5 Awesome Tips for Taking Toddlers to Museums

Yes, taking a toddler to a museum can feel like risky business, but there are quite a few things you can do to minimize disaster, and more importantly, make the trip fun for your little one.
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I know what you're thinking. Toddler + Museum = Potential Disaster. Oh the things that could go wrong -- a temper tantrum on the floor of a crowded gallery, sticky fingerprints left on a delicate piece of art, any number of bodily fluids leaking onto the floor... the possibilities are endless.

Yes, taking a toddler to a museum can feel like risky business, but there are quite a few things you can do to minimize disaster, and more importantly, make the trip fun for your little one.

1. Know the Rules Before You Go!
There are a few basic rules that apply to almost any museum -- don't touch anything, no food or drinks, and no roughhousing; but there are way more rules when you bring a toddler with you. My wife and I have learned the hard way that if you're bringing a kid, you should research museum rules and regulations before your visit.

Had we done our homework prior to our Louvre visit in 2012, would have left our backpack-style kid carrier at the hotel, and brought the soft-carrier instead. We had planned on our oldest daughter, Addie, napping in her carrier while we meandered through the Renaissance wing. Instead, we were forced to hand over the pack - and my passport - in exchange for the most uncomfortable stroller every made. Addie barely napped, and we regretted not having our soft-carrier, which the museum would have allowed. Plus, getting the stroller was a 30-minute process, and we easily lost another hour of browsing time to Addie's abbreviated nap.

Lesson learned: know before you go! Here are a few things you might want to check on before you visit a particular museum:

  • Are strollers allowed and/or baby carriers allowed?

  • Can diaper bags be carried throughout the museum?
  • Are bottles/sippy cups allowed? Can they contain milk? Or only water?
  • Are there bathrooms with changing tables?
  • Does the museum have an area for nursing mothers?
  • 2. Make a Game Plan
    Museums are generally open every day of the week except Monday. Before our kids were born, that's about all we every worried about prior to arriving at a museum. Once there, we had plenty of leisure time to figure out which exhibits to visit, have a snack in the cafe, and pick up a postcard or two in the gift shop.

    We quickly discovered this laid-back approach does not work with a toddler. While you're researching museum rules, make sure to spend some time learning about the museum's exhibits, toddler friendly areas, food/snack availability, and the layout. Make note of the things you do not want to miss because chances are, you will not see the vast majority of the exhibits. Unless the kids are napping for some of our visit, we have found that their attention maxes out after about two hours.

    3. Let Them Lead the Way
    Once you get to the museum, let your toddler take the lead. On a recent trip to the Museum of Science in Boston, we spent a good 20 minutes watching two Tamarins climb along tree branches and clean their bits and pieces. Not my idea of a fun time, but our kids were entranced, so we went with it. Taking a toddler to a museum is about them - not you. No one wants to be dragged around for two hours, looking at things that don't interest them. By encouraging your little one to explore what catches their eye, you are instilling positive feelings about museums. They become a place of fun and curiosity, rather than boring and stifling.

    4. Take Advantage of Children's Programming
    A lot of museums have activities or tours geared toward kids. When you're researching a particular museum's rules and exhibits, check out what kind of programming is available for children. There are often exhibits made just for kids, or activity areas for little ones to explore.

    When our kids' attention seems to be waning, we make a pit-stop in the children's zone. We want them to enjoy the museum experience as much as us, so it's important to make sure they are happy campers... er, museum goers.

    5. Visit a Museum Made for Kids
    If you're still nervous about taking your little one to a museum, start out with one geared toward children. The exhibits will be pint-sized, and made to interest kids, while the facilities will have the needs of parents and children in mind. You don't have to worry about perfect, quiet behavior from your toddler, which, let's face it, can be unpredictable at this age!

    We love taking our three kids to children's museums -- there's always plenty for them to explore, and the exhibits are made to stimulate their senses.

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    Though it may seem daunting, taking your toddler to a museum can be a great adventure for everyone. Unlike the formal learning they will experience in school, museums provide kids with invaluable informal learning experiences in which they can discover and pursue their interests, stretch their brains, and be exposed to great art, music, science, history, and more. Furthermore, it can be a great bonding experience as you share the joy of learning with your little one. We braved museums through our oldest kid's toddler years, and now our twin toddlers are becoming museum experts. So put aside your fears, do some research, and take your toddler to a museum!

    This post originally appeared on adventurousmoms.com.

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