A monstrous architectural masterpiece, with vast open spaces, saturated with serious looking security guards, stillness, quiet, art work displayed at adult eye level, no touching, no running, no yelling policies. All of the above can make children feel intimidated and parents think twice before they choose to spend time in an art museum with their children; a park or an indoor play structure sounds like a much easier choice. I have compiled a list that will possibly make you feel more at ease about taking your kids to the museum tomorrow. I hope you will.
- Plan your visit in advance, Explore the museum's website to learn about the permanent and special exhibits, hours of operation, accessibility, admission fees and discounts (most museums are FREE to the public at list one day a week), check for family programs (Hint: Sometimes the websites hide the family programs under the “Education” tab.)
- Find exhibitions that will appeal to your kids, for example if you have a little dancer at home you may want to show her one of Edgar Degas “Little Dancer” etc.
- Find a book that relates to the art work or artist you plan to see, for example: if it is the”Little Dancer” by Edgar Degas, you may want to read Degas and the Little Dancer
by Laurence Anholt prior or after seeing the sculpture.
- On the way to the museum go over museum behavioral rules, ask your kids: “what are things we can and cannot do in the museum?” some of the answers may be: yes looking at the art, no running, yes drawing, no touching, no yelling, yes enjoying the beauty of the art etc…
- Find the information desk and ask, "What do you recommend for families?"
- Ask if the museum has a family activity room, if they do make sure you allow for enough time to explore it.
- Don’t make your kids see art they don’t want to see.
- Let your child determine when it’s time to move on to another artwork.
- Don’t try and see the entire museum at once, you will all most likely be exhausted and overwhelmed. A good idea is to become a member and make short visits regularly.
- Visit the museum often
- Don’t go too often
- Museums have the best book stores, with fantastic kid’s books selection; don’t skip them on the way out, our favorite books were found at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Getty Center.
- Make sure everyone is happy most of the times if not…
- TAKE A BREAK, museums always have great coffee; treat yourself for a cup, and your kids for a cookie. It will boost your energies and spirit and will make the visit an even better experience.
- Try and see the art through the eyes of the children. Listen to them, and you will be blown away.
- The purpose of art is to evoke our thoughts and feelings, therefore there is no wrong or right when you talk about art. We all have a subjective view as to what we see. Don’t be afraid to say what you think, encourage your kids to do the same.
- Don’t think you need to be the expert, if your child asks you a question you don’t know the answer, try and figure it out together, or write the question and try and find the answer later.
- If you are going with younger children try to plan your visit according with their nap time. I usually bring a stroller and spend more time with Zoe (6) while Ori (3) is dreaming about Picasso.
- REMEMBER: a visit to the museum with your kids IS NOT ABOUT YOU, lower your expectation, flow with your kids interests and paste.
- Most importantly ENJOY yourselves.
