Birthday Parties at PMEC
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Create amazing birthday memories this year with a Birthday Party for your child age 3-12 at the Peabody Mill Environment Center!
We have many themes to choose from (see list below) or we can work together to tailor one just for your Birthday Child.
Parties can be scheduled any day of the week and last for two hours. The first hour is led by a PMEC naturalist and will include fun and informative activities which may include hikes, science experiments, crafts, games, hikes and stories. The second hour is open for you to organize for serving cake and refreshments, open gifts, or any activities you like to lead.
You will be provided with a dedicated space with tables and chairs and access to a kitchenette with a standard refrigerator, sink and microwave. You are welcome to bring in food or have it delivered. Plates, napkins, serving ware and silverware, cups, tablecloths and decorations are not provided. Don't forget the candles and lighter!
What does all of this cost? All parties are based on 2 hours of party time, with up to 12 guests. Additional guests may be added with a fee of $6 per guest.
Birthday parties start at $150.00. You can choose from one of our suggested themes, or customize your party for your child. Fees might be higher depending on customized materials.
Please call Amy at the PMEC Office at 673-1141, or email, ahull@amherstnh.gov to reserve a date and to discuss details. Dates are subject to availability of space and staff. Reservations are to be paid in full one week in advance of the party, and are non-refundable within 48 hours of the party date. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required.
Past Party Themes
All Charged Up (Winter only ) – Using balloons, wool, plastic combs, and Styrofoam® plates, children will participate in safe static electricity experiments that are both fun and educational.
Birch Bark Crafts – Native Americans have multiple uses for birch bark. Let’s see how many things we can create from this amazing natural material. Gooey Oobleck – Is it a solid or a liquid? Who doesn’t love playing with Ooblecks? Using corn starch and water, each child will make Ooblecks to take home. (note: this is messy!)
Boot Camp at PMEC. Calling all birthday boot camp recruits! Come experience Birthday Boot Camp at PMEC. Each child will make their own personal dog tag, and then head outside to do some shelter building. After making a perfect shelter to hide from the enemy we will then head back inside to participate in more boot camp activities. We can tailor Boot Camp to fit all sort of young recruits’ abilities.
Creepy Crawling Critters – Insects are everywhere! Come learn about nature’s tiny marvels. We’ll go on a bug hunt to see what we can find!
Double Dare Challenge -Come celebrate your birthday Double Dare style. We will create teams of your friends and compete against each other to see who can be the ultimate Double Dare champion!! Answer STEM-based trivia questions and if you get them right earn points, but if you get them wrong you can dare the other team to answer or take the physical challenge. The winning team gets to compete in an ultimate outdoor obstacle course!
The Great Egg Drop (Spring to Fall) — Given a container and a raw egg, children must gather materials from one of the nature trails. They will use what they gathered as packing material to surround the egg in the container. Then they will drop their containers off the back porch. Will the egg survive?
I Spy In a Jar - Using materials found and collected in nature, children will be guided and inspired to design and create their very own miniature forest creation.
Let’s Go Fishing (Late spring to early fall) – Children will learn the basics of fishing and will practice using casting weights then go for the real thing and try to catch a fish in our pond! (note: age restricted: children must be at least 9 years old)
Life in a Bottle - To most people, a soda bottle is just a bottle. But it can be much more. It can be a hanging plant holder, a bug lab, or even a mini greenhouse. Children will choose which one to make. (Note: Each child must provide a clean, two-liter soda bottle.)
Life Under Logs (Late spring to early fall) – Party in the woods with the unseen creatures. Rotten logs are a great place to observe the wonderful world of decomposers such as insects and the animals that eat them.
Nature Bracelet – As children walk one of our many nature trails, they collect small objects and stick them to their “bracelet.”
Paw-Fect Dog Party – Just like Rover your guests will enjoy playing multiple party games, and make a puppy puppet to take home. Bring your puppy chow and have a howlin’ good time.
Pine Cone Bird Feeder – Birds are beautiful creatures and one of the best ways to see them up close is to feed them. Children make a simple feeder with pine cones and food from the kitchen and food from nature.
River Walk – Let’s follow the river and see where it flows. Along the way we’ll learn about the historic sites at Peabody Mill and what lives in the water.
Skins and Skulls – Partying with a real coyote might be a little dangerous. But we have real skins and skulls of animals found in New Hampshire. Learn what makes these animals so interesting.
Snowshoes (Winter only) – strap on some snowshoes and go for a guided hike in the snow. Participate in snowshoe races and have fun building snow forts. (note: age restricted: children must be over 7 years old)
Tracking (Winter only) – Come and learn the art of animal tracking. First, in our activity room, we’ll observe different types of tracks. Then we’ll go outside and explore the winter woods and see what animals have been there.
Wacky Water Critters (Late spring to early fall) – Come party at our pond and see who lives in the mud. Well try to catch salamanders, frogs, dragonflies and other critters that live in our pond.
Who Done It? Forensics (year round) - Hands on imaginary crime scene investigation. Learn about scientific techniques used to find evidence. Under a microscope and using chemistry will surely help you solve the crime.
Woodland Fairy/Gnome Adventures --- Using materials found and collected in nature, children will be guided and inspired to work together to design and build magical fairy or gnome houses.
Wild Flower/Leaf Press (Spring to Fall) – Flowers come and go each year. Wouldn’t it be great to save some for later? Children will learn how to make a flower press and discover the best ways to preserve flowers. This can also be applied to leaves in the fall.