Museum of Fine Arts Boston Trip Review

Name: Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Website: http://www.mfa.org/
Length of stay: 3 hours

This was not what I call my typical trip with the girls. We had a great time on the visit. The girls loved the collection or art work and explored a few new ideas while they saw everything. We got a viewing of the Michelangelo exhibit. It that was a real treat. This was a great trip for learning and wonderful introduction to many different types of art work. They enjoyed looking at the art work and were introduced to many different new ideas.

You enter the building in the front or the back. We went in the front of the building. Each gives you a different view of the MFA. After we entered the building the girls were amazed by the many different things to see. They loved the different stair cases right away. Each one found something different to look at. They picked out things on the ceiling and eye level. I had to remind them to look where they were going.

Before we ventured to far into the building we reviewed the rules of the building. I find it helps to do this several times on trips where you can’t touch anything. To help with this we took drawing pads with.

We started by visiting some pictures by Michelangelo in the exhibit called “Sacred and Profane, Master Drawings from the Casa Buonarroti”. I pointed out how old the pictures were. The girls each pointed to one they liked in the room. We talked about why the lights were low and how each picture was covered with a glass box. I pointed out how we try and preserve pictures from older time periods when we can.

From there we wandered to where the girls wanted to go. They saw a Blue and White exhibit and we talked about the many different types of blue and white art that we saw. It was fun to see how they all had a different take on what they liked. Each pointed out the different ways they were displayed. Some in cabinets and others on the wall. It gave them different ideas of how we work with different type of arts.

Part way through the trip someone pointed out that there was drawing and activity bags at the information desk. I got one for each of the girls. They loved the idea and had a great time looking through what was in each back. In the bag they had information on exhibits and things to finds and drawing pad and pencils for them to use. It was a great addition for the trip. I would recommend this to anyone going with younger kids to take a look at what they offer. It was free you just had to give the your library card or driver license.

We visited several of the paintings that are on display. The girls stopped to do some drawing of the room. They also picked out a few paintings they thought they knew or had seen before. It was fun for them.

We stopped to have snack and then we went to see more of the place. While having snack I talked to them about places to see on the map. They picked the Egypt section for us to go see. It was a quick trip through and they asked lots of questions about Egypt after we got home.

Over all the trip was a huge success for them and we will be going back. Only one time did I have to tell them about the rules when one was broke.

Ideas for visiting an Arts Museum
1. Review the rules of the place ahead of time. Make sure they understand what that means. Go over in detail and show them if you have to. Also gentile reminders as you go are okay.
2. See if the place offers activities for kids to do.
3. Review the floor map before you go.
4. Never expect to see everything in just one trip.
5. If you have been before have each child pick out one things they want to see.
6. Go at their pace. If they want to look at something let them.
7. Write down their questions to look up later at home.

Do you plan on taking your kids to an art museum?

Here is another great post about taking kids to an Art Museum.

Cassie – 3Dinosaurs.com