Birthday Parties

Children's
Birthday Parties!

Your kids can enjoy a splash of a birthday at the Aquarium

Quick info

Days

Not available

Times

Three different times available: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Guests

Up to 16 kids, as well as up to 4 adults

Price

Package: Regular $485, Members (adult+child) $388

Contact

Contact us at 604-659-3504 or via email at birthdays@ocean.org

The Vancouver Aquarium will be temporarily closed to the public starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020 and all programming will be cancelled as a preventative measure to help slow the spread of COVID-19 through our community. Read more. 

Overview

A splash of a birthday party your child will never forget

Arrive in style with a fully decorated priviate party room to enjoy cake and beverages. Then move to the wet lab for a chance to touch marine invertebrates like squishy sea cucumbers, sticky anemones and prickly sea urchins before heading behind the scenes for a visit through our Jellyfish hallway. As an added bonus, the birthday child will be named an Honorary Aquarist and will get to feed our fish in the two-story Strait of Georgia Pacific Canada Pavilion, one of the Aquarium's largest exhibits. In addition to the birthday child receiving a certificate to the Gift Shop to purchase a gift of their choice. Optional food platters and loot bag add-ons available.

Birthday Party Perks

Explore the Aquarium

Decorated private room

Cake and beverages

Visit the wet lab

Visit the jelly hallway

Optional loot bags

Details

Customize your party

Birthday Cake Details

We are pleased to have our birthday party cakes made exclusively by Canada Safeway on Robson Street in Vancouver. Choose from a chocolate or vanilla cake with a barvarian cream. Choose a birthday cake theme: Dolphin, penguin, sea otter, sea turtle or shark. Customized cake printing is available for an additional fee.

Food Platter Add On

$250 Non-Members / $230 Members
If you are looking to add a little more to your party, we offer additional platters of sandwiches (turkey, and ham), seasonal fruits and vegetables. Your party will be extended 15 additional minutes and your food will be ready for you with the cake cutting.

Loot Bag Add On

Option A $9.99 per loot bag, includes Reusable Birthday Bag, a Narwhal Pencil, a Clownfish Liquid Bend Magnet, and either a Sting Ray or Beluga shaped bookmark.

Option B $14.99 per loot bag, includes a Reusable Birthday Bag, a Narwhal Pencil, a Clownfish Liquid Bend Magnet, and a 6” Sea Lion Stuffy.

Please call 604-659-3413 to order loot bags for your booked birthday party.

Support The Aquarium

Want to help the Vancouver Aquarium?  As a non-profit society we depend on the revenue generated from our facility and the generosity of our donors to continue operating our education, conservation and research programs. 

Instead of birthday gifts, consider asking your guests and family to make a donation to the Vancouver Aquarium.  They can donate online or bring a cash donation to the party. 

Please note:  We can only issue a tax receipt to the original donor.  If you are collecting donations from your guests and would like tax receipts issued please record their names and addresses and submit these with the donation.

Birthday Parties Terms & Conditions

Availability

Dates on our website are invitations to you to make a reservation to book a birthday party. Your reservation will be followed by an automated email to inform you we received your order for processing. A follow up email from our birthday party representative will confirm the date and booking. Please read the terms and conditions below.



All dates are subject to availability. The dates on the website are not guaranteed and are subject to change. The Birthday Party Department will notify you when your reservation has been received and processed. Depending on the volume, your reservation will be processed within 1 to 3 business days.  Following the payment processing, your reservation and booking will be confirmed with an online booking confirmation email.


Payment Terms

All program reservations require 100% deposit of the program cost. Payment is due by credit card online or over the phone. If the credit card is declined, the reservation will be cancelled. If the Vancouver Aquarium is unable to fulfill your reservation, you will receive 100% deposit refund.


Price

All Prices are in Canadian dollars. The price listed on the website includes all taxes and service fees. All listed prices are subject to change without notice. 



By submitting your on-line Birthday Party Reservation, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions. Terms and conditions are subject to change. Any changes to the terms and conditions after the reservation request will be verbally made during the follow up phone call.


Date Change & Cancellations

All date change requests must be made at least 2 weeks prior to the party date. All date change requests are subject to availability and are subject to a 25% processing fee.



