How to Help Your Children Love Art Museums / Galleries

I am not an art buff and didn't even take an art history class in college. My children, however, enjoy art galleries. My children's first visit to an art gallery, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts was a raging success. Since then, we have visited the Louvre, L'Orangerie, and more in Paris and the National Gallery in London.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Books
• Museum access

1. Reading to children opens up new worlds to them that they might not otherwise be able to experience. Depending on which art gallery you are visiting, find the appropriate kid-friendly book to read to them.
   Boston: You can't Take a Balloon into the Museum of Fine Arts by Weitzman
   NYC: You Can't Take a Balloon into the Metropolitan Museum by Weitzman
   DC: You Can't Take a Balloon into the National Gallery by Weitzman
   London National Gallery/Musee d'Orsay/various world renowned galleries:
   Katie and the Sunflowers, Katie Meets the Impressionists, Katie's Picture Show, etc. by James Mayhew

2. Find books on specific artists whose work is at the museum you will visit. You can check google, amazon.com and of course, your local library. For Monet, Linnea in Monet's Garden is lovely.

3. Check on the art locations (in the back of the Katie books) and plan a trip.

4. Be sure to take the books with you so your child can look at the book and see the pictures.

5. Ask museum staff where pictures are head directly to them rather than wandering, unless your child doesn't mind. Essentially, your book is creating a scavenger hunt in the museum.

6. Many museums have a children's guide as well, often for free. Ask at the info desk.

7. Follow-up your visit with art activities at home.