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• General Membership questions
• Gift Membership questions

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General Membership FAQ:

How long does a membership last?

Memberships provide outstanding benefits like free general admission, special discounts and exclusive access for a full year from the month purchased (expiring at the end of the month.) We will send you a few reminders by mail and email when your membership is up for renewal.

I received a renewal notice asking me to renew my membership before it expires. Will I lose any time off my current member year?

No way! By renewing early, you are helping us to defer much-needed funds to special programs, exhibit development, and other exciting projects. We will never deduct time from your membership year! Your membership will be extended by twelve months from your current expiration date.

I am interested in joining Thinkery as a Member, but I’d like to visit first. What can I do?

Many visitors decide after a fun day at Thinkery that they want to become a Member and come back, again and again, all year long! Visitors who purchase general admission tickets may apply that cost towards an annual membership on the same day as their visit.

Ticket refunds are limited to the number of admissions allowed by the membership and may only be applied with the ticket receipt at the admissions desk the same day as the visit.  General admission ticket refunds may not be applied after the day of the visit or to memberships purchased online.

Do Members have to reserve tickets for admission?

We recommend it! Thinkery has seen such an amazing response from the community, our membership family now more includes 10,000 households! With so many loyal supporters, we are experiencing large crowds of visitors, especially on weekends, school holidays and during special program days. Timed tickets allow us to manage the number of visitors entering the building at a time to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for our guests. During these busy times, we strongly encourage all visitors—Members included—to reserve tickets in advance to ensure a quick and easy check-in, and guaranteed entry.

Please bring your tickets (either printed or displayed on your smartphone) and your membership card for express check-in.

How do I reserve tickets?

You may reserve admission tickets for your next visit, as well as register for camps, birthday parties, events, and other programs at my.thinkeryaustin.org. To ensure you receive your membership benefits and discounts, you will need to register the email address you provided to Thinkery with your membership enrollment and create a password. If you have any issues with logging in or receiving your discount online, reach out to the Membership Team!

Once logged in, choose the date; select tickets according to the ages of your family members; add the tickets to your cart; and finally, check out. A confirmation email with a link to your print-at-home tickets will be sent to you once your order has been processed. We can always resend the confirmation email if needed.

If I join online today, when can I begin making reservations using my membership?

Memberships purchased online may be used immediately for general admission or to purchase programs online at my.thinkeryaustin.org! If you’re joining us for general admission, you can show your confirmation email at Admissions to check-in!

When will I receive my membership card? Can I visit before then?

Your membership welcome materials, including your membership card, will be mailed to you within 2–3 weeks. If you would like to visit Thinkery before you receive these materials, you have a few options:

• You can reserve tickets in advance at my.thinkeryaustin.org.
• If you joined online, you may present the confirmation email receipt you received as a temporary membership card at Admissions.
• You can request a digital card from the Membership Team at no charge, before your visit or at Admissions for your next visit.

Who should I list on my membership?

You may list up to two adults within the same household on your membership — the main account holder and their partner/spouse (if applicable.)  We do not record the names of additional visitors, caregivers, or children for tax purposes and privacy.

Can I put the membership in my child’s name?

Membership cardholders must be at least 18 years old.

What if I lose my membership card?

No worries! Our Admissions staff can verify your membership status during your visit. You may be asked to present your ID in lieu of your membership card. You may also submit a request for a new card or a digital card at the Admissions desk. There is a $5 fee for any replacement cards, but digital cards are free!

Can I have two membership cards?

Additional cards may be printed for a $5 per card processing fee.

Can I use my membership for field trips?

Members may receive up to two free adult admissions when chaperoning field trips. Admission is limited to the adult Members named on the membership card. For more information, see our Field Trips page.

Can I share a membership with my friend or relative’s family?

Memberships are non-transferable and meant to be used by your immediate family/household.  However, you are welcome to bring the occasional guest or extended family member with you during your visit. As a nonprofit organization, Thinkery relies heavily on membership and admission support to continue providing innovative exhibits, outstanding programs and fun learning opportunities for Texas families. This policy is intended to prevent any misuse of memberships. Thank you for your support and understanding.

Can I use my Thinkery membership at other museums?

Members at the Premier levels may receive discounted admission to over 200 participating children’s museums through the Association of Children’s Museums Reciprocal Network (ACM) and free admission to more than 150 technology and science centers through the Association of Science and Technology Centers Passport Program (ASTC).  In order to redeem these benefits, you must present a valid Thinkery membership card with the logos for ACM and ASTC.

Does Thinkery accept ASTC and ACM Reciprocal programs:

Thinkery accepts reciprocal benefits for ACM and ASTC member organizations when tickets are purchased onsite. Ticket availability is limited, please arrive early to reserve your tickets. Proof of membership and a photo ID is required when purchasing tickets at Thinkery. Members of ACM organizations can receive up to 6 general admission tickets at 50% off. Members at ASTC organizations can up to 4 free general admission tickets.

