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I get asked a lot about how our kids do at museums. They generally do very well for two reasons: 1. We have realistic expectations. 2. We practice. A lot. 3. We come prepared.
Be Realistic
No matter how well you plan ahead, kids do not have the same stamina for museums that adults do. I could spend three hours in the Louvre, an hour, maybe an hour and a half is all our kids have in them.
Plan your day to have plenty of activity before heading into a museum. Look for a nearby playground or run up and down the front steps. Something to get the energy out. If your child still naps, let them rest in the stroller while you walk around.
Practice Makes Progress
If you don't visit museums at home, it is unrealistic to expect kids to know how to "do" museums when you travel. It doesn't have to be anything grand, but visiting a small musuem or two before you leave give your child the opportunity to practice being a good visitor. If you don't have one nearby, try a virtual visit. The British Museum and the Musee de Orsay have teamed up with Google to provide free virtual experiences.
Before you visit, check the museum website for children's programming or contact them for more information. Look for events that offer hands-on activities. Sensory and accessibility information is usually found under general information or the FAQs page.
Discuss expectations for your visit. How fast should our bodies move? Practice different speeds. How loud is it going to be? Practice matching your voices to different volumes. What sorts of things will we see? Download the map to explore with your child or show them pictures. Where should our hands go? Talk about good options for curious hands instead of touching paintings and artifacts.
Keeping Them Engaged
There are tons of tools to help keep your kids engaged during the museum. A combination of these can extend the length of your visit and provide a positive experience for everyone - your family, other visitors, and staff.
Audioguides: More and more museums are offering kids versions of audioguides. The quality and target age varies, but it can be a fun way to let your child interact in the museum. Bring your own headphones to make it easier and more comfortable for your child to listen.
Camera: Try giving your child a camera to take pictures as they go. We love this kiddie camera from Amazon because it has a great battery life, is easy to use, and is durable. Remember to disable the flash as its almost always prohibited
Lovey or Comfort Item: Museums can be overwhelming - strange smells, tour groups, unusual lighting. Let your child carry their favorite lovey on your visit.
Fidgets: Put a fidget on a lanyard or in a coat pocket to keep curious hands busy in galleries. We love the Fat Brain Dimpl toys. They hold up better than the cheaper poppers and have a more satisfying input.
Scavenger Hunt: Make your own scavenger hunt or check if the museum has some one hand. Many museums have previews on their website that make it to print off pictures. Or visit WikiCommons for notable pieces of artwork.
Map: Give your child a map and let them lead you through the exhibits.
Museum App: More museums are adding apps to replace paper handouts and even audio guides. Download the app ahead of time to their tablet or your device so they can follow along during the visit.
Magnifying Glass: Kids eyesight is typically good, but a magnifying glass is extra fun. Its great to keep hands occupied and encourage them to look at the displays. Put is on a strap to make sure it doesn't get left or dropped.
Guide Book: Our kids love to look at the pictures in the guide book and find them in the museum. It is also helpful for me to be able to answer questions as we go.
Plan for Breaks
Give yourself time for breaks. If the museum has an outdoor area like a garden or courtyard, break up the galleries with some fresh air and get the pent-up energy out. This can also be a good time for a sensory reset - jumping or hopping. If there is a cafe, plan a snack break in the middle as a reset.
Some museums will allow you to leave and return on the same day. Check with guest services if this is an option. Even when it isn't, we've found staff willing to make exceptions with young children in tow.
Include Their Interests
We all have preferences, too. My husband and I don't always have the same interests so we give each other grace to visit places that peek the other's curiousty, even if it isn't our thing. Same goes for the kids. I can't expect them to share my enjoyment of Gothic architecture or art galleries all the time. We mix in sites that hit their interests with transport museums, zoos and aquariums, or natural history. If these aren't available on your itinerary, allow them to pick an activity or choose the order of the day so they have some investment in your visit. Even the option of how your arrive (bus or metro) can help your children get more excited about the visit ahead.
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