How to Get the Most Out of Your Museum Trip

22nd February 2011 6 Comments


I quite often get told by friends of mine who have children that they don’t visit museums or art galleries as the children get fed up very quickly and they don’t think it’s worthwhile. I think there are a few golden rules for enjoying a visit to a museum.

  • Do your research; check out the website, find out what facilities are available and what special exhibitions are on.
  • Take along some paper and crayons/ pencils. We spent hours going around a museum taking ‘notes for daddy’ when my Boy was two years old. It was one of our best trips.
  • Encourage children to look in detail at a few things rather than take in the whole museum
  • Ask questions of the staff, they often know the funniest/ gruesome or simply fascinating facts
  • If the museum allows photography encourage your children to take pictures of things they like. Not only will this give you lots to talk about afterwards, but you might find it enlightening as to what their interests actually are.
  • Many museums will have i-spy sheets, colouring sheets or digital tours. Don’t forget to pick them up.
  • Invent stories about the owners of the objects or the painters whilst in the museum and make your own little book about them when you get home. There are some fantastic books to inspire you by James Mayhew such as Katie and the Sunflowers or the Anholts artists range which includes a book for kids about Monets Garden.
  • If you have been to see dinosaurs, why not come home and make your own dinosaur land or make some pastry and impress leaves into it to make your own fossils, create replica African masks or even simply watch a film about the historical time period you saw.

Museums and art galleries can be wonderful places for children, they can inspire, amaze and enthrall. Due to a funding crisis within the sector they need support, make sure you make use of your local museum this half term.

Claire Walsh

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6 Comments

  • Mark 22nd February 2011 at 8:27 am

    I recall our exchange on great museums. Is that picture from Tring? <br /><br />I heard of a mad museum the other week – of beer pump clips! My father in law evidently loved it!

  • Muddling Along 22nd February 2011 at 10:52 am

    Thank you for reminding me to suggest that the girls come over to visit your museum this half term<br /><br />We love the zoological museum in Tring! Especially the drawers of butterflies and the big stuffed animals

  • Christie - Childhood 101 24th February 2011 at 10:39 am

    What a great list. We love visiting our state museum but the art gallery is less of a hit – it is very formal and the staff are not very toddler friendly.

  • Mrs C 25th February 2011 at 8:44 pm

    Some great tips there. One question though – at what age do you think little ones can really start appreciating a museum? Would I be mad to take LMC to Tring? Selfishly I&#39;d love to go again!

  • zooarchaeologist 25th February 2011 at 9:32 pm

    I think they enjoy it as soon as they can walk (note baby walker trolley!). But why not take her before, happy mummy = happy baby and all 🙂

  • Emily McCallie-Crook 23rd October 2019 at 1:57 pm

    Great tips, and I love this picture – I never think to bring my toddler’s push along toy out! He is a lazy 17 month old non-walker, yet he gets frustrated in the pram for too long (*rolls eyes) . I’ll be taking his little stroller out more now, thank you! 🙂

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