Membership FAQ
Below are some commonly asked questions about Memberships at Thinkery
Jump to a topic:
- General Membership questions
- Digital Membership Card questions
- Gift Membership questions
- Gift Voucher Redemption questions
General Membership FAQ:
Why should I become a Thinkery Member?
Thinkery Members receive free general admission for a year, plus a host of other amazing benefits.
As a Member, not only are you gaining access to hands-on, play-based STEAM education for your family, but your investment in Thinkery also makes it possible for kids and families throughout our community to play & learn via Thinkery’s Open Door Initiative.
Interested in deepening your relationship with Thinkery? Contact Sara Dellinger, Director of Development and Events, here.
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 — and they always expire on the last day of the month! We will send you a series of notices when it’s time to renew your membership for another year.
I received a renewal notice asking me to renew my membership before it expires. Will I lose any time off my current membership if I renew before the expiration date?
Not at all! Your membership will be extended by twelve full months from your current expiration date. 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!
I am interested in joining Thinkery as a Member, but I’d like to visit first. What can I do?
Many guests decide to become Members after visiting Thinkery for a day. It’s very easy to turn a day of play into a year of play — visitors who purchase General Admission tickets may apply some of the cost towards an annual membership.
Applying general admission ticket value toward membership is limited to the number of admissions allowed by your chosen membership plan. Ticket cost can only be applied during your visit or over the phone (with your order number) up to two days after your visit.
Do Members have to reserve tickets for admission?
We recommend it! Because Thinkery is currently using a limited capacity model, we ask Members to reserve their tickets online prior to visiting. Members get early access for all newly-released dates to ensure they’re able to come play on their preferred day and time. Start here by logging to your Member account, then select the day and time for your visit.
Please bring your confirmation or mobile tickets with you!
How do I reserve tickets?
You may reserve general admission tickets for your next visit, as well as register for Baby Bloomers, Summer Camps, and other programs at my.thinkeryaustin.org.
Detailed instructions can be found here.
If I join online today, when can I begin making reservations using my membership?
You may begin taking advantage of your membership benefits and discounts right away! Reminder: you must be logged in to reserve Member tickets and receive program discounts.
Who should I list on my membership? Can I put the membership in my child’s name?
You may list up to two adults within the same household on your membership card. Named Members must be at least 18 years old.
Can I share a membership with my friend or relative’s family?
Memberships are non-transferable and are meant to be used by your immediate family/household/guests.
As a nonprofit organization, Thinkery relies on membership and admission support to continue providing innovative exhibits, outstanding programs and fun learning opportunities for Central Texas families. This policy is intended to prevent any misuse of memberships, which result in the loss of revenue for our community programs. Thank you for your understanding.
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. 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, please call our Membership team at (512) 469-6225.
Can I use my Thinkery membership at other museums?
Thinkery Members may receive free or discounted admission through the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) and Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) networks.
In order to redeem these benefits, you must present a valid Thinkery membership card with the logos for ACM and ASTC.
Please note: Because they fall within a 90-mile radius, The DoSeum in San Antonio does not provide free reciprocal admission to Thinkery Members via the ASTC program. However, as a participating museum in the ACM network, The DoSeum will provide half-priced admission to Thinkery Members with Family of 4 (or more) memberships.
My family is moving, can I give my membership to someone else?
If you have a Family of 4 level membership or higher, you can continue to use it for reciprocal admission benefits at participating ACM and ASTC institutions for the remainder of your membership period.
Is my membership tax-deductible?
Thinkery is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization. The entire amount of your membership contribution is tax deductible as allowed by law. You can reach out to us via email if you need additional information for tax purposes.
Digital Membership Cards FAQ:
Why did Thinkery switch to digital cards?
Using a digital card gives you easy access to your membership benefits right from your smartphone. It also helps us better serve Members and reduce waste …so thank you!
How do I add the membership card to my iPhone?
Access the email from your smartphone and click the “Download” button, then click “Add to Wallet” and “Add.” The card will automatically go to your iPhone’s Apple Wallet. It can be accessed in Wallet at any time!
How do I add the membership card to my Android phone?
Android users need to download Wallet Passes from Google Play. After you have the app, access the email from your smartphone and click “Download.” The card will automatically go to your Wallet Passes app, where it can be accessed at any time.
I don’t have a mobile phone or smartphone; what can I do?
Just let us know and we can talk to you about options for physical cards.
My name is spelled wrong and/or my membership level is incorrect; how can I fix it?
We’re sorry about that! Please email us and we can get it updated for you right away.
Another caregiver is on my membership account; how can they receive a digital card?
You can share your card with other caregivers on your account directly. Just follow these steps:
Android Users
- Navigate to the back of the card (tap on the small “i” on the front) and use the “Share Pass” button to send the card to your secondary member.
iPhone Users
- Navigate to the back of the card (tap on the “…” button on the front), then tap on the share icon at the top right to send the card to your secondary member.
I downloaded my card, but now I can’t find it! Where did it go?
If you have an iPhone, the card will automatically download to Apple Wallet. Check the app for your new card (scroll through any cards that are already there—it may be hiding!).
If you have an Android, you’ll need to download Wallet Passes from the Play Store prior to downloading the card. Once you’ve downloaded your card, you should find it in there.
I didn’t receive/can’t find the email with my digital card. What should I do?
Check your email’s spam and junk folders—the email comes from us at membership@thinkeryaustin.org. If you still don’t see it, please feel free to reach out!
Gift Memberships FAQ:
Can I give a membership to someone as a gift?
Yes! Our gift membership vouchers are a fantastic way to give the gift of hands-on exploration and STEAM-based learning. 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 equal to the membership plan you want to give. Recipients may redeem their gift voucher anytime before its expiration date. Their full year of membership benefits will begin on the day they redeem their voucher (not the day you give it to them).
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 Admissions staff during your in-person visit or by calling our Membership team at (512) 469-6225.
How is the membership voucher delivered?
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’re ready to share the gift, you can either print the voucher or save it to your computer 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 hands-on learning opportunities for families all over Central Texas. 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 can I redeem it?
You can redeem your voucher anytime prior to its expiration by purchasing a membership online and using the code provided in the ‘Apply Membership Voucher’ field at checkout.
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 (and the code) handy!
Can I use a voucher toward my membership renewal?
Absolutely! If you’re renewing online, just use the gift voucher code provided at checkout. If you choose to renew by mail, include the membership voucher with your renewal slip.
What if I want to purchase a different membershiplevel?
Go for it! You’ll just pay the difference between the two levels. For example: if you received a membership voucher for the Family of 4 plan ($140) but want a Family of 5 plan ($165), you’ll use your voucher and then pay the difference of $25.
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. 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