Do you have kids aged 2-12 who enjoy interactive play? If so, you might want to learn more about the ACM Reciprocal Network. This isn’t a membership we have used personally. But we know traveling families who enjoy the perks of visiting these children’s museums for half-off. That can be significant savings depending on how often you visit! So let’s dive in and learn more about the program to determine if it’s right for you!
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If you think traveling with your kids isn’t worth it, be sure to check out Why You Should Travel with Your Young Kids… for more information!
What Is ACM?
The Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) is a network of worldwide museums championing and advocating for nonprofit educational and cultural institutions that enrich kids’ lives. ACM began in 1962, and since its inception has grown to more than 470 members in 50 states and 11 countries.
Children’s museums are unique in that they treat kids as the main customers. These museums understand that play is learning; through hands-on activities, children develop healthy social, emotional, and cognitive skills. The exhibits stimulate curiosity and motivate learning. Children learn without realizing they’re learning because it’s fun and interactive.
What Is the ACM Reciprocal Network?
The ACM Reciprocal Network is a special group of these children’s museums that provide discounted admission to each other’s members. There are locations across the U.S. and Canada that offer this reciprocity. Approximately 200 ACM members allow 50% off general admission for up to six people. To receive access to the ACM Reciprocal Network, you must be a member at one of the ACM locations.
Pros Of the ACM Reciprocal Network
While we don’t have children, we have friends who love the ACM Reciprocal Network. They can visit any of the locations for ½ off the admission price. That’s a significant savings for a family.
For example, the Miami Children’s Museum is a member of the ACM Reciprocal Network. Tickets are $24 for general admission. This would be $96 for a family of four who are not Florida residents. This same family would only pay $48 by showing their membership card for the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, which is also part of the ACM Reciprocal Network.
There are also lots of locations. For a traveling family, this is ideal. They may visit the i.d.e.a. Museum outside Phoenix in January, travel north to Utah in April, and be able to take advantage of more savings at the St. George Children’s Museum. Because every location is different, the kids learn something new at every children’s museum.
Cons Of the ACM Reciprocal Network
Like any membership, the ACM Reciprocal Network is only worth it if you use it. If you pay for a membership to the Thinkery in Austin, that’s $195 for a family of four. You can visit the Thinkery as much as you like during the year for free. You can also visit the ACM Reciprocal Network museums for 50% off. But if you don’t take advantage of that perk, is the membership worth it?
For example, general admission at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is $19 for adults and $17 for children. That’s $89 per visit for a family of five. The “explore for five” family membership is $175. If you visit this location twice, you’ve paid off the membership. But if you buy a membership intending to visit and don’t, then you haven’t saved anything.
Some families find the cheapest membership in the U.S. with the plans of using the ACM Reciprocal Network and not the actual museum where they purchase the membership. If the membership is $175, and they only visit two children’s museums during the year, they haven’t really saved the 50% discount.
Besides not using the ACM Reciprocal Network, another con to the program is the fact that families still have to pay 50%. This can be over budget for some travelers if you have to drop $50 every time you visit a children’s museum.
How Do I Sign Up For the ACM Reciprocal Network?
You can purchase a membership at any children’s museum. However, make sure you buy from an ACM Reciprocal Network member. Not all children’s museums participate in the program.
For example, the Flint Children’s Museum in Michigan is part of ACM. But it’s not part of the ACM Reciprocal Network. Your membership from another children’s museum won’t be recognized at this location. Members of all other ASTC organizations receive free entry, but that’s a whole other membership program.
In Oregon, the only ACM Reciprocal Network member is Adventure! Children’s Museum in Eugen. A membership for a family of four is $140. It’s $165 at Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville, Arkansas to gain access to the ACM Reciprocal Network.
The prices are different at the various locations. So, if you don’t plan on making one location your “home” that you’ll visit several times during the year for free, you’ll want to do some research to find the cheapest option in the country.
Is the ACM Reciprocal Network Worth It?
The ACM Reciprocal Network is ideal for families with children aged 2-12 who enjoy interactive play. Full-time traveling families can save the most with this membership since it includes locations all over the U.S. But even part-time traveling families can take advantage of the 50% off admission if they travel to areas where ACM Reciprocal Network members will honor the discount.
Take a look at the map to find locations in the U.S. to determine if the ACM Reciprocal Network is worth it for your family!
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