Most parents are a bit skeptical of the idea of taking toddlers, preschoolers or younger school age children to an art museum. Why would anyone take young kids there?
Lots of reasons! Exposing them to art early can instill a love that grows into adulthood. Kids’ perspectives on art are fun to hear! Some things are funny and some are really surprising. And art museums are great places to go in the summer. Why? They are indoors and air conditioned, making them the perfect option for a rainy or too hot day.
Going to an art museum is no different than going to a swimming pool for the afternoon; you need to be prepared. Here are a few tips to get you ready.
1) The Basics! No touching, no running, no yelling. Talk about these before going to the museum. The "no touching" rule can be hard for little hands. If it is too difficult for them not to touch the art, keep your child in a stroller or hold their hand. A great rule of thumb even for the smallest kids is to "keep your shadow on the ground and off the wall." If their shadow is on the wall, then they are too close to the art.
2) Do Your Research! Find out what is at the museum before you visit. It is a small museum or is it contained in an entire city block? Are there tours offered for children or families? Are there certain sculptures that can be touched? Is there a cafe? What are the current exhibits?
3) Set a Time Limit! The first time you visit an art museum, you may want to set it at one hour. Figure out what you would like to see and go to that wing or exhibit. If after one hour, they are still having fun, ask them if they'd like to continue. Most adults can't spend an entire day at a museum and very few children could. Have fun and head out or they'll never want to go back.
4) Make It Fun! There are so many ways to make a trip fun. Print off a scavenger hunt of art pieces before you go. Younger kids can search for specific pieces of art and older kids can search for artists, genres, art techniques. Play “I Spy” at the museum. It's a lot more fun than in the car. All of a sudden questions go from "I spy something green and it grows in the ground" to "I Spy something green with six red rectangles coming out of it and a blue star thing in the middle." Kids who like to draw may enjoy copying a favorite picture. Bring paper and pencils for your budding artist. Lots of kids do better with a friend along so make it a play date with a buddy.
5) Ask Questions! Sometimes one question can start a dialogue that you would never have thought existed. For younger kids ask them about colors, shapes, what they think people are talking about in the picture, what pictures they like or don't like. For older kids ask what piece of art would you put in your room and why?
6) Set an Example! If you're excited to be there, they will be excited to be there. Show your happiness at getting to see all these amazing pieces of art. Don't be too disappointed if your child "is bored" the first time you attend a museum. Every parent has had those experiences with a child who hates swimming lessons and then after the second week of lessons, loves it. Art museums are no different. Keep visiting!
7) Reward! Visiting a museum shouldn't be a chore or feel like school. It should be fun. After your museum trip, pass out rewards for good behavior. It can be something as simple as cookies brought from home to an ice cream purchased in the art cafe to a postcard from the museum shop. Lots of museums offer beautiful grounds and sculptures. After being inside, head outside and let kids do what they couldn't do in the building; touch, yell and run!
Lots of reasons! Exposing them to art early can instill a love that grows into adulthood. Kids’ perspectives on art are fun to hear! Some things are funny and some are really surprising. And art museums are great places to go in the summer. Why? They are indoors and air conditioned, making them the perfect option for a rainy or too hot day.
Going to an art museum is no different than going to a swimming pool for the afternoon; you need to be prepared. Here are a few tips to get you ready.
1) The Basics! No touching, no running, no yelling. Talk about these before going to the museum. The "no touching" rule can be hard for little hands. If it is too difficult for them not to touch the art, keep your child in a stroller or hold their hand. A great rule of thumb even for the smallest kids is to "keep your shadow on the ground and off the wall." If their shadow is on the wall, then they are too close to the art.
2) Do Your Research! Find out what is at the museum before you visit. It is a small museum or is it contained in an entire city block? Are there tours offered for children or families? Are there certain sculptures that can be touched? Is there a cafe? What are the current exhibits?
3) Set a Time Limit! The first time you visit an art museum, you may want to set it at one hour. Figure out what you would like to see and go to that wing or exhibit. If after one hour, they are still having fun, ask them if they'd like to continue. Most adults can't spend an entire day at a museum and very few children could. Have fun and head out or they'll never want to go back.
4) Make It Fun! There are so many ways to make a trip fun. Print off a scavenger hunt of art pieces before you go. Younger kids can search for specific pieces of art and older kids can search for artists, genres, art techniques. Play “I Spy” at the museum. It's a lot more fun than in the car. All of a sudden questions go from "I spy something green and it grows in the ground" to "I Spy something green with six red rectangles coming out of it and a blue star thing in the middle." Kids who like to draw may enjoy copying a favorite picture. Bring paper and pencils for your budding artist. Lots of kids do better with a friend along so make it a play date with a buddy.
5) Ask Questions! Sometimes one question can start a dialogue that you would never have thought existed. For younger kids ask them about colors, shapes, what they think people are talking about in the picture, what pictures they like or don't like. For older kids ask what piece of art would you put in your room and why?
6) Set an Example! If you're excited to be there, they will be excited to be there. Show your happiness at getting to see all these amazing pieces of art. Don't be too disappointed if your child "is bored" the first time you attend a museum. Every parent has had those experiences with a child who hates swimming lessons and then after the second week of lessons, loves it. Art museums are no different. Keep visiting!
7) Reward! Visiting a museum shouldn't be a chore or feel like school. It should be fun. After your museum trip, pass out rewards for good behavior. It can be something as simple as cookies brought from home to an ice cream purchased in the art cafe to a postcard from the museum shop. Lots of museums offer beautiful grounds and sculptures. After being inside, head outside and let kids do what they couldn't do in the building; touch, yell and run!
