Sometimes the stress of prepping for a museum visit is enough to scare people from actually going. What should you bring? If you have kids, what do you need to pack? How am I going to carry everything? Preparing for a successful museum trip requires the right gear and preparation, and with the holiday season around the corner, I want to share my favorite products and tips on what you need to make the most out of your next museum visit.
- Dress comfortably! Seems obvious right? Comfortable footwear is especially key when it comes to a successful visit. The last thing you would want to do is cut the trip short because of aching arches. Being dressed comfortably allows you to focus on the fun and learning! When preparing for your visit, it is also helpful to check the museum’s calendar, typically found online on their website before you go to make sure you’re aware of any special exhibits, classes or talks you might want to check out.
- A versatile bag to bring essentials and store helpful maps and pamphlets from the museum is essential. The travel bags available in our ‘On –the- Go-Collection’ are stylish, and most importantly, great for everyday use. The timeless designs – including totes, backpacks and shoulder bags are casual and elegant but won’t break the bank. Don’t forget to stash some wipes or hand sanitizer in there if your visit includes any hands-on learning!
- Where’s one place that both kids and adults love shopping? The museum gift shop, of course! From books and toys to jewelry and clothes. Yep! I bought one of my favorite cashmere scarves at the Met in NYC! There’s something for everyone! If you’d rather skip the lines, check out our curated online toy collection to continue the learning. Designed to be both fun and educational, we offer a great selection of STEAM-related toys that are sure to spark curiosity and help build valuable skills. Spur your little adventurer’s imagination long after you’ve left the museum.
- Finally, remember that the learning doesn’t have to stop when you head home. Reinforce the things that were learned during your visit. Encourage your kids to share what their favorite exhibits were and why. The more you can extend the whole museum experience, the more of an impact each visit will have. If you happen to have visited one of the great museums we featured in Season 1 or 2, download our free Fun Sheets to continue the learning with fun facts and DIY projects.
Because museums are the perfect way to cure the winter blues, I hope this list of helpful tips, tricks and tools helps prepare you and your family for a fun adventure-filled trip to your favorite museum. Prefer to have a night in instead? Check out Amazon Prime Video where you will find full episodes of Museum Access with plenty of behind-the-scenes adventures at America’s top museums. We also have a downloadable Classroom Series that pairs with each episode with DIY projects and lesson extensions appropriate for ages 6-16.
Museum Access is available on your local Public Television and PBS stations, as well as online on Amazon Prime Video. If you are interested in joining the Museum Access journey with a tax-free donation, please go to www.museumaccess.com/donate. Thank you for helping us continue to bring quality programming to everyone.
