Museum with Kids : Idea #1
May 7, 2012 at 7:24 pm 2 comments
This is the first in a series of posts I’ll be making (when I have time) about taking young children to the museum. Not all museums have to be “hands-on” to be fun or educational. National & county museums are open to families, FUN, change regularly and can help children learn about boundaries, respect & appreciation.
Remember the ground rules:
1) The trip should be no more than 2 hours to avoid overstimulation & tantrums.
2) Decide which areas of the museum you will explore before you go.
3) Explain rules about no touching (unless it’s hands-on) and no running.
4) Ask your kids open-ended questions about what they see
5) Pack a snack & be flexible – don’t force your child to read/listen to every description or stay in an area that is creating a negative vibe. You want to instill a love of art, not dread.
6) This article is a good read before you plan your visit: Exploring the Art Museum by MaryAnn Kohl
Museum with Kids : Idea #1 – Matching Game
This idea seems so obvious, but it had never occurred to me until my son came up with it all on his own during our last visit to LA County Museum of Art (LACMA).
Usually, temporary exhibits have some sort of free pamphlet available with info about the art & artist. Ask your child to explore the exhibit and match the artwork in the pamphlet to the real art on the wall. Children might be surprised to see that the actual art is enormous or tiny in comparison to the printed size. They might also observe the texture & color are different as well.
Below are pictures of my son matching prints in the Ellsworth Kelly Exhibit, which was simple, vibrant, and had lots of shapes… Sorry for the blurry photos, I wasn’t supposed to be taking pictures in there (oopsy), but snuck a couple on my phone because I’m a Mom and it was cute 
If you try to sneak a photo, be sure to keep your flash OFF. The flash can be harmful to the art.
Entry filed under: Articles. Tags: art, keeping kids busy, museum.
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Dani | May 8, 2012 at 1:49 am
Thank you, Natalie (and A)! What a great idea. I’m planning our first trip to LACMA, though I’m unsure about whether C is ready. Who knows… maybe she’ll surprise me. I’m encouraged by stories from other friends with toddlers who have recently taken their kids to the art museum. And I think this will be a great way to keep her engaged. Again, thank you!
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averyboo arts | May 8, 2012 at 3:35 am
We took A there when he was an infant
His first “visit” was when he was 3, I think. C will be fine, she’s a good little kid 
I think I told you about LACMA’s NextGen Program, right? You’ll get in free as her chaperone.