Museums: Hands-on and More!

Museum tours can involve so much more than standing quietly in front of stuffy, ancient paintings. Child-friendly museums that offer a wide variety of exhibits and learning experiences are increasingly opening in communities across the country. Museums provide a perfect opportunity for children and their families to spend time and learn together--and for children, the wonder of seeing the "real thing" in a museum often allows them to make the connection between the things they see and already know to what they are learning every day.

Part of the fun of exploring museums is finding out what it is that excites your child. Whether she is interested in art, music, history, natural history, science, technology, baseball or gems, chances are there’s a museum waiting just for her.

Following is information and suggestions on ways to make museum visits enjoyable learning experiences for children, their families, and their caregivers.

• Children’s museums encourage hands-on learning and interaction. In these environments, children can touch, feel, and handle materials that might be off-limits in other museums. Many children’s museums invite participation in building miniature model cities, conducting scientific experiments, playing musical instruments, or sliding down a firefighter’s pole. Storytellers, or "griots" as they are sometimes called, are frequently invited to museums to enchant children with their special storytelling skills.
• Museums provide opportunities to view special collections, and their treasures may not always be housed in a large building. Zoos and aquariums are great places to encourage a child’s interest in the natural world. They provide a firsthand look at animals and aquatic species, their habitats, and how they live. Botanical gardens and arboretums, with their glass houses and surrounding grounds, introduce children to familiar and exotic plants and flowers.
• Foster an interest in history by visiting restored areas or historic homes. Some restored areas recreate whole villages much as they were centuries ago and historic homes provide a glimpse of how people lived in the past. Cultural heritage museums house collections from specific culture groups and offer insight into cultural traditions and history. To go way back in history, visit a museum that has a dinosaur bone exhibit.
• Whatever the type of museum you choose to tour with young children, your visit might be more enjoyable if you plan ahead. Time permitting, call or write for admission fees, hours of operation, and travel directions. Ask what days of the week and what hours are the least crowded. Some museums have certain days that are free or have discounts for families, students, senior citizens, and children. Check your newspaper, local library, or bookstores for special exhibitions, events or programs that may appeal to children. Think carefully about age-appropriateness when deciding on a museum to visit. For example, a much-anticipated and crowded Van Gogh exhibit may not be the best place to take a class of two-year-olds!
• The Information Desk is a good first stop once you’ve arrived at the museum. Here, you can find floor plans with the locations of exhibits, museum gift shops, restrooms, wheelchair ramps, and rest areas. The Information Desk is also a good place to find out about the times and locations for hands-on rooms, children’s performances, special presentations, musical events, and storytelling sessions.
• Don’t feel pressured to see everything in one visit if you are going to a large museum. Young children, especially preschoolers and those in primary grades, usually learn best in 10- to 15-minute sessions and can be overwhelmed by seeing too many things at one time.
• Museums have the ability to inspire and amaze us. Take full advantage of all the museum has to offer to motivate children to use their thinking skills. Although they’ll probably not need prompting, encourage children to ask questions about what they see, and if you don’t know the answer, ask a docent or tour guide. Use the opportunity to learn together.

Additional Resources

Museums + Learning: A Guide for Family Visits, U.S. Department of Education. http://www.ed.gov/pubs/Museum.

Association of Youth Museums, 1775 K Street, N.W., Suite 595, Washington, DC 20006. Tel.: 202-466-4144; Fax: 202-466-4233.