Family Treasure Hunts in Museums

Museums Have Treasures

Many families stop at local museums while traveling.  They are a fine break from riding in the car.  These museums often have treasures and a flavor of the area and its past.  However, young children often want to go through like they do most everything—fast.  While older children and adults may want to take time to read and do interactive exhibits.

  A very easy game takes no preparation, slows everything down a bit so everyone can enjoy the experience, and provides something to discuss in the car while resuming the 

Make Sketches of Favorite Displays

trip.

  You will need a spiral notebook and pen for each family member or team of a very young child with an older child or adult.

Family Meeting

  You can set the ground rules of museum politeness and respect: Find at least five exhibits you find interesting. Use soft indoor voices.  WALK around.  Do not touch exhibits or artifacts unless invited by signs. Ask questions of guides. Do not enter roped off areas. Meet at a certain place at a designated time. When leaving, everyone 

Ask Questions of Guides

thanks the museum personnel for what they do.  The guides might enjoy seeing some of the children’s sketches.

  While looking around each family member or team makes a “Find Five Artifacts” game.  Make a sketch and write words that will help another member find the five artifacts when they meet with one other person/team and switch sketches.  When the other members find the artifact, they must read the sign, find the use of the item and be ready to explain its part in history or tell its story.

Share History

Native American Displays Show Our Past

For example, there might be a solar compass in an exhibit about the discovery of iron ore.  They may be a wigwam and display of wool blankets Native Americans traded for furs with the Europeans.  What do the lines stand for?  Sometimes there are two or three, long or short.  What is the meaning?

  Meet others twice and exchange games.  Members will have written answers and notes on a separate piece of paper. Share a bit, but save the most for the car trip.   

  Before leaving, each member may pick one exhibit to share with the family and play the part of a docent/explainer.

  Usually no pictures are allowed inside museums, but take a picture outside the museum and make a note of the address.

Back home Grandparents will enjoy the

Share Information About a Favorite Activity 

sketches and listening to children tell about their museum adventure.  Children will learn how to visit a museum and to take time to observe.  They will learn that visiting a museum is not a race. There are treasures inside. 

Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos from: Fort Michilimackinac and Marquette Regional History Center

More Vocabulary Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores. For more help to prepare young children for success, check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio, 90; Youtube