Tips for Visiting an Art Museum with Kids

Like most things, visiting an art museum with kids can be a fun and enriching experience. The entire family can enjoy a good art museum if you plan the trip carefully. Nothing beats seeing your little ones enjoy art for the first time. Preparing ahead of time for your trip can make all the difference in the world. Here are some tips to get the most out of your trip to the art museum with your little ones:

Tips for Visiting an Art Museum with Kids

Plan Your Trip Ahead of Time

Most museum websites have a handy tool that helps you plan your trip. Identify the exhibits that everyone wants to see. Locate them on the museum map so you can create a game plan for how to move throughout the museum. Take note of where public restrooms are so you can make frequent stops if needed. Knowing where you are going ahead of time will prevent you from getting lost and keep the kids from becoming bored. If at all possible, plan to take public transportation to save on the cost of parking. Taking the train can be an exciting part of the adventure.

Go Over Museum Rules

In general, visitors to art museums expect the rooms to be quiet. Talk to your children about using their indoor voices while visiting. Other rules, such as no running and no touching the exhibits, should be clearly understood before you arrive. Explain to your children who the docents are and what they do. Once you arrive, point out a docent so your kids know who to look for if they get lost or have any questions. Be sure to remind them that they won’t be allowed to eat or drink in any of the exhibit rooms and galleries.

Take Advantage of Programs Designed for Kids

From kid-friendly audio tours to hands-on exhibits, many art museums have special programs designed specifically for little ones. This will help them to get the most out of the trip so they won’t become restless.

Take Breaks

You may be able to walk the entire museum without a break, but chances are, your kids can’t do the same. Plan stops for meals and snacks so everyone can unwind and rest their feet. You may even want to step outside the museum to regroup if you are spending the whole day on the campus. Pack snacks and juice boxes to enjoy your breaks without spending too much money in the museum.

Visit the Gift Shop After You Are Done

The gift shop is bound to be one of the favorite stops during your trip. Visiting after you are done viewing all the exhibits gives your kids the opportunity to know more about the treasures they choose at the gift shop. They may choose puzzles or toys based on a painting they really enjoyed. This helps to reinforce the things they learned while walking through the museum.

These tips for visiting art museums with kids can help to make everyone’s experience more enjoyable. By preparing ahead of time and getting the little ones excited about the adventure, you can all have a fun, educational day at the art museum.