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We’re
proud to support the 2011 Kids in Museums Manifesto, compiled entirely from visitors’ comments from museums around the
UK. It’s a practical and powerful tool to encourage and support museums and galleries around the country to make family
visits more enjoyable.
Our Kids In Museums Manifesto
1. We are welcoming
and greet each visitor. Curators, volunteers, front of house staff and those in the cafe are all involved in making
families feel welcome.
2. We have flexible family tickets. We don’t dictate the size of a family. Families come in
all shapes and sizes. We will always suggest the best value way to buy your entry tickets.
3. We play the generation game.
Many families are more than two generations, and visit with grandparents, uncles, or older cousins. Conversations between
generations is at the heart of what we do.
4. We reach out, and know who’s out there. Not everyone can come to us to ask questions. Sometimes
it isn’t the kids who are shy; parents need our support, too. We use facebook and twitter as well as our website to
explain what we do
5. We don’t say ssshhhush! Museums are places for debate and new ideas.
6. We have the “Wow!”
factor. Everyone finds real objects awesome. Come and see what makes our museum unique.
7. We don’t
just say “Don’t touch”. We try to teach respect by explaining why some things shouldn’t be
fingered.
8. We let imaginations run riot. Museums are great places to imagine being someone else, somewhere
else, or to share your family’s adventures. Everyone likes to tell stories.
9. We don’t assume what each age
wants. Toddlers can appreciate magic as well as Teenagers and grown ups!
10. We are height and language aware.
We display objects, art and labels low enough for a child to see. We try to use signs, symbols and words understood by all
ages.
11.
We are interactive and hands on. Puzzles and quizzes are as important as buttons to
push.
12.
We produce activities for all the family to do together, not just the kids on their own.
13. We have different
sorts of spaces – spaces to laugh and have magical adventures, spaces to scream and space to kick back and
enjoy a relaxing drink in the garden.
14. Wherever possible we consider different families’ needs. As far as
we are able we have adapted the building to be accessible to all
15. We keep an eye on visitors’ comfort.
We make sure the toilets are always pleasant. It’s the one place every family will visit. We provide somewhere to leave
coats, bags, pushchairs, scooters and skateboards.
16. We provide healthy, good-value drinks, and unlimited
tap water for cafe customers. Our café works to the same family friendly values as the rest of the museum.
17. We sell items
in the shop that aren’t too expensive and not just junk, but things kids will treasure and will remind them
of their visit.
18. We use our website to prepare families for the visit and let them follow up afterwards. Such
as the “I’m A Spellebrity Competition”
19. We ask families to tell us what they think, either in
words or pictures. We respect these responses and act on them. We talk to our visitors at every opportunity.
20. We stay in touch.
We try to make the visit live on even after you leave.
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