I think, like a lot of parents, I dream of having a home that is more of a cozy little landing pad for our adventures than a storage facility for our stuff. So I have been collecting up ideas for clutter-free gifts of adventure. If you are an out-of-town grandparent, this is an ideal gift. Your grandchildren will look forward to your visits so you can enjoy your gift together plus they will enjoy it with their parents the rest of the year. Furthermore, your children will tell all their friends that you are so much cooler than the grandparents who bought loud, battery-powered, plastic toys that end up in the garbage heap we call a toy box.
Some of these ideas may seem a little expensive until you take a walk down the toy aisle of your favorite store and realize that these gifts last all year — not just a couple days after Christmas. Also, if you are taking advantage of any government programs (including WIC), you may qualify for additional discounts.
Just for fun, I added up what it would cost to get a Family membership for all of these places (assuming no kids over 16 and that we are not able to get needs-based discounts); the total came to $669.00. Then I added up a year’s worth of our basic satellite television (not including Sunday Ticket — the reason we have it); the total came to $720.00. For the difference, you can almost throw in a year’s subscription to Netflix streaming. Just something to think about.
Here is a list of what I’ve found pretty in no particular order. I’m sure it is not exhaustive. Feel free to post other ideas in the comments section.
The Works Museum
What it is:
The Works is a museum in Bloomington dedicated to inspiring children to become “innovators, engineers and problem solvers”. Note: memberships are currently on sale. I don’t know how long the sale will last, but you can subtract $10 from each membership if you act now. At these prices, you are only paying $5/month for a family membership. With admission costing $8/per person, a family of four would only need to visit twice to recoup their costs.
Cost:
Dual Membership – $50 (formally You & Me Membership) Two individuals
Family Membership – $70 Up to two adults and their children
Grandparent Membership – $65 Up to two adults and their grandkids
Perks:
All memberships are tax-deductible.
Enjoy unlimited visits all year. The savings over one-day admissions add up quickly!
Take 10% off on purchases in our Gift Shop.
Receive a $10 discount on all summer camps and $5 discount on one-day camps.
Receive $25 off birthday parties!
Enjoy our monthly member e-newsletter with information about upcoming special events, at-home activities to do with your kids, and more!
Access to special events at The Works is discounted or free.
Visit over 250 participating science centers across the country and around the world for free or discounted admission through the ASTC Passport Program. See participating museums
How to Become a Member:
Online: Become a Member Today
Mail: Please send a check to The Works, 9740 Grand Ave., Bloomington, MN 55420
Phone: Call us with your credit card information- 952-888-4262
Questions? Contact Alexis at Alexis@theworks.org or 952-888-4262 ext. 211
Minnesota Children’s Museum
What it is:
The Minnesota Children’s Museum, has been around since 1981. It’s goal is to to provide a fun, hands-on and stimulating environment for children to explore and discover and to instill a life-long love of learning by nurturing the real-world skills children need to become engaged citizens in the future. This is one of the places that offers free needs based memberships for qualifying income levels (for instance a family of 4 that makes less than $30,615.00 per year). There is also a discount for foster parents.
Cost:
Purchase your gift membership before December 31 to save $10!
Passport membership ($95):
Passport Deluxe membership ($129):
Adventurer membership ($179):
Perks:
Unlimited admission* for 12 months for two adults named on the membership and all children under age 18 residing in a single household
$2 off admission for up to six guests per visit**
Discounts on programs, seasonal events
Invitations to exhibit openings and special member events
Member Bonus Benefits featuring special member offers at local businesses and attractions
50% off the general admission ticket price ($4.50) at Minnesota Children’s Museum of Rochester
Plus extras for the higher levels
How to Become a Member:
Visit the Minnesota Children’s Museum website for gift membership options. They also offer gift cards for a more budget friendly gift of family fun.
American Swedish Institute
What it is:
The American Swedish Institute is located in a the old Swan Turnblad Mansion. Founded in 1929, it serves as a gathering place for people to share stories and experiences around universal themes of tradition, migration, craft and the arts, all informed by enduring ties to Sweden. Daily Admission is $9.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 6 and up. So, depending on your family size, the membership will pay for itself in 3-4 visits.
Cost:
Dual Membership: $60.00
Family Membership: $65.00
There are also membership levels for single people or for sustaining members. I assume most of our readers will want the Dual or Family.
