Kidspace Children’s Museum is closing its 3.5-acre Brookside Park campus to the general public Saturday for its fourth annual Birthday Palooza, a daylong celebration designed to reunite siblings separated by the foster care system.
The event, themed “Party in Paradise” this year, is a partnership between the Pasadena nonprofit museum and Foster Love, a national nonprofit that works with children in foster care.
The event will involve children ages 5 through early teens on the Arroyo Seco campus, which accommodates up to 200 children.
The day will unfold through three signature moments: warm welcomes at arrival, a big, joyful gathering in the Stone Hollow Amphitheater with singing and confetti, and a send-off brimming with personalized birthday gifts.
“For a lot of these kids, birthdays have passed without their brothers and sisters there. Birthday Palooza exists to change that,” said Gianna Mulkay, Executive Director of Foster Love. “Four years in, this has become something these kids count on, and that means everything to us. None of it happens without Kidspace showing up with their whole heart every single year.”
Lisa Clements, Chief Executive Officer of Kidspace, said that the day is intended to do more than mark birthdays.
“Birthday Palooza is so much more than a party. Our goal is to create a day where every child who walks through our doors knows that they are seen, they are valued, and they absolutely deserve to be celebrated,” Clements said.
“By leaning into familiar birthday traditions like cake, music, gifts, and family, we’re helping to establish connection and resilience while creating core memories. We’re proud to partner with Foster Love and our broader community to make this possible.”
The tropical-themed programming was to include a rideable shark, a “surf-the-wave” photo opportunity, a mermaid in a garden under the sea, sandcastle building, shell jewelry making, and balloon and temporary tattoo artists.
Food offerings include Dole Whip, HomeState Tacos, sandcastle cupcakes, and more.
Live cultural dance performances and storytelling will be presented by Kutturan Chamoru, Kidspace said.
Each child will leave with photos, gifts, and party favors.
Over the past several years, the museum has expanded its foster care engagement well beyond events.
The museum has partnered with the Department of Children and Family Services to host an Adoption Matching Play Date, bringing prospective adoptive parents and foster children together in a relaxed, playful setting.
Kidspace also said it has pledged to become a Foster Care Friendly Workplace, extending Paid Family Leave benefits to eligible employees who serve as foster parents.
Kidspace was named FosterMore’s Organization of the Year for its work as an innovator in improving the lives of foster youth and families.
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