Before I had a baby, I had never been a member of a museum or zoo. I just never went back to one cultural venue with any frequency. Since I discovered the world of children’s museums, I have purchased memberships to several types. In some cases, it’s clear that the membership will pay for itself pretty quick. A place right in your city with easy parking that has features exactly the right age for your child can be a great value if you work it into your weekly routine.
If you think you’ll only go somewhere a few times per year, it’s hard to justify purchasing a membership.
My friend Darci has a sneaky strategy for museums that aren’t quite as convenient. She and her friend Jess frequently band together with their toddler girls to go for outings. Abbi and Alex (above) are exactly the same age and the two moms spent so much time together in the first two years of their daughters’ lives that they joined museums together as a couple. Most memberships admit two adults and two children. Splitting the cost in half, the price becomes more compelling.
If a reader feels the need to scold me for recommending that someone cheat a non-profit out of their deserved admission funds, I understand. I still think it’s a good idea and I bet that a few of you will too.
Also a good way to buy a timeshare that would otherwise be too expensive – my best friend and I went halfsies on a Disney Vacation Club membership and either take vacations together, or take turns using it. We love it.
Splitting one membership still supports the museum, especially if the alternative is that both families would stay home! No scolding here…
You know, in my PKD (pre-kids days) I worked for non-profit organizations. I certainly don’t see this as cheating an org out of support. Neither family would probably have purchased a membership if they didn’t split it, so it’s support they might not have gotten otherwise!
I used to work in the membership department for a national science museum and I would have recommended this strategy to people! In fact, during popular traveling shows when EVERYBODY wanted to come during school breaks we would encourage certain yearly membership options over one-time use tickets as a way to save them money on their visit that day (which WAS a savings for them) even if they never came back (but hoping they would).
If the membership specifies two adults and two children it sounds like they set it up that way to allow it.
And a reminder for anyone in the vicinity of the Montshire Museam – February 13 is the Igloo Build! http://www.flickr.com/photos/montshiremuseum/sets/72157614426937610/show/
No, I don’t work for them, I just love that place!
Buying memberships can be a great money-saving strategy on vacations, as well (esp. as your kids get older). When we took our kids to San Diego, for example, we found that buying memberships to certain places included things like trolley rides, which saved us money in the long run. (At our local zoo we probably would just skip the ride, but it was a nice vacation perk.) Also, in bigger cities like San Diego, sometimes popular attractions will go in together and offer a special “get into both” pass, which can end up costing less than buying separate admission to both places.
oh awesome advice! I’ve been hanging out a lot with a friend and her baby. so I will def. suggest tthat to her since our hubbies are always hanging out without us!
I also realized that museums are great for children especially that they are too curious about almost everything that you cannot answer them all.