Pretend Art Museum (with printables!) 🖼️
All ages can enjoy trying out the different roles!
It’s not always a bad thing when something steals your attention. In fact, that’s exactly what art is supposed to do! For better or for worse, art shapes the culture and changes the world! So let’s pay attention to some good art today.
Family Scripts reader Raygen is currently traveling the US with her family in their RV, and she loves to take her kids to museums. (You can follow their adventures on Youtube!) She requested that we find a way to bring the art museum experience home…even to a tiny home. You might be surprised by how much magic you can make happen just with some pieces of paper 😉 Here’s a 12-page PDF I made for my kids, for Raygen…and for you all!
All you have to do is tape some signs to any empty walls or doors in your home, and boom! Your home is a museum. You can ask your kids if they want to be guests, artists, a curator (guide), or a security guard. This is an activity that is extra fun with friends because you can play so many roles.
Create Art
Use the frame pages to encourage your kids to create something beautiful. Even toddlers can participate in this one!
Then display their works on the wall (even if it’s just for the day) and interview the “Featured Local Artist” about their specialty, inspiration, and artistic dreams. When a child sees their own gallery and bio on the wall, you never know what it might spark or propel in them.1
View and Discuss Art
It’s amazing that it’s free to just download and print the most famous art in the world if it’s public domain. (Most of the old stuff is, thankfully!) I chose six pieces that were by famous artists, but not their most famous pieces.2
For example, Van Gogh's postman (and his family) were the subjects of about 20 of his paintings because he was one of the few people who wanted to be friends with Vincent when he was struggling and alone. I would hope to be that kind of friend that Joseph was to Vincent. “Portrait of the Postman Joseph Roulin” is a wonderful discussion starter and a helpful reminder to me personally. Plus it’s just incredible to look at.
Whoever is being the security guard or curator might want to explain the rules and help the kids understand why we are quiet in museums and why we respect other people’s art even if it’s not our favorite.
When my kids were making art in their frames, one of them said, “That looks weird!” regarding a drawing her younger sibling made. I must admit that the piece was creepy-looking 😅 but the child didn’t intend it that way. This setting is a good opportunity for helping kids with interpersonal communication, humility, and empathy.
Eat Artfully
Museum restaurants aren’t usually burger joints but classy cafés with lots of natural light and timeless finger foods. So a beautifully arranged cheese board is perfect for ending your day at the pretend museum! Invite your kids to help cut and arrange the foods. You’ll want a variety of colors, tastes, and textures!
I hope you and your kids have fun making and admiring art (and eating pretty foods) together. My kids and I had an awesome time with ours. We’ll talk more about art in the month of May as we focus on creativity.
Please share this post if you think others would enjoy it! And send pictures if you turn your home into a little art museum for the day…or longer 😉
Have a lovely weekend.
Warmly,
Hope from Family Scripts
See last week’s “Noticing the Things That Matter” post and JJ Heller’s beautiful song “Paving the Runway”
Tourists to the Louvre complain that the Mona Lisa is tiny and it’s hard to see due to the crowds…but you can actually go right up to da Vinci’s “Genevra de Benci” at the DC National Gallery! You just might cry. Sometimes you can have a better experience with the less popular/familiar piece.
I was just telling E’s art instructor I was toying with the idea of turning one of her bedroom walls into a gallery for her art. This sealed the deal.
Oh this is cool! A fun, connected, interactive experience around art! This is much appreciated