Membership FAQs

For other questions contact our membership team from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm at 203 899 0606, ext. 264 or reach out at any time at membership@steppingstonesmuseum.org

Membership Levels and Benefits

What is the difference between the levels of membership?

The primary things that vary based on membership level are:

Number of designated adults. Family Plus and Donor level memberships automatically allow for THREE (3) designated adult members. Family level membership may allow either TWO (2) or THREE (3) designated adults based on the option chosen during registration. Grandparent levels allow for only TWO (2) designated adults.
Allowance of guests. Family Plus and Donor level members may redeem FREE admission for up to two guests per visit.
Reciprocal network benefits. Family Plus and Donor level members will find logos on their digital member cards which entitle them to free or reduced admission to participating museums nationwide. For more info, see the “Reciprocal Networks” section of this document.

What other benefits come with my membership?

The primary things that vary based on membership level are:

Number of designated adults. Family Plus and Donor level memberships automatically allow for THREE (3) designated adult members. Family level membership may allow either TWO (2) or THREE (3) designated adults based on the option chosen during registration. Grandparent levels allow for only TWO (2) designated adults.
Allowance of guests. Family Plus and Donor level members may redeem FREE admission for up to two guests per visit.
Reciprocal network benefits. Family Plus and Donor level members will find logos on their digital member cards which entitle them to free or reduced admission to participating museums nationwide. For more info, see the “Reciprocal Networks” section of this document.

Can my parent / nanny / sibling / friend bring my children?

This depends on your membership. Family Plus and Donor level members may list a grandparent, other relative or caregiver as the third designated adult on their membership. We do ask that guests attending under Family Plus memberships are accompanied by at least one listed member adult.

Family level members also have the option to list a third designated adult to their membership by selecting the “Family – Three Adults” option when registering or by upgrading to this plan.

Reciprocal Networks

What is a reciprocal network?

A museum reciprocal network allows members of certain museums to visit other participating institutions at a free or reduced cost of admission. Stepping Stones participates in two reciprocal networks: the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) and the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC). In order to redeem reciprocal benefits, simply present your Stepping Stones digital member card and a valid ID when visiting a participating museum.

PLEASE NOTE: ACM/ASTC reciprocal benefits are available ONLY to Family Plus and Donor level members of Stepping Stones Museum for Children. Specific logos located on digital cards for these levels must be displayed to redeem free or reduced admission.

What’s the difference between ACM and ASTC benefits?

ACM provides Stepping Stones Members with 50% off admission at ALL participating locations nationwide. ASTC provides free admission to a worldwide network or museums, with one stipulation: museums must be OVER 90 MILES from both the source institution (Stepping Stones) AND your home address in order to receive free admission. For instance, while a Stepping Stones member living in Norwalk could redeem free admission to participating ASTC museums in Rhode Island or Eastern Massachusetts, participating museums in New York City would not be eligible.

I’m a member of a participating ACM and/or ASTC museum. Can I get free or reduced admission to Stepping Stones?

Yes! If you are a member of an ACM institution, you may redeem 50% off the cost of admission for up to six (6) individuals. If you are a member of an ASTC institution and Stepping Stones is outside a 90-mile radius of both that museum and your home address, you may redeem free admission to Stepping Stones for up to six (6) individuals.

Are Zoos and Aquariums included in these reciprocal networks?

While there are over 400 children’s museums and science centers you can visit worldwide at a free or discounted rate, no zoos or aquariums are currently a part of either ACM or ASTC reciprocal networks.

I’m a Stepping Stones Family PLUS/Donor level member. How do I know what museums I can visit for free or reduced admission?

Both ACM and ASTC provide helpful tools to help you locate participating museums. To explore your options, see the Find a Children’s Museum page from ACM and the Find a Science Center page from ASTC.

Membership Cards and Check-in

I just purchased a membership. How do I check into the museum?

On your first visit to the museum after purchasing your membership, you may either a) scan your digital member card upon arrival, or b) ask one of our welcome desk associates to look up your membership by name.

PLEASE NOTE: We ask that member groups present valid ID at the time of check-in.

I just bought a membership, but haven’t received my digital member card yet. Is something wrong?

Almost certainly not! Our digital member cards are distributed by our third-party provider, Cuseum, at about 9:00 am every Friday. If you purchase your membership at 10:00 am on a Friday, that means it may take up to a week for your digital member card to arrive. But worry not! As stated above, our welcome desk associates will be able to look up your membership when you present ID at check in.

If I don’t need my member card for check-in, what do I need it for?

While we can look your membership up by name, scanning a digital card does make life quite a lot easier for our welcome desk associates. That being said, there are only a few situations where a digital member card is absolutely necessary:

Healthyville Café at Stepping Stones requires digital cards to be shown in order to redeem your 10% discount on food and beverages, as well as to receive your complimentary coffee or tea per visit.
The Shop at Stepping Stones offers a 10% discount on all toys, books, games, etc. with the presentation of a valid member card.
(For Family PLUS or Donor level members) Visiting a museum in the ACM or ASTC reciprocal networks. Staff at these participating museums must view the logo included on your digital card in order to approve free or reduced admission.

How do I download my digital card to my phone?

Locate the email titled “Your New Membership Card” from Stepping Stones. This will be sent automatically to the email address you provided on the first Friday following your registration.
Select “Download Membership Card”.
Select “Add to Apple Wallet” if using an iPhone or “Save to Google Wallet” if using and Android phone. This will automatically redirect you to your smartphone wallet where the card will appear.

PLEASE NOTE: Android users may need to download “Wallet Passes” or Google Wallet prior to downloading digital cards.
Your new digital member card should appear in your mobile wallet as follows. If you have any issues with downloading or accessing your member card, reach out to our team at membership@steppingstonesmuseum.org.

I only received one digital card! How do I get cards for other adults on my membership?

What if I don't have a smartphone?

We have you covered. We understand that not everyone will have a smartphone and that is okay! Contact us directly and we will send physical cards in the mail. Please allow up to 4 weeks for delivery.