Visiting a children's exhibit in a museum should be fun and educational, inspiring a child's curious mind. The design of an environment in a children's museum should tempt children to play, learn and explore. It is important to understand the behavior of children to successfully create a children's exhibit.
Instructions
1. Make the children interested in themselves. Children are endlessly fascinated by their own voice, shadow, face and relationship to the rest of the world. Include funny mirrors, projected images or ways to record their voices and listen back.
2. Encourage children to interact with one another. Ensure that multiple children can participate in the same thing at one time to take turns and observe. Mount table-top activities on round tables at the same level. Each child can participate and view the others at the same time.
3. Accommodate a wide range of ages. Make exhibits that are interesting to a 12-year-old, but at the same time safe for a toddler to explore. Use subject matters that interest all ages such as animals, dinosaurs, construction, water and trains.
4. Consider all of the senses. Things will be much more exciting and mind-stimulating if they tickle all the senses. Exhibits should include tactile, visual and auditory stimulants and possibly even smell and taste.
5. Understand the relationship between simple toys and complex thinking. Simple exhibits will encourage complex thinking, creativity and problem-solving. Complex activities do all of the thinking and entertaining for a child, stifling creativity.
6. Include role-playing opportunities. Role-playing is a favorite for most children. It requires a great amount of imagination. Include buildings and environments to climb through along with costumes and props.
