Let’s Explore the Museum Together!

A guest article by Magdalena Schertl, mum to Oskar (2 years) and museum enthusiast.

I started taking my son Oskar to different exhibitions when he was just one year old, doing my best to make the experience engaging for him. After a few attempts, I’ve figured out some key points that ensure a successful and enjoyable museum visit.

Young children love to explore and understand their surroundings through play, so we recommend choosing a museum that offers hands-on stations and interactive exhibits. Overviews and guides can make your search easier—let the Museumsportal and our blog inspire you!

Art museums, however, may not be the best fit for children under three due to their strict no-touch policies, though there are exceptions. At the 15th-anniversary celebration of the Pinakothek der Moderne, for instance, we had no trouble keeping Oskar from touching the exhibits. His excitement about the museum’s architecture, large windows, and long corridors captivated him, allowing him to enjoy the new space.

When selecting the right museum, you can start by considering your own interests. Your enthusiasm for a particular subject can spark curiosity in your child as well. Whether you're passionate about cacti, trains, or contemporary art, you might discover a shared interest with your child.

For those looking to explore new topics, be adventurous! The Museumsportal offers a fantastic overview and can ignite your curiosity for something different. For example, I was initially skeptical about visiting the Deutsches Jagd- und Fischereimuseum (German Hunting and Fishing Museum), but the museum’s child-friendly design turned our visit into an unexpectedly fun and enjoyable morning for both Oskar and me.

Little feet tire quickly during exciting discovery tours, so if you’re unable or prefer not to bring a pushchair into the exhibition rooms, having a baby sling on hand can be a lifesaver. This way, everyone can enjoy the tour comfortably. It’s also wise to carry a small bag with essentials like snacks, a drink, and an emergency nappy. After taking in so many new sights, your little explorer might need a quick refuel, and sometimes the locker is just too far away!

Another situation to be prepared for is when the museum doesn’t live up to your expectations. Unfortunately, this happens to everyone at some point. Even the most curious children won’t always be interested in everything. If repeated attempts to engage your child with a new exhibit or room only result in growing resistance, it might be best to cut the visit short. Ending the tour early or carrying your child in a sling before a tantrum erupts can prevent a negative experience from overshadowing the museum trip.

Even highly excited children who want to turn the museum into their personal playground need gentle guidance. I was reminded of this recently when Oskar and I visited the tropical butterflies at the Botanical Garden Munich-Nymphenburg. We had a fantastic 20 minutes – Oskar was thrilled, waving enthusiastically at the butterflies, convinced they were waving back. But afterward, his excitement escalated to the point where he started throwing stones and acting out at the barriers. It wouldn’t have been fair to other visitors, or pleasant for me, to continue. In moments like these, it’s important to stay calm and remember to prioritize a positive experience for everyone involved. Take it easy. And remember #3.

Sometimes, even 30 minutes in a museum is enough. Just like us, children have their own daily rhythms. There will be days when your child is deeply engaged with everything, and others when their energy fades quickly. With a small child, a museum visit usually lasts no more than two hours, as they tend to tire out by then.

The goal of the visit isn’t to cram as much knowledge as possible into your child in a short time, but to spark their creativity and curiosity. Short trips to smaller museums, like the Palaeontological Museum Munich, which is both small and free, can be just as exciting as a visit to the Deutsches Museum Verkehrszentrum (German Museum Traffic Center). The latter has such an extensive collection that it’s impossible to see everything in one visit, making multiple visits a better option than trying to do too much at once.

If you and your child find a museum you love (like the transport center in our case), an annual pass might be a good investment. It gives you a reliable destination for rainy days, allowing you to explore the museum at a comfortable pace. Some museums also offer discounted admission on certain days of the week, and children often get in free. In Munich, there are many museums you can visit for free – more information on these can be found here: Museums in Munich – free and reduced admission.

Following Montessori's principle of "free play," you can encourage your child to begin exploring independently. If they show interest in something, you can then step in to provide an explanation. With older children, you might ask if they already know anything about the exhibit. It’s important to consult with your young visitor—suggest exploring certain things, but be open to their preferences if they aren’t interested.

For children between the ages of one and three, there’s no need to dive into complex details or specialized knowledge. Focus on answering basic questions: Why does this exist? What is it for? What does it do? What does it show? Try to connect the exhibit to something familiar in your child’s life. The pace should be adjusted to suit the child, with regular breaks for sitting down and having a drink.