Many families visit museums, galleries and historic sites as part of a day out. It is important to have interpretation tools and hands-on activities for these audiences.

 

An Online ‘Day Planner’ for families can help. List all the activities that families can do (trails, audio guides etc) and give the approximate timings of these activities. Provide a list of what facilities you have – toilets, high chairs etc.

 

Resources on-site can comprise everything from a trail to rucksacks to audio guides. It is important that these resources are put together with the thought of involving parents / carers as well as children:

  • Activity rucksacks can contain jigsaw puzzles of portraits, examples of textiles or objects from within portraits and information or storybooks about the portraits.
  • Family Trails can comprise information about the portraits and site as well as activities, such as drawing, puzzles and searching for clues to solve mysteries. It is important to give out pencils with these as well!
  • Audio tours are usually made for adult visitors, but family audios have proved to be popular.
  • Costumed guides are often used to bring people in portraits, a story or part of a historic site to life – as is the case at Hampton Court Palace.

 

A good example:
A good example of activities and trails that can be downloaded in advance is at the Pitt Rivers Museum Oxford. These are particularly good as many are suitable for under 5s and include one on ‘Faces’. Link >>

 

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