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Museums and KidsSurvive the Silent ZoneBy Lori AlexanderChances are, 1-2 hours in the Louvre or MOMA will be enough for even the most interested child. Shorter legs get tired. Polished floors are ideal for sliding along, and loud voices don't bounce off walls half as well anywhere else. Is it truly possible for young children-and the other visitors- to enjoy an afternoon in a gallery or museum? It is! Before You Go:-Identify an artist, style or subject that grabs your child's attention, and find out more. What happened to Van Gogh's ear? How did early paints influence artists? Do painters use anything besides standard paintbrushes, and do you have anything they might have used around your home? Draw them in with unusual tidbits and send them hunting for more details. -Do you know an expert or enthusiast? Invite them to tour the museum with you, and share their knowledge. -Enroll in a class, or let them go wild, especially younger children, on their own projects. -Pre-arrange a meeting place, point out staff uniforms, and staff stations. Tuck identification and contact information in smaller children's pockets, or stick a self-adhesive mailing label to their shirtfronts. Boredom Busters:-What do they want to explore first? Ask! The answers may surprise you. -Let older children carry their tickets and brochures. Even toddlers like colorful guides and maps, and most of all, love being included. -Does the museum have a cool elevator, unusual statue or gift shop packed with fascinating goodies? Give the kids a little extra time to satisfy their curiosity, and you may be repaid a hundredfold when you want to check out the Degas. -Many museums offer educational activity guides, coloring projects, or self-quizzes tailored to introduce kids to the museum's subjects. Ask at the office. -Tap the knowledge of docents or security, and ask for child-oriented recommendations. They know what sections grab the kids' attention in their museum, and you may be treated to a one of a kind story behind an exhibit's history. Play games:
-Create your own art: bring a sketchpad and produce a memento for the scrapbook or lounge wall! -Name that paint: let the kids showcase what they've learned. Is it oil, watercolor, or perhaps pastel? -Who can find the most paintings containing horses, or dogs, or ships? Or how many different colored boats/lighthouses/tulips can be identified? -Is it a mammal, a reptile, or a bird? Where does/did it live? -What could it be? Try to guess the purpose of an object, or its creator, country of origin, or its age without first reading the placards. -Silly Colors: Who says inventing new colors is the sole domain of make-up manufacturers? In one afternoon my boys concocted spaceship silver, sea-pebble pink, and sunset sky. Be Realistic:
-Burn off energy with a run-around before admission, and save the soda and sweets in the museum cafe until the end of the visit. Despite your best efforts, are the kids less than enthusiastic? -Take a break and head outside for a few minutes. -Save the cafe snacks till the end of the visit, contingent on behavior respectful to the museum and other guests. -Next time, consider an aquarium, science expo, or Heritage Faire. Let them find their niche, and enjoy learning about each other in the process!
Images by Lori Alexander
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TM
Get as elaborate and
creative as you like! 
Explain in terms
your children will understand exactly what behavior you expect once through
the doors. No running or shouting? No crawling under velvet ropes? Explain
why: museums protect ancient and fragile treasures that visitors wait a
lifetime to see. 
Lori
Alexander