A friend asked me about my thoughts on visiting museums with children. Museums can be a great getaway. Hours of entertainment, free air conditioning and almost always a guaranteed nap filled ride home. Unfortunately many people are nervous about taking kids to anything besides a children’s museum. I’m here to tell you there is a way to make it a fun, stress free experience. Here are some things I came up with from working in and visiting museums
Before you go:
Stroller and bags: Many museums do not allow strollers or large bags for security reason. They will make you check them so be prepared to have your child walk or be carried.
Food:Most places have a café on sight but they can be pricey. You may want to scope out local restaurants or places to eat around the museum. You will not be allowed to bring food or drinks inside. Some institutions allow bottled water in the galleries.
Cell Phones: Museums are tightening the rule on cell phones by only allowing them in large public spaces, like the entrance, be prepared to put your phone on vibrate or turn it off completely.
Here We Go...
Ground Rules: One thing I think intimidates people is they are afraid their kids will touch everything which is why they avoid art museums and history museums. I like to greet the young visitors to our museum with a brief history of what we have and then tell them about our “R, S, T Rule” - No Running, No Shouting and most importantly No Touching. Straight and to the point. They usually get it too.
Avoid crowded hours: I once took my 2 year old to a major exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. On the day it closed. In June. In a stroller. Don’t do this.
While many places offer a sponsored free admission night or a family day, these are usually the most crowded. An insider tip: the best time to go is when the museum first opens.
Don’t make a day of it: When visiting with children keep the visit short. You don’t have to visit the Modern Art if your child only wants to look at the Egyptian sarcophagus. You can come back, the museum is not going anywhere and it’s still cheaper than flying to Egypt.
Visit the museums website: Every museum has a website in which you can view artifacts/collections before you go. Take a look at it. Show your kids what they are going to see. If they say they like something tell them to write it down and make a scavenger hunt to find that item when you get there. Some museums even offer pre-made kids brochures for your visit. You can find this info on their website as well.
Bring a notebook / sketch pad and a pencil: Many museums will allow you to sit and sketch. Bring a notebook for your little artist and let them sit in front of an object and make their own interpretation. The Mona Lisa is going to look different in the eyes of a four year old. PLEASE only bring pencils. We at museums know accidents happen but getting pencil off a wall is a lot easier than a sharpie.
Be the object: Go ahead and imitate Degas’ ballerina or a giant TRex. There are adults that do it too.
Take your time: Museums want you to leisurely stroll. There is no set schedule. We are happy you are here and we want you to enjoy your time and visit.
Talk to the staff: The guards are not just there to point you to the restroom or stare you down as you lean in too close. They know their stuff. Ask them questions about what you should see while you are there. Perhaps a new painting was just put out, they would know.
Visit the gift shop: Not your ideal thing to do after a long day at a museum but letting your child find that painting they loves in postcard form to hang on the fridge at home is going to bring the experience home.
Do you have any thoughts on visiting museums with children?
Images are responses from MOMA's "I went to MOMA project".
Before you go:
Stroller and bags: Many museums do not allow strollers or large bags for security reason. They will make you check them so be prepared to have your child walk or be carried.
Food:Most places have a café on sight but they can be pricey. You may want to scope out local restaurants or places to eat around the museum. You will not be allowed to bring food or drinks inside. Some institutions allow bottled water in the galleries.
Cell Phones: Museums are tightening the rule on cell phones by only allowing them in large public spaces, like the entrance, be prepared to put your phone on vibrate or turn it off completely.
Here We Go...Ground Rules: One thing I think intimidates people is they are afraid their kids will touch everything which is why they avoid art museums and history museums. I like to greet the young visitors to our museum with a brief history of what we have and then tell them about our “R, S, T Rule” - No Running, No Shouting and most importantly No Touching. Straight and to the point. They usually get it too.
Avoid crowded hours: I once took my 2 year old to a major exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. On the day it closed. In June. In a stroller. Don’t do this.
While many places offer a sponsored free admission night or a family day, these are usually the most crowded. An insider tip: the best time to go is when the museum first opens.
Don’t make a day of it: When visiting with children keep the visit short. You don’t have to visit the Modern Art if your child only wants to look at the Egyptian sarcophagus. You can come back, the museum is not going anywhere and it’s still cheaper than flying to Egypt.
Visit the museums website: Every museum has a website in which you can view artifacts/collections before you go. Take a look at it. Show your kids what they are going to see. If they say they like something tell them to write it down and make a scavenger hunt to find that item when you get there. Some museums even offer pre-made kids brochures for your visit. You can find this info on their website as well.
Bring a notebook / sketch pad and a pencil: Many museums will allow you to sit and sketch. Bring a notebook for your little artist and let them sit in front of an object and make their own interpretation. The Mona Lisa is going to look different in the eyes of a four year old. PLEASE only bring pencils. We at museums know accidents happen but getting pencil off a wall is a lot easier than a sharpie.
Be the object: Go ahead and imitate Degas’ ballerina or a giant TRex. There are adults that do it too.
Take your time: Museums want you to leisurely stroll. There is no set schedule. We are happy you are here and we want you to enjoy your time and visit.
Talk to the staff: The guards are not just there to point you to the restroom or stare you down as you lean in too close. They know their stuff. Ask them questions about what you should see while you are there. Perhaps a new painting was just put out, they would know.
Visit the gift shop: Not your ideal thing to do after a long day at a museum but letting your child find that painting they loves in postcard form to hang on the fridge at home is going to bring the experience home.
Do you have any thoughts on visiting museums with children?
Images are responses from MOMA's "I went to MOMA project".
1 comment:
Good advice to follow with kids!
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