Birthday Party Ocean Institute

21Oct07 | 0 comments

A fun place to have a birthday party in Orange County if your kids are into ocean creatures or Science, is the Ocean Institute in Dana Point. It is primarily an educational institution but does have public access on weekends. It is perfect for the 6-12 year old group and even small kids love it.

Birthday parties are available on most weekends and the price is $225 for
non-members and $195 for members (though it is no longer listed on their
website so you should call for up to date pricing).

What you get
There's a little outdoor area cordoned off with tables, some chairs and a couple umbrellas for shade. There's also a lot of rocks around a firepit where kids can sit.

They can bring out a long table for gifts and food. You can decorate the tables and area but no balloons because of the proximity to the ocean. It is an environmental concern with shorebirds choking on balloon parts. They have an onsite freezer where you can store some food if needed.



Up to 40 people can attend your party for free. Regular admission price is $6 per adult and $4 per child, so if you are planning a party of 15-20 kids plus their parents, the price is a decent value.

The Institute is open to the public.on weekends from 10:00am until 3:00pm. You
are allowed to have your party at any time from 10:00am until 2:30pm. We started at noon but informed guests they were welcome to come earlier.

What you get to do and see
They provided a private touch tank session for the group in an area off limits to the public for about 20-30 minutes. They also have a scavenger hunt that we all did - looking for specific equipment or creatures throughout the institute. The scavenger hunt is a great way to get the kids exploring and learning about the ocean.



There are about six labs you can visit that offer a brief educational system, a
movie, or touch tanks and aquarium viewing. When you get there they will
proivde you with a schedule of the labs and any other activities. There's also two feedings per day, touchtanks, aquariums, microscopes and other various activities about the premises. Some of them are not so obvious though.

Now they don't offer the ability for kids to feed animals, but the animal feedings can be just as interesting and very educational. And pay close attention the surroundings near the aquariums as they make the jellyfish food onsite and baby skates are hatched in nearby tanks.



The Brig Pilgrim tallship is usually parked outside and offers a fun little excursion. Make sure you get stamped when you leave the institute so you can get back in. There are a couple of tallship activities but just exploring the old ship is interesting for young kids.



I heard one kid explain in the middle of the party "this is so much fun" so I'm pretty sure this was a hit.

The were a few drawbacks to consider. The weather of course is something to
consider. The wind made it impossible for us to light the cake which didn't go
over very well with the birthday girl. If it rains, they will move you inside but if there is an activity going on inside, that could disrupt your party.



In addition there wasn't enough outdoor seating at tables for 40 people although they do have rocks to sit on.



Go all out on this ocean themed party with an ocean or fish cupcake cake, some
ocean goodie bags as prizes for those who complete the scavenger hunt and
other ocean decorations. Or make it a mermaid or pirate party!

And don't forget the personalized ocean themed
birthday invitations and thank you cards.