A written request is required for all program cancellation. Cancellations made within 7 days after the booking is confirmed will result in no cancellation fee. Cancellations made after the 7 days will be subject to a 50% cancellation fee. Missed programs or tardiness will not be refunded nor rescheduled.


Other Terms

The party capacity is a maximum of 16 children and a maximum of 4 parents. All persons attending the party are included in the party count. Due to the activities safety policies in place, all children must be 4 years old or older, no exceptions.



The Aquarium will provide a private decorated party room, an aquatic themed birthday cake and refreshments, party cups & plates, activities, tour and one $10.00 gift certificate for the birthday child.



No outside food is permitted during the program as a safety measure to control what is served during the party. The party will only have time to serve the cake and juice.


FAQ

Do you have a question about our Birthday Parties?

We’ve provided the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Birthday Parties at the Vancouver Aquarium. 

Birthday Party FAQ

Q: What time should I arrive and where do I meet the party coordinator?

A: Your party coordinator will meet you just outside the Vancouver Aquarium’s Aquaquest entrance. They will be looking for you 5 minutes prior to your booking time indicated on your booking confirmation.


Q: What happens with late arrivals? Who should they see?

A: Ensure that any late arrivals check in with the Receptionist inside the Aquaquest building. Let them know you are guests of the birthday party and they will make the arrangements to catch up with the party.


Q: Where do the kids exit, where should their parents meet them?

A: The exit is through the same door as the entrance through the Aquaquest building in which leads back into the parking stalls.


Q: How many children and adults are able to attend?

A: Our package allows a maximum of 16 kids and 4 adults for a total of 20 participants (including the birthday child). Due to portions of the program (i.e. wetlab, behind-the-scenes), we are unable to accommodate larger groups. The Adults are expected to help the Birthday coordinator chaperone the kids throughout the duration of the program.


Q: Are there any exceptions for kids under the age of 4?

A:There are no exceptions for kids under the age of 4. The program is designed for kids aged 4 years or older and historically we have found it very difficult to accommodate for a positive experience. We will certainly accept siblings of the birthday child with advance notice. 


Q: How is the party room decorated? Am I required to bring my own decorations?

A: Our coordinator will prepare the room with an aquatic theme décor. We supply the cake and juice, as well as cups and cutlery. You are welcome to bring a few personal decorations but are not required to.


Q: Can I change the cake design and flavour?

A: If we do not hear from you by the Wednesday before your party, we will use our most common request.


Q: Can I bring additional food and/or balloons to the party?

A: Outside food, and balloons are not permitted into the Aquarium at any time. Due to health reasons such as severe allergies, we cannot allow outside food. Balloons can fall into animal habitats and this can be very dangerous to the animals.


Q: How does parking work?

A: The Vancouver Parks and Recreation Board has implemented pay parking throughout Stanley Park. EasyPark is responsible for the parking lot adjacent of the Aquarium. Tickets take coins or credit card for payment. For more information such as updated rate, please call EasyPark at 604-682-0555.


Q: What are the Aquarium hours?

A: The Vancouver Aquarium is open 365 days a year. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily, and 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. seasonally/statutory holiday weekends. Check our website for any special notices for things that may affect your visit.


Q: How to contact us? Any additional questions?

A: Please give us a call in the office at 604-659-3504 or send us an email at birthdays@ocean.org.


Learn about our other educational programs

AquaCamps

AquaCamps offer your children 4 to 12 years of age a fun and educational experience of a lifetime.

Junior Biologist Club

Junior Biologist Club is excited to start a new season where we continue to explore the animals, science, and research that happen behind the scenes at the Vancouver Aquarium.

AquaTots

Ocean Wise is proud to launch our brand new parent & tot program designed to engage children ages 2 to 4 in all things oceans!

Children's Birthday Parties

Your kids can enjoy a splash of a birthday at the Aquarium.

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Questions? Comments? Contact us by phone: 604-659-3504, or by email: birthdays@ocean.org

The Vancouver Aquarium will be temporarily closed to the public starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020 and all programming will be cancelled as a preventative measure to help stop the spread of COVID-19 through our community.​​​​​ Learn more.