Have You Taken Your Kids To The Museum?

The other day we had a family outing to the Manchester Museum.  It had been recommended as our son is a big fan of dinosaurs and when we mentioned the T-Rex on display, his eyes lit up. 

It turned out to be a great day.  I was really impressed by the range of material on display.  I would definitely recommend taking the kids.  Even for the very young ones, there is a lot of interesting stuff to look at.

These are some of the benefits museum visits have to offer kids:


1.  Family Time

We all had a great time together as a family.  It's so easy to get caught up in the routine of daily life.  Even on the weekend you have to go shopping etc.  So it's good to be able to talk to the kids without it being an instruction of some sort.  You can just talk about what you see and enjoy each other's company.


2.  Educational

I think it's great for kids to see that learning does not just take place in a classroom and that it is not something that is done because it HAS to be.  It can be an enriching, interesting experience that is done independently. 

You have the freedom to stop and look at whatever you want and knowledge is not always something that is formally supervised by a teacher.  It can also be something that is acquired informally during your spare time. 

I feel strongly that providing learning experiences like this from your child will develop their minds.  It will help turn them into adults who are curious about learning and they will pass this on. 


3.  Brings Knowledge To Life

Similar to point 2. above, the exhibits such as the animal skeletons bring pictures and knowledge they may have already acquired from books to life.  The learning is given more meaning as a result. 


4.  It's Free!

There is a donation box that you are asked to contribute to.  It need only be a small amount if you choose to donate at all.  However this helps them keep the museum free whilst maintaining it. 

At a time when government cuts continue to affect the most vulnerable in society in particular, it's good to know that there are still some paths to learning and knowledge that are not blocked for those without a ready supply of cash. 


Where else do people recommend to take the young ones for an educational visit that won't break the bank?  Please comment below.