Birthday parties are not offered during
July and August.

Birthday Parties at Berkshire Museum

Please read our birthday party FAQ for more information.

Any additional questions? Contact Sophia at sholmes@berkshiremuseum.org or (413) 443 – 7171 ext. 384

FAQ

Do I have to be a Berkshire Museum Member to book a birthday party?
Yes – A Berkshire Museum Membership is required to book a birthday party. Members visit for free YEAR-ROUND! Learn more HERE.

When can I schedule my party?
Parties are available September – June, on Saturdays from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, or 1 PM – 4 PM.

How much does a party cost?
If already a Berkshire Museum Member, or once a membership is purchased, the party options are:
ROOM RENTAL (Room rental space only, and self-guided tours of the museum) – $250
ROOM RENTAL WITH PROGRAMMING (Room rental space only, an educator-guided tours of the museum, and one of the programming options seen below) – $350

Can I have more than 25 people attending?
No, due to fire code in the party space, ONLY 25 occupants may be in the room at once (including children and adults). Though adults are free to drop off / pick up their child if they are not part of the headcount.

Does the 3-hour window include set-up and tear-down time? 
Yes, each party booked has a total of 3 hours including time to set-up the room.

Can I bring candles or helium balloons? 
No, we are unable to accommodate any open flame or helium balloons per museum policy.

How can I pay?
Once you have filled out our ONLINE FORM, you will be contacted by a museum representative with the option to pay online, or payment can be made over the phone, or in person.
PLEASE NOTE: Membership fees must be up-to-date or paid at least two weeks prior to the date of the party. Parties must be paid in full one week prior to the scheduled date.

Can I bring in food? 
Yes – food and drink is permitted only in the designated party room and cannot be carried out into the museum. Alcoholic beverages and cannabis products are not permitted on the museum campus.

Are the age limits for the party options negotiable? 
We have some flexibility in our party option offerings. Age limits are guidelines suggested by museum educators based on the activities included. If you are unsure, please contact us to discuss.

 

PARTY OPTIONS: 

Birthday Party Room Rental:

Cost:

$250

  • No activities included
  • Self-guided tour of the museum and visit the aquarium

Birthday Party Room Rental and Programming:

COST:

$350

INCLUDES:

  • One of the five program options listed below, as well as a tour of the museum and aquarium

PARTY PROGRAMS:

Dinosaur Detectives (ages 1-10): In this party guests will have the chance to build with foam dinosaur bones, excavate with sand, look at dinosaur tracks, and more! Come celebrate your party with our dino themed party activities at the home to Pittsfield’s resident stegosaurus!

WeeMuse (ages 1-5): In this party option guests will have play items provided for exploration and enjoyment as well as two of the following facilitated activities

  • Reptile dance/dice roll dancing
  • Floor Tangram puzzles
  • Block building
  • Sensory play- slime or oobleck (choose one)
  • Felt board story time
  • Free paint

Kitchen Kaboom (ages 4 up): A sensory-based exploration of science. Whether you are a mad scientist or an engineer, your party will be exploding with possibilities. Pick 2 experiments to try!

  • Lava Lamps: guests will make a take-home “lava lamp” using scientific concepts of density and chemical reactions
  • Elephant’s Toothpaste: guests will make colorful foam resulting from an exciting chemical reaction
  • Slime: guests will make their own slime to take home
  • Playdough: guests will measure and mix to make playdough to take home
  • Snap circuits electrical experimentation: guests build while exploring how electricity moves completing challenges with plastic snaps!


Magic Science (ages 5 up): Guests will watch as the party host shows off some of the ‘magical’ science things that can happen and explain how science can be seen as the unknown being explained. Then guests will also get to create their own floating drawings and create a magical chemical reaction!

  • Stabbing pencils in a bag of water
  • Blowing up a balloon inside a 2 liter bottle
  • Colored water separation and mixing
  • Egg into a bottle
  • Floating drawings
  • Ends in elephant toothpaste or alka seltzer rockets

 

Art Party (all ages): After working to create a birthday banner together, in this party option guests have a guided experience through some of the galleries to look at art, including a seek and find game, before returning for educator led art activities.

  • Banner art- guests arrive and collaborate on a banner using markers that will go up on the wall for the duration of the party
  • Art eye spy-find paintings and sculptures in the museum based off of a close-up photograph
  • Straw blown painting: guests use straws to blow watered down paint around on their papers after scooping the paint there with spoons
  • Alternate for younger kids instead of straw painting: sponge painting
  • Alternate: paint with balloons you blow up and dip yourself
  • Experiment to make your own paint- using spices from about the kitchen as well as a solidifying agent, then paint with them as see if they dry the same way!

Visiting Berkshire Museum

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What people are saying

A great place

“Awesome mix. The aquarium on the bottom floor was great, along with the rock and mineral section. Ancient History Replica art/sculptures, ancient zoology, early technology innovations, and more. Great place for those who gently respect and appreciate museum artifacts.”

– Chris Robin

A gem in Pittsfield

“What a fun and educational place for all! The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and the displays are interesting. Definitely a gem in Pittsfield!”

– Ana West Reyes

Grateful for this space

“This is a lovely museum that anyone and everyone should take a moment to explore. It’s a really wonderful way to celebrate community, education, and culture. Grateful for this space and the kind staff that sweeten the experience.”

– Kai Cimmino