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Celebrate with Nature
With a variety of programs to choose from, Tifft Nature Preserve has something for every young nature enthusiast’s birthday celebration!
Birthday Party Themes
Children’s Birthday Party Themes
Fairy Houses
Ages 3+ | Year Round
Nature is full of surprises – maybe even fairies! Children build tiny houses from natural materials for Tifft’s fairies and nature’s friends. The simple challenge of creating a fairy house encourages children to go outside and connect with the natural world, nurturing respect for the environment. Children may be kneeling on the grass; please wear clothes that can get dirty.
Nature Scavenger Hunt
Ages 3+ | Year Round
Participate in an outdoor sensory exploration of the Preserve. Feel and smell the plants, look for wildlife, and listen to the call of Tifft while opening your child’s eyes to the natural wonders around them on a guided nature scavenger hunt on the scenic trails.
Wild Tracks
Ages 5+ | Year Round
Enjoy a guided adventure on the trails while investigating specific animal clues along the way to identify an animal that calls Tifft home. We will explore real animal tracks, fur, bones, and more pieces of evidence to uncover the “mystery birthday animal”.
Birds of A Feather
Ages 8+ | Year Round
Encourage the young birder in your child on a guided trail walk in search of Tifft’s live and wild feathered friends. We’ll learn how to use binoculars, a birding scope, field guides, and more while also investigating real museum specimens of birds.
Wild Survival
Ages 8+ | Year Round
Would you be able to survive in the wilderness? Learn and then test your skills through a variety of basic survival challenges. Party guests will work together to build a shelter, start a fire, tie knots, and use a compass. Guests may be heading off trail; pants and closed-toed shoes recommended.
Bait and Bobbers
Ages 7+ | Spring/ Summer/ Fall
Guiding children in catching their first fish, or their fiftieth, is fun no matter what! Let us show them how to safely use a fishing rod and how to bait a hook as we fish for bluegill, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, and more off our Lake Kirsty fishing pier at the Preserve.
Bug Hunt
Ages 3+ | Summer
Encourage the backyard explorer in your child with this insect-inspired birthday adventure! Equipped with sweep nets and bug jars, party-goers will explore the world of live insects and other invertebrates up close as we venture throughout the different habitats of Tifft on a bug hunt.
Availability
- Saturday & Sunday: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm or 2:00 – 4:00 pm
- We suggest making your reservation a minimum of 2 months in advance.
- To book your party today, call 716.825.6397 or complete the form below. Birthday parties are also available at the Buffalo Museum of Science.
Fees:
- $300 for up to 25 party guests.
- Additional children and/or adults are $10 each.
- Parties must have 1 adult for every 5 children in attendance.
- Maximum children guest capacity is 25 children.
- Maximum total party guest capacity is 50 guests.
- A $50 non-refundable deposit is required at time of booking.
- Buffalo Museum of Science Members receive a 10% discount off the $300 base price (no discounts off additional guests).
Program Cost Includes:
- Exclusive use of party room for 2 hours.
- 45-60 minute facilitated activity based on the party theme chosen.
- 30 minute party set-up before and 30 minute party clean-up after the 2 hour party time.
- Reusable plates, bowls, cups, and utensils may be requested at time of booking.
- Refrigerator/ freezer storage space.
- Custom coloring pages, crayons, and reusable tablecloths.
For Your Convenience:
- Free parking for party guests next to the Darling Environmental Education Center (party host is responsible for informing guests where to park).
- If inclement weather prevents outdoor activity, an indoor activity is provided.
- Theme-related craft may be requested at time of booking for an additional charge per child.
- Hot Chocolate Bar add-on available (November-March). $40 for up to 25 people. This includes use of a hot water urn, hot chocolate packets, cups, marshmallows, chocolate chips, peppermint candies and whip cream.
Prohibited Items:
- Balloons
- Homemade food (exception: baked goods)
- Alcohol
- Glitter
- Piñatas
- Live animals
- Wall decorations
Click here to view our cancellation policy.
Request a Party Date
You can request a birthday party date at the Tifft Nature Preserve below!
PLEASE NOTE: After you submit the form, a team member will be in touch via phone to confirm the requested details and secure a deposit. The requested date and time is not confirmed until a deposit is made, and may be unavailable. Please be prepared to offer alternate dates and times.
