Sep. 14, 2011 at 8:02am
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We've got answers.
We often get questions about museum policies and procedures, both from our member surveys and in the museum’s comment box. If you have something to say and leave your contact information along with the comment, be assured that we will get back to you. And if you have a question or concern during your visit, please feel free to talk to the staff about it – we are always there to help.
But for those of you who are curious, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions:
Q: Why are you closed on Mondays?
A: KidsQuest is open 324 days a year, Tuesday through Sunday, and Mondays during the summer. We close on Mondays during the school year to maintain, refresh, repair and clean the Museum for your family. Once a year we close for one full week for SuperClean, which gives us time for major updates and a super deep cleaning. We’re open during Bellevue School district breaks and closed on a few holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving so our staff can spend time with their families. Check our website to see our regular schedule.
Q: Why do some exhibits not function as expected when we visit?
A: If you experience difficulty with an exhibit, please let us know immediately! Often times a toy is stuck and a staff member can get you back to playing in no time. With thousands of hands on the exhibits each week, some maintenance is required. Once we know an exhibit needs attention, we work to fix it right away. Occasionally we must wait for specialized staff or for the Museum to close for the day before we can fix it.
Q: What are the quieter times of the day to visit?
A: KidsQuest has an average of 160,000 visitors each year. It is a very popular community gathering place. On school holidays and days when the weather is not conducive to outdoor activity we are often busy. Mornings and 5-8pm on the first Friday of the month are typically the busiest times. Usually it is quieter in the afternoon and on Thursday evenings. Member-only hours are quieter, and are offered on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9-10am.
Q: What are the benefits of membership?
A: For a family of four, a membership to KidsQuest pays for itself for in just three visits! With discounts on classes, workshops, camps, special events, birthday parties, and ExploreStore purchases, as well as partner discounts at local retailers and organizations, membership continues to pay for itself throughout the year. Members-only hours every week, members-only parties, and two-for-one coupons to other NW children’s museums are additional member benefits. Higher levels of membership provide additional benefits such as more guest passes, additional adults on your membership (great for grandparents, nannies or blended families), and free family admission to children’s museums around the country.
Q: Why do adults pay admission?
A: KidsQuest is an interactive experience meant to be enjoyed by the entire family. We don’t think of adults as being here just to supervise. Instead, adults and children are meant to explore KidsQuest exhibits together, gaining knowledge through interactive play. It is standard practice for nonprofit cultural organizations (such as museums, zoos and aquariums) to charge general admission for all individuals.
Q: Why charge admission for special events?
A: Special events like Halloween Spooktacular, Eggstraordinary Egg Hunt and Gingerbread Workshops require additional supplies and staffing, as well as additional operating hours. By charging everyone a small registration fee for these events, we are able to provide the kind of educational and entertaining programming that makes KidsQuest the community resource that it is, as well as keep the cost accessible to as many families as possible. Members-only parties are usually complimentary.
Got questions? Email info@kidsquestmuseum.org!
But for those of you who are curious, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions:
Q: How do you keep the Museum clean?
A: We clean all the time! The entire museum is professionally cleaned each and every night (this includes bathrooms, floors, vacuuming, dusting, etc). Toddler toys are disinfected nightly, the bathrooms are deep-cleaned twice a month, and each exhibit is cleaned top to bottom once a week. We also provide hand sanitizer at the front desk, and ask that visitors come back to the museum on another day if they have a sick child.Q: Why are you closed on Mondays?
A: KidsQuest is open 324 days a year, Tuesday through Sunday, and Mondays during the summer. We close on Mondays during the school year to maintain, refresh, repair and clean the Museum for your family. Once a year we close for one full week for SuperClean, which gives us time for major updates and a super deep cleaning. We’re open during Bellevue School district breaks and closed on a few holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving so our staff can spend time with their families. Check our website to see our regular schedule.
Q: Why do some exhibits not function as expected when we visit?
A: If you experience difficulty with an exhibit, please let us know immediately! Often times a toy is stuck and a staff member can get you back to playing in no time. With thousands of hands on the exhibits each week, some maintenance is required. Once we know an exhibit needs attention, we work to fix it right away. Occasionally we must wait for specialized staff or for the Museum to close for the day before we can fix it.
Q: What are the quieter times of the day to visit?
A: KidsQuest has an average of 160,000 visitors each year. It is a very popular community gathering place. On school holidays and days when the weather is not conducive to outdoor activity we are often busy. Mornings and 5-8pm on the first Friday of the month are typically the busiest times. Usually it is quieter in the afternoon and on Thursday evenings. Member-only hours are quieter, and are offered on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9-10am.
Q: What are the benefits of membership?
A: For a family of four, a membership to KidsQuest pays for itself for in just three visits! With discounts on classes, workshops, camps, special events, birthday parties, and ExploreStore purchases, as well as partner discounts at local retailers and organizations, membership continues to pay for itself throughout the year. Members-only hours every week, members-only parties, and two-for-one coupons to other NW children’s museums are additional member benefits. Higher levels of membership provide additional benefits such as more guest passes, additional adults on your membership (great for grandparents, nannies or blended families), and free family admission to children’s museums around the country.
Q: Why do adults pay admission?
A: KidsQuest is an interactive experience meant to be enjoyed by the entire family. We don’t think of adults as being here just to supervise. Instead, adults and children are meant to explore KidsQuest exhibits together, gaining knowledge through interactive play. It is standard practice for nonprofit cultural organizations (such as museums, zoos and aquariums) to charge general admission for all individuals.
Q: Why charge admission for special events?
A: Special events like Halloween Spooktacular, Eggstraordinary Egg Hunt and Gingerbread Workshops require additional supplies and staffing, as well as additional operating hours. By charging everyone a small registration fee for these events, we are able to provide the kind of educational and entertaining programming that makes KidsQuest the community resource that it is, as well as keep the cost accessible to as many families as possible. Members-only parties are usually complimentary.
Got questions? Email info@kidsquestmuseum.org!
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