Berkeley Parents Network: Birthday Parties with Animals

Berkeley Parents Network

Birthday Parties with Animals

Berkeley Parents Network > Advice > Birthdays > Birthday Parties with Animals

Animal Birthday Party for a Three Year Old

March 2006

My almost three year old is crazy about animals. I'm looking for someone who could show up at her three year old birthday party (end of March) with a little petting zoo -- maybe a guinea pig, rabbit, hamsters -- and give a fun, age appropriate presentation. Anyone out here done this? I didn't see a lot in the archives and one well- recommended place, Cartright Parties in El Sobrante, doesn't seem to be around any longer. Any ideas?

I don't know of a local petting zoo business. But you could consider taking the kids to the animals and go to the Little Farm in Tilden Park. (Cows, sheep, pigs, bunnies, goats, chickens, ducks.) If you're lucky, weatherwise, you could do the cake there at one of the nearby picnic areas. If not, you could ask people to come back to your home. (Admittedly, maybe a bit far to drive.) The advantage is, it would be free! You could take the kids to the Merry-Go-Round in Tilden as well. (About a mile away.) See East Bay Regional Park District website for details, maps. Mary

My daughter had a 4 yr. old party with Tickle Me Pony Parties and Petting Zoo. She had pony rides down the sidewalk and a ''mini petting zoo'' which was perfect for the children who were shy of the ponies. The animals were very tame, even the rooster let my 18 month old toddler pet him. They were a little expensive, but they were willing to bring a larger petting zoo and set up in my garage if it was raining. www.ponyparty.com/index.html Amy

The Oakland Zoo does birthday parties. The Lawrence Hall of Science also does animal parties but it's with a 4 year old minimum. anon

Hello, My daughter's 5th birthday was an animal theme and we had FUR, SCALES, and TAILS Animal shows come. It was fantastic! The children loved it. Tracy used to be a kindergartin teacher and he knows tons about kids. He has the animals you mentioned and more. The show is about an 1 hour, it is hands on and funny. Give him a call at 510 823-3923 or go to www.furscalesand tails.com Cherene

I got some great recommendations in response to my request for info re: people who will bring animal petting zoos to birthday parties. As of yet, I haven't used any of these folks, but wanted to make sure they get posted in case anyone else is looking for someone to come to their child's party:

RabbitEARS small critter adoption and rescue -- 510-525-6155 (will bring bunnies, guinea pigs, rats, dwarf hamsters -- very reasonably priced)

Tickle Me Pony Rides and Travelling Petting Zoo -- 925-756-7335 Little Party Animals -- 925-625-5261 My Party Pony -- 408-847-6242 (these are pricier and seem more elaborate with actual farm animals -- lambs, bunnies, ducks, potbellied pigs, turkeys) Alison

I didn't read the original post, but Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek does good animal parties.

My three year old daughter just had a really lovely animal birthday party with the help of Judy from Rabbit Ears Pet Supply. Judy brought several bunnies, hamsters, guinea pigs and did a very sweet, kid-oriented presentation. She showed the kids how to hold the animals and everyone got a turn to climb into the pen with them. Our party was at a local Albany park, but she could do this anywhere reasonably near her Kensington store. This was very reasonably priced at $60 an hour (she charged us $30 for half an hour). A wonderful deal in comparison to some of the other petting zoos I priced. For more info: contact Judy at 510-525-6155. Alison

Snakes & lizards for 4-y-o's party

Jan 2005

I am looking for someone who can provide snakes, lizards, frogs etc... for a 4 yr olds birthday party. Obviously am looking for a professional who can handle the animals and teach the children about them and let them pet the ones where it is safe to do so. Small group so am thinking they could come to our house but would also consider hosting the party at the location when the critters reside. Thanks! aek

Owen from the Berkeley Vivarium does great reptile shows for very reasonable rates. His shows are fun and educational. You can find them in the yellow pages under pets. Good luck! Eden

The Vivarium on 5th and Hearst does birthday party presentations as well as presentations for schools. They are not cheap, but they are complete, accurate, very knowledgable and handle all their creepy, crawlers kindly and safely. No venomous animals but the kids can also meet a millipede and a tarantula! I have had them come to my school to make a presentation and they came to a friend's son's birthday party. It was a big hit! Kathryn

Call the East Bay Vivarium to see if they have someone who can do an exhibit of snakes and lizards at a bday party. It's located on 5th street, behind the 4th street shopping area. Visiting the store is also a good treat for a child who has been patient with 4th street shopping. Walking around this *pet* store can really give you the chills! Whitney

There is a guy named ''Desert Dave'' who gives such parties. I don't know the cost, but some friends of ours used him for a party a couple of years ago and he and his animals were a big hit. He's at 415-456-5285. I think he books up fairly quickly, so call early to book him. Kim

I'm pretty sure the Vivarium in Berkeley (I think on 4th St) does parties. They have GREAT snakes, lizards, etc.

