Wonder Universe is located inside the New River Valley Mall in Christiansburg, VA.

At Wonder Universe, we are committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable experience for all visitors. To ensure the safety of our guests, staff, and exhibits, we ask all visitors to adhere to the following rules:

Supervision & Child Safety

• All children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult (18+ years old) at all times.
• Adults are responsible for their children’s behavior and must remain within arm’s reach of them.
• Museum staff are not responsible for supervising children.

Rules of The Meadow

• The Meadow is designated for children ages 0-3 years old and their caregivers.
• Children 3 years and older may be asked to leave the area to ensure a safe space for younger visitors.
• Shoes must be removed before entering to maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards.

Respect for Others

• Visitors must treat staff, volunteers, and other guests with kindness and respect.
• No disruptive, aggressive, or inappropriate behavior will be tolerated. This includes pushing, hitting, shouting, or using offensive language.
• Bullying or harassment of any kind is strictly prohibited.

Respect for Exhibits & Facilities

• Please use exhibits as intended and follow posted instructions.
• Climbing, hanging, or damaging exhibits is not allowed.
• Food, drinks, and chewing gum are not permitted in exhibit areas to maintain cleanliness and protect interactive displays.

Prohibited Items & Activities

• Smoking, vaping, alcohol, and illegal substances are not allowed on museum property.
• Weapons or dangerous objects are strictly prohibited.
• Running, rough play, and unsafe behavior (e.g., jumping from structures) are not allowed.

Lost & Found / Lost Child Policy

• If a child becomes separated from their group, they should notify a staff member immediately.
• If you find a lost child, please alert the nearest museum employee.
• Lost and found items can be claimed at the front desk. Unclaimed items will be held for 30 days before being donated.

Failure to follow these rules may result in removal from the museum without a refund.

To ensure a safe and healthy environment for all visitors, we ask that you follow these health guidelines:

Illness Prevention

• Visitors who are feeling unwell or showing symptoms of illness (fever, cough, vomiting, etc.) should refrain from visiting the museum.
• If a visitor becomes ill during their visit, they should notify staff immediately.

Hygiene & Sanitation

• Handwashing is encouraged before and after playing in exhibits. Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the museum.
• Please cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow. Used tissues should be disposed of in trash bins.

Allergies & Food Safety

• To protect guests with allergies, certain areas of the museum may be designated as food-free zones.
• Outside food is not allowed except in designated eating areas or for medical or allergy-related needs.

Emergency Health Situations

• In case of a medical emergency, staff will provide immediate assistance and contact emergency services if needed.
• Museum staff are trained in basic first aid but do not administer medication.

By visiting the museum, guests agree to follow these guidelines to promote a safe and healthy environment for everyone.

Wonder Universe is proud to participate in the Museums for All initiative, offering discounted admission to families using EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards. This program is designed to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to explore and enjoy our interactive exhibits and educational programs.

Eligibility:

• To receive the discount, visitors must present a valid EBT card and a government-issued ID for verification at the time of admission.
• The discount is available for up to four individuals per EBT card (including the cardholder).

Discount Details:

• As part of the Museums for All program, we offer a discount on general admission fees for EBT cardholders and their immediate family members.
• $5 per adult (regular price $10)
• $2 per child (regular price $10)
• The discount applies to all standard exhibits and programs available at Wonder Universe.

How to Redeem:

1. Present your valid EBT card and government-issued ID at the front desk upon arrival.
2. The front desk staff will verify your eligibility and apply the discount to your admission.

Important Notes:

• This discount is available for general admission and can be used during regular operating hours.
• The EBT discount through Museums for All is available year-round and cannot be combined with other offers or promotions unless otherwise specified.
• Wonder Universe reserves the right to modify or discontinue this program at any time. Please check our website or contact us for the most current information.

We are committed to making our museum accessible to all families and are excited to participate in the Museums for All initiative to help provide cultural and educational experiences to families across our community. We hope this program helps create lasting memories for your family at Wonder Universe!

Field trips are designed to ensure large groups have a positive and fun experience at Wonder Universe. Field Trips will be scheduled on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings (10:00AM-12:00PM).

Admission Policy

• There is no admission fee for teachers. All other chaperones will be charged a $6 admission fee. Museum memberships, coupons and tickets do not apply toward field trip admission costs.
• Field trip fees, based on the number of registered participants indicated on the registration form, must be remitted in full upon arrival at the museum. There will be no fee adjustment for absent children.

Cancellation & Change Policy

• Because the museum is in high demand for visiting groups, we must limit the number of groups scheduled on any given day. Therefore, if your plans change, we ask that you cancel, reschedule, or change the number of children in your group well in advance of your visit.
• Cancellation or schedule changes initiated more than 48 hours in advance of a scheduled field trip will not result in any additional fee.
• Field trips cancelled within 48 hours of your groups scheduled arrival will result in an invoice and payment in full for the expected attendees.

Inclement Weather

• In the event of inclement weather resulting in schools or the museum closing, please contact our staff to reschedule your visit.

Special Needs

• Field trips and programs are available that accommodate children with special needs. Please let us know at the time of booking if your group has any children with special needs.

Safety & Behavior Guidelines

• We encourage teachers, chaperones, and caregivers to actively engage with students during your time at Wonder Universe. Your engagement will encourage active play and learning, and will model a positive example of behavior and safety in our museum.
• Respect for each other, our exhibits, resources, and materials is important to ensure everyone is able to play and learn together, now and in the future.
• Teachers, chaperones, and caregivers are responsible for monitoring the behavior and engagement of their students, and redirecting them, as needed, to help them make the most of this learning experience.

What to Bring

• You don’t need much when you visit Wonder Universe! Please encourage students to leave all valuables, electronics, and personal items (i.e. toys, games, etc.) at home or in another safe place. Wonder Universe is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items. Items left behind at Wonder Universe are kept in Lost and Found for 30 days. Please contact the museum during normal business hours if an item has been lost during your visit.