Strategies to Ensure Your Kids Love Museum Visits in Europe, from a Mom with Experience

I’m not quite sure how my seven-year-old, Bobby, became aware of the 'Mona Lisa.' It could have been from my art books at home, during a school lesson on famous artists, or even through some intriguing YouTube videos. Regardless, during our first trip to Paris last December, I felt compelled to take him to see the iconic painting in person, despite the crowds.

The Louvre was buzzing with activity: after the COVID-19 pandemic, a staggering 7.8 million visitors flocked to I.M. Pei’s renowned pyramid in 2022, marking a 170% rise from 2021 (though still slightly lower than 2019). Everyone seemed to choose Paris for their holiday getaway, bustling along Rue de Rivoli and gathering around Notre Dame, even with its renovations. Yet, I was set on navigating through the main attractions. This led me to ponder a crucial question: how can you engage a small child with culture and art — someone likely to have tantrums, sudden hunger, and struggles with jet lag? How can you leave a city like Paris having provided a meaningful learning experience? With some experience now, I recommend adhering to these four straightforward rules, especially if you're eager to explore the prominent sights.

Plan your visit during off-peak hours.

Museums are typically quieter right when they open, become busy around midday, and then taper off in the evening. For instance, the stunning Musée Picasso-Paris in the Marais District opens at 10:30 a.m. on weekdays. We secured advance tickets for an 11 a.m. entry and smoothly entered, allowing us to explore nearly 300 paintings on display. By the time we departed, crowds were starting to fill the main galleries — but our early visit gave us a significant advantage. Additionally, many museums offer extended evening hours, which we took advantage of during our summer 2022 trip to the Vatican.

Keep your indoor visits to two hours or less.

We aimed to explore the Musée D’Orsay and the Louvre: two of the major attractions. These museums are immense, housing thousands of artworks. However, once you accept that it’s impossible to see everything, it becomes much easier to stick to a clear schedule — helping to prevent the kids from getting overwhelmed. 'Keeping visits to two hours or less is essential,' advises Julia Pirrung, founder of Jet Set World Travel, a family travel expert and member of Dinogo’s Advisory Board. 'If you choose to explore without a guide, encourage the kids to do some research beforehand so they can lead the way with a map. The more involved they are prior to the visit — and the more ownership they feel inside — the better the experience will be.'

At the Louvre, we had a guide arranged by Pierre Donel, the chief concierge at the Hôtel de Crillon, a Rosewood Hotel, who booked us a two-hour “Louvre Express” tour through Mon Petit Paris. This allowed us to enter at a designated time with about 15 other guests; we used a special group security entrance and got to see the big three ('Mona Lisa,' 'Winged Victory,' 'Venus de Milo') with an English-speaking expert, who also shared insights about the museum’s history as a medieval fortress turned palace. We saved the 'Mona Lisa' for last, with my husband Rob lifting Bobby onto his shoulders so he could better admire her smile.

Welcome the surprises and explore the smaller attractions.

A knowledgeable concierge or local guide can suggest hidden gems beyond the usual tourist spots that are worth exploring. “Paris boasts excellent museums specifically designed for children, like the Musée Grévin (Wax Museum), La Cité des Sciences, Grande Galerie de l'Évolution, Galerie de Paléontologie, and Musée de l'IllusionMusée de l’Orangerie might be a popular choice, it became one of Bobby’s favorite destinations due to its accessibility and manageable size; you can enjoy Monet’s 'Water Lilies' and important Impressionist pieces by Renoir and Matisse in under half an hour.

Make it engaging... and don't forget to visit the gift shop.

Both Donel and Pirrung recommend incorporating a scavenger hunt to add an element of fun and excitement. “Kids can hunt for treasures and solve puzzles,” notes Pirrung, who did this during a guided tour at the Louvre with her two children. We opted for a simpler approach: we asked Bobby to remember three favorite things from each museum in Paris and share them over a meal. (Believe it or not, he still recalls that Picasso collected nail and hair clippings!) And let’s be honest, if a child starts complaining, a small toy is a great distraction. We returned from Paris with delightful souvenirs (Christmas ornaments, bookmarks, socks, even a Claude Monet doll) that bring us joy every time we see them.