ACM policy states that Reciprocal Network (RN) members are entitled to a 50% discount for up to 6 people (including the cardholder). Visitors wishing to get this discount at participating museums need to bring their membership card with the RN logo in color, and the cardholder must be present to receive discounted admission. For more information, please visit the ACM website.

ASTC policy dictates that visitors must live outside a 90-mile radius from the museum they wish to visit in order to receive benefits. Therefore, Austin metro area residents will be unable to present membership cards from other institutions to receive admission benefits at Thinkery. Please visit the ASTC website for more details.

Please note: Because they fall within a 90-mile radius, The DoSeum in San Antonio does not provide free admission to Thinkery Members. As a participating museum in the ACM network however, The DoSeum will provide half-priced admission to Thinkery Members with a Premier Family level or higher membership.

My family is moving, can I give my membership to someone else?

Memberships are non-transferable and non-refundable. If you have a Premier Family level or higher membership, you can continue to use it at participating ASTC and ACM institutions for the remainder of your membership year.

Is my membership tax-deductible?

Thinkery is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization. Some or all of your membership gift may be tax-deductible. The applicable amount will be listed on your membership in your confirmation email (if purchased online), as well as your welcome letter.

I’d like to upgrade my membership, but it’s not yet time to renew. What can I do?

You can upgrade to a higher level of membership at any time simply by paying the difference between the two membership levels.  We will provide you with a new membership card, but your membership expiration date will not change.

However, if you choose to renew at the higher level by paying the full price of your desired membership level, your membership renewal will take effect immediately. This will give you the benefits of the higher membership level for the remainder of your membership year—plus another twelve months!

To upgrade your membership, talk to our staff at Admissions or please call the Membership Team at (512) 469-6225.

Can my caregiver bring my children into the museum without me?

 We understand that you can’t always be the one to take your kiddo to Thinkery and wouldn’t want them to miss out! Whether it’s a nanny, babysitter, grandparent, or any other caregiver, they are welcome to check-in using your membership with your permission. They should have your membership card on hand and be able to verify your contact information. If you have a Premier Family or Premier Plus level membership, they can keep the Caregiver Card on hand!

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Gift Memberships FAQ:

Can I give a membership to someone as a gift? 

Yes! Our new gift membership vouchers are a fantastic way to give the gift of hands-on exploration and STEAM-based learning experiences. Your purchase also supports Thinkery’s mission to equip and inspire the next generation of creative problem-solvers.

How do gift membership vouchers work? 

Gift membership vouchers are sold in the amount of the membership level you want to give. Recipients may then redeem their voucher anytime before its expiration. Their full year of membership benefits will begin on the date of redemption. 

Where do I purchase a gift membership voucher? 

The easiest way to purchase a gift membership voucher is through our website. You can also purchase one by speaking to our friendly Admission staff during your in-person visit or by calling our Membership team at (512) 469-6225.

How is the membership voucher delivered? 

After purchasing a gift membership voucher, you’ll receive a receipt via email that has a customizable PDF template, as well as instructions on how to fill it out. When you are ready to share the gift, you can either print the voucher or save it and email it as an attachment to your intended recipient! If you need assistance, please feel free to reach out by email. 

Is my purchase tax-deductible? 

Yes, it is! Thinkery is a nonprofit organization and relies on membership support to continue providing innovative exhibits, outstanding programs and playful learning opportunities for Texas families. We thank you for your generous donation!

You can reach out to us via email if you need additional information for tax purposes.

Gift Membership Voucher Redemption

I received a gift membership voucher; how do I redeem it? 

You can redeem your voucher anytime prior to its expiration by following the steps outlined here. You can also redeem your voucher in-person during your first visit or by phone at (512) 469-6225. Just make sure to have your voucher handy!

Can I use a voucher toward my membership renewal? 

Absolutely! If renewing online, just use the provided voucher code at checkout. If renewing by mail, include the membership voucher with your renewal slip. 

What if I want to purchase a different membership level? 

Go for it! You’ll just pay the difference between the two levels. For example: if you received a membership voucher for the Family level ($115) but want a Premier Family level ($165), you’ll use your voucher and then pay the difference of $50. 

Have more questions? Contact the Membership Team at (512) 469-6225 or membership@thinkeryaustin.org. 

We look forward to welcoming you to Thinkery soon and thank you for your support!

Membership benefits are non-transferable and are to be used by the Member’s household and guests only.  Members may receive up to two free admissions when chaperoning field trips. Admission is limited to the adult Members named on the membership card. As a nonprofit organization, Thinkery relies on membership and admission support to continue providing innovative exhibits, outstanding programs, and fun learning opportunities for Texas families. This policy is intended to prevent any misuse of memberships, which results in loss of revenue for our community programs. Thank you for your support and understanding.

Membership contributions are tax-deductible. Thinkery is a 501(c)(3) organization, EIN: 74-2288789