Visiting museums with kids isn’t rocket science, but it can be exhausting. I’ve been embarrassed, over-stimulated, and promised never to return. As a homeschool mom of four, we’ve spent many, many days at museums and zoos and driving back and forth. I have really fond memories of the time spent exploring at the children’s museum or returning to favorite hidden treasures with our science museum membership. Or even just the relaxed days of carschooling on the way to a field trip with friends.
During one memorable art museum experience, my kids waited for their big sister outside the bathroom only to jump out and loudly yell BOO! She screamed. They laughed. The docents didn’t.
These are the best homeschool days. They’re hard but don’t give up; just read these top, mom-tested tips to not only survive but thrive during your family field trip.
~~~> Are you a homeschool family looking to add more museums to your homeschool life? Make sure you check out this ultimate list of homeschool including our Classical Conversations curriculum, roadschooling, unschooling, and living book lists.
Why Should I Take My Kids to a Museum?
Depending on the age of your kids, family field trips can seem impossible. Sometimes, just the idea of taking the kids somewhere alone is overwhelming enough. As a homeschool family, we get to choose how to learn real world history from actual artifacts and about artists from their original art. The kids are learning how to learn in the real world with real objects.
How many grown ups do you know who go to museums for fun? Or maybe they only go to exciting ones on vacation but have yet to see the ones in their own hometowns? Let’s be different. Raise different.
~~~> If the cost of museums keeps you from visiting, head here to learn about saving money with membership museum associations. “Museum Memberships: How to Save Money on Family Travel (2025)”
When the Stress is Mom’s Fault… Most of the Time
Don’t get all defensive when I say it’s your fault that you’re stressed at the museum. Let’s check ourselves, Parents. Some of the museum disaster is really your fault. As an equally guilty mom here, the fingers are pointing backward at me as well.
#1 Communicate Well About the Upcoming Museum Day
Quit asking if they want to go to the museum – just announce where and when you are going. Their gut response will always be complaining. At least in my house!
Be patient and answer their questions, even when you don’t have all the answers. Share info and pictures about how long you’ll stay, who’s coming, and what they’ll see. A heads-up helps ease worries about timing or lunch. Knowing they only “have” to be here for two hours is different than them worrying all day they won’t be done in time for piano or about what they get to have for lunch. Some kids are over-planners – I sure have one!
#2 Explain the Rules; Don’t Just Say What Not to Do
If they’re new to museums, explain the rules: stay behind the line, don’t touch artifacts, and use quiet voices. Share the “why” behind these rules—it helps them understand and behave better. We don’t touch that coffin because it’s from before Jesus! We don’t run because this stuff is very important.
#3 Set Reasonable Trip Expectations
Did you set reasonable hours and attention for the family field trip? Shorter, repeated trips are better than forcing kids to endure hours of complaints. Know when to stop. Don’t force the kids to stick it out to see the entire museum if they’re just complaining for the last two hours. They’re not getting anything out of it, and you’re just getting more worn-down as well. Know when to stop.
Consider your kids’ limits: past experiences, nap schedules, food needs, or the need to burn off energy. A museum trip with kids isn’t the same as one with adults. A museum trip with kids is different than a trip with the husband. Remember that.
#4 Prepare Ahead of Time to Limit the Frustrations
Nothing will go right if Mom and Dad are in a bad mood because something didn’t go according to plan. Just turn around and call it a day. None of these are the kids’ fault. Do your research ahead of time to limit any potential complications.
What days and hours are they open? Do you know how the buy one get one tickets work? Are strollers allowed for my newborn and toddler? Do they have lockers for the diaper bag? Did I just buy myself a much-needed coffee only to be told I can’t take it in?
#5 Start with the Must-See Museum Exhibits
Start with the museum’s highlights, that thing you’ll regret not getting to see. This will keep you from going even when you should have stopped. If you want to see the impressionists, go there first—you might miss it if the kids are ready to leave early!
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way. Let’s now move on to keeping those little museum monsters happy.
Why Do My Kids Want to Touch Everything?
