Whakangahau huritau
Birthday Parties
Book with us for birthday parties to remember
Our parties are fully-hosted, activity-filled fun! So get ready to zip up your flight suit and jump in a real aircraft, a life raft, or older tamariki can experience a troop patrol exercise. Parents, you are encouraged to join in and keep your camera handy for epic photo opportunities!
Two time slots are available to be booked on Saturday and Sunday’s only, 10:30 am and 1:30 pm. Our parties are designed for a minimum of 8 children and a maximum of 15.
Air & Sea Adventures
Ages 3-4
Helicopter Rescue Party
Ages 6+
Cadet Mission Control
Ages 7+
Your chance to become air crew under training, learn about parachutes, and how to survive at sea! This is an immersive, multi-sensory experience, designed especially for preschoolers.
Birthday activities include:
- Dress-ups
- Parachute games
- Climb inside a real life raft and Iroquois helicopter!
- Going ‘fishing’
Become Air Force disaster relief crew – board the Iroquois helicopter and carry out a supply drop before jumping out for target marking practice!
Birthday activities include:
- Dress up in flight suits
- Make ‘dog tags’ (name tags)
- Learn how to stand at attention, at ease, and salute
- Pretend flight and supply drop out of an Iroquois helicopter
- Grenade target practice game
- Photo opportunity in front of a historic RNZAF aircraft
Experience a troop patrol exercise using our Bell UH-1H Iroquois helicopter (affectionately known as a Huey), develop your aim and throw grenades (water balloons), and learn how to camouflage yourself for the environment!
Birthday activities include:
- Dress in flights suits, and camo. face paint
- Get ‘issued’ dog tags (service name tags) and a helmet.
- Learn how to stand to attention, at ease, and salute.
- Experience a troop patrol simulation.
- Grenade target practice game
- Iroquois photo opportunity
Please note: This party option is very active and involves noisy participation. If you have a child who prefers quiet activities, please contact our Visitor Host team to discuss alternative options.
The activity component of each party is fully-hosted by a member of our Programmes team and runs for approximately 1 hour. We provide party bags with fun, age-appropriate goodies inside. Following the hosted activity, our cafe team will look after your group if you have booked a catered party.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost?
A catered party is $35.00 per child* for a minimum of 8 children. This includes hosted activities and food (see menu). Birthday cake is not included, but can be purchased as an extra when booking. You are also welcome to supply your own.
A un-catered party is $18.50 per child* for a minimum of 8 children. This cost covers the hosted activities and party bag for each child (no food).
*This pricing is effective from 1 February 2024.
There are younger children (under 3 years of age) attending the party. They won’t take part in the activities, but I’d like them to have a goodie bag and food at the party table. Is this possible?
Yes, simply advise the Visitor Host at the time of booking or before final confirmation so it can be recorded on the booking form.
Is there an extra charge for any adults or other children attending (but not involved in) the party?
There is no charge for accompanying parents and other children attending, but not included in the party activities or party table.
Can I self-cater at the café, or in a room in the museum, if I book an un-catered birthday party?
Unfortunately we don’t have self-catering options available at the Air Force Museum.
What happens if I receive a late RSVP (i.e., after I’ve confirmed final numbers), or an extra child turns up the day of the party?
While we require final numbers five working days before the party, we recognise this is not always possible. In the case of this happening, we will charge you for the activities and goodie bags for extra children, and set a place for them at the party table. Please note that you will also need to speak with the Contact Café staff directly to arrange another food portion (which will need to be paid for at the Café). While they will do their best to deliver a late order, we cannot guarantee that the Café will be able to do so.
Can I pre-order food and drinks from the café for accompanying adults?
Contact Café staff can arrange a tab, and/or food platter for adults attending the party. The Café is also open and available for all standard Café purchases. Please get in touch with Contact Café directly on 03 371 9607.
What do I need to do during the party?
You, and any other accompanying adults are encouraged to join in, enjoy and take lots of photographs! Your Visitor Host will lead the children through the activities and once completed the Birthday Party group will be delivered to the Contact café for food, birthday cake and present opening. Once you are seated at the party table, the Café staff will then facilitate your party needs. All we ask is that you ensure the children are abiding by museum rules such as using their ‘walking feet’ and ‘inside voices’
What happens if less than the minimum of 8 children attend, or we aren’t inviting that many children to our child’s party?
We will still run the birthday party for you, however our minimum cost is for 8 children. You will receive all the elements including goodie bags, food and activity resources for 8 children to share out as you wish.
Other useful party information
Contact Us
To enquire about booking a party or if you have any questions please contact us using the form below or phone (03) 371 9600.
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