Private Events and Parties
Do not use the "Book Now" button for private events, scroll down and use the form at the bottom of this page.
Cancellation policy
No refunds for no-shows or less than 24hr notice cancelations, full refund if canceled more than 3 days before event, 50% refund if canceled within 1-3 days of event. Rates
Birthday parties and field trips occurring at the insectarium are available outside of our business hours for $200 for one hour ($100 for each additional hour). Book online and pay deposit below. If you wish to book a private event during normal business hours (check our calendar), the fee increases to $250 per hour during the week and $300 per hour on weekends, and must be booked via email: [email protected]. |
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Private Tour
A one-hour private, guided tour of the insectarium. Ask the experts, hold some bugs, play with the microscope, toys, games, books, and more! Tarantula handling is available (but never guaranteed), please state in the appointment notes if you would like to do this activity (only available if more than one week from a scheduled tarantula handling event - see calendar).
$25 per person, maximum 7 people. For more than 7 people, see party rentals below. Note that our booking program doesn't allow multiple tickets, so if multiple people are attending, the remainder will be due on the day of the private tour.
$25 per person, maximum 7 people. For more than 7 people, see party rentals below. Note that our booking program doesn't allow multiple tickets, so if multiple people are attending, the remainder will be due on the day of the private tour.
Birthday Party or Field Trip
Do you have a bug-loving kiddo with a birthday coming up? Or a small class that would like to visit for a field trip? We can help! Our space is small, but we can accommodate up to 15 people total (20 in summer when people can be out front), which must include at least 2 adult chaperones. Rates are $200 for first hour, $100 for each subsequent hour. $50 deposit to hold the date. The remainder will be due on the day of the event. We can provide tables, seating, table cloths, activities, and bugs. Food and drinks to be provided by you. For birthday parties we have a gift for the birthday person and for field trips we have take-home materials.
Tarantula handling is only available if more than one week from a scheduled tarantula handling event (see calendar)
Must be booked at least 2 weeks ahead.
We have some availability for remote events for an additional $50 transportation fee within 10 mile radius of the insectarium, $60 if 10-30 miles, $80 if 30-60 miles. Our presentation consists of two 6-foot tables or equivalent surface area (provided by you or we can bring some), one table is for touchable bugs where the kids can handle exotic isopods (roly-polies), roaches, beetles, and more. The other table we use for live bugs in glass terrariums like spiders and mantises, plus pinned insect displays. We also bring a selection of toys and books for the kids to explore. If we are outdoors we need a covered or shaded area away from direct sun. Please email for more information [email protected]
Tarantula handling is only available if more than one week from a scheduled tarantula handling event (see calendar)
Must be booked at least 2 weeks ahead.
We have some availability for remote events for an additional $50 transportation fee within 10 mile radius of the insectarium, $60 if 10-30 miles, $80 if 30-60 miles. Our presentation consists of two 6-foot tables or equivalent surface area (provided by you or we can bring some), one table is for touchable bugs where the kids can handle exotic isopods (roly-polies), roaches, beetles, and more. The other table we use for live bugs in glass terrariums like spiders and mantises, plus pinned insect displays. We also bring a selection of toys and books for the kids to explore. If we are outdoors we need a covered or shaded area away from direct sun. Please email for more information [email protected]
Private Pinning Class
Learn the techniques of relaxing, pinning, and drying dead insect specimens. Includes instruction, pins, forceps, styrofoam pinning block, a shadowbox, and 1-2 dead insects. The type of insect will depend on what is available at the time of booking. When you request to schedule, I will email you the available options. Please respond to this email or I will not be able to accept the appointment request.
Recommended age 10+ as pinning requires fine motor skills and uses sharp objects. Children under age 15 must have a parent/guardian attending with them. If the parent does not wish to pin an insect, there will be a $10 admission fee when you arrive for the class.
This booking software does not allow for multiple tickets/purchases, so the $75 is a deposit if more than one person is attending. If additional people are attending, payment is due at the insectarium the day of the event: $75 if pinning an insect and $10 if not. Limit 10 people, whether or not they are pinning an insect. The class is scheduled for one hour but pinning will take 30-40 min, depending on the insect and skill level, so the rest of the time you can just explore the zoo!
If you are looking to accommodate a larger group, we can come to you! Send an email to inquire [email protected]
Recommended age 10+ as pinning requires fine motor skills and uses sharp objects. Children under age 15 must have a parent/guardian attending with them. If the parent does not wish to pin an insect, there will be a $10 admission fee when you arrive for the class.
This booking software does not allow for multiple tickets/purchases, so the $75 is a deposit if more than one person is attending. If additional people are attending, payment is due at the insectarium the day of the event: $75 if pinning an insect and $10 if not. Limit 10 people, whether or not they are pinning an insect. The class is scheduled for one hour but pinning will take 30-40 min, depending on the insect and skill level, so the rest of the time you can just explore the zoo!
