50 fee if party guests are still using the party room after the reservation has concluded.