A Visit to a Museum with Kids can be daunting.
The educational experience of visiting a museum with children can be enjoyable or frustrating. There are a few important things to consider to keep the experience on the enjoyable end of things.
A Visit to a Museum with Kids – top tips
Some kids will naturally enjoy looking at exhibits for hours, especially exhibits that are of great personal interest to them. On the other hand some kids won’t enjoy even the most exciting exhibits even those geared directly to children. For those kids that don’t enjoy going to museums here are a few tips to try making it as painless as possible and as covertly educational as it can be.
- First of all the kids don’t need to realize they are being educated. Some kids lose all motivation to enjoy themselves if it is given to them as a context for education. It is okay to teach them lessons through exhibits without telling them what you are doing. Talk about the fun aspects of the museum such as interactive exhibits, touch tanks, petting areas, or projects that are available.
- Do some research about the museum you are going to visit. Also know the children and their personal interests. Find the most outrageous facts about a couple things in the museum and share those things before entering so that the kids will look forward to finding the exhibit that backs up your claim. If the museum provides a worksheet, offer a prize for right answers. If the museum doesn’t provide a worksheet try to make one up yourself so that the children have something to write down. A kind of goal to accomplish by finding the answers to a puzzle.
- Don’t expect to see everything in the museum. Some kids will want to explore one area for hours. It is better to let them enjoy an area that sparks their interest than to force them to walk the entire museum. It is better if they retain the information from one section of a museum than to retain nothing as they hate the entire experience.
- Some museums offer IMAX movies; this can make the experience memorable. If appropriate let them pick the movie after they have seen a few of the exhibits. If it is a movie that teaches something in the museum the kids might be motivated to learn more or at least see exhibits on that subject again.
- Remember relax and let the kids explore as much as you are able. Museums are supposed to a fun way to help educate or kids, but there are a few steps that can be taken to make them more effective. Making a visit enjoyable will leave the children with a desire to revisit and not dread trips to museums.
Are museums a good day out for kids?
Resoundingly yes they are as long as you meet your child’s needs, do your research and consider their interests.
Oh and last but not least my absolute top tip on a visit to a museum with kids – feed them first!!! or they will just want to drag you to the café as soon as you arrive.
A visit to a museum can be awesome no matter how old your kids.
The 10 best museums for kids around the world
There are numerous great museums around the world that are specifically designed to engage and educate children. Here is a list of 10 top museums for kids:
- The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (Indianapolis, USA): It is the world’s largest children’s museum, offering a wide range of interactive exhibits and activities.
- Exploratorium (San Francisco, USA): Known for its hands-on approach to science, this museum encourages children to explore and discover through interactive exhibits.
- Natural History Museum (London, UK): With its dinosaur skeletons, interactive exhibits, and fascinating displays, this museum is a perfect place for kids to learn about natural history.
- Science Museum (Tokyo, Japan): This museum features a variety of hands-on exhibits that explore the wonders of science and technology.
- Museo Papalote del Niño (Mexico City, Mexico): Papalote is a children’s museum with interactive exhibits on science, technology, art, and culture.
- Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (Washington, D.C., USA): This museum showcases the history of aviation and space exploration through interactive exhibits and artifacts.
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (Madrid, Spain): This natural history museum offers a range of interactive exhibits that engage children in learning about the natural world.
- National Museum of Play (Rochester, USA): Focused on the importance of play, this museum offers interactive exhibits related to toys, games, and the history of play.
- Queensland Museum (Brisbane, Australia): With its diverse range of exhibits, including dinosaurs and the natural history of Australia, this museum provides an engaging experience for kids.
- TinkerTank (Singapore): TinkerTank is an innovative maker space where children can engage in hands-on activities, learn about technology, and explore their creativity.
Please note that the availability of exhibits and museums may vary, and it’s always a good idea to check the museums’ websites for the most up-to-date information before planning a visit to a museum with kids.
Further reading
Things mums and teen sons can do together
Virtual museum tours you can do with kids