Celebrating 200+ Birthdays at KidSpace Children’s Museum

On April 5, 2025, the KidSpace Children’s Museum in Pasadena was transformed into a birthday pirate paradise for over 200 foster children, many of whom have been separated from their siblings in foster care placements. This Birthday Palooza reunited them for a fun-filled day of laughter and swashbuckling shenanigans.

A Pirate-Themed Celebration

Birthday Palooza was a day packed with exciting activities and birthday surprises. The day brought excitement, as kids participated in games like tug-of-war and corn hole, and a thrilling treasure hunt led by real-life pirates!

A special “swearing-in” ceremony took place, where the young pirates pledged allegiance to the birthday crew, led by a salty sea captain aboard a ship.

The Salty Sea Monkey Disco had children dancing until they dropped, while pirate-themed photo ops allowed siblings to capture memories together with props like parrots and eye patches. Face painting added to the fun, giving the children a chance to transform into their favorite pirate personas. 

Each child received personalized birthday booty, and a treasure trove of delicious treats and birthday surprises awaited all attendees. This included a visit from our generous friends at In-N-Out, who provided lunch, ensuring the children were well-fed and energized to enjoy the day’s festivities.

The Importance of Sibling Reunification

When children enter foster care, the primary goal is to find a safe home for each child. However, finding a single home that can accommodate multiple children can be a challenge. This unfortunately means that up to 70% of siblings in foster care are placed in separate homes, making events like Birthday Palooza crucial for maintaining the bonds between siblings.

This event gave children the opportunity to reunite with their brothers and sisters, creating lifelong memories and strengthening their emotional connections.

READ MORE: Disney Days 2024 Reunites 200+ Siblings Separated in Foster Care

The Impact from the Event

Our Executive Director, Gianna Mulkay explains:

“For many children in foster care, birthdays can be just another day, often spent apart from their siblings. Birthday Palooza changes that by creating a space where these children can reunite, have fun, make memories, and celebrate their special day surrounded by love and support.”

Lisa Clements, CEO of KidSpace Children’s Museum, shared her perspective as well: 

“Being separated from siblings can be a lonely and upsetting experience for children in the foster system. It seems like such a small thing for kids to be able to celebrate milestones like birthdays together, have time to play and be silly, and take pictures with their siblings, but these simple, special moments can help children feel connected, safe, and loved.”

Parents and Agency Feedback

The event was impactful for both the children and the organizations involved. One foster parent attending the event with her children shared:

“I was completely out of commission by 8 pm, but it was so worth it… I drove my two little ones back to Hesperia and for sure thought they were going to nap. Nope! They could not stop talking about the pirates and the treasures they gave them. The event was beautifully organized, and all the kids felt special. I greatly appreciate all the hard work you and everyone at Foster Love put into making our foster youth have memorable experiences.”

Futuro Infantil Hispano, an agency supporting foster youth, also shared their appreciation:

“FIH foster children had an incredible time. They were super excited about all the activities, food, treats, and gifts. Many thanks for including FIH in such a wonderful event.”

Thank You for A Successful Birthday Palooza!

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who made Birthday Palooza possible. First, a huge thank you goes to KidSpace Children’s Museum for hosting the event and creating such a wonderful environment for the children to celebrate year after year. Their commitment to fostering creativity and connection through play made this event a truly special experience for our kids.

We also want to thank the volunteers, donors, and community partners who supported this event, helping to create lasting memories for these foster youth. Your generosity ensures that these children can enjoy a day full of joy and connection—something that will stay with them for years to come.

How You Can Help

Birthday Palooza is just one of the many ways Foster Love supports sibling reunification and creates meaningful experiences for foster youth. To help foster kids and make an impact in their lives, consider donating today. 

DONATE NOW

Your contribution can make a difference in reuniting siblings and creating moments they will cherish forever.