Giving the gift of a family experience or activity is a great way to foster family fun in the coming year. Here are five membership gift ideas that would make a great gift from grandma.
1. Museum/Zoo Memberships
Museum of Science & Industry
Chicago: www.msichicago.org
An MSI gift membership is a present your friends and family can unwrap almost every day, and the best part is what’s inside: A real life submarine, bolts of lightning, a giant heart, a maze of mirrors, dozens of baby chicks, a Fairy Castle, a locomotive, and the list goes on. In addition to free Museum entry all year, membership benefits can include unforgettable events like our Member Camp-in and Open House, free or discounted tickets to Omnimax® films and special exhibitions, free parking, 10 percent off in stores and restaurants, reciprocal benefits at select museums in Chicago and around the world-and much more! To give a gift of fun and learning that’s sure to be a hit, visit msichicago.org/membership.
Discovery Center Museum
Rockford: discoverycentermuseum.org/support/member.asp
Give the gift that gives all year! A membership to Discovery Center Museum is a wonderful way to help a family have fun and learn together! It is also a fantastic means to provide grandparents and grandchildren a fun way to spend time together.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Chicago: www.lpzoo.org
Give back this holiday season with Lincoln Park Zoo! From ADOPTing an animal to providing enrichment, holiday gifts help the zoo stay free and open 365 days a year and support the zoo’s global wildlife conservation initiatives.
Chicago Children’s Museum
Chicago: www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org/index.php/membership/join-renew
Give the gift of play to your favorite families—including your own! Membership at Chicago Children’s Museum provides unlimited access to play-based exhibits and programs that delight, inspire and make learning a blast. It’s the perfect fit for families of all sizes!
DuPage Children’s Museum
Naperville: www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org
Ignite a lifelong love of learning with DuPage Children’s Museum. A gift membership provides serious fun for an entire year – for the whole family. Why serious fun? Kids are playing and having a blast while parents know they are also learning important lessons about S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, art, math) and the world all around them. Be the spark that ignites a young learner today!
Chicago History Museum
Chicago: www.chicagohistory.org
Make it a historic holiday with a Chicago History Museum gift membership! Members of the Chicago History Museum enjoy unlimited access to the Museum, Research Center, all special exhibitions, invitations to member-events, discounts on tours, programs, the Museum Store and North & Clark Café, plus much more! All gift memberships purchased at the Museum from December 1 through December 31 will come with a pre-wrapped Museum catalog, so your gift is ready for giving!
2. Fitness/Sports Activities
British Swim Schools
Multiple locations: britishswimschool.com
British Swim School offers water survival and learn to swim classes for children from ages 3 months old on up. Classes are small and held at indoor, year-round pools. Sign up the whole family so that every person, regardless of age or ability, has the opportunity to become a safe and happy swimmer in the water.
YMCA of Metro Chicago
21 Locations throughout Chicagoland: ymcachicago.org
Give the gift of health this holiday season. Y gift cards are available in the amount of your choice and can be redeemed at any YMCA of Metro Chicago YMCA location for any program, service or membership.
Top Golf
Naperville & Wood Dale: topgolf.com
Whether or not you know how to swing a club, these specialty driving ranges provide fun for the whole family.
3. Creative Arts
Water Street Studios
Batavia: waterstreetstudios.org
This non-profit arts center offers classes in drawing, painting, pottery, beadmaking, and many more artistic endeavors. Even if you don’t take any classes, check out the studio for unique gift options.
Monart
Arlington Hts.: www.sharpeexpressions.com
This drawing studio helps build self-esteem in students and believes that “everyone can learn to draw.”
Fine Line Creative Arts Center
St. Charles: fineline.org
Don’t miss the Exploration Day on Jan. 9 when you can sample a “taste” of classes, including glass beadmaking, collage, polymer clay, felting, blacksmithing, chain maille, ceramics and weaving.
4. Going Places
Metra Ten-ride
For easy treks into the city, order your METRA 10-Ride pass online and receive your tickets in the mail. On weekends and holidays, kids 11 and under ride free with a fare-paying adult. With 241 stations in the Chicagoland area, it’s a great way to travel.
Go Chicago Pass
Want discounts to Chicago’s museums and attractions? Just order the go pass that fits your timing and the attractions that you want to visit. It’s a great way to save.
5. Performances/Movie passes
Marriott Theater
Lincolnshire: www.marriotttheatre.com
With Elf and Suessical playing in December, this theater offers entertainment for the whole family. A subscription to the 2016 season makes a great holiday gift!
Classic Cinemas
Multiple Locations: www.classiccinemas.com/
Did you know that Classic Cinemas now offers $5 Tuesdays? Order a Reel Money® gift card that you can use like cash for admissions and snacks at all 13 Classic Cinemas.
McAninich Arts Center at CDC
Glen Ellyn: www.atthemac.org
The MAC presents a wide range of kid-friendly shows and family entertainment all season long.