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Parties at the Museum
Celebrate big moments beneath the Golden Gate Bridge! Bay Area Discovery Museum offers the perfect setting. Enjoy a private space, custom interactive activities, and a full day of discovery and fun. Choose your ideal party location, and let us take care of the planning, programming, and cleanup—creating a stress-free, unforgettable celebration!

All Party Packages include:

  • Support of our experienced Events Team
  • 2-hour exclusive use of private space, decorated with festive colors
  • All the essentials for your party: tables, chairs, plates, cups, napkins and utensils
  • All-day access to the museum for party guests
  • Playful party activity designed by a museum Educator
  • 30-minute set-up and 30-minute breakdown for the party host supported by Events Team
  • Pre-party call with our Events Manager to help you plan a stress-free, joyful celebration
  • Add-on: Gift bags from the museum store are available for birthday parties in two sizes—large ($17 per bag) and small ($12 per bag). Additional costs apply.

Parties at the museum are held on Saturdays and Sundays only with two time options: 10 AM – 12PM and 1:30 – 3:30PM.

Birthday Party Activity Choices

Get ready to get hands-on with a playful program designed by our Educators! Each program is crafted for your party’s age group and is sure to be a hit! Programs led by museum Educators are included for the Playhouse and Discovery Theater only. For the Bridge Room the activity will be self-guided.

Bridge Room:

Stamp It!

Participants will decorate a paper banner and a faux birthday cake with colorful stamps, rollers, and inks. Discover the fun of printmaking by mixing colors, creating shapes, and exploring textures. The birthday child can take home these creative projects as a special memento of the day!

Playhouse & Discovery Theater:

Ramp It Up

This activity is inspired by the engineering design process “Think, Make, Try.” It encourages children to “Think” about how vehicles are designed to accomplish various tasks, “Make” a prototype using everyday materials, and “Try” it out on a ramp to see how it performs!

Make Your Own Masquerade

Participants will dive into the world of imaginative play with this activity. Children are invited to create a mask and consider how they—or a character of their own creation—might be represented through it. Whether reenacting everyday events or crafting fantastical tales, participants will enhance their creativity, abstract thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Baby Shower Activity Choices

Dive into playful creativity with our baby shower activities! Suitable for ages 3 and up (grown ups, too!), these programs are led by museum Educators in the Playhouse.

Playhouse:

DIY Alphabet Blocks

Participants will craft a unique set of alphabet blocks with your guests. We supply the wood blocks and art materials, creating lasting keepsakes for both baby and parents-to-be.

Onesie Paint Party

Participants will create unique, hand-painted onesies for the baby–a memorable and fun way to celebrate the new arrival. We provide the onesies, bibs, and paint supplies; you and your guests bring the creativity!

Who is included in Guest Count

All people attending the party are included in the guest count, including the birthday child and family, adults and infants. Guest capacity is varied based on location, and additional guests are $30/guest as capacity allows. Kindly note that museum membership and admission tickets are not valid for party admission.

How does setup and clean up work?

We’ve got you covered! As the host, you have 30 minutes before and after the start and end times to load in and pack up your personal additions to the party. All museum-provided decor and supplies will be set up before your arrival, and the mess will be cleaned up for you when guests depart!

Food and Beverage and Preferred Vendors

We have compiled a list of recommended vendors here. Party hosts are responsible for arranging all food and beverage, including ice. You are welcome to bring outside food and beverage. Please note alcoholic beverages are not permitted during museum operating hours.

How many chaperones do I need?

Birthday parties follow the museum’s policy of one adult for every five children. 

Can I bring my own playlist?

Rock on! All rooms allow for music. The Bridge Room has a Bluetooth speaker available, and the Playhouse and Discovery Theater have a sound system for our guests to use.

Cancellation Policy

Please let us know if you need to cancel your party at least 30 days in advance. Any cancellation after time of booking will be subject to a 10% administrative fee. Cancellations made less than 30 days in advance will forfeit 50% of their booking fee and cancellations made less than 14 days in advance will forfeit their full booking fee.

Bridge Room Package

Members $800, Non-Members $850

  • 170 sq ft of indoor space + 2 outdoor dining tables with one of the museum’s best views of the Golden Gate Bridge
  • Museum admission for 25 guests*
  • Set-up and clean-up assistance
  • Bluetooth speaker
  • Self-guided, hands-on activity Stamp It!
  • Party planning call with Events Manager
  • View Bridge Room Layout

*Additional Guests are $30/guest

Playhouse Package

Members $1,500, Non-Members $1,550

  • 950 sq. ft. centrally located within the museum with easy access to spaces like Lookout Cove, Festival Plaza, and the Art Studios
  • Activity options for hosting Birthday Parties or Baby Showers
  • Museum admission for 40 guests*
  • Set-up and clean-up assistance
  • Sound system
  • Hands-on party activity led by a museum Educator
  • Party planning call with Events Manager
  • View Playhouse Room Layout

*Additional Guests are $30/guest

Discovery Theater Package

Members: $1,800, Non-Members $1,850

  • Discovery Theater (2280 sq. Ft) is conveniently located in the entry pavilion and close to The Try It Studio and Discovery Beach with an expansive view of the Golden Gate Bridge
  • Museum admission for 60 guests*
  • Set-up and clean-up assistance
  • Sound system
  • Hands-on party activity led by a museum Educator
  • Party planning call with Events Manager
  • View Discovery Theater Layout

*Additional Guests are $30/guest

Questions? Email us at birthdays@badm.org for the fastest response. You can also leave a voicemail at (415) 339-3939, and we’ll return your call as soon as possible.