Is there a deadline for placing my order?

Gift memberships are available year-round. However, only purchases made on or before Dec. 11 are guaranteed to have the mailed membership materials in hand by Dec. 24. Purchases made after Dec. 11 will still come with mailed materials, but they may not arrive by Dec. 24. All memberships also come with a printable gift certificate.

Can I send my gift membership directly to the recipient?

Yes. During the purchase process, you’ll be asked if the membership is a gift and where it should be sent. You’ll then have the choice between sending the membership package to yourself or directly to the recipient family. You’ll also have the option to include a special messages with your order.

When can my gift recipient start using their membership?

Gift memberships are active as soon as you complete your purchase. A gift membership purchased between October and January receive an expiration date of Jan. 31, 2025, or later. This allows for time between purchase and gifting to ensure a full 12 months of play. If the family you gifted would like to visit right away, they can bring an ID to the museum box office to receive their membership cards.

Will they lose any time if I renew it now?

A gift membership always provides a full year of membership. If a current membership is still active, an additional year will be added to the account, extending the expiration date by 12 months.

Current members can extend their membership’s expiration date by 12 months at any time during the year. Renewing early is a great option for members who want to take advantage of any special offers they have received.

When will my recipient receive their membership materials?

Gift membership packages will be mailed out within one week after purchase. If preferred, you can purchase or renew a gift membership at the museum box office during regular business hours to receive membership cards the same day. The gift membership package includes two membership cards (one for each adult named on the membership), a welcome letter and temporary tattoos for the kids.

Do you send out any communications that might spoil the surprise of my gift?

During the gift season, email communications to new gift members is limited until after Jan. 15, 2025. Current members who receive a gift membership will still receive ongoing communications about museum happenings but will not be told their upcoming gift.

How many people are included in a membership?

All memberships include one year of unlimited admission for up to two named adults and all children in the household under the age of 18. Additionally, you can add up to two guests to any membership. The guest add-on provides free admission for a friend, caregiver, grandparent or other relative every visit. The guest can be a different person each visit. At least one person in the member family, either an adult or a child, must attend with the guest.