I like to think that deep down inside, museums really do want to have kids visit. And why aren’t museums set up to be more kid friendly?! Before heading out for the day, look online to see what the museum offers to help make your experience better.
#6 Grab the Museum Map
If the museum offers a paper map at the desk– get it. If they have a map to download on your phone – get it. It will give the kids a distraction and let them feel more in control of the experience. Not to mention, then you can practice map skills.
Let the kids be in charge of the path through the museum because in the end, it doesn’t really matter does it?!
#7 Keep Hands Busy at the Museum
As a continuation of tip #1, little hands that are busy holding something find it more difficult to touch things. Give them something for their hands: a sketch pad, a museum brochure, the map… You can also tell them you need their help with carrying something; now they have a job and a purpose.
Print out the available scavenger hunt. Know to ask for the kid museum bag at the front desk. Or just ask the docent at the entrance. It never hurts to ask.
~~~> Do you get stressed when planning road trips? Make sure you read “10 Tips to Less Stress on Road Trips” and these detailed itinerary road trip Virginia itinerary and Yellowstone itinerary.
#8 Practice Keeping Hands Close
Covered hands can’t touch things. Train the kids to keep their hands in their pockets while walking through a museum (or even Hobby Lobby). Even the littlest kids can be given something to “keep safe” in their jacket pocket. Maybe they can hold a package of smarties and eat it at the end of the room if they keep touching it.
Hold their hands. They don’t have to keep their hands hidden, but those ancient Roman vases sure make me nervous!
How Can My Kids Get More Interested in the Museum?
#9 Take a Guided Museum Tour
Depending on the subject, some of best trips ever are those with a museum guide, and honestly, I need to be willing to pay for it more often. I love showing my kids people who are passionate about a subject, and who is more passionate that the people who actually work with the museum. And, this way they can ask all their questions to the guide and not get frustrated when mom doesn’t know all the answers. Not to mention, kids seem to pay more attention to people who aren’t their own parents!? Right?
#10 In Reverse… Don’t Take the Guided Tour
Yes, I know I just said to take the guided museum tour, but sometimes you just need to skip it. If you are feeling rushed or the kids truly aren’t interested or they’re already giving you grumpy vibes, don’t take it out on someone else. Not only will the kids possibly not listen to the guide (or be disrespectful), but if their attention has already gone, allow your group to move on to the part that they find interesting. Less frustration for everyone.
~~> Best and most popular museums that will hold your kids’ attention? Add the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum to your family road trip plan with these posts.
#11 Get the Museum Phone Guide
If you’re not feeling a guided tour but still want more information, see about an audio tour. You may need to download an app on your phone or maybe pay more to borrow audio the museum’s hand-held device. But, it will give the kids the momentum and distraction that they need.
Ask questions about the guide. If it is one that provides information based on location, definitely get the app, and here’s why. This also will serve as a map for the museum which your child can get to help “lead” the group. Now they not only have a familiar device to play with use, but they just became the leader and have a new responsibility to get you through the museum maze.
But My Kids Act Bored at the Museum…
#12 Don’t Go to Boring Places or Everyone Will be Bored
Maybe the kids act bored because it is a boring museum. Or one that isn’t right for that time of your life and learning. You don’t have to see it all right now. Save it for later.
Do the proper research ahead of time and pick a museum that seems both child-friendly that has stuff that will truly interest your kids. Bonus if they are some outdoor learning spaces or hands-on exhibits that will waken you all up!
#13 Let the Kids Take Photos
Take an extra camera, and put your kid in charge of taking pictures. This may mean you delete lots when you get home, but it’s not like they’re wasting film. Or in a moment of desperation, give them your phone to do the same. Not to mention, then you can use these photos at home to see what interested them… even when they’re unwilling to tell you. You might even get a budding photographer out of it.
Honestly, this is my top tip to show that I was even at the trip as I might even show up in the photo to prove that I did participate.
#14 Create a Museum Scavenger Hunt
Kids love scavenger hunts. Get a scavenger hunt at the front desk or make one yourself. Even if the museum has one that’s for younger kids, go ahead and grab it. If nothing else, it will give them something to do for a couple of minutes. Some websites have interactive searches on their website listed so always look ahead. Give the kids an assignment with that camera you gave them up in tip #13.
