Children are very opinionated and will often take an opportunity to remind you of this by vocally expressing what they like and dislike, often to your massive annoyance. This is especially true of a trip to an art gallery. You cannot force a child to happily experience the power of art, but with a few of these tips maybe you can make the process a little bit easier.
Always do some research before deciding on which gallery to visit as some may be better suited to children than others. This can include what exhibits are on show and even the style of the exhibits available. Some galleries may have exhibits that are specifically targeted at children and some may have play or entertainment facilities to keep the children engaged while you browse the gallery properly.
Next remember not to settle for substitutes or cheap reproductions. Pictures can of course always be looked at on the internet or inside the pages of books or magazines, but nothing beats seeing the real as it was meant to be seen. Always try to see the painting displayed on the gallery walls, it will have more of an emotional effect on you and go a long way to enhancing your enjoyment of the piece.
Many famous museums offer an audio tour for a small fee which will serve to guide you through the museum at your own pace. These generally come in the form of a digital device which features, music, images and even video to supplement your tour experience. Often these tours will have interesting information that will serve to supplement your museum viewing experience.
Also maybe try to make the gallery tour into an interactive adventure. Games like “I Spy” are an excellent way to keep children engaged with the experience as they move through the gallery. Another good idea but maybe one that is more time-consuming is that of a treasure hunt.
Viewing a gallery is not a race and as such should be taken in at the speed of one. Obviously not all paintings will grab you or hold your attention and there is no right or wrong answer to the amount of time that should be spent on a single painting. Just remember to go with your gut and spend a little more time studying the paintings that grab you.
It is also unlikely you will be able to keep kids excited the whole way through and art gallery and they will start to get anxious the longer the visit drags on. Be sure to plan so you get to see exactly what you want out of the gallery before too much time is wasted on tired little legs. If you leave whilst the kids are still excited they may be more excited to come back another time and continue the viewing process.
These are just some of the ways you can get your child to enjoy and artworks just the way they are meant to. It doesn’t always have to be a laborious process getting your child to come with you. Thinking outside the box and making the whole experience into a fun and active learning activity can be rewarding for the whole family.
Read more about Experience The Power Of Art For Your Own Self.