Memberships that will make great memories

Here is a list of some kid-friendly museums and theaters offering memberships or subscriptions for grandparents and grandchildren.

Of the Woodland Park Zoo's 45,000 members, for example, about a fifth are grandparents, estimates membership manager Marleen Lucas. The family membership is open to two adults, which sometimes is grandma and grandpa or grandma and adult daughter, she said.

While there's the occasional grandma with 18 grandkids, most of the time grandparents sign up for two to four grandchildren, Lucas said. Some organizations limit the number of grandchildren allowed on memberships.

For potential savings on some outings and more gift ideas, check out King County's Waste-Free Holidays program.

Merchants such as the Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Thunderbirds and Seattle Youth Symphony offer discounts as part of the county's push to "give experiences instead of stuff." Call 206-296-4466 or visit www.metrokc.gov.

Woodland Park Zoo: Family memberships are good for free admission for a year, two guest passes, half-price admission for guests, and more. Membership for two adults plus grandchildren under 18 costs $60. 206-684-4800 or www.zoo.org.

A family AquaZoo membership for $95 offers Woodland Park Zoo benefits plus a one-year pass to the Seattle Aquarium and five aquarium guest passes.

Seattle Aquarium: Gift memberships offer one year admission, five one-time guest passes and more. $50 for two adults and grandchildren under 18. 206-682-3474 or www.seattleaquarium.org.

Seattle Children's Theatre: Two shows play through January, with three more plays this winter and spring. Individual tickets run $10 to $26, while a three-play subscription is $37 to $62 (first-tier seating is sold out). 206-441-3322 or www.sct.org.

Northwest Puppet Center: Three puppet shows will play this winter and spring. Tickets are $7.50 to $9.50. 206-523-2579 or www.nwpuppet.org.

Pacific Science Center: Membership benefits include one-year admission, free tickets for each new IMAX movie and more. The cheaper family membership only covers a household so grandparents have to spring for the $90 gold family membership that allows five guests to enter for free each time the grandparents use the membership.

A super gold membership gives all the PSC benefits, plus unlimited visits to The Children's Museum. Cost is $98 for a super family membership or $123 for a super gold membership. 206-443-2924 or www.pacsci.org.

The Children's Museum: Grandparent membership for $65 includes one-year admission for all grandchildren and more. 206-441-1768 or www.thechildrensmuseum.org.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium: Membership includes free admission for one year as well as discounted or free admission at other participating zoos. Grandparent membership is $49 (two adults and up to five grandchildren age 4 through 18 per visit), while a grandparent combo membership with the zoo and unlimited visits to Northwest Trek is $85. 253-591-5368 or www.pdza.org.

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park: Grandparent membership for $60 includes two adults and up to five grandchildren through age 17. 360-832-6117 or www.nwtrek.org.

Museum of Flight: Membership costs $40 and includes one-year admission for two adults and all grandchildren under age 18 and more. 206-764-5711 or www.museumofflight.org.