I’m a go-er mom with on the go kids. Since day one of parenting it’s been my goal to give my kiddos as many fun experiences, ways to learn, and opportunities to explore and make memories. While the going, going, gone lifestyle sure is fun, it often comes with a heavy price tag. For my family, one amazing surprise and money saver has been museum reciprocal programs. I won’t gate keep this information, because you NEED to look into this if you have kids.
I learn from practical examples, so here is what my family does in East Tennessee. We are proud members of a Hands on Discovery near us. Our location offers a single adult membership for $30 a year, a two adult membership for $50 a year, and children memberships for $15 a year. For my family of 5 it costs $95 a year for unlimited visits! That’s already a great deal, but it gets better. Our Hands on Museum is part of the ASTC reciprocal program so we also have access to FREE or HIGHLY discounted admission at hundreds of other children’s museums. What does this mean for my family? As we plan vacations or day trips we intentionally find locations that have ASTC museums. The kids absolutely love to explore new museums and we absolutely love the free fun!
1. AMC Reciprocal Program
The Association of Children’s Museums (AMC) Reciprocal Program is a membership benefit offered by children’s museums that are part of the AMC network. Tennessee AMC Museums include: The Children’s Museum of Memphis in Memphis, AMuse’um Children’s Museum in Columbia, Discovery Center at Murfree Spring in Murfreesboro, Creative Discovery Museum in Chattanooga, Imagine Foundry in Cookeville, The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge in Oak Ridge, and Muse in Knoxville participate in this program, allowing families to enjoy reciprocal benefits at other AMC-affiliated museums. You can find the full lost of AMC Museums HERE.
2. ASTC Reciprocal Program
The Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) Reciprocal Program is another fantastic option for Tennessee families. Unlike the AMC program, which focuses on children’s museums, the ASTC program is designed for science and technology museums. Tennessee ASTC Museums include: Adventure Science Center in Nashville, American Museum of Science & Energy in Oak Ridge, Discovery Center at Murfree Spring in Murfreesboro, Discovery Park of America in Union City, Hands On! Discovery Center in Gray, Hands-On Science Center in Tullahoma, Lichterman Nature Center in Memphis, Memphis Museums of Science and History in Memphis, and Muse in Knoxville, but the ASTC benefits extend well beyond Tennessee. You can see the full list of ASTC participating museums HERE.
