Children with their hands in the air and paint on their faces in a woodland
Helena Dolby

Bring birthday celebrations outdoors!

At Kent Wildlife Trust, we want to make your outdoor birthday celebrations extra special. That is why we have created two different party styles, and a variety of themes, to ensure there’s something for everyone!

Book for Sevenoaks

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Book for Maidstone

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Wilder Birthday Parties

Fun is the name of the game with our Wilder Birthday Parties. Parties include arts, crafts and games all immersed in the natural world and the beautiful surroundings of our Tyland Barn Nature Park or Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve. Choose from one of the fun-packed, nature-inspired themes below:

Activities include:

  • A minibeast hunt
  • Making a party hat nature crown
  • Crafts and games

Activities include:

  • Creature hunt
  • Minibeast hunt
  • Crafts and games

Activities include:

  • Water games
  • Pond dipping
  • Crafts and games (if there is time)
  • This is best for in the summer, although we can play a toned down version so we don’t get as wet!

Activities include:

  • Make a footprint
  • Pond dipping
  • Minibeast hunt
  • Crafts and games
Absolutely loved the mini beast party we had back in Feb, everyone loved the party and where saying how different it was from the normal 4 yr old parties. And thank you to the ladies that helped out and ran the party it was amazing.
Feedback from parent

Woodland Birthday Parties

Children can delve into Forest School activities and indulge their wild side with our Woodland Birthday Parties. There’s a chance to learn survival techniques, discover the creatures that live in the heart of the forest, or craft using natural materials. With three thrilling Woodland party themes to choose from, you're bound to find something you'll love:

Activities include:

  • Making a group fire
  • Fire lighting without matches
  • Toasting marshmallows on the fire
  • Natural or tarpaulin shelter building
  • Exploring the woodland site

Activities include:

  • Making a group fire
  • Fire lighting without matches
  • Bug hunting
  • Learning about woodland animals and building a home for one of them
  • Toasting marshmallow on the fire
  • Exploring the woodland site

Activities include:

  • Making a group fire
  • Fire lighting without matches
  • Toasting marshmallows on the fire
  • One craft activity: dreamcatcher, medallion or environmental art
  • Exploring the woodland site

The details

Duration: Each party runs for 2 hours 15 minutes with at least 1 hour and 45 minutes of activities.
Cost: Minimum party charge is £150 for Wilder Parties and £200 for Woodland parties for up to 10 children. Additional children are then charged at £15 per child. 
Extras: Make the day extra special with Party Bags for £3.50 per child. Packed lunches are available at Tyland Barn only - please contact the Pond Café for more information

Discover the wilder side of education!

Want to learn more about Kent's incredible wildlife and wild spaces? Then sign up below to hear about the wide range of practical, enjoyable and high-quality learning experiences we offer through our Education programmes. With a range of learning tools, engaging visits to our education centres or forest school base camp and highly qualified team we have something that will suit your aims and objectives. Complete the form below to join our Wilder Learning Mailing List.

Birthday Parties FAQs

Booking is via our website and Eventbrite

You will be instructed to pay via Eventbrite, if you have any problems with this please call us and we can take payment over the phone: 01622 662012 

Payment is required in full upon booking. Additional attendees and adults can be added on at a later date, up to 2 weeks before the date of the party.

There is no parking charge at Tyland Barn, Maidstone. Parking charges do apply at Sevenoaks however birthday party attendees are exempt from parking, so long as you provide Kent Wildlife Trust with all car registrations no less than 2 weeks before the party. After making your online booking, you will receive an email with details to send us the registrations. Car registrations for all adults staying at the party need to be sent to parkingcharges@kentwildlife.org.uk 

Birthday parties cancelled less than 14 working days in advance will be subject to a cancellation fee which will be equal to the full cost of the minimum charge for the party. 

10.00-12:15 and 13:00-15:15 

Please arrive no more than 30 mins before the party starts. The tutor will meet you by the main building. 

Walking to site is included in the party timings; please ensure party guests arrive promptly as the party will not be extended. 

Yes. You can bring your own food for the party. Food needs to be easily transportable and we encourage you to use recyclable/reusable plates and cutlery. We also ask that all rubbish is taken away with you at the end of the session.  

We discourage bringing sharp knives to cut a birthday cake for health and safety reasons, so if you wish to have a cake at the party please consider pre-cutting the cake or using individual cupcakes instead.  

Lunch will be eaten roughly half way into the party and is 30 mins long. If you wish to not have a break for lunch we can shorten the party by 30 mins. Cake can be cut after lunch. 

At Tyland Barn we have an open fronted barn with tables and benches. At Sevenoaks we have a sheltered outside area with picnic tables. 

For woodland parties at Sevenoaks, we eat at the party site which is in the open. All party food must be easily transportable. If it is raining we put up tarps and shelters. In extreme bad weather we would discuss best options with you

At Sevenoaks, hot drinks and some snacks are available from the visitor centre (subject to opening times). At Tyland Barn, there is a café (subject to opening times) which adults can use before or after the party – The Pond at Tyland Barn. 

If you are booking a Woodland Party, we can provide vegan hot chocolate and vegan marshmallows. 

Parties of up to 25 will have one member of staff leading. Parties of 25+ will have two members of staff. 

Woodland parties are limited to 18 participants due the nature of the activities on offer. Wilder parties can be 25+ and will have two members of staff leading. 

There is no charge for children under the age of 1. 

Any participatory children would need to be paid for as an attendee; any non-participating children will need to be booked as an additional adult.

Additional attendees can be purchased up to 14 days prior to the event. This can be done by amending your booking via Eventbrite. You will receive instructions on how to do this with your booking confirmation.  

Kent Wildlife Trust recommends an adult/child ratio of 1:1 for pre-school age children, 1:5 for 4-8 year olds and 1:8 for 8yrs+. We ask that you do not bring more than the recommend ratio of adults, as parties can become over crowded. If you would like to bring additional adults, there is a small surcharge to pay.  

As most of the activities (including eating) are outside, we generally find there is no need for any decoration. If you wish to bring a table cover, then please do. We do not allow balloons, due to their negative environmental impacts. 

We are unable to offer mixed theme parties. Please choose from one of the themes available. 

We run parties in most weathers, so please ensure children are dressed appropriately for the conditions. 

We would only cancel in the case of extreme bad weather, for example high winds, lightning or heavy snow. 

We do have indoor spaces at both sites that we can use as shelter for Wilder parties, and for Woodland parties we have shelters that can be put up. 

Anna was excellent. The children loved the party. All the parents at X’s preschool are still talking about it.
We had a fabulous time - the enthusiasm and environment were great.
Anna was brilliant and even kept in touch to help ID some of the pond beasts. I'd definitely recommend to others, thanks!