Saving money on family fun

We bought a family pass to the Science Centers and Children's Hands on Museums. Since they have a program that allows you to visit them all over the world, you only need to buy one. We bought ours here http://impression5.org/index.php. This was the cheapest to purchase. Others in our area were $80, $90. This one was only $60. We bought an extra year when they had their birthday party for the museum and got 2 years for $100. You can buy a membership over the phone too.

The area museums that we go to are- Cranbrook http://science.cranbrook.edu/( dinosaurs, fossils, birds, rocks, stars,),
Flint Children's Museum http://www.flintchildrensmuseum.org/( oh my- all child sized for ages 1-10 fun for mommy and daddy too!
Impression 5 Hands on Museum-http://www.impression5.org/index.htm
They all allow you to bring in your own food and drinks. There are tables to eat your snacks or lunch at. Another good rule of thumb is to go after the school field trip rushes- anytime after 1 pm. That way you will have the museum mostly to yourselves!

Here is the complete list for the state of Michigan. There are a few in Ohio and Indiana. We went to the Cosi in Toledo but it closed. It combined with the Cosi in Cleveland. Maybe a good day trip....Also, the Flint museum, Cranbrook, and Impression 5 museum all have FREE PARKING. I really don't like paying for parking when I don't have to. I like to make my dollar stretch as far as I can!

Alden B. Dow Museum of Science & Art1801 West St. Andrews RoadMidland, MIweb site: www.mcfta.org
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum220 East Ann StreetAnn Arbor, MIweb site: www.aahom.org

Cranbrook Institute of ScienceP.O. Box 80139221 Woodward AvenueBloomfield Hills, MIweb site: science.cranbrook.edu
Detroit Science Center5020 John R. StreetDetroit, MIweb site: www.detroitsciencecenter.org

Museum of Natural History1109 Geddes Avenue Ann Arbor, MIweb site: www.lsa.umich.edu/exhibitmuseum

The Flint Children's Museum1602 West Third AvenueFlint, MIweb site: www.flintchildrensmuseum.org

Impression 5 Science Center200 Museum DriveLansing, MIweb site: www.impression5.org

Kingman Museum175 Limit StreetBattle Creek, MIweb site: www.kingmanmuseum.org

Museum at Southwestern Michigan College58900 Cherry Grove RoadDowagiac, MIweb site: www.swmich.edu/museum

Sloan*Longway1221 East Kearsley StreetFlint, MIweb site: www.sloanmuseum.org
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Saving money on family fun

This is my first post to what I am sure will be many. We are a busy homeschool family that likes to do things together. My days are filled with cooking, homeschooling, keeping the boys busy, cleaning, etc.