The birthday child and guests will experience an up close encounter with a frog, toad or snake (party family chooses) during a fifteen minute program with a Quarry Hill naturalist. Opportunities to touch or hold the animal are offered to party guests. Naturalist led time continues while discovering where the frog, toad or snake make their home in the Quarry Hill Exploration Hall, feeding the fish in the large aquarium and exploring the displays. 

Meet some of Quarry Hill’s resident slimy critters and learn what makes them special. Party guests can get up close with a frog, a salamander, and a worm during this 30 minute naturalist led experience. Naturalist time includes feeding the fish in the large aquarium in the Exploration Hall.

Meet some of Quarry Hill’s resident scaly critters and learn what makes them special. Participants will get a chance to meet a turtle, a snake, and a fish. Participants will also feed the fish in the large aquarium in the Exploration Hall.

Participants will become more familiar with the physical characteristics of dinosaurs, their lifestyles, and the methods scientists use to study these extinct creatures, including fossils. A hands-on experience, as well as observing Quarry Hill’s Tyrannosaurus Rex model, will be included.

Slithering, scaly, and sensational are all good words to describe this reptile. Learn about what makes a snake so unique and get a chance to meet a couple of our resident hissy friends.

Gills and lungs, tails and legs. Amphibians go through some amazing changes. We will learn about these changes and some other cool amphibian facts as we look at frogs and toads.

Participants will be given a page of seasonally appropriate pictures of natural items, plants and animals. The Quarry Hill naturalist will lead the participants on a hike to find the things pictured on the page. Nature items will not be gathered on this hunt, only observed and marked on the page.

A Quarry Hill naturalist will guide an 8-10 minute hike to the cave. Participants will be introduced to a brief history of the cave, as well as an explanation of what life might be discovered inside. The naturalist will lead the participants through the cave as a group to explore select parts of the cave.

Can you hold your breath as long as a snapping turtle? jump as high as a deer? Here’s your chance to compete against the animals in our version of the Olympics.

A Quarry Hill naturalist will lead participants, using nets, on a hike searching for insects. Insects can be put into jars for closer observation, but will be released at the end of the hike.

Find out what makes these birds (Eagles, Hawks, Owls, & Falcons) unique. Participants will get the chance to meet a live American Kestrel or an owl.

Using dipping nets, party guests will look for critters in the water and mud at the edge of the pond. A Quarry Hill naturalist will help to identify what is found. Kids will get muddy - dress accordingly!

Did you know that the number of scutes on a turtle shell is the same number of full moons in a year? Learn more about these reptiles and what makes them so unique.

Six legs, eight legs, and more! Get up close and personal with some crazy invertebrates. Party guests may even gently hold or touch some of these special critters.

A Quarry Hill naturalist will instruct party children in putting on snowshoes and then lead them on a hike. Winter boots are recommended.

Take a hike into the past. After a 10-15 minute hike up to the Quarry, party guests will hunt for some of Quarry Hill’s prehistoric inhabitants. Kids should wear comfortable hiking shoes.

How well could you survive as an animal? On a giant outdoor game board in the Quarry Hill woods, use your animal instincts to make choices that will help your animal survive for 10 days in the wild. Party guests should wear shoes that can get muddy.

Sunfish in the Quarry Hill pond are experts at taking the bait. With some luck and a fishing stick, see how many fish are in the mood to bite. Corn will be provided as bait.

Reach for the top during this unique and adventurous birthday party!  Party guests will learn the basics of rock climbing and then head up the wall with the help of our climbing instructors. All climbing parties take place at our indoor climbing wall. Birthday groups must provide 2 people over the age of 16 who are willing to belay for the climbers. Climbers should wear athletic shoes.