Tips for a Successful Museum Visit

Over the last few months we have had many visitors ask us – “How can we make the most of our museum visit?” Here are some tips or guidelines – but the best advice we have to offer is to have fun, pick up after yourselves and respect the museum building, exhibits, staff and other visitors.

Let your child be your guide

Play with your child, as well as observe your child.

• Support your child's learning and play styles. Some children are cautious watchers (Air Maze), some are purposeful doers (Main Street Market), and others are in perpetual motion (Luckey Climber)!
• Ask your child open-ended questions. For example, instead of asking, "Do you like the Water Table?" ask questions that will elicit answers other than YES or NO. Questions, such as "What do you like most about the Water Table?" and "Why do you like that the best?"
• The museum staff and design team planned exhibits with activities to encourage parent /child interaction. Parents – it’s time for you to have fun and play again!

Make Safety a Priority

Your child is your responsibility while you are at the museum.

• Don’t let your child run or climb on exhibits.
• If you notice tripping hazards –costumes or exhibit pieces on the floor- please assist staff and volunteers by picking them up.
• Adults and children should always stay together.
• Exhibits have been designed so there are activities for a multiple of age groups in each exhibit area.

Take Care of Your Museum

You are your child’s first teacher – and they will model what you do.

• Clean up exhibit areas when you are finished playing.
• Hang up costumes and smocks, put groceries back on the shelves, tidy up the art room before you leave – try to leave things better than the way you found them.
• If you find a broken exhibit please alert a volunteer or staff member, so we can fix it.
• Do not take food or drink into the exhibit areas.
• Be a good example for your child.

“The greatest compliment an adult can receive from a child is when the child invites the adult into their imagination play.”