How to Give Kids a Great Museum Experience
Museums have the reputation of being quiet, solemn halls of ancient artifacts, but modern museums are often welcoming to the noise and exploration of children, according to Bright Horizons Family Solutions. The key to an entertaining and educational museum experience for your family is planning to give you more control over the experience. At the same time, keeping the trip child-centered keeps your little one entertained and reduces your stress levels.
Things You'll Need
- Children's books
- Museum map
Instructions
Research the museum's details before visiting with the kids. Check on hours, exhibits and restrictions that could affect your visit, such as no strollers in the building. Use the website or a call to the museum to determine how child-friendly the museum is. Many museums include tips on the website for visiting with kids. Look for a museum that doesn't mind a little noise. Schedule the museum visit at a time that works best with your child's schedule and personality. Hit the museum when the doors open if he's a morning person. Wait until after his nap if that is when he is calm and engaged. Plan activities your child can do at the museum. A scavenger hunt is a simple activity that gets your child to pay attention to certain exhibits. Use the museum website -- or your own knowledge, if you've been to the museum -- to make a list of things she'll see. You could also let her take a notebook to write field notes from the trip or a camera to capture her favorite artifacts. Spark your child's interest in the museum before you leave. Show him pictures of the exhibits on the website. Read books that relate to the things he'll see. For example, read a children's non-fiction book about a time in history that is represented by artifacts at the museum. Look up artwork of an artist on display. Talk to your child about the expected museum behaviors. Let him know ahead of time if the museum is interactive so he can touch or if he needs to keep his hands off the displays. Discuss voice level and staying close to you. Going over the expectations may reduce behavior problems at the museum. Visit the information desk when you arrive. Grab a map if one is available so you can easily find specific exhibits. Point out the different exhibits on the map so your child knows what is available. Give him a chance to read the map if she is interested. Follow your child's lead as you move through the museum. The Association of Children's Museums points out that your child may prefer to focus on one or two exhibits instead of following your plan to see every display in the museum. If you don't make it through the entire museum, plan a return trip. Watch your child's behavior to determine the length of the visit. Young children may lose interest quickly. Take a break or end the visit if he gets fussy or bored. Many museums have gift shops or snack bars that work well for breaks. Check at the admission desk to see whether you can re-enter the museum. If you can return, go outside to allow your child to run around before you finish your museum visit. Follow up on the museum visit with activities at home. Let your child make his own book about the things he saw. Put his photos into a scrapbook. Listen to him replaying all of the museum action even if you've already heard it 10 times.
