Visiting a museum is a fun and informative activity for people of all ages, but children may need a bit of encouragement to make the most of the trip. If you’re planning a trip to enjoy a museum exhibition near or far, here are five tactics that can help you keep your children happy and engaged.

5 Ways to Hold a Child’s Interest on a Museum Visit

1. Quiz Them

One creative way to make a visit fun is to make a game of the experience. Tell your child you’ll be quizzing them on facts throughout the day. Quizzing games encourage children to take a greater interest in what they’re seeing. For an added twist, ask them to devise questions to quiz you.

2. Invite Friends

Making a playdate is an effective strategy for getting kids excited about museum exhibits. They'll share their observations as they take in all the wonders and will have a buddy when you sit down for lunch or a snack.

3. Share Ideas

Sharing thoughts and ideas by asking open-ended questions helps make museum visits interactive and shows children that their opinions matter and have value.

4. Distribute Notepads

Giving your child a notepad and pencil can encourage them to record what they see in whatever way they see fit. They might write about the exhibits, draw doodles in imitation of artwork on display, or jot down the names of all the artifacts they examine.

5. Stave Off Hunger

Focusing on exhibits can be challenging with a grumbling tummy. Serve a healthy breakfast of family favorites before you head out the door.  Museum cafeterias have menus that pique appetites, and you can make a stop on the way home for a special treat, like ice cream or frozen pops.

For families who live in Memphis, TN area or are visiting for the day, the Pink Palace Family of Museums is an excellent site for fun and learning. With a traditional museum, nature center, 3D theater, and planetarium, there’s something for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Explore more ways to keep your children engaged during your trip by visiting the museum online, or call (901) 636-2362 to speak with a staff member.