A Unique Party Experience
At the Gulf Coast Exploreum, we’ve got children’s birthday parties down to a science. When you book your child’s party with us, you relax while we do all the work. We provide your invitations, party favors, a uniquely-themed cake and a fun experiment to entertain your child and his or her guests. Plan your party around one of our special packages below and then let us do the rest!

For all the guests in attendance, they can purchase their gift for the birthday child ahead of time, and our Exploration Station Gift Shop will have it wrapped and ready to go (call the Gift Shop at 251.208.6876 for more information).

STEP 1: Call 251.208.6879 and check for availability:
Please call ahead to check for available dates and time slots. Because of the popularity of Exploreum birthday parties, we typically book several weeks in advance. A $50 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your party. Cancellations must be received at least two weeks in advance of a booked party date in order to receive a refund.

Adventurer’s Themed Party Times (located in the upstairs classroom):
Saturdays @ 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. or 2:00 p.m.
Sundays @ 12:00 p.m. or 2:00 p.m.

STEP 2: Select from one of the Adventurer’s Themes below ($250 non-members, $200 members):
Each of the parties below come with themed decorations, a themed 1/2 sheet cake and themed party favors for the guests to take home.

Under the Sea - Life under the shore is much more fun! Dive into this fun-filled underwater theme.
Out of this World - Shuttles, planets and more! This theme is perfect for the aspiring young astronaut.
Mad Scientist – Do you have a budding young scientist at home? Then select this theme that uses the basics of science as décor, such as graduated cylinders and goggles.
Bugs! - Does you child love creepy crawlers? If so, this fun party theme will have them screeching for more!
Rumble in the Jungle - Snakes, monkeys and more! Get ready for a rumble in the jungle!
Junior Engineer – Does your little one love to build? If so, this theme is engineered for them!

Reptilian Romp Party - Available through Oct. 24 only
During the Reptile Planet exhibit (July 5 – October 24), the Gulf Coast Exploreum is offering Reptile Themed Parties for boys and girls! These uniquely themed parties are available for $250 for non-members and $200 for members. (NOTE: The birthday party host can choose to add the Reptile Planet exhibit for each party attendee for only $1.25 per person.)

Reptilian Romp – Come party with REAL reptiles! Amphibians always have more fun! The Reptilian Romp party comes with themed decorations, a themed cake and party favors for the guest to take home!

* Reptilian Romp Activity – Birthday guests will get to meet and pet a sand boa, a leopard gecko and a bearded dragon!

Each Adventurer’s Themed Party includes the following:

-Free exhibit admission for up to 30 people – children and adults (ANY additional guests are $7.75 per child and $9 per adult)
-One hour in a designated exhibit hall prior to party and enjoy all Exploreum afterwards
-One hour in the birthday party room (located in the upstairs classroom)
-Birthday party coordinator during party room time
-Science experiment
-Gift for the birthday child
-Tablecloths, plates, napkins and forks
-Decorations, invitations and individually wrapped party favors
-Capri Sun
-1/2 sheet themed cake (coordinates with selected theme)

STEP 3: Choose one experiment below to add to your theme:
The birthday child gets to be the lead scientist in all of the experiments below!

Slip N’ Slime – Stir it up, add your color and make your very own slime.
Got Gas? – What happens when chemicals react to create gas? It’s an explosive time!
Edible Snot – Who knew mucus could taste so good? Make some mucus and eat up.
Balloon Magic – Test the laws of science by making some balloons go pop.
Moon Sand Magic – The moon is out of this world and so is this experiment that shows how a substance can be both hard and soft at the same time.
Silly Cement – Can we cement it? Yes we can! Learn the important of teamwork and a can-do attitude as you make a concoction that can be two things at once!
Building Bridges – Perfect for the little engineer. The children will be building bridges toward their love of engineering!

STEP 4: Select an add-on (optional):
-Add the thrill of an IMAX film to your birthday party experience! Special groups rates are offered for birthday party guests: children $5.50 and adults $7.00.
-We will recommend a nearby pizza delivery service if you would like to order pizza for your guests. Pizza must be delivered 30 minutes before your scheduled party room time. For example, if your party starts at 10:00 a.m., that means you are entering the birthday party room at 11:00 a.m. and pizza should be delivered at 10:30 a.m. Pizza and canned or bottled sodas arranged by the birthday family may be brought into Adventurer’s Themed Parties at no additional charge. No additional food or beverage may be brought into the Exploreum for birthday parties. The birthday family is responsible for ordering and paying for the pizza on the day of the event, so please provide the pizza service with your cell phone number.

STEP 5: Upon booking your party, you may pick up or receive your invitations via mail. Please keep the following information in mind as your party date approaches.

-Adventurer’s Themed Parties are limited to 30 guests. Any additional guests will be charged at a rate of $7.75 for children and $9.00 for adult.
-All birthday guests and the birthday family should plan on arriving to the Exploreum at their scheduled birthday party time. For example, if the party is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., they should arrive at 10:00 a.m.. The first hour of the birthday party will be devoted to a designated exhibit hall. The second hour will be for time in the birthday party room (located in the upstairs classroom).
-Upon arrival to the Exploreum, the birthday party family should check in with the host at the birthday sign-in table where they will receive their birthday packet. All birthday guests must sign in and leave their gifts with the birthday host.
-Helium balloons are not allowed in the Exploreum – no exceptions.
-Pizza delivery and canned or bottled soda may be brought into the birthday party room for Adventurer’s Themed Parties. No other food or beverage is allowed to be brought into the Exploreum. Coolers with ice are allowed to keep the beverages cold.