Take A 5-Year-Old to A Museum? Absolutely!

Take a 5-year-old to a museum? How will I keep a 5-year-old occupied?

In 1986 my daughter, Cass, was born prematurely. And my oldest daughter, Amy, was with me a lot. She was five at the time and wanted to do things. Lots of things! My newborn was in the hospital for an entire year. And that meant I had to find something to do with my oldest.

I was very fortunate that the Montshire Museum was near my daughter’s hospital. Located in Norwich, Vermont, many weekends were spent at the museum. And so began my love for children’s museums.

Over the years, Montshire was a regular go-to, taking many of my grandchildren there. (Not all children’s museums cater to younger teens, so make sure you know the recommended ages.)

I grew up with museums. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, one of my favorite museums was the Peabody Museum. I love museums. Wherever I lived, I went to museums. Any museums. Some of my faves were Sturbridge Village and the Shelburne Museum. I have taken my grandchildren and children to a lot of museums. (Leave New England, and some of my Northeast favorites are the Franklin Insititute (I love the pendulum and the giant heart.) and the Adirondack Museum.

I am grateful to my mom for encouraging us to go to museums. All kinds of museums.

Why?

Jordan and Mariah in schoolhouse at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain, New York

I thought there needed to be a “why.” Why take a child to a children’s museum? (Or any museum?)

Taking a child to a children’s museum can be an enriching and educational experience for several reasons:

Hands-on learning: Children’s museums are designed to be interactive and hands-on, allowing kids to engage with exhibits and activities. This hands-on approach promotes active learning, curiosity, and problem-solving skills. My grandkids loved dino archaeology, but the giant bubbles were the winners!
Educational value: Children’s museums often focus on various subjects, such as science, art, history, and technology. These museums provide age-appropriate exhibits and activities that can help children better understand the world around them. And they loved the bees.
Encourages creativity: Many exhibits in children’s museums are designed to stimulate creativity and imagination. This can be through art stations, role-playing areas, or building structures, which can help foster a child’s creativity and self-expression. More than coloring pages, there was everything from puppet theaters to store and business setups.
Social interaction: Visiting a children’s museum allows kids to interact with other children. This social interaction can improve their communication skills, empathy, and ability to work together in a group setting. School classes and homeschoolers were often seen during our visits.
Safe environment: Children’s museums are typically safe environments designed to meet kids’ needs. Parents can allow their children to explore and play without as many concerns about hazards.
Parent-child bonding: Going to a children’s museum can be a fun outing for parents and children. It offers a chance for parents to engage in activities with their kids, strengthening the parent-child bond.
Stimulating curiosity: Children’s museums are full of fascinating exhibits and activities that can pique a child’s curiosity. This curiosity can extend beyond the museum visit, encouraging them to explore and learn about various topics.
Physical activity: Many exhibits in children’s museums involve physical movement, which helps keep kids active and engaged. A bicycle that causes an elevator to move.
Lifelong learning: By exposing children to educational experiences in an enjoyable and interactive setting, children’s museums can help foster a positive attitude toward learning that may extend into adulthood.

Children’s museums offer a unique and dynamic environment that can complement traditional learning and provide an enjoyable experience for both children and their parents or caregivers.

Just telling a child they are headed to a museum is exciting. But getting them involved in what they will see and do makes it more than an event.

Preparing a child to visit a children’s museum can enhance their overall experience and make the visit more enjoyable. Here are some tips to help you prepare your child:

Talk about the museum: Before the visit, have a conversation with your child about the museum. Explain what they can expect to see and do there. You can show them pictures or videos of the museum’s exhibits to excite them.
Discuss the rules: Talk about the museum’s rules and expectations. Let your child know the importance of being gentle with the exhibits, not running, and staying close to you or their group.
Choose the right time: Consider the best time to visit the museum. Check for any special events or exhibitions that might interest your child. Also, try to visit during less crowded times, if possible, to avoid long lines and allow your child more freedom to explore.
Dress appropriately: Wear comfortable clothes and shoes suitable for walking and playing. Depending on the museum’s activities, it might be a good idea to dress in layers as some areas might be air-conditioned while others are not.
Bring necessary items: Pack essentials like snacks, water, and any medications your child might need. Some children’s museums have cafeterias or eating areas, but having some familiar snacks on hand is always good.
Encourage curiosity: Emphasize the idea of exploration and encourage your child to ask questions during the visit. This will help stimulate their curiosity and make the experience more engaging.
Plan for breaks: Children’s museums can be quite stimulating, so plan for breaks if your child gets tired. Find a quiet spot or take advantage of any outdoor play areas if available.
Set expectations: Let your child know how long you plan to stay at the museum and what the itinerary might look like. This can help avoid surprises and potential meltdowns.
Engage with the exhibits: During the visit, participate in activities and exhibits with your child. This will not only keep them engaged but also create memorable experiences together.
Encourage learning: Talk to your child about the things they are seeing and experiencing. Ask open-ended questions that promote critical thinking and learning.
Have fun: Most importantly, enjoy the experience with your child! Children often look to their parents for cues on how to feel about new situations, so if you’re excited and having fun, your child will likely feel the same way.

By preparing your child beforehand and actively engaging with them during the visit, you can make a trip to a children’s museum a fantastic and educational experience for the whole family.

After the trip

Butterfly Display at Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory in Deerfield, Massachusetts

How do you follow up with your child after going to a children’s museum

Following up with your child after a visit to a children’s museum can be a valuable opportunity to reinforce the learning and experiences they had during the trip. Here are some ideas on how to do that:

Discuss the highlights: Ask your child about their favorite exhibits, activities, or moments during the visit. Encourage them to share what they enjoyed the most and why. This can lead to meaningful conversations about their interests and discoveries.
Review photos or drawings: If you took pictures or your child made drawings during the visit, go through them together. Ask your child to explain what they were doing or what they learned in each picture. This will help solidify the memories and experiences.
Encourage storytelling: Encourage your child to tell a story about their visit to the museum. They can create a narrative that includes the exhibits they saw and their adventures. This fosters their imagination and language skills.
Extend learning at home: Find ways to extend the learning from the museum visit at home. If they are interested in a particular topic or exhibit, consider borrowing library books or finding online-related resources.
Hands-on activities: Create hands-on activities inspired by the museum visit. For example, if they enjoyed a science exhibit, you could try some simple science experiments at home. If they loved art, have an art session where they can explore different materials and techniques.
Write or draw about the experience: Encourage your child to write a journal entry or draw a picture about their museum experience. This can be a wonderful keepsake and a way for them to reflect on what they learned.
Play pretend: If the museum had role-playing or themed areas, engage in pretend play based on those exhibits. This can help reinforce their understanding and encourage creative thinking.
Plan a return visit: If the children’s museum is a place your child enjoyed, consider planning a return visit. This anticipation can keep their interest alive and give them something to look forward to.
Use the museum’s resources: Many children’s museums offer online resources, activity sheets, or educational materials you can access after the visit. Utilize these resources to continue the learning journey.
Involve other family members: If possible, involve other family members in the follow-up discussions. This could be a great opportunity for your child to share their experiences and learning with grandparents, siblings, or other caregivers.

Poshhaus-Thank you for your support of articles like this.

Remember, the follow-up goal is to reinforce the positive experiences and learning from the museum visit while encouraging your child’s natural curiosity and interests. Keep the conversations and activities light, enjoyable, and age-appropriate to make the most of the experience.

I wish every parent would take the time to get their children to a museum or two. If you live in Keene, check out the Cheshire Childrens Museum.

Often you will find that local libraries have passes to these museums, so take the time to investigate that.