- Find something you’d like to learn more about.
- Find something disgusting / beautiful / super cool.
- Find something you want to show Dad at home.
- Find the longest word you can find.
- Find a typo – this is good for those oldest grammatically-tuned girls (or moms!).
- Find a country that you know where it is.
- Find something super-duper old.
- …. the options are endless. Make it up off the top of your head.
I recently heard the suggestion to go to the museum shop before walking around and pick out several postcards of the exhibits. Then the kids need to find them in the museum. Score! Can’t wait to try out this genius idea myself.
Can I Eat at the Museum?
#15 Plan Around Food on Museum Day
Not eating at the museum adds stress if you have those kids who eat all day at home. Eat a super big breakfast, maybe have a snack before getting out of the car, and head to the museum for a couple of hours. If you have more to see after lunch, eat at the car or have a picnic. Then go back inside for an hour or two.
Don’t feed the kids a sugar crazy breakfast that’s going to crash in the museum. That’s a recipe for disaster. You know better.
#16 Sneak a Treat at the Museum
If the museum won’t frown on it, give them little burst of sugar will let them go further. “I’ll give you a Starburst once we get to the next room.” If you need to be more stealth, a special piece of gum might do the trick.
Not to mention, chewing mouths have to work harder to be loud. This is also my trick for getting little kids to sit still in a play. Just make sure you open the noisy sucker wrapper before it starts.
PS: I completely admit to sneaking a piece of candy for myself or the kids even if the sign says not to. I know I’m not the only one. It’s a survival technique.
#17 Promise a Treat After the Museum
Hear me out: bribing your children is completely allowed. Think of it this way. I get paid to work; I wouldn’t do it “just for fun”. I treat myself when I finish a hard book; it gives the motivation to keep going. Kids are much younger, have a much lower attention span, and have to work a lot harder to keep still (and quiet).
Instead of threatening to punish if they don’t behave (which doesn’t work anyway), promise an ice cream cone for the way home. Or a cold drink because you can see how sweaty they are. Sometimes “Let’s look for thirty more minutes and then we can go get that Sonic drink” might be what you need to get through that 30 minutes. And it’s okay.
~~~> That’s only half of my tips for keeping kids happy at the museum. Keep going!
Why Are My Kids Unable to Stand Still?
Your kids can’t stand still because they’re kids! Let’s keep it reasonable and real.
#18 Take an Indoor Break
You know those fancy benches in the middle of the art gallery? They aren’t just there for studious artists to sketch. Let the little kids sit in the middle while you walk around with the older kids who are still paying attention. Granted, tell them this doesn’t mean lay down and roll around. (Not that mine would ever do that? Eye roll.)
If no bench is available, there are corners. Tell them to sit and hand them your phone to play a game. Technology at its finest. It’s allowed.
(Make sure they keep their sandals on their feet. My kid once got in trouble for slipping off his sandals while calm sitting in an art gallery. Docents can be ridiculous!)
#19 Take an Outside Wiggle Break
If there is an outdoor exhibit, use it when their brains are fogging up. If the museum lets you reenter, take them out to the parking lot to be free in their full arm-swinging fast-walking speed.
Sometimes just breaking up the museum monotony by returning to the car to eat is enough to keep them going. Just adding that little brain break will work wonders for their attention span. Make lunch a little longer and let them run around a bit to burn off some energy.
Why Are My Kids the “Only” Ones Who Can’t Behave at the Museum?
#20 Practice Visiting a Museum
Visit museums frequently from your hometown starting at a young age. Even if your town doesn’t have a huge museum, it’s still a museum to visit. Give the small museums support and use the opportunity to show the kids how to act in a lower pressure environment.
Don’t wait for a visit to an amazing museum across the world. You might just waste half a day doing something your kids have not been prepared for.
#21 Ignore Everyone Else (and their Expectations)
Not being influenced by others is definitely easier said than done. Most likely, everyone else visiting the museum has had whispered threats and difficulties as well. Maybe, if your’e feeling extroverted, you could even use this as a way to make a new mom friend. Ask how her kids stay interested or what magic pill she gave them this morning.
