It’s nearly 100 degrees outside with an even higher heat index. It’s just too hot to be outside. Everyone is soaked with sweat the moment you go out the door. City parks aren’t fun anymore. The slides are too hot. The gnats are too bothersome. Splash pads are so crowded that they are closing the gates early due to capacity. You’ve already seen all the latest movies. Everyone is starting to get the summer blues and summer just began. It’s time to start searching for indoor activities to keep the kids from going stir crazy.
Visiting museums and hands-on centers can be a great relief for parents and kids during these scorching hot summer days. With a little prep and planning, a museum visit can become one of the most fun summer experiences and leave your kids asking for more. Keep these tips in mind as you move in from the heat and enjoy the cool insides.
1. Plan ahead.
To get the most of your museum experience, preparing your kids in advance will help them to get the most out of your time inside.
Think through the activities you’ll be experiencing and ensure they understand the difference between an artifact museum, like Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit, compared to a hands-on type center. One of my family’s memorable experiences at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum is special for all the wrong reasons as our son thought he could touch all the aircraft. A little planning ahead will hopefully help you avoid a screaming child incident.
(Did you know you can touch an iceberg and a piece of the Titanic? Neat facts to help prepare your kids for their visit.)
Find out the hours and know the best time for your family. Some families are fresher in the morning and will have a better experience when the museum opens. For example, the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit opens at 10 a.m. allowing for a relaxed morning.
2. Do a little “homework.”
Learning about your experience before you go will help your kids to be more engaged during your visit.
A little bit of “homework” can go a long way and add to your fun factor.
For a visit to the Titanic, consider age appropriate books and movies. The Scholastic book series I Survived has a great book for early readers about I Survived: The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 and the Magic Tree House Series, Tonight on the Titanic. The 1997 James Cameron film, The Titanic, may be appropriate for some older kids. After my family’s visit to the Titanic, my kids were inspired and really wanted to learn more, so it provided a good opportunity for additional summer “homework.”
3. Interact with the guides.
Sadly, I see so many families avoid the guides during a museum visit. If the guides are a free resource, then definitely tap into their knowledge base and find out about many of the “hidden” details throughout the museum.
The actors throughout the Titanic portray various people that were on the ship. In addition to learning about specific people and their part of the story, the actors can delve into some amazing facets of the artifacts. For example, make sure you see the faucet handles from the bath tub. Although these look like every day faucet handles, did you know this one of the first times cold and hot water taps would have been offered throughout the ship, not only in the first-class area. At that time, typically you would only have cold water, even in first class.
In addition to the guides, when you enter the Titanic you’ll be assigned as a passenger and receive a boarding card with their name and information. Toward the middle of your journey, you’ll get to find your name on a large board to determine if you survived. While finding your name, ask a guide if they survived and more about their story.
See "Little Big Piece," a 3-ton section of the Ship's hull and the second largest piece of Titanic ever recovered.
4. Tap into extra resources to make your visit a true experience.
From blogs and friend recommendations, utilize additional resources to ensure you’ll be getting the most from your visit. Visitor guides and websites have a treasure trove of information.
Did you know there is an online encyclopedia devoted to the Titanic (encyclopedia-titanica.org) or you could research the cargo manifest (titanic-whitestarships.com).
5. Ask open ended questions.
Finally, don’t let your museum visit end at the exit. Think of a few open-ended questions to spur your kids’ conversations. Easier questions include “What was your favorite part?” or “Tell me about your favorite artifact.” More in depth thoughts could be “If you were one of the officers, how would you have handled the emergency and moved people to safety?” or “If you were a passenger, what would you have done to get your family to safety?” These questions can help show how much your child enjoyed the visit and provide further learning opportunities for both of you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
Redesigned in 2012, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition showcases more than 400 artifact and historical treasures, including the second largest piece of Titanic ever recovered. Located on International Drive, the museum is open daily and tickets can be purchased at the box office or online. For more information, visit Premier Exhibitions.
About Premier Exhibitions Inc.
Premier Exhibitions Inc. (OTCQB:PRXI), located in Atlanta, Georgia, is a major provider of museum quality exhibitions throughout the world and a recognized leader in developing and displaying unique exhibitions for education and entertainment. The Company's exhibitions present unique opportunities to experience compelling stories using authentic objects and artifacts in diverse environments. Exhibitions are presented in museums, exhibition centers and other entertainment venues. Additional information about Premier Exhibition Inc. is available at www.prxi.com.
