 
You are your child’s first, and most important, teacher and play partner. Play is the important work of childhood, where children learn and grow into their future selves. Come, join in and play, watch your child explore and experiment, listen to his sounds, comments, and questions, and talk to her about your memories and experiences.
Some practical advice for your visit
Extend the Museum Experience/Learning at home
Food for Thought About Your Trip to the Museum:
• “Less”can actually mean “more.”
The Museum is big – you don’t have to see it all in one day or rush through. In fact, the more time your child spends in an exhibit the more engaged he can become in the activities, which can lead to increased learning.
• Follow your child’s lead.
Children often surprise us with their interests. Observe your child. What types of activities does your child enjoy most? What activities keep your child’s attention the longest? These observations help you to understand and appreciate your child more.
• “Read it again, mom!” Repetition, repetition, repetition.
Young children can also exasperate us with their singular fascinations, but those are an important part of child development as children learn through repetition. Remember when you were little and you wanted to have your parents read the same story to you over and over again? Remember how much you enjoyed its familiarity and maybe saw something new each time? Well, now it’s your child’s turn to have the same fun.
• Bored?
If you find yourself bored, try challenging yourself to do the activity a different way, or from a different starting point, or just enjoy how much your child is enjoying it. Don’t be embarrassed; everyone is here to have a good time.
• Parenting “in Public.”
Children don’t always behave as we’d like them to. We’ve all experienced this, and we understand. Check out our “parenting in public” tips HERE for advice on some specific situations and don’t sweat it too much.
• Cell free zone.
Consider turning off your cell phone: your child needs your undivided attention, and you need a break from multi-tasking. Making time for play is important to grown-ups, too. So roll up your sleeves, dig in, get messy, explore, play, but most of all, have fun!
Some practical advice for your visit:
• Food
Young children get hungry often. While we don’t allow eating in the museum (due to uninvited guests that can damage our exhibits and collections) but we do provide a lunchroom on the first floor where you can snack.
• Clothes
Bring an extra change of clothes. Learning can be messy and wet sometimes!
• Staff
Museum floor staff wear red shirts. If you are in need of assistance or have any questions, please look for a staff person. There is a specific system in place for lost children. Notify a staff person as soon as possible.
• Lost children
Review with your child what to do in case he/she gets lost. Consider having a common meeting space in case you and your child get separated, such as the giant chessboard in the second floor lobby.
• Bathrooms
There are several bathrooms on every floor, and there are changing tables in all of them.
Extend the Museum Experience/Learning at home:
We also have lots of suggestions for ways to extend the fun and learning at home, with activities to do here:
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