Perks:
Free admission to the Turnblad Mansion during open hours
10% discount at the ASI Museum Shop and ShopSwedish.com
Subscription to Posten newsletter
Free or discounted admission to films, lectures, concerts, dinners, and special events
Reduced tuition for classes and workshops
Reciprocal admission privileges to eight museums in the United States and Sweden.
Plus extras for the higher levels
How to Become a Member:
Join or renew your membership here.
Minnesota Ski Pass
What it is:
From the DNR website: “All cross-country skiers on ski trails in State Parks or Forests, or on State or Grant-in-Aid Trails, who are aged 16 and above must have a Minnesota Ski Pass. You must sign your ski pass and carry it with you when skiing. Your ski pass fee helps support Minnesota’s cross-country ski trail system.”
I’m not a huge fan of the idea that we have to purchase a pass to cross country ski. It seems counter-productive to the goal of a healthy society to put barriers in the way of exercise. I know it has been a barrier for me in the past. I understand that someone has to pay for the maintenance of the ski paths, but we don’t use that same logic for walkers, runners or bikers. However, assuming your children are under 16, a Ski Pass is one of the cheaper gifts of family fun; and it will help get your family out during the winter months.
Cost:
These are for individual passes. I don’t see a family price. However, you do not need to purchase a pass for children under 16.
Daily ski pass: $6
One-season ski pass: $20
(effective from July 1st of purchasing year to June 30 of following year, i.e. 07/01/2010 – 06/30/2011)
Three-season ski pass: $55
(effective July 1st of purchasing year to June 30 of third year, i.e. 07/01/2010 – 06/30/2013)
Perks:
Once you have your Minnesota Ski Pass, you can ski on any trail on the 135 ski pass trails in Minnesota, including 20 in the Metro area.
How to Purchase Your Pass:
After all of my whining above, passes are pretty easy to purchase. You have so many options, I can’t list them in detail here. You can purchase in person at parks, electronic licensing stations and at the DNR License Center. You can also purchase online or by phone. Details can be found HERE. Duplicate passes are available via any of the above purchasing methods. Duplicate passes are $2.50.
State Parks Vehicle Permit
What it is:
There are 76 State Parks in Minnesota. Daily vehicle passes are $5.00. That would add up to $380.00 to visit each park once. It only takes 5 visits to earn back the cost of an annual pass. I plan to buy this pass the same year I buy a Minnesota Historical Society Membership.
Cost:
Annual Pass: $25.00
There are discounts for disabled veterans and active duty personnel.
Perks:
A year-round permit provides unlimited access to all 76 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas for a full year from the month of purchase.
By purchasing a permit, you help maintain and improve the natural resources, facilities, and education and outreach programs that make Minnesota’s state parks among the best in the nation.
How to Purchase a Pass:
Call
DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 (Twin Cities area)
Toll free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367)
Visit
Any Minnesota state park, and purchase from self-serve kiosk or the front office
REI locations in Bloomington, Roseville, and Maple Grove
Minnesota DNR License Center, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul
Hennepin County Service Centers in Brooklyn Center, Eden Prairie, Edina, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, and Minnetonka
Minnesota’s Bookstore, St. Paul.
Minnesota Historical Society
What it is:
The Minnesota Historical Society consists of 26 historical landmarks all over the state. Six of them are right in the Twin Cities. You can get your money’s worth without leaving the Metro area or you can use it as an excuse to explore this great state. Being a transplant from Wisconsin, I am really looking forward to doing this. I want my youngest to be old enough to have some memories of these things, but next year my oldest will be in the fourth grade. I think that is the perfect age for Minnesota Historical Society membership.
Cost:
Household and Household Plus Memberships are currently on sale. I don’t know how long that will last.
Household
Benefits for 2 adults and children or grandchildren under 18
$70 (regular $75)
Household Senior
Benefits for 2 seniors and children or grandchildren under 18 (65+)
$65
Household Plus
Benefits for 2 adults and children or grandchildren under 18 plus 2 guest admission passes per visit
$90 (regular $95)
Perks:
Time Travelers Discounts – Nationwide. Your membership includes benefits at over 100 historical organizations and museums nationwide through Time Travelers. Just present your current Minnesota Historical Society membership card at Time Travelers affiliates and receive a variety of benefits, such as free admission or gift-shop discounts.
Publications Delivered to your Doorstep. You’ll enjoy the award-winning publications delivered to your doorstep quarterly : Minnesota History magazine and History Matters newsletter.
