They Don’t Need To Be Boring!
Getting the kids to go to school to learn can seem like a nightmare at times, so the thought of taking them to a museum when they have time off may appear to be an exercise in futility. However, I have found that inserting a visit to museum geared toward their interests during a family vacation can prove to be an entertaining outing for the whole family.
Not every museum is a stuffy and silent tomb of learning with scowling security guards and boring tour guides. There are hundreds of museums located all over the country that are family friendly, and supply hands on activities for children. Remember that playing is learning.
A simple online search for area attractions and museums makes it simple to plan a vacation and locate museums that will fit any families’ needs. Good family museums will not only feature hands-on activities and displays, but will also have events or traveling exhibits throughout the year that make learning a fun and interactive activity that gets kids to learn things without them ever realizing it.
A good family-orientated museum will typically offer discounts to kid or members. I always check to see if purchasing tickets online is cheaper. Many museums will offer promotions and discounts online. Make sure to take advantage of them.
The first couple of times my kids learned they were going to a nearby museum they protested, obviously conjuring up the images of the stuffy, no-touch zones that I described above. But when we arrived, and the host of bright colors, friendly faces, and interactive displays hit their eyes, they were right at home. When the day ended it was harder to pull them away from the place then to get them there in the first place!
The great thing about traveling is that I can find new museums to take my kids to when we’re on a family vacation. For kids, a museum visit is likely the last thing on their minds, but if you’re somewhere very hot, or rainy, finding a great museum that is air conditioned can save the day. Many popular vacationing areas have family museums.
Whether I’m visiting locally or somewhere out of state, I always check to see what museums are nearby. My kids learn without it feeling like learning, and most of the time I do too! Immersing them in playful museum adventures now will set them up for a life time of curiosity and exploration., They might even find themselves visiting some of those “old stuffy” museums later in life.
Byline: J. Sample is a writer, parent, and frequenter of children’s museums, always looking for a way to combine her roles while having fun.
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