Looking for fun places to have birthday parties in Hickory and/or Catawba County? Catawba Science Center offers educational and engaging birthday parties for kids. Science-themed birthday parties for kids include the two-hour use of a classroom, 45 minutes of demonstrations and activities related to the party theme, and free admission for party participants to explore the science center. For additional fees, CSC can decorate and provide gift bags, drinks, snacks, liquid nitrogen ice cream, and a cupcake cake.
Saturdays: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM &
1:30 p.m. –3:30 PM
Sundays: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sundays: 1:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Call 828.322.8169 to reserve your CSC birthday party today!
Goosebumps
Ages 8 to 12
Don't be afraid! Learn about different fears and the science behind them in the exciting party. Watch electricity make your hair stand up and meet some CSC animals that may give you goosebumps.
*Theme exclusive to October & November Parties
Meet the Animals
Ages 3 to 12
A wildly popular party. Meet some of CSC's live residents (reptiles and arthropods), examine animal pelts, and identify the tracks they leave behind. Be the creature with an animal mask you make to take home.
Out of this World
Ages 6 to 12
In the out-of-this-world party create your own lung-powered rocket and launch it into
space. Explore our solar system's planets. Learn about constellations while viewing some well-known ones within the party room! Create your very own Galaxy Goo to take home.
*Planetarium shows are not factored into your two-hour party time.
Science Magic
Ages 7 to 12
Watch a variety of “magical” physical science demonstrations with liquid nitrogen and exploding balloons. Cool tricks teach concepts of chemistry, matter, physical and chemical changes. Make homemade silly putty while doing some experimentation of your own.
Seashore Celebration
Ages 4 to 8
Journey to the “beach” and get an up-close look at live, aquatic specimens like sea urchins and horseshoe crabs, while learning how these creatures have adapted to marine life. Examine shells, make fish prints and a dry aquarium.
Carolina Critters & Crafts
Ages 3 to12
Take a trip through the Carolinas by meeting a few of the critters that live here. Investigate minerals, rocks, and gemstones. Launch into the secrets of flight. Make a fighter jet!
Dino-Mite
Ages 3 to 8
Discover the world of dinosaurs as you excavate and identify fossils to learn how they were formed. Pose with Apatosaurus and T. rex bone models and visualize the creatures’ immense proportions. Make a souvenir fossil with modeling clay.
Themed Party Cost
CSC Members: $150 + tax
Nonmembers: $200 + tax
Extra Birthday: Child $10 + tax
Cost Includes
Guest Limits
Birthday Party Add-Ons
NOTE: We ask that symptomatic individuals and those who have tested positive and are still within the recommended quarantine period refrain from coming to CSC. If you have already booked and have tested positive or exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19, we can reschedule your birthday party.
CSC Members receive 10% OFF cake orders at
3 Little Chicks!
CSC Members receive 15% OFF Party Favor Bags at
Tastebuds Popcorn!
contact our Office Staff at scheduling@catawbascience.org or 828.322.8169 x. 0
Payment/Refund Policy
Payment in full (Cash, Check, or Credit Card) is required in order to reserve a party. If a registrant cancels a party at least two weeks in advance, CSC will issue a refund less a $10 administrative fee. If party is canceled less than two weeks before the reserved date, no refund will be given. Note: If CSC must cancel a party because of weather, or other circumstances beyond our control, we will make every effort to reschedule the party, or issue a full refund.
CSC has lifted the requirement for guests to wear masks during Birthday Party Programming.
Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. Guests can have the use of the party room for two hours.
Call 828-322-8169. Payment in full is required in order to reserve a party.
If CSC must cancel a party because of weather, or other circumstances beyond our control, we will make every effort to reschedule the party, or issue a full refund. Someone from CSC will reach out to you to let you know if we are closed due to inclement weather. You can also keep a look out on our Facebook page for any updates.
Payment in full (Cash, Check or Credit Card) is required in order to reserve a party. If a registrant cancels a party at least two weeks in advance, CSC will issue a refund less a $10 administrative fee. If party is canceled less than two weeks before the reserved date, no refund will be given. Note: If CSC must cancel a party because of weather, or other circumstances beyond our control, we will make every effort to reschedule the party, or issue a full refund.
The guest limit is 25 people with a $4 additional charge for each extra person after 25, $6 if food is purchased.
For a 10:30 a.m. party you can have entry to your party room at 10 a.m.
For a 1:30 p.m. party you can have entry to your party room at 1 p.m.
You can download a parking map here.
If you are interested in more information about booking a party outside the range please contact camps@catawbascience.org for more information.
Although no one may enter the party room more than 30 minutes early or occupy it more than 30 minutes after the party, you and your guests are free to gain admission to the museum at any time that day during our operating hours which are Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. In order to do so, they need to check in at any desk by telling them which party they are here to attend and receiving a special admission sticker.
Catawba Science Center is a children’s museum offering hands-on exhibits, salt and freshwater aquarium galleries, and a state-of-the-art digital planetarium theater. Learn about exotic fish, turtles, snakes and other species found in the Amazon River Basin, touch live sharks and stingrays, and stay for a shark feeding. Enter the Germ Zone to learn about disease-causing bacteria, explore the surface of Mars with a robot arm, create and launch rockets, and experiment with circuits. See live reptiles, amphibians, insects and arachnids, as well as a collection of fossils, in the Naturalist Center. Climb a mountain wall, experiment with sound and dig for fossils in the Outdoor Courtyard.
*Some of these experiences may be altered or off limits due to COVID19 restrictions.
Yes! You may bring your own cake.
No, there is not.
You may, but we do not allow the use of tape on the walls. We provide magnets for you to use instead. We also do not allow the use of glitter or confetti.
You may. Keep space and time limitations in mind. There isn’t usually room for a DJ. Dress up characters are welcome.
You may dependent upon availability.
Yes. You can call and arrange to see them during our business hours or you can email info@catawbascience.org to receive pictures of the rooms.
We offer a "snacks and drinks" package for $55. It includes regular chips, Cheetos, rice crispy treats, fruit snacks, Capri Sun, soda, and ice.
We do not currently offer warm food catering, but we can recommend these nearby restaurant locations:
PDQ Restaurant
2060 US Hwy 70 SE
(828) 475-0281
Chick-fil-A
1815 US Hwy 70 SE
(828) 267-2027
Chick-fil-A
1239 2nd St NE
(828) 569-2769
Questions? Contact the Public Programs Office at camps@catawbascience.org or 828.322.8169 x. 316
What a wonderful place to visit! Great environment to learn and the staff is very helpful! Hickory is lucky to have great family education and entertainment.
Took the kiddos and they loved it. Employees were nice and helpful. If your looking for something to do with the kids give this place a shot.
This place was great. We have kids from 8 to 1 and they all had a great time. What I really liked is most of the exhibits are hands on and that really kept them occupied.
We love the Science Center! I take my 2 and 4 year old boys weekly to play and enjoy the exhibits. The staff are wonderful and the classes offered are excellent! We are so blessed to have such an amazing resource in our area.
Fabulous and I don’t often give praise. We took our grandson and were there for hours. He loved it and so did we.