Members-Only Events. Be the first to hear about and enjoy exhibit previews, lectures, double discount shopping days and other members-only events.
Discounts. Members get discounts on everything from purchases in the Museum Stores, Cafes, and online store; historical photography and photocopy orders; parking; classes and more.
Tax-deductible. A portion of your membership dues is tax-deductible.
Preserve Minnesota History. You have an opportunity to support a vital cultural resource and to preserve Minnesota history.
How to Become a Member:
Membership can be purchased online HERE.
The Walker
What it is:
Yes, there is always Free First Saturday at Walker Art Center but the years that we have had a membership to the Walker it has gotten used. It’s a great place to bring out of town guests. The films that they show are a great alternative to going to a movie for a date night. And of course, there is Arty Pants — the Tuesday Play Date. Just participating in Arty Pants twice a month will pay for your membership, so the other things are a perk.
Cost:
Dual Membership: $70.00
Family Membership: $75.00
Friend Membership: $100.00
Again, there are other membership levels, but I think these are the three levels that would be of interest to the majority of readers.
Perks:
Free gallery admission
Up to 50% off event tickets (two per event)
10% Walker Art Center Shop discount
10% off all dining at the Walker (Garden Cafe & Grill and Gather by D’Amico)
Invitations to special members-only event
Walker magazine subscription
A discounted rate of $5 for your participation in a private guided tour (regular rate $10)
Discounts on membership, classes and events at select regional arts organizations
Discounts on more than 30 art and design magazines
One year free subscription to Dwell magazine
Advance notice on ticket sales and upcoming events
Express admission during peak gallery hours
The Friend Level also has reciprocal museum membership privileges at more than 400 museums worldwide. I would definitely consider this if we were planning to travel during the year.
How to Become a Member:
Membership can be purchased online HERE or in person at The Walker.
The Science Museum of Minnesota
What it is:
The Science Museum is something I always consider out of my budget; but memberships are really quite affordable. They are more than the others, but not by a lot. The Science Museum also offers needs based discounts. If you are even on WIC, you qualify for discounted prices that bring membership down to below the price of most the other museums I’ve featured.
Cost:
Dual Membership: $69.00
Family Membership: $99.00
Darwin Membership: $150.00 (This includes your family plus two additional adults)
Perks:
Exhibit hall admission for all members
One Omnitheater admission for all regularly scheduled films for each member each time you visit
Discounts on Special Exhibitions
Free advance reservations by calling (651) 221-9444
Discounted reservation fee when buying tickets online
Discounted parking rates
10% discount in the Explore Store
10% discount on Big Back Yard mini-golf
Free exhibit admission to over 290 museums around the world
Basic memberships are tax deductible
Free subscription to eScope, the members’ e-newsletter
Priority registration for youth classes and camps
Discounts on youth classes, camps and birthday parties
Discounts on adult computer education
How to Become a Member:
Memberships may be purchased online, via phone at (651) 221-9444, or at the Box Office.
Minnesota Zoo
What it is:
I don’t get to the Minnesota Zoo much. It is too long of a drive from Northeast Minneapolis when Como is so close. But it is always a treat when we do get there. This is the most expensive membership on this list. However, if its something you do often, it is totally worth it.
Cost:
Dual Membership $100
Household Membership $130
Household Plus Membership $155
Perks:
Free Zoo admission and free parking during regular Zoo hours, plus special member events, like Snack with Santa and Pancakes and Penguins.
Half price admission to more than 100 zoos across the country. (Some restrictions apply.) Reciprocity is subject to change. Please contact any reciprocal institution with the date you may be visiting to verify reciprocal policies.
Your guests will receive a discount of $2 off adult and $1 off child/senior admission prices.
Discount on education classes, camps, and overnights for named members.
10% discount at Zoo store on regularly priced merchandise and qualify for Members Rewards Programs. (Some exclusions may apply).
Discount on Great Clips IMAX Theatre tickets. For details call 952.431.IMAX
Advance sale of a limited number of “Music in the Zoo” concert tickets.
Member News is sent twice a month with information on animals, events and other opportunities. The schedule may vary on occasion.
Zoo Tracks, the Minnesota Zoo newsletter, is published online. You will be notified by e-mail when each new edition is posted.
Minnesotan’s for a Great Zoo , you will receive updates and information on a monthly basis.
Additional member appreciation perks available.
How to Become a Member:
You can purchase your membership online HERE.
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