Expose your children to art over spring break
Published 5:00 pm Monday, February 3, 2025
- Kids Looking at Paintings in Gallery
School vacations and long weekends are a great time to get out and visit a variety of museums in the region. I am often asked what age is appropriate for visiting museums and if there are any you should avoid with young children. I firmly believe visiting all types of museums from a young age can be valuable and enjoyable. Art museums, especially, often can be an amazing place to spur creativity and spark the imagination. But they also can be a space that some parents feel hesitant to take younger children.
There is no right or wrong age to experience an art museum; as a museum lover and professional I have witnessed children of all ages at museums, big and small. I have visited art museums in other parts of the world, large museums with collections dating back centuries, such as The Louvre in Paris. The one thing I found in all of them were children. Early exposure to art has many benefits for kids, such as an appreciation for culture, critical thinking skills, improving emotional and social interaction, self-expression, confidence and even language development.
As with any outing involving youngsters, a little preparation can go a long way to ensuring an enjoyable visit.
Eat just before you go, no one likes to be hungry when they are out and about, so making sure you visit just after a meal ensures that no one feels hangry.
Do you have nappers? Pick the best time of day for your crew.
Check ahead of time if you are planning to participate in activities. The Pendleton Center for the Arts, for example, has a staff-led Saturday class for kids 9:30-10:15 a.m. PCA also offers their Creation Station Tuesdays through Fridays, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturdays 12:30-3:30 p.m. Both are free to visitors and require no advance sign ups.
Pack sketchbooks and pencils — art museums can be a wonderful place to find inspiration. Sit your little artists down with some supplies and let them start sketching. Do not be tempted to bring markers or crayons, these are not something you want to hand your child in a gallery. However, I have known parents to use watercolor pencils and when they return home, they introduce the water to complete their masterpieces. Pack a clipboard if you feel your child will need a sturdy surface.
Take breaks during your visit, look for outdoor areas where your littles can shake out some of that youthful energy.
Look up the website for the museum you plan to visit and preview their current exhibits. You can even start a conversation with your children about what they will be seeing in person.
Before you go, take the time to discuss museum etiquette. Discuss keeping voices down, walking, sitting on appropriate seating only, not placing your sketchbook on any exhibit surface to draw.
Art museums come in many forms, some of my favorites have immersive art, which is highly interactive and opens the door for different art forms to converge in one place. Some art museums focus on a handful of artists and rotate artists exhibits every few months, they also often have working artists on site. Larger museums house collections of historically significant art as well as many other pieces, often of high value.
Art can be found in public spaces, as well, in the form of murals, statues, monuments, street art, sculptures and more. Public art can be a great way to introduce the idea of sitting and sketching, discussing what your child thinks about it, the shape, use of color — it allows them to shape an honest opinion of the piece. It is also a great way to teach art appreciation and can be a great primer on behavior in art spaces. Another option is to visit your local history museum, they often house works of art that are significant to the region where they are located.
The most important thing is that your visit is enjoyable for all involved. Do not feel like you must see it all in one visit and if your visit doesn’t go as planned try again another time. Start small, have fun and enjoy seeing it all through your child’s eyes.
Eastern Oregon has several well-established art museums focused on not only exhibits but creating art at all levels. Add these to the list for your next outing. All offer free admission.
Pendleton Center for the Arts
214 N. Main St., Pendleton
Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, noon to 4 p.m.
Crow’s Shadow Institute for the Arts
48004 Saint Andrews Road, Pendleton
Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Crossroads Carnegie Art Center
2020 Auburn Ave., Baker City
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Art Center East
1006 Penn Ave., La Grande
Hours: Wednesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Josephy Center for Arts and Culture
403 N. Main St., Joseph
Hours: Monday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m.