If you are looking to accommodate a larger group, we can come to you! Send an email to inquire [email protected]
Private Bug Walk
Take a walk with us! We offer this as a ticketed event to the public throughout the summer, but if you have a class or group of people who would like to learn the techniques of finding, catching, and identifying the bugs in our local parks, you can book a private Bug Walk. Rates are $10 for adults and $7 for kids (under age 18) and everyone gets a bug catching vial to use and keep. For $15 you can add a full bug-catching kit, which includes - drawstring bag, bug-catching vials, a magnifying glass, forceps, and a field notebook. Available May-October. The walk is one-hour, if you would like additional time, it will be an extra $4 per adult and $2 per kid per hour. Minimum 10 people to book (or $85 if less than 10), maximum 40 people and we need at least one adult per 9 kids (under age 16). $50 deposit to hold the date.
Photo Shoot
Get some dreamy portraits taken with bugs! Live, preserved, and artificial bug options available. Our live bug options are a tarantula, a scorpion, several species of mantises, a millipede, and cockroaches. As live animals are unpredictable, we can't guarantee all of these will be available at all times. We can accommodate children and groups of up to three. Please let us know in the appointment notes if you plan to bring children, how many, and what ages.
$50 deposit to hold the date and anything remaining will be due the day of the shoot. One person may attend who is not participating in the shoot (ie parent chaperone), any additional guests that have not been paid for as models will be charged a $10 admission fee. Limit three models, limit eight people total. When you request to book, we will send you a form to fill out. You must complete the form before we will accept your request and book the appointment.
$50 deposit to hold the date and anything remaining will be due the day of the shoot. One person may attend who is not participating in the shoot (ie parent chaperone), any additional guests that have not been paid for as models will be charged a $10 admission fee. Limit three models, limit eight people total. When you request to book, we will send you a form to fill out. You must complete the form before we will accept your request and book the appointment.
There are several package options.
1. Quick Basic Shoot: Simple portaits in front of the pinned bug wall or flower wall. No live bugs. 30 min $50 ($35 for each additional person). At least five edited digital photos.
2. Quick Live Bug Shoot: Simple portraits in front of the pinned bug wall, flower wall, or on floor. 30 min $100 ($50 for each additional person). Choose up to two live bugs to shoot with. At least five edited digital photos.
3. Long Basic Shoot: Portaits in front of the pinned bug wall, flower wall, or other backdrops. No live bugs. One hour $85 ($45 for each additional person). At least ten edited digital photos. The additional time allows for outfit changes, multiple backdrops and themes, experimental lighting, and more shots to choose from.
4. Long Live Bug Shoot: Portaits in front of the pinned bug wall, flower wall, floor, or other backdrops. One hour $150 ($85 for each additional person). At least ten edited digital photos. Choose up to three live bugs to shoot with. The additional time allows for outfit changes, multiple backdrops and themes, experimental lighting, and more shots to choose from.
5. Deluxe Live Bug Shoot: Portaits in front of the pinned bug wall, flower wall, floor, or other backdrops. Two hours $400 ($200 for each additional person). At least twenty edited digital photos. Choose any of our available live bugs. Makeup and hair assistance and some wardrobe and accessories available. Requires $100 deposit.
1. Quick Basic Shoot: Simple portaits in front of the pinned bug wall or flower wall. No live bugs. 30 min $50 ($35 for each additional person). At least five edited digital photos.
2. Quick Live Bug Shoot: Simple portraits in front of the pinned bug wall, flower wall, or on floor. 30 min $100 ($50 for each additional person). Choose up to two live bugs to shoot with. At least five edited digital photos.
3. Long Basic Shoot: Portaits in front of the pinned bug wall, flower wall, or other backdrops. No live bugs. One hour $85 ($45 for each additional person). At least ten edited digital photos. The additional time allows for outfit changes, multiple backdrops and themes, experimental lighting, and more shots to choose from.
4. Long Live Bug Shoot: Portaits in front of the pinned bug wall, flower wall, floor, or other backdrops. One hour $150 ($85 for each additional person). At least ten edited digital photos. Choose up to three live bugs to shoot with. The additional time allows for outfit changes, multiple backdrops and themes, experimental lighting, and more shots to choose from.
5. Deluxe Live Bug Shoot: Portaits in front of the pinned bug wall, flower wall, floor, or other backdrops. Two hours $400 ($200 for each additional person). At least twenty edited digital photos. Choose any of our available live bugs. Makeup and hair assistance and some wardrobe and accessories available. Requires $100 deposit.