Frequently Asked Questions About FONZ Birthday PartiesFONZ Birthday Parties
Have your child's birthday party at the National Zoo and support the Zoo's conservation and education efforts.
Register for a birthday party in 2009 today!
Your child and your child's friends, equipped with safari hats and expert tour guides, will explore the Zoo for an unforgettable day. Birthday parties are two hours long and are for children ages four to eight.
A FONZ Birthday Party includes:
-
A choice between three indoor decorated party rooms:
the Rainforest Room, Lion's Den, or Tiger Turf. You are welcome
to add personalized banners or extra decorations that can
be hung with removable tape. (Sorry, no
balloons are allowed at the Zoo, and our party rooms cannot
accommodate piñatas.) - An engaging walking tour of selected Zoo exhibits led by FONZ staff. Rain or shine, the Zoo tour will be fun and educational for all party-goers. Please ensure that children dress appropriately.
- A Zoo-themed goody bag of party favors for each child, including a safari hat to take home.
- A special birthday gift related to the tour you choose, including a plush animal, a Fujifilm photo, and a personalized certificate.
- All the table setting items such as tablecloths, napkins, plates, and forks.
- Snacks include juice, goldfish crackers, and ice cream. You are welcome to bring additional food including birthday cake or cupcakes.
Party Rooms
The Rainforest Room is located in the Amazonia building and holds up to 16 children. The Lion's Den in the Lion/Tiger administration building holds up to 20 children, and the Tiger Turf in the Lion/Tiger administration building holds up to 16 children.
Tours
You may select any one of these tours, regardless of your party room location. Our staff will provide an engaging tour, though there is never direct contact with the animals or behind-the-scenes views of animal exhibits.
- Swinging Safari: Features lions, tigers, gorillas, and orangutans
- Wet and Wild: Features seals, sea lion, beavers, otters, wolves, and eagles
- Rocking Rainforest: Features fish, sting rays, and a free-ranging animal rainforest exhibit (indoors).
Time
Parties are held Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon,
subject to availability. The party starts with games in the
party room, followed by the Zoo tour, then guests return to
the party room for dessert and goody bags.
The opportunity to hold a FONZ Birthday Party is a benefit
of FONZ Household membership
(or higher level). Parties
are for children turning ages four to eight, and for a maximum of 16 to
20 children, depending on the party room. Your hosts will help ensure that the party runs smoothly but cannot be responsible for child discipline. Please be sure that at least two adults attend the party to properly chaperone the children. Join FONZ.
Parties are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis and require an initial payment of $295, which covers up to ten children, including the birthday child. Dates cannot be held without this initial payment. Additional children may be added later (up
to 16 or 20, depending on the room reserved) at $20 per child. You will receive an email from the FONZ Programs Department staff the week before your party to confirm the number of
children attending and tour selection. If you have any questions about the billing process please
email FONZ Programs.
Register for a birthday party in 2009 today!
Options
- Zoo party invitations measuring 5” X 7” are available in packs of ten for $10 each. Green envelopes are included.
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- For hungry adults, we offer a bagel platter for $25 and Bird Friendly® coffee (with cream and sugar) for $20. Each of these extras serves about 15 people.
- Discounted parking passes can be obtained for your guests for $10 each when you register for a party.
(If your guests are FONZ members, they are entitled to free parking. Please note that parking can be difficult at the Zoo. We recommend that your guests carpool or take the Metro.)
Reservations cannot be taken over the phone.
Register for a birthday party in 2009.
Registration for FONZ Household members begins November 4. Upgrade to a Donor level membership and get priority registration beginning October 28.
For more information, see answers to frequently asked questions or
email FONZ Programs. Birthday parties are very popular, and dates
often book up several months in advance.
