Visiting the art museum gives you more than just a view of beautiful artworks. Youâll probably feel a boost of creativity and inspiration as you walk through the space. It might even help reduce your stress [1]âunless youâre a parent.
If the thought of visiting such a distinguished place with children in tow strikes you as anything but transcendent, you’re not alone. We think a successful museum visit really is possible, though, with a bit of advance planning and reasonable expectations. And when it comes down to it, the benefits of giving your kids (and yourself) such an experience are worth it.
I spoke with Melissa Tanner, Family Programs Educator at The Art Institute of Chicago about how to prepare for a family visit to the art museum. First, she suggested, familiarize yourself with the family-centered programs and resources at your cityâs museum. Most offer kid-friendly maps or activities tailored to younger audiences. Tanner also suggested picking a few artworks to visit during your time at the museum, or focusing on one particular collection rather than attempting to see everything at once. âIt really depends on your child and what they need for their experience to be an enjoyable one,â Tanner told me. âMaybe youâll see one artwork; maybe youâll see five; maybe youâll be distracted by something else thatâs not on your list.â
If your children have never visited an art museum, prepare them for what to expect when you arrive. When talking about museum manners, Tanner advises to âfocus more on what they can do rather than all the things they shouldnât. For example: we can take pictures of artworks we love as long as we arenât using flash, and we can draw our own art while weâre at the museum as long as weâre using a pencil.â
Involving children in the role of caring for art will also encourage museum manners. âConservation science a really cool job, and kids can help take care of the museum while theyâre here,â Tanner says. âWe begin every program talking about why we enjoy art with our eyes instead of our hands. There are oils in our hands, and even though we canât see them, oils can be harmful to works of art over time. The reason we can have things that are really, really old is because people respect our art.â Kids will love the sense of being part of a mission to protect the museum and its treasures.
Once youâre at the museum, engage with your kids by interacting with the artworks you encounter. Talk about what you see. Ask very small children to point out colors and shapes or play âI Spyâ with an extra-large painting. Direct school-age kids to a particular piece, and think about what might be happening in the piece (if itâs a narrative) or how it makes you feel (if abstract). Asking open-ended questions and building on the concepts they already know will maximize learning during your time at the museum. [2],[3]
The art museum is a rich environment for learning and thinking creatively, but the ultimate goal should be for your kids to enjoy their experience. Take snacks or retreat to the café if you need a break. Many museums boast gardens, courtyards, or rooftops perfect for releasing pent-up energy and family rooms for hands-on art activities.
âMaybe your child wonât remember what artwork you saw together at age three, but at age four, theyâll remember they had fun that time at the museum, and theyâll want to go back,â assures Tanner. âWhen theyâre five, theyâll remember something more, and so on.â
Museums encourage lifelong learning. As your children follow you through exhibits, theyâll begin to understandâwhether consciously or notâthat learning is for everyone. Theyâll encounter opportunities to think critically[4] about new ideas and develop empathy for diverse perspectives[5]. Their creativity, curiosity, and imagination will thrive as they bring to life the stories of artists and their artwork. Taking your family to the art museum isnât such a risky idea after all. Turns out itâs one of the smartest.
1 Clow, Angela. Normalisation of salivary cortisol levels and self-report stress by a brief lunchtime visit to an art gallery by London City workers. Westminster Research.
2  Munley, Mary Ellen. Early Learning in Museums: A Review of Literature. Smithsonian Institutionâs Early Learning Collaborative.
3 Wolf, Barbara; Wood, Elizabeth. Integrating Scaffolding Experiences for the Youngest Visitors in Museums. Journal of Museum Education
4 Gross, Rebecca. Importance of Taking Children to Museums. National Endowment for the Arts, Art Works Blog.
5Â Kisida, Brian; Greene, Jay P. and Bowen, Daniel H.. Art Makes You Smart. New York Times.