Thanks to generous financial support from area foundations, corporations and families, the Museum provides free Museum memberships to families in need through our Family Focus program.

Family Focus memberships provide all the benefits of regular membership, with additional support for parents, including financial assistance for bus transportation to the Museum or free parking.

Family Focus membership benefits
How do I qualify for a Family Focus membership?
How can I apply for a Family Focus membership?
Family Focus orientation
How can I renew my Family Focus membership?
Questions about Family Focus?
Support for Family Focus

Family Focus membership benefits

• Free Museum admission for two adults and all children in the household (up to 18 years old) for one full year.
• Invitations to members-only and special events
• A subscription to the Museum's newsletter, Handprints
• Discounts on Museum parties, special events and workshops
• A 10% discount on Museum gift shop purchases
• Free parking and transportation assistance

How do I qualify for a Family Focus membership?

Families may qualify for the free Family Focus membership if any of the following apply:

• A family has a combined household income of less than $40,000 per year
• A family receives assistance such as Badgercare Insurance/Forward card, Quest, Title 19, WIC or Medicaid
• A child or caregiver has special needs
• A child is in Head Start
• A family has a foster child
• A family member, who is a main caregiver, is deployed in the military
• A caregiver speaks limited English
• Other qualifications may also be considered. If you think you might qualify, but are unsure, please call (414)390-KIDS (5437), ext. 228, or email familyfocus@bbcmkids.org.

How can I apply for a Family Focus membership?

One adult per family must participate in a Museum orientation and provide proof of qualification including, but not limited to: documents proving participation in BadgerCare Plus, WIC, Title 19, Quest or Head Start; licensed foster parent documentation; an Individualized Education Plan (IEP); a W2 income form; or documents proving that a child is a military dependent with a deployed caregiver.

Family Focus orientation

• Upcoming orientation dates are:
  • Saturday, September 11 at 12 p.m.
  • Wednesday, September 15 at 12 p.m.
  • Tuesday, October 19 at 12 p.m.
  • Thursday, October 21 at 6:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, November 2 at 12 p.m.
  • Saturday, November 6 at 12 p.m.
  • Tuesday, December 7 at 12 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 11 at 12 p.m.


• You do not need to pre-register for a Family Focus orientation program.
• Families must bring proof of qualification (see above) to the orientation program.
• Upon arrival on one of the days listed above, check in at the Museum's Information Desk and let a Visitor Assistant know that you would like to participate in a Family Focus orientation program.
• The orientation program is geared toward adults, but children are always welcome.
• Families can enjoy free play in the Museum before and after the tour.
• Discounts will be available for the O'Donnell Park parking structure.

Questions about Family Focus?

Call (414)390-KIDS(5437), ext. 271, or email familyfocus@bbcmkids.org

How can I renew my Family Focus membership?

Click here to view and print our Family Focus membership renewal form. Complete the form and mail it to the Museum or submit it to a Visitor Assistant with a copy of qualifying proof at the Information Desk during your next Museum visit.

Support for Family Focus

Family Focus and Special Admissions is generously supported in part by the Albert J. and Flora H. Ellinger Foundation, A.O. Smith Foundation, Dorothy Inbusch Foundation, Elizabeth A. Brinn Foundation, Faye McBeath Foundation, Harley-Davidson Foundation, Richard and Ethel Herzfeld Foundation, Johnson Controls Foundation, Joy Global Foundation, Quad/Graphics, Rockwell Automation Charitable Corporation, Stackner Family Foundation, U.S. Bancorp Foundation and The Windhover Foundation.

Family Focus remains central to the Museum's mission to provide early learning opportunities for all children and families in our community. Because the Museum does not receive operating assistance from the United Way, UPAF, or from city, county, or state governments, annual contributions are critical to sustaining our mission and important programs like Family Focus.

If your business would like to support this important program, please click here. If you are an individual who would like to make a gift to support free memberships for families, please click here.