Rainy November Sunday. Off to Atlanta for an adventure at the High Museum of Art with family...
For me, Rule #1 of visiting an art museum with a kiddo is make sure they are comfy. We made sure Eli was rested, dressed him in comfy clothes, and topped off his tummy at the snack bar.
Rule #2 -- Choose something to look at that interests them. We gave Eli a choice of exhibits and he chose the current "Go West!" exhibit. I don't blame him! It is full of gorgeous landscapes, horses, cowboys, Native Americans, and images of interesting action from roundups to rodeos.
#3 -- Talk about the art. When I was an Art Education student in college, much was made of letting kids roam a room to choose an art object that interests them and then engaging them in discussion about it. Talking about art feels a little weird at first, but it can be as simple as asking about the mood of a person in a sculpture, playing "I Spy" with objects in a drawing, or asking what it would feel like to be a part of a scene in a painting.
Museums are so much more interactive these days! Eli loved this computer game inside the exhibit that let him create his own landscape sprinkled with Wild West icons.
Rule #4 -- Unless they ask for more, let one or two exhibits be enough. You want to make sure they have a good experience and will want to return, so leave the exhibit space while they are still focused and in a good mood. Luckily, the High has a great creative place space for kids called the Greene Family Learning Gallery.
Found objects turned into a magnetic art wall...
We loved these sketching benches. Clear or opaque white Plexiglas panels fit into the easel slot. Special crayons allow marks to be cleaned away with baby wipes when kids are done.
From the other side of the easel, it was fun to watch Eli studiously drawing...
When Eli went to the other side to watch me, I did a quick sketch before he could move...
The kids area had small wooden blocks as well as great big foam blocks...
Happy sigh! Creative fun!
In addition to the Greene Center, the High offers Discovery Packs. These backpacks are for use within the building and hold materials that parents can use to teach kids more about art in general as well as specific High artwork. The High also offers Toddler Thursdays, Weekend Family Tours, and Self-Guided Family Tours.
Click HERE for the High Museum of Art's website.
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