Taking the Snooze out of the Museum

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Ever thought about a day at a museum as an opportunity to get the kids to play together, or even host a kid’s party? Over the years I’ve learned a few simple tips to make to the museum more kid (and parent) friendly.
 
Try transforming your visit into a fun scavenger hunt by asking the kids to find art with one special feature.  For example, "Let's try to find all the art with animals today.” Or, “How many paintings can you find with children?" Not only will this help keep your kids actively engaged, but it gives you a reason to come back at a later date to see all the artwork you missed the first time. (You should have seen the look on my kid’s faces when I told them we we’re going to the Louvre, but skipping the Mona Lisa. When’s the last time you saw children insisting on a return visit to a museum?)
 
It’s also important to be realistic about the amount of time you can expect a child to stay interested in any adult-oriented activity. A good rule of thumb is two hours, which leaves plenty of time to explore but also keeps things moving along at a brisk pace. I like to arrive right at 10 am, be done by noon, and then treat the kids to a nice lunch. (For more tips visit CherylStyle.com)
 
Another little lifesaver is to request a guided personal tour, which most museums (or even the concierge desk at your hotel) will be happy to arrange for a small fee. The key here is to ask for a guide versus a docent. In my experience, guides tend to be younger and more kid-friendly than the traditional docent, who probably has a bunch of fancy letters after his or her name, and is better suited for serious art lovers.
 
No matter what, be sure to skip the headphone audio tours, or you may find yourself launching an Amber Alert to find a missing child who’s zoned out and wandered off and is about to become a permanent part of the museum’s lost children exhibit.
 
Guides are also a great resource for insider info on a city and tips such as recommending a nearby restaurant. In fact, we’ve even invited our favorite guides to join us for lunch, both as a thank you and as a way to continue the learning in a casual, kid-friendly environment.