To think museums are shit?

[lecce]

Well, not really, but they seem such hard work and not really the best way to see stuff and learn about it.

I'm probably not being coherent as have just got in from an exhausting few days in London with dc (6&3). Before anyone says anything, ds1 has a huge thirst for knowledge and his face lights up at the mention of a trip to a museum, so I'm not saying that it's hell dragging a reluctant child round a museum, as that is just obvious. (I know because we have no choice but to do that to an extent with ds2 and there is no way I would ever make him go to such a place if I didn't have ds1 to consider).

But really, being herded past display after display? There just being so bloody much of it? Every sodding room leading on to yet another and another? The horrible nagging feeling that round the next corner there will be the most amazing thing that will change ds's life and we can't risk missing it? The worry that everyone else's child is getting much more from it than mine because they are just better at it as parents than us? (I know I'm being stupid on that one, but that's just part of the effect these places have on me).

So, AIBU?

We went to the V&A this week with friend and her children, so 4 children aged 6-9. It was brilliant, far and away the best museum trip we've done so far.

There were children's activities, backpack trails and the children esp liked the design your own ring computer prog in the jewellery section,in fact they loved that section in general, also watching how stained glass windows are made and used magnifying glasses to look at the miniature portraits. there was also much sniggering at willies on the sculptures and boobies in the paintings.

And......it wasn't busy! Children want to go back next hols.

When mine were the ages of yours OP I stuck to the smaller museums - The Museum of Childhood and the Geffrye Museum for example and then built up to the bigger ones (BTW the Huntarian Museum is wonderfully gory as well as interesting). With the big ones we each pick a "must see" and treat anything else as a bonus. Same thing for somewher like London Zoo. We'll take a whole day to do a biggie and take a packed lunch and snacks.

In the BM I really like the Assirian section and Lidow Man (a bit hard to spot).