Going to museums with kids is often seen as the pinnacle of parental fear when traveling, overseas or even locally. “What if they throw a fit?” “What if they touch something?” “My kids wouldn’t last 5 minutes in a museum. Too boring.” Parents rarely say this but an underlying theme seems to be “Why if I have to go bananas on my kids in a public space?”
All reasonable, but not as terrifying as it may seem.
Here are a few pictures of us not experiencing catastrophe on our first trip with our son in 2014:
One thing that has worked for us is taking advantage of free museum days.
Almost every museum, particularly in metropolitan areas offers free admission on certain days and/or times.
These days have a few distinct advantages for families:
- Museums can be expensive. $12, $15, and more. (Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts is $25!!)
- Other families will also be there trying to stay calm and not look like crazy people.
- If the kids are losing their minds, you can calmly exit the premises.
You can make it a regular activity. Summers for us are too hot to go outside and there are only so many trips to Target one needs to make so the museum, especially on free days, is a great place to go.
Technically you are “practicing” going to museums but this doesn’t have to be boring or boot camp. The main goal is to get them to appreciate and take an interest in learning about art, science, natural history, photography etc.). We explain that we are here “to think about and talk about what we see,” and to be careful not to touch unless appropriate.
If your kids are very young begin talking about the trip a day or two before. Why you are going, what we will do and see there, why it is a special treat, etc.
You can look online and map your path through for things they might recognize or enjoy. Do they like bright colors or landscapes in paintings? Do they like sculpture and tangible, 3D shapes? Are there special exhibitions? Older kids (7+) might be more interested in science or natural history museums.
If you want to bribe them a bit with a treat after going, that’s up to you. A less sugary motivator would be to let them draw or recreate a work they find. Tell them they can make a copy of anything they find and that they get to choose. (You might need to have some crayons, fingerpaints, popsicle sticks, and other supplies stocked up before this.)
Free days allow you to figure out what works for you and the kids. We started before they could walk but it’s never too late. And you don’t have to be fancy art experts to look around and talk to your kids. We’re in and out in 60 minutes.
Try and make it part of your (monthly?) routine whether you’re traveling soon or not. It’s good for the community, for the family, and the kids.
Talk soon,
Dan
Resources for US cities:
- Bank of America “Museum on Us” (BoA cardholders get free entrance)
- Art Museum Day
- Free Museum Day (select cities)
- Southern California
- Phoenix
- Denver
- Seattle
- Chicago