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Tips to Make the Most of Museum Visits with Young Children

Blog 2 Making the Most of Museums

Whether you’re a home educator, classroom teacher, or simply a parent you probably know museums make for great field trips. Let’s be real though. Having a great day at the museum can take a little planning, especially when you’re bringing young and active children.

Musuems1Recently, I’ve been seeing a trend towards virtual field trips. While it’s a great option for exploring cultures and places that are simply too far away to get to, there is something particularly awesome about the interaction that occurs on an honest to goodness, in real life field trip. Hands on exploration can’t be replicated digitally. Depending on the museum highlights might include…

  • Specialized subject area expertise
  • Historic artifacts, paintings, and art works that
  • Classes
  • Reenactments and living history demonstrations
  • Science experiments
  • Hands on exhibits

One of the things my daughter loves most about homeschooling is that we get to go on so many more field trips than she did in public school when she was limited to one per year. When she can explore things and actually physically immerse herself into the learning she engages at a level I don’t otherwise see from her. Plus, her little sister enjoys tagging along.

Museums 2

When I first started teaching, I had only experienced three types of museums: art museums, science museums, and history museums. Plus, I had mostly experienced museums being like libraries once were. In my mind museums were places where silence was expected. Since then I’ve discovered that there are museums for just about everything and that some are not quiet places at all. Over the last several years we’ve been to the Kentucky Horse Farm & Museum, COSI, Wonder Works, The Robert C. Williams Paper Museum, and many more.

It’s easy to have a great museum experience if you keep your children’s interests and environmental needs in mind. For example my toddler has a hard time keeping quiet and not touching anything at the art museum, but she loved an exhibit we went to where touching the sculptures was encouraged and where the children were given dough to sculpt with. My older daughter can last longer in a silent, hands off environment, but she still prefers museums that offer hands on activities. For example, since my older daughter is enamored with horses we went to a Horse Museum. The Kentucky Horse Farm has a museum that shows horses throughout history (Trojan Horse, war horses, work horses, breeding, etc.), has exhibits on equestrian safety, horse shows, and even offers rides.

Keep your children’s ages, activity level, and interests in mind when you pick a museum to visit. When I look for a museum to visit with my children I look for…

  • Education value
  • Interesting topics
  • Hands on activities
  • Children’s programs
  • Play areas (at least if we are going for a whole day)

Museums 3

Even at a great museum, perhaps especially at a great museum, there are a few things that can ruin our trip. Kids can get hungry. Water or climbing activities require clothing we didn’t bring. A key activity only runs during certain hours. Taking the time to look at the museum’s website can save a lot of headaches later.

Taking my kids to the museum is one of my favorite things to do. I use these ideas to plan fun filled trips that take advantage of the exciting activities available to children at museums. Many exhibits offer great opportunities for education, exploration, and plain old fun.

Some things to check for:

  • Options and rules for eating
  • Visiting and permanent exhibits
  • Shows or classes
  • Hours for shows, classes, and exhibits
  • Water activities (bring extra clothes including shoes)
  • Climbing activities (closed toe shoes and socks)
  • Activities with extra cost (budget for them or set expectations ahead of time)
  • Outdoor exhibits (consider sunscreen and bug spray)
  • Reciprocal memberships and other membership options or discounts

Another area where a little planning can save a lot of headaches is the car ride. Obviously, you want to make sure you have GPS, a map, or directions and if you bought tickets ahead of time you will want to check that you have them too before leaving the house. Trust me, it’s annoying when you get half way and realize you’ve forgotten something essential. I usually have my daughter pack a bag of books, drawing supplies, and take a clipboard with any school work that she can complete independently. Travel games are also great to take along. It keeps her busy and reduces the number of times I hear, “how much longer.”Packing some activities for the car also helps.  

Museums 4Kids do best when they know exactly what is expected of them. Some museums require quiet and others are loud and boisterous hubs of activity. Take a few minutes before going inside to talk about what you’re going to do and what behavior is expected.

Also cover what to do if you get separated. Show your child a staff uniform and remind them to tell someone from the museum if they get lost. If you have a smart phone this is a good time to snap a picture of your child in case you need it.

It’s also a great time to ask museum staff for their recommendations on any “can’t miss” exhibits.You don’t want to run out of time right as your child sees something irresistible. Museum staff generally want to share their knowledge and most are happy to give you suggestions.

Most of all remember to enjoy the day together and have fun making great memories!

My SignatureTaking my kids to the museum is one of my favorite things to do. I use these ideas to plan fun filled trips that take advantage of the exciting activities available to children at museums. Many exhibits offer great opportunities for education, exploration, and plain old fun.

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