My husband and I have been taking our son to museums since he was born. The trips haven't always been successful; there was a period when he was a toddler when his ability to appreciate art didn't match ours.
But now he's so museum-savvy that he plans relatives' visits here and schedules trips to museums in other cities we visit. Indeed, he often suggests random cities based on their museums: "Let's go to Spokane -- they have a culture museum there, and we don't have culture here." And that's a real quote.
After nearly 11 years, you'd think we'd seen all there is to see in the greater Seattle area. But there's more than one museum here. Indeed, there are dozens. Last weekend, we took him to KidsQuest [0], the children's museum occupying a corner of the Factoria Mall that could be described as a smaller version of the Pacific Science Center [0].
While our son may be at the upper end of the age at which kids will find it interesting, he still declared it "more fun than I thought it would be." The exhibits offer engaging ways to explore science in action -- the way a boat lock on a canal works, how a pulley can ease your workload, or even what the inside of a full-size tractor-trailer rig looks like.
Even better, the museum, which costs $7 per person for nonmembers, offers free admission every Friday. You can find out about special events at the museum's Web site [1]. Among those scheduled for this month are egg-dying sessions, an autism play day sponsored by Families for Early Autism Treatment [2] (FEAT) and a home-school science series.
Here is a sampling of other smaller, local museums that you and your child may not have visited:
The Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum [2]
This Pioneer Square museum purports to be the largest police museum in the western United States. Among the exhibits that children will enjoy: a chance to dress in real police uniforms (including bulletproof vests), the opportunity to put their parents in a cell and artifacts from as early as the 1860s. Admission is $3 for adults and $1.50 for children 12 and under.
The Nordic Heritage Museum [2]
Younger children will enjoy the Ballard museum's "Nordic Stories" programs, offered the first Tuesday of the month from 10 to 11 a.m. Along with a story, the sessions include craft projects and stickers. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and college students and $4 for kids 5 and older.
Bainbridge Island Historical Museum [2]
If you're looking for an excuse to take a ferry ride, here's one. Located in downtown Winslow, the museum is housed in an old schoolhouse. The exhibits explore the Native American history of the island, industries such as logging and farming and the island's experience during World War II, particularly the Japanese-American community that was interned during the war. Admission is $3.50 for adults, $2.50 for students and seniors and $5 for families.
Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art [2]
Got a little girl who's mad for dolls? Take a trip to this museum in downtown Bellevue. The private museum houses more than 1,200 dolls and their accoutrements, from Barbies and bisque to teddy bears and dollhouses. It's open daily and costs $8 for adults, $7 for seniors 65 and older and $5 for children 5 and older.
Many local kids also have the opportunity to visit museums with their schools, but often, parents are left out. So consider a weekend or spring-break visit to the Museum of History and Industry [2], the Washington State History Museum [2], the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture [2] or the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park [2] -- one of the few museums in the area with free admission.
Visiting a museum in the company of a child who has been already can be a great way for them to hone their abilities to explain things to others, as well as to share part of their world with their parents.
Over the winter, 911 Media Arts Center [2] had an exhibit, called "Dorkbot," of art made with electricity. Our little guy was dragged rather unwillingly by his father, but he came home determined to take me and anyone else he could convince.
When we went, he pulled me in and ran from installation to installation, telling me about each. While the exhibit was interesting -- and a reminder to check out art galleries for child-appropriate exhibits -- the biggest joy was watching how engaged he was. I'll go to any museum he's been to without me just to see that in action again.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
