Tips for visiting museums with kids

Museums can be a wonderful outing for children of all ages, even toddlers. A place to explore creativity, appreciate art, and get inspired in a contained, sensory-rich environment. It can also be an opportunity for your children to develop critical thinking skills and expand their educational horizons outside of the classroom. Even more, it can be a great activity to do for those traveling with kids.

Some parents might be concerned about short attention spans or boredom, but with strategic planning and a good attitude, a visit to a museum or art gallery can be a memorable adventure for the whole family. 

Keep reading for tips on how to make your museum visit a success with young kids.

Plan ahead for a smoother visit

Visiting a museum or art gallery with young children requires some planning so it can be the most enjoyable experience for both you and your little one. Here are a few factors to consider before you visit a cultural institution with your children. 

Do your research 

Choosing the right museum is key when visiting with kids.  Many museums are designed with families in mind, so take a moment to explore the museum’s website before you go. Look for children’s programs, interactive exhibits, or outdoor play areas that can help keep little ones engaged and happy.

You can also preview upcoming or current exhibits online by browsing the website or watching videos to see what might capture your child’s interest. When you build excitement ahead of time, children feel more engaged and confident, which helps them better understand and enjoy everything they see and experience during the visit.

Choose the right time & duration

We recommend choosing off-hours, either earlier in the morning or later in the day, to avoid large crowds for your museum trip. Some museums will even offer children’s or family hours, so make sure to inquire about that before you visit. Typically, information about the hours will be listed on the website. If you are unsure, you can also call them to confirm. 

The first time you visit the art gallery or museum, it might be best to keep the outing under two hours- to avoid meltdowns from overstimulated and tired kids. However, you know your little ones best, so choose according to what suits your family the most, according to your kid's energy levels. 

Engage kids with interactive & hands-on activities

Once you have arrived at the museum, it is time to explore all the fun and educationally enriching activities. Children tend to engage with interactive, hands-on activities that allow them to fully immerse themselves in the exhibit, facilitating a unique perspective that leads to learning and creativity. 

Many museums or art galleries will offer crafts or activities specifically for children, so keep an eye out for those activities for your kids. 

Scavenger hunts & games

Another way to keep your kids engaged is to plan a scavenger hunt or game, activities that kids love. For example, tell them that they need to count all the paintings with red flowers. Creating simple games like scavenger hunts, bingo cards, or themed searches will keep kids focused.

Drawing, photography & journaling 

If you have a child who loves to draw, a museum is the perfect place to gather inspiration for your budding artist. Bring a small sketchbook and crayons, and let their imagination run wild with inspiration from every corner of the gallery. 

You can also bring a disposable camera to let your child capture the memories of the museum. Be careful, though, some museums do not allow photography, so check before your visit.

Let kids lead the experience

Let the kids lead what exhibits you explore. When you enter a museum, find a map and ask them what interests them most. Allow them to lead with curiosity, exploring different corners of the space. One exhibit excitedly explored is much more valuable than five that feel like a chore – to both you and your child. 

Make use of guided tours

On the other hand, guided tours are a great way to explore a special topic with expert museum staff. These tours cover a wide range of subjects, including special exhibits, and offer hands-on learning experiences that support early childhood education and curiosity.

Before you go on a guided tour, make sure to ask if it is kid-friendly, so you and your child can have the best experience. We recommend choosing a tour that is short (under 1 hour) and simple for families with young children. 

Storytelling & imagination

Children connect to storytelling, so allow the experience to be a story of science, history or art. You could frame exhibits as stories and invite your kids to use their imagination about who made an object, why it was created and where it came from. Naturally leading to curiosity and creativity, this type of exploration is particularly beneficial in developing critical thinking skills. 

Respect museum etiquette - in kid-friendly ways

Like any environment, museums and galleries have certain expectations of behavior. Before your visit, make sure you explain to your child how they should act in a museum setting. Some guidelines include soft voices, walking not running and looking at exhibits, but not touching unless explicitly told it is okay.

Of course, children will act their age, but talking about museum etiquette will make the day go much more smoothly, leading to a better time for your family. 

Take breaks & build in rewards

A hungry or tired child is usually a fussy child. So take plenty of breaks for snacks and water, rest or even some time for fresh air outside.

Many museums will have cafeterias or cafes if you do not want to bring snacks. Some will even have open outdoor spaces, perfect for getting some energy out midway through the day. 

After the visit - extend the learning

After your day at the museum, ask your child what they liked most and encourage them to use what they have learned in creative ways.

For example, they could recreate their favorite painting from the museum or read a book about an animal they saw. This type of reflection can create anticipation for the next visit and build a life-long museum visitor.  

Enjoy museums together, one visit at a time

With thoughtful planning, interactive activities and tons of curiosity, a museum visit with your kids can be a memorable, fun experience for the whole family. Kids can learn, explore and expand their creativity while building appreciation for the arts, sciences, and history. Start visiting museums today and build a life-long connection to the vast world of museums, as well as having valuable time spent with the whole family. 

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