Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Please fill out an inquiry form located on our website.

SCM requires at least two (2) week notice for booking a party and recommend booking six (6) weeks in advance. We do not allow unscheduled birthday parties. 

SCM currently does not allow booking parties farther out then 6 months.

Staff will not facilitate your party. We do have a birthday greeter who will greet and direct your guests to the party room and check in on your party periodically. 

Play Packages are available to add-on to your party, this includes a 30-minute time extension and a staff led activity. View our party page for current Play Package options and pricing.

We accept Visa and MasterCard. A 50% non-refundable deposit will be made upon time of confirmation.

Full payment is due 1 weeks prior to your party date and unless the Museum is contacted, the remaining amount will be charged to the credit card provided for the deposit. Once a party has been paid for in full, it is also non-refundable, but can be rescheduled on a space available basis up to one year after the original party date. 

Payment plans are available upon request.

Our Museums for All families (those who receive EBT, CHIP, Provider One, WIC, or Apple Health) receive 50% off the party package price. There are no discounts on add-ons, play packages, or overages.

SCM Members receive a 10% discount on the party package price.  There are no discounts on add-ons, play packages, or overages.

Yes. All extra children and adults must be paid for, regardless of membership status.  

Set up and pack up are included in the 90-minute rental. You will have access to the room at the time that your party is scheduled to begin. 

You are welcome to bring tablecloths and other simple, non-messy decor. We do not allow balloons, confetti, piñatas, silly string, live animals, entertainers, or the use of tape on our walls. Our rooms themselves are festively decorated with colorful walls and brightly colored chairs and tables.

Yes! Food is allowed in the birthday rooms (not in the exhibits) and a small refrigerator is located in most party rooms. You are also responsible for any servingware or serving utensils required for your party.

Alcohol, glassware, hot plates, chafing dishes, or any other kinds of heating element are not allowed in the Museum or party rooms when the museum is open to the public. 

We highly recommend easy to serve snack food. Items like apple slices, baby carrots, string cheese, goldfish, berries, grapes, & pretzels are great crowd pleasers! Milk, juice or water are great options for drinks.

Psst… don’t forget the cake & candles!

Unfortunately, the Seattle Center Campus is closed to vehicles. We suggest unloading at the corner of 2nd and Thomas, near the Seattle Children’s Theatre, or at 5th and Harrison near the MoPOP turnaround. We suggest using a collapsible utility cart or rolling suitcases to easily transport your party supplies.

SCM does have carts available for check out at our front desk.

SCM shares parking with all of Seattle Center, which can be busy, please be sure to give yourself plenty of time and prepare your guests! 

For up to date pricing and location information, please reference the Seattle Center website at https://seattlecenter.com/visitor-info/getting-here.

The best directions you can give your guests is to tell them to drive toward the Space Needle! We are located on the Seattle Center campus and the signage from the freeway points people to Seattle Center and the Space Needle.  From there, parking around Seattle Center campus is easiest if you point people to one of the Seattle Center Parking Garages. For more specific driving directions, click here.

After parking, follow the signs for the Armory or Seattle Children’s Museum. We are on the ground level of the Armory. Click here for printable “Helpful Tips for Birthday Party Guests”.

You and your guests will be checking in at the front desk at the start of your party time. All your guests need to do is mention the birthday kid’s name, and they will be checked-in, receive wristbands, and be directed to your party room.

Click here for printable “Helpful Tips for Birthday Party Guests”.

Yes please! After your party, you and your guests are welcome to stay and play during our open hours. Items from the party must be removed from the party room at the of the reserved timeslot.

Unfortunately, no. Due to safety reasons, SCM has a strict no children allowed without adults policy. Children entering the Museum must have an adult caregiver with them.  

A: All discounts, coupons, and voucher issued prior to the museum’s closure in 2020 expired in April of 2023 and can no longer be accepted.

A: Yes. All Play Packages include a 30-minute extension in your booked room to provide time for the selected activity and clean up. Additional time can be added to your party in 30-minute increments if our schedule permits at the rate of $30/30 minutes. You also have the option to just pay for extra time and forego the activity add-on.

A: Yes. Additional time can be added to your party room booking in 30-minute intervals if our bookings schedule permits it. Each added 30 minutes is $30 and all additional time must be booked at least one week prior to your party date.

A: If our party bookings schedule permits, you may add multiple activity add-ons. All add-ons must be booked at least one week prior to your party date.

A: Yes, you can add an activity to your after hours booking. After Hours Play Packages are NOT eligible for additional time additions and therefore are just charged at the rate of $3/participant with no $30 base fee. All Play Package Add-ons must be booked at least one week prior to your after hour party date.

A: While party bookings themselves are eligible for Member and Museums For All discounts, play package add-ons are not discount eligible.