Take a look at www.desertdave.com. Desert Dave performed at my son's birthday party last summer, and the show was a hit. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. thanson

Check out www.pythonron.com. My son and I saw him do a show at our library, and he was great. Very knowledgeable and his animals looked healthy and beautiful. He seemed very comfortable with kids.Have fun! Ruth

I wonder if the Lawrence Hall of Science might be a good place for the party. I know they have a roomful of such animals, along with the requisite knowledgeable people. Check out the ''party animals'' listing at http://www.lhs.berkeley.edu/pubprogs/parties.html Karen

The East Bay Vivarium on 5th St. at Hearst in Berkeley (right above the 4th Street shops) brings their huge lizard, a monitor named Spot, to birthday parties for a fee. They might be able to help you with smaller reptiles, or refer you somewhere. Also, the Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek is available for birthday parties (I think). --son loves reptiles

Hello, I work for Tree Frog Treks, a science education company that introduces children to live, rescued reptiles and amphibians. We offer a 1-hour ''Rockin' Reptiles and Amphibians'' Birthday Adventure Trek. We'd be happy to come to your home, and have lots of experience hosting fun, hands-on events for 4-year- olds. You can check out more information on our parties at http://www.treefrogtreks.com/birthdays1.htm, and see a partial list of the animal ambassadors we can bring at http://www.treefrogtreks.com/animals.htm. Or, just give us a call us at 415.876.FROG! Jessica

Hi there, My husband is Owen from the East Bay Vivarium (510-841-1400) and he's been doing birthday parties and classroom presentations for more than 20 years. His show features 20-25 reptiles, amphibians and bugs. It is loads of fun and completely safe. If your child has a specific interest in a particular reptile or subject matter (dinosaurs are a common request) he can customize the show in any way you would like. He always features the birthday child at the end of the show with a big finale. You can get more information at the East Bay Vivarium website http://www.eastbayvivarium.com/ By the way, you won't know true love until you've hugged Spot, the seven-foot monitor lizard! Thanks! Kimba

''Pet Party'' for 4 y.o.

September 2003

My daughter is turning four in a few months, and would love nothing more than to have a ''pet party.'' She is absolutely nuts about kittens, puppies and bunnies, and would be in heaven if she could have a party where they were somehow included (I know it's not the right season, but even juvenile animals would be great). Any ideas? Because her birthday is very close to the holiday chaos, I would prefer not to do anything at home. The weather is too iffy to plan anything outdoors. Her guests will likely include an equal number of boys and girls, including a few close family members in the 6 - 8 year-old age range. Are there any places that can accomodate anything like this? We would provide whatever level of adult supervision is needed. Any ideas of how to use stuffed animals if we come up short on the live front? I welcome any and all creative ideas, no matter how far-fetched they might seem. I'm stumped! Baffled Birthday Pet Party Planner

Hi, The Berkeley Humane Society actually does children's birthdays with their animals, but not necessarily kittens and puppies. anon

There is a wonderful woman at the East Bay - Berkeley Humane Society named Nancy Frensley. She does all of their dog trainings and has organized something called: ''Training Birthday Parties for Children and Adults'' It sounds perfect for your needs. You can reach Nancy at (510) 845-7735, extension 22 or email nfrensley at berkeleyhumane.org. Have fun! Hilary

Check out the Junior Center of Art and Science on Lake Merritt in Oakland. They have several animals on the premises - a bunny, some turtles, fish and bugs. Their phone number is 839-5777 and their website is www.juniorcenter.org. Anon

Sulphur Creek in Hayward, the Lindsay Museum in Walnut Creek and Lawrence Hall all have animal birthday parties for children that age. Sulphur Creek also "rents" animals. The Berkeley Humane Society has a dog training part for children over 8 (about the age that you could reasonably expect a child to be able to do that). A fun party a friend had: A birthday party for their dog and their dogs friends. ANon.

We just attended a ''dog party'' for a 5 y.o. that happened to have a couple of real dogs but didn't need to. The hosts had dog make-up, craft materials for making dog ears and dog tags, a play ''dog-house'' and a place to dig holes, just to name a few dog-related activities. So it seems like you could have a pet- party that didn't include the potential for trauma to live small- animals : ) if the kids play the part of the animals themselves.

It's a trek from the East Bay, but the Randall Junior Museum in San Francisco might just fit the bill. They have all sorts of pets, as I remember, from rabbits to snakes. I don't know what they do in terms of birthday parties, but you might call them at (415) 554-9605.

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