Discovery Museum features a range of scientific exhibits, most of which are interactive. Families also enjoy a nature trail that winds through 14 acres; a discovery room with insects, turtles, and other creatures; a planetarium, and simulated space missions.

The museum also offers birthday party packages.

Mad Science is on a mission to stimulate scientific learning through hands-on fun and activities that will get kids excited about science.

Mad Science offers birthday parties for groups of any size, ideal for children ages five to 12. A Mad Scientist comes to your house and presents a 45-minute show, adapted to the ages of the kids in your group, combining high-energy, interactive fun with entertaining science experiments that appeal to kids' penchant for goo, pop, and fizz. A variety of 15-minute "finales" are available for an extra charge: dry ice, a laser show, hovercraft rides, or a rocket launch.

Other options, for an additional charge, include a cotton candy machine, goody bags, or invitations.

Mad Science also offers summer camps at several locations throughout the Sacramento area. Half-day and full-day camps run weekly from June through August for children ages six to 12. Registration and other information is available on the website.

LIke its sister facility in Culver City, STAR ECO Station is an environmental science and wildlife rescue center in a tropical jungle setting. Through a partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, STAR ECO Station rescues and houses at-risk and endangered exotic wildlife.

Visitors study ecology and environmentalism during a wild and fun encounter with the STAR ECO Station's rescued tropical birds, exotic reptiles, wildcats, and
ocean life. The Station's interdisciplinary, hands-on lessons of compassion and empathy for the natural world inspires visitors to a deep understanding of their role in protecting their Earth.

The ECO Station is also available to host a variety of special events throughout the year, including birthday parties. Birthday party packages include a guided tour and private party time. For additional fees, the station can provide (or book) custom invitations, custom goody bags, a Moon Bounce, cotton candy, popcorn, nachos, sno-cones, hot dogs, gourmet dogs, and more.

Offered during summers and school holidays, Camp ECO invites kids to spend their vacation with Caiman alligators, felines, tropical birds, reptiles, arachnids, and other exotic creatures in a place that looks, feels, and sounds like the real jungle. Children learn environmental science while working alongside real scientists and ecologists.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best Day Camp for Big Kids and best Day Camp for Little Kids in Sacramento,, The Sacramento Zoo is home to more than 600 animals. The zoo hosts many public programs and classes, and showcases a variety of exhibitions.