What makes a good day out for a toddler and their parent?
- Toilets that are easy to locate, large enough to fit a pushchair inside and have adequate baby changing facilities.
- Friendly staff who understand that even the very best behaved toddler will run about or make a noise and who actually welcome some fun and laughter in their galleries and corridors.
- Space, so toddlers can run about a bit, have room to look at exhibits without fighting their way through a sea of legs and so parents can easily see their children while giving them some freedom.
- Visually impressive or attractive exhibits that wow a toddler for their extraordinary qualities (eg. large aeroplanes or stunning African masks) or which can be easily recognised due to their ordinariness (eg. spoons and clothes).
- Some exhibits at toddler eye level so they have freedom to explore and find things they are drawn to, rather than what we choose to lift them up to see.
- Crayons and paper. We always take some in our backpacks so we can draw in the galleries but it is an added bonus when museums have provided colouring in sheets.
- Things to touch and play.
- A place to get refreshments or ideally a picnic area where toddlers can refuel without breaking the bank.
- Somewhere secure to leave your pushchair so you don't have to drag it around the museum.
- Easy pushchair access into and around the building.
Garden Girl and Garden Boy love visiting museums and heritage attractions and the big bonus for me is that I get a lot out of the visit too, especially when the place we visit has catered well for their toddler audience. A happy toddler leaves me free to browse the exhibits and learn something new. I hope that the forthcoming reviews will provide you with a varied and interesting list of places to visit with your toddler.
