It was our first visit to the Guggenheim in New York City, but my daughter,
Dana, then six, bounded up the museum’s curving atrium ramps like she owned the place. She was a kid with a mission: find the Picassos.
I’d shown her Pablo’s paintings in books and online, and she couldn’t wait to see the genuine articles.
She peered into a white-walled gallery and said, maybe a little too loudly, “Here they are! Those Picasso faces with the ears and noses
in the wrong place!” For the next five minutes, the little girl with Buster Brown bangs paced in front of the Picassos and pointed out
facial features and body parts to anyone within earshot. When she came to a painting of a woman sleeping and said, “That could be her
arm, or it could be her ponytail,” the gallery attendant smiled and nodded approval of her interpretation. Our art museum morning was
off to a fun start, thanks to our pre-visit prep and planning.
Some museums are naturally family-friendly. They’ve got dinosaur bones or glittering geodes the size of basketballs, cool interactive
exhibits, airplanes hung from ceilings, or space capsules kids can climb in. It’s easy to keep kids happy and engaged in such places.
Art museums pose more of a challenge, but a little planning can help ensure a rewarding family outing. Museum-hopping is a great way to
get the kids out of the house and out of the weather this winter. Use these tips to make the most of your visits:
- Make Must-see Lists
You won’t see everything, so don’t try. Instead, choose your spots in advance. Many museum
websites offer virtual tours of pieces,
collections, special exhibitions and galleries. Have everyone choose two or three favorite items or paintings. Note where they are in
relation to each other and plan your meander through the museum accordingly. Dana loves horses, so we often zero in on Tang dynasty
equine sculptures or paintings by western artists like Frederick Remington. I’m satisfied to take in a few Impressionist works and a
bronze or two by my favorite sculptors. We each see things we truly enjoy, consider the rest gravy, and leave happy. Find links to all
types of museums–art included–at the International Council of Museums’ website.
The individual museum websites will tell you about any special programs, activities, tours or interactive self-guide devices designed for kids.
- Divide And Conquer
If there are two or more adults or responsible teens in your group with different must-see lists, split up. Mummies to the left,
Lalique vases to the right, Warhols straight ahead. Splitting your party into surgical strike teams gives everyone just what he or she
came for. Maximum fulfillment in minimum museum time, something kids of all ages appreciate.
- Browse Now, Buy Later
The gift shop is an index of a museum’s coolest, most famous things. Before touring the galleries, do a quick gift shop
reconnaissance mission. Posters of works by Georgia O’Keeffe at her desert best may catch your eye while a copy of a golden Aztec mask
may wow your kids. If you like the souvenir versions, you’ll have fun hunting down the real deals. After you’ve toured the museum,
return to the shop and let the kids buy an item that represents something they saw and enjoyed.
- Break It Up
Museums have quiet corners and spaces where you can escape the art and just sit, regroup and recoup your family energy. Take breaks.
Look for cafes and food courts; restrooms with lounge areas; airy halls and lobbies; quiet galleries with big benches; sculpture
gardens, lawns, terraces and courtyards. If the surrounding neighborhood is inviting, ask if you can exit for a while and, with hand
stamps, ticket stubs or guest pins, return later.
- Share
After your visit, have each family member describe his or her favorite art object and tell why the work made an impact. Beauty is in
the eye of the beholder, but talking about the merits of a few diverse pieces enriches everyone in the group. I’ve come to appreciate–even
seek out–Tang dynasty sculpture, and the Impressionists have begun making an impression on Dana.
With a little planning and strategy, you can make your next visit to the art museum an experience the whole family will enjoy. To kick
things off, maybe head for the Picassos for an ear-and-nose-counting contest...
About The Author:
Lori Hein is an author, a traveling mom and a freelancer specializing in travel writing. Her book,
Ribbons of Highway: A Mother-Child Journey Across America ,
takes you around the U.S., and her blog, Ribbons of Highway,
takes you around the world. Visit her professional site at at LoriHein.com.
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