Remember that everyone has a bad day no matter how experienced they seem. Today can be your day and you just try again later. Sometimes things and children really are out of your control at times. If you see a mom having a difficult time, maybe you could step in and help her on her hard day. Band together, Moms!
#21 Remember Docents are Just Doing Their Museum Jobs
Prepare yourself to be followed around by the museum docents. Everywhere. I fully believe that the museum staff assumes how your kids act the minute you set foot in the door. Maybe there’s a secret walkie-talkie network warning the next chain of command. Or it’s in the training manual.
Explain to the kids why the museum volunteers and staff are there. I love to give this as a challenge to my kids. Let’s set an example of how awesome kids can be fully engaged at museums so they aren’t suspicious of kids next time. Now, I can’t control those huge school groups… but maybe homeschoolers and families can be viewed differently?
#22 Mom Acts Interested (or Fakes it)
Kids mimic what they see for sure. If the adults are bored at the museum, the kids can tell. If you think it’s stupid or Daddy complains, they won’t want to go!
Show them and talk about how you love going to museums and learning as a whole. Make it a family trip. Talk about history at home. Learn about artists and hang up special paintings at home. Study Egyptian artifacts and talk about what they tell us about their ancient culture. Look at interactive museums online. Show the kids how adults like doing these things so they can grow up and do the same with their families.
How Can I Rescue a Hard Museum Day?
#23 Know When You Should Leave the Museum
You don’t have to see everything at the museum. You don’t have to “hit” the art museum that’s right next to the science museum. You don’t have to “get your money’s worth.” If melt downs are happening, call it quits. It’s okay.
#24: Allow Some Down Time in the Car (and at Home)
Introverts know that museums – especially crowded ones – are a bit much. Add it to that uncontrolled kids who aren’t your own, much worse. When you get to the car, encourage a nap for the hour drive home. When you get to the car, let them put on their headphones and watch a funny movie. When you get to the car, make sure they aren’t thirsty or hungry or needing something.
This mom survived the hour-long-drive from downtown Houston back to the house for years with Bluetooth headphones. The kids can listen to whatever loudness they want while I block them out and go into a book or a podcast or something less… crazy.
You don’t have to live up to that ridiculous hype of singing songs in the car or even listening to a family audiobook. Know when you’re done. And don’t be afraid to pick up supper on your way home. Or put Dad in charge. Mom may need to hide.
#25 Don’t “Do School” after a Museum Day
Museums are one of my favorite ways to learn alongside my kids. I totally count it as a successful homeschool day. I definitely feel like a super star when we have done some carschooling on the way to the museum.
Do not go home and tell them that now they need to do math or finish reading a chapter or write an essay about what they learned at the museum. Their brains have been working hard today not only to behave, but also all the reading and learning they did while at the museum.
Don’t underestimate how hard they have worked today. You’re tired; they most definitely are.
One day, while staying with my in-laws, we got home from a full day with friends at the Houston Museum of Natural History – a huge endeavor by itself. My Father-in-law, who was trying to be helpful, offered to help the kids do some math worksheets. My 10 year old told him quite matter-of-fact that she had already done a lot of learning that day. She recognized the value of real-world learning; that’s better math problems any day!
~~~> If the cost of museums keeps you from visiting, head here to learn about saving money with membership museum associations. “Museum Memberships: How to Save Money on Family Travel (2025)”
There are so many great places out there that people do not appreciate. Let’s raise up a generation of kids who will one day take their own families to go see the mummies and truly appreciate history… and invite you along!
Thanks for stopping by my little corner! Here’s to your next adventure.
I’m Bobbie. As transplants from Texas, my family of six is on a mission to discover all of Georgia’s amazing places, experience amazing road trips across the United States, and create a homeschool life along the way.
Want to adventure like me? Reach out! I’d love to chat. Stop by my Instagram or Pinterest page to discover more of our adventures.
Want to work with me? I’d love to work with your destination and tourism board to help other family travelers see all you have to offer.
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