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Museums for All

Thinkery is proud to participate in Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and Association of Children’s Museums’ Museums for All program!

Thinkery invites all families with Texas Electronic Benefits Transfer (Lone Star /SNAP), WIC, STAR, CHIP, Medicaid, MAP/MAP BASIC, and tribal identification cards to show their card(s) to receive FREE General Admission or Baby Bloomers tickets. (Special programs and events excluded.) 

Thinkery would like to thank Capital One for their generous support of Museums for All.

Open Door

Maintaining affordable access for everyone is a top priority for Thinkery. Each year, our Open Door Initiative provides subsidized admissions, camp scholarships and field trips to thousands of children and families with limited financial resources. Please contact our reservations team at 512-469-6201 to reserve Open Door tickets in advance.

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.

Military and First Responders

$3 off per family member, up to five family members. First Responders include police officers, firefighters, and EMT workers. Thinkery’s military and first responder discounts are available online Proof of ID required.

If you are interested in planning a visit with a group of 10 or more, please contact our Reservations team to make arrangements.

For safety purposes, we ask that visitors adhere to a minimum adult: child ratio of 1:5.

Play together!
Playing is learning and children learn best alongside caring, responsive adults. Maximize your experience by observing, facilitating and collaborating with your child. Pro tip: Take a break from that cell phone and play!

Be a role model for children.
Learning is a joyful, fun and lifelong endeavor. Be curious and show your kids how it’s done! Remember that you are setting an example for your children and others through your actions and words in the Museum.

Respect others.
We are a community space where people connect, conversations spark, and ideas grow. As you explore and play, be courteous to those around you. Please do not touch or verbally reprimand any child not in your group. If you need assistance, please ask a staff member.

Assume good intentions.
Please understand that children’s play with interactive exhibits is often joyful and exuberant. This may mean that another child’s play may unintentionally interfere with your child’s play. Touching, colliding and reaching for the same object may innocently occur between children.

Use positive language and actions.
Model problem-solving skills, critical thinking, curiosity, and empathy. Profanity, harassment, threatening language and physical interactions, abuse of any kind or other inappropriate public behavior are strictly prohibited.

Are masks required at Thinkery?

Our masking policy is updated weekly to correspond to the latest Community Levels rating for Travis County.  During “Low” and “Medium” periods (as defined by the CDC), masks are recommended but are not required.

Masks are only required during periods where Austin/Travis County is at “High” levels of COVID risk.

Click here for detailed information on our health, safety, and sanitation protocols, along with tips for keeping kids (and adults) healthy while at Thinkery.

How long does it take to go through the museum?

Most visitors spend between 1.5-2 hours exploring the museum. You are welcome to explore the museum at your own pace, but it’s a good idea to plan for at least 90 minutes for your visit.

Where can we keep our stroller and belongings while we play?

We encourage guests to leave your strollers in your vehicle if possible. There is an unattended stroller parking outside of the museum.

Lockers are available for rent at this time for $1.

Can I drop off my child at the museum?

A guardian must accompany a child throughout the museum. Guardians must be 18 years of age or older. Parents/Caregivers are responsible for supervising their children at all times. You are your child’s best advocate for staying safe.

Do you have a Lost and Found?

For the time being, only valuables (wallet, keys, phone, etc.) will be held for claim. All other items will be disposed of if not claimed within 24 hours

May I bring my pet to Thinkery?

Thinkery welcomes service animals—other animals or pets are not allowed except as part of museum programs. 

• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service animal as a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.
• Dogs or therapy animals whose function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals according to ADA, even with a doctor’s note.

What is your adult to child ratio?

We require a 1:5 adult-to-children ratio on our exhibit floor. Children must be supervised al all times. No security can take the place of adult supervision.

If a child (or adult) in my group is sick, can we still visit the museum?

For the health and safety of all our guests, we ask that any child or adult with an elevated temperature or an illness that may be contagious (such as pink eye, a cold, or the flu) not visit Thinkery until they are fully recovered.

A good rule of thumb: if you’re too sick to go to school (or work), you should plan to visit Thinkery another time.

Is food available? Can we bring food?

Food is not allowed inside the Museum except for water and formula.

Do I have to wear shoes?

Yes. Shoes must be worn at all times.

Can I bring balloons?

Balloons are permitted inside the building.

Is smoking allowed?

The Museum is a non-smoking facility, including e-cigarettes, and chewing tobacco.

What if I have a meeting at Thinkery?

Business visitors must check in with a Guest Services staff member at Admissions.

What are your cleaning procedures? How do you prevent the spread of germs?

We are committed to keeping the museum clean and safe for guests. 

• A professional cleaning team is on-site during Thinkery operating hours to sanitize and clean the restrooms and common areas.  Deep cleaning takes place when the museum is closed. The museum is cleaned and disinfected with a special electrostatic cleaning performed once a week.
• The air in the building is always circulated with fresh air to maintain clean, healthy air.
• Hand sanitizer stations are located on each floor, throughout galleries, and near all restrooms.
• Visitors are welcome to notify Thinkery staff if an area or object needs attention

You can find more detailed information and tips for keeping kids (and adults) healthy at Thinkery here.

Are weapons or firearms allowed at Thinkery?

Thinkery is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our visitors. As posted at Thinkery’s entrance—and in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas—for the safety of our children, no weapons (including concealed or open carry) are allowed. With the exception of law enforcement, anyone possessing a weapon will be asked to remove it from our premises immediately. 

Pursuant to Section 30.06, Penal Code (trespass by license holder with a concealed handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with a concealed handgun.

Pursuant to Section 30.07, Penal Code (trespass by license holder with an openly carried handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with an openly carried handgun.

Click here for detailed information on our health, safety, and sanitation protocols, along with tips for keeping kids (and adults) healthy while at Thinkery.

Guests who are unable or unwilling to follow the weekly guidelines posted online and throughout the museum will be asked to reschedule their visit for a later date when those measures are no longer in place.

General admission tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. In the event of an emergency closing by the Museum, the ticket purchaser will have the option of an exchange or refund.

Baby Bloomers:

Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. In the event of an emergency closing by the Museum, the ticket purchaser will have the option of an exchange or refund.

Thinkery Camps:

Camp fees include a $75 non-refundable fee. Refunds (minus the $75 non-refundable fee) are given for cancellations made before May 18, 2022. There are no refunds offered for registrations cancelled after May 18, 2022.

If you are registered for camp and need to change weeks or sessions, there will be a $50 administrative fee once the change is approved. If the camp you are registered for is cancelled due to low enrollment, you will be refunded your full tuition payment.

If you are interested in booking additional camp weeks, please call (512) 469-6201 or register online! The camp you sign up for is uniquely yours—sessions are not transferable to other campers.

Birthday Parties:

Requests to cancel or reschedule must be made at least two weeks in advance and will incur a $50 administrative fee. Refunds (minus the $50 fee) will be offered in response to requests made up to two weeks before the party date.

Refunds are not available for cancellations requested less than two weeks from the reserved event date.

Field Trips:

If you need to cancel your visit, please contact us as soon as possible at schoolprograms@thinkeryaustin.org or 512-469-2333.  All sales are final, with no refunds for canceled visits or reservation fees.  Refunds will only be given in the form of Admit One passes to Thinkery.

Membership benefits are non-refundable, 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.

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

Learn more about Memberships

Due to COVID-19, all sales are final until further notice.