10 Thing s to Do with
Kid s at the DIA Use the DIA map to help you get around
1
Play Eye Spy and use clues to find mystery objects in the galleries Suggested ages: All Location: Every other gallery throughout the museum
Play Eye Spy! It’s in this room. It’s in a work of art.
Play Eye Spy! It’s in this room. It’s in a work of art.
Can you spy it?
Can you spy it?
Use the clues below and start your search!
Use the clues below and start your search!
Clue #1 A young boy keeps rhythm By tapping my top Creating sounds of rat-a-tat-tat for Clue #2
2
Clue #2
Listen for secrets about works of art using an Audio Tour just for kids Suggested ages: 8 to 14 Location: Pick up an Audio Tour wand at the Farnsworth Street entrance; $2 fee
3
Light up the symbols on an ancient Mayan Chocolate Jar Suggested ages: 8+ Location: Level 1, Native American Galleries
4
Climb the spiral staircase like kids have done since 1927 Suggested ages: All (adult supervision advised) Location: Level 1, near Kresge Court and Level 2, European Medieval Gallery
5
Explore a virtual ancient Egyptian scroll for spells that led a man safely into the afterlife Suggested ages: 8+ Location: Level 1, Egyptian Galleries
6
See a life-sized video of African masks in action—the way they were meant to be seen Suggested ages: All Location: Level 1, African Galleries
7
Discover legendary African Americans in Hale Woodruff’s painting The Art of the Negro Suggested ages: 8+ Location: Level 2, African American Galleries
8
Play a quiz to figure out whether 2,000year-old gladiator helmets were worn in battles or parades Suggested ages: 6+ Location: Level 2, Ancient Greek and Roman Galleries
9
Pet the donkey, the only work of art in the museum you can touch Suggested ages: All Location: Level 2, near the south elevators
10
Sit down at a virtual dining table for an elaborate three-course banquet Suggested ages: All Location: Level 3, European Fashionable Living Galleries
Bonus!
Don’t forget to check for today’s special programs at the information desk.
Tips for Visiting with Young Children So much art, what to ch oose ? Art that’s realistic with recognizable images is best for beginning viewers. Look for works of art that seem to tell a story. • Kids up to age 5: Kids naturally look for familiar things. Ask, “What things do you see in this art?” This encourages them to look carefully at details. • Kids 5 and up: Ask “What do you think is happening in this work of art?” Whenever the child suggests something ask, “What do you see that makes you say that?” These steps encourage kids to find evidence for what they think. It’s a great way to build skills in interpreting art. Ta l k ab out it Some people think they should whisper in museums. Not true—we love hearing people of all ages talking together. Just keep it to a dull roar.
To touch o r not to touch , that is t he ques t i o n We don’t touch the art because even clean hands leave dirt and oils behind. BUT…the DIA is filled with things you can touch to help you explore the art. Look for this symbol. L evel it out Things look different from small kids’ points of view. Get down to their eye level to understand how they are experiencing art. It also helps kids feel that their perspective is important. L et your pre-s chooler’ s intere s t s b e t h e gu ide They’re natural explorers. Give them some freedom to choose the art, path, or space that interests them. P l an to come back There’s so much to see, you won’t be able to cover it all in one visit. Think about making a few brief visits with your young child.
Unknown artist, Maya culture, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras, Tripod Jar, 300–600, ceramic and resin paint. Founders Society Purchase, Arthur H. Nixon Fund Hale Woodