Spring Break Ideas: Museum Games

by Jennifer Cooper, posted on March 25th, 2010 in Ideas and Inspiration

This is a picture of me with my kids during a recent visit to Walters Art Museum. I love museums. Love them, love them. This enthusiasm for museums developed at a young age.

When the first nice day of spring rolled in, my parents would declare it adventure day. Then they’d pack the six of us into an old beat up van and head into Washington, DC for some sightseeing.

We’d hit the mall and walk for miles and miles. The route was typically the same. First up Natural History, then it was American History. Next we’d tour the National Gallery of Art. Usually we’d finish at Air & Space, where my dad would buy slides featuring constellations and planets to add to his collection. The ultimate finale? A pack of astronaut ice cream for us kids to share. Sweet, sweet freeze-dried neapolitan goodness.

There were three things that would always happen after our adventure: 1. I’d complain endlessly that my feet and legs hurt, 2. we’d get lost heading out of DC and 3. I’d dream about what I saw that day.

However, the reality is that not every kid is as enthusiastic about going to the museum as I was. That’s where making it a game comes in.

The founders of Birdcage Press have created a variety of games that get kids excited about going to the museum. The games are clever, fun and great for a variety of ages.

I honestly love the Birdcage Press mission and their products. And I’m not alone. Their games have won the Oppenheim Best Toy Award, Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award, Teacher Choice Awards and the iParenting Media Award among many others.

And now for the giveaway…

The amazing women at Birdcage Press have graciously agreed to give away three of their games to three lucky readers: Art Ditto, National Gallery: Close Up and the Impressionist Art Game.

All you have to do to enter is comment below. I will randomly select three winners on Monday, March 29.

Good luck!

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Comments

20 Responses to “Spring Break Ideas: Museum Games”

Erin Says:
March 25th, 2010 at 8:50 pm

Ooh me please!! These would help fulfill
my ow. Mission as artist, art-lover, and parent! Great giveaway!!

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Emily Says:
March 25th, 2010 at 8:50 pm

I think these are great, museums have always been some of my favorite places and I hope to foster that love in my child.

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Jennifer Says:
March 25th, 2010 at 8:53 pm

Very cool! I had never heard of these before and would love to win a set for me, errr I mean my kids

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Cheryl Says:
March 25th, 2010 at 8:58 pm

Hm..possibly about times my kids got some culture in them?

LOVE that pic, btw!

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raj Says:
March 25th, 2010 at 9:49 pm

i love museums! and art too!

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Cindy H Says:
March 26th, 2010 at 1:12 am

Love that you guys are wearing artsy black at the gallery.

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Jennifer Cooper Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 1:21 am
Ah yes! I noticed that too. I swear it wasn’t intentional. And yet, there we are, all color coordinated.

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Kirsten Says:
March 26th, 2010 at 2:25 am

You guys come up with the Most. Awesome. Giveaways!!!!!

Love these, any of ‘em, and FINALLY there would be a game that I am willing to focus on enough to play with them.

(do you realize we’ve never ‘done’ a museum together? Next week perhaps??)

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Aliza Says:
March 26th, 2010 at 2:35 am

Love it, love it, love it! I never liked museums, and yet have been feeling the urge to take the boys to the Natural History Museum when we’re in NY next week… and now this post!!!

As an aside, have you ever seen the books, Can You Find It, Outside? and Can You Find It, Inside? They’re beautiful look and find books for kids, but with works of great art. Check ‘em out.

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Jennifer Cooper Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 3:09 am
Aliza, is this one of the books you’re talking about? http://www.amazon.com/Can-You-Find-Outside-Discover/dp/0810957957 I’m going to have to add them to my wish list.

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Simone Michele Says:
March 26th, 2010 at 4:16 am

As NYC parents, our family spends a lot of time at museums. Since our daughter has been 2 years old, we have been playing a museum scavenger hunt. We stop in the gift shop before we head into the museum and pick up a couple of postcards featuring art from the museum. Then our little girl hunts for those pictures as we wander through the galleries. It always keeps her engaged.

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Jennifer Cooper Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Simone, what a brilliant idea. I am trying that on our next museum visit.

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Jen Says:
March 26th, 2010 at 1:02 pm

Two firsts here: I finally delurk and comment on your site at the same time I register for my first online giveaway. Finn’s officially 18-mos now and I’m dying to get her into museums asap. Even if we don’t win, thanks for the wonderful idea!

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Jennifer Cooper Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Yay Jen! You’ve delurked!

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Lori-Anne Says:
March 26th, 2010 at 7:23 pm

I’ve never heard of these games, but they sound fun. I have been toying with a museum visit with my almost three-year-old son for some time, but am afraid of the carnage that might be left in our wake! Our local museum is small and the stuff on show is maybe over his head, which leaves climbing walls and pulling down props as alternative entertainment! A game, though, we could totally do!

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Dawn Walter Says:
March 26th, 2010 at 8:08 pm

My kids sure need culture- they live on a farm. With cows.

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Caroline Says:
March 26th, 2010 at 9:01 pm

Looks great – I think we need an ‘adventure day’ SOON!

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jen Says:
March 29th, 2010 at 3:05 pm

wow, great idea!

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Shannon Says:
March 29th, 2010 at 8:25 pm

awesome! My girl loves the ‘muzem’ We might have to move in.

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paola:mirrormirror Says:
March 29th, 2010 at 8:35 pm

Oh these look fabulous. Pick me! Pick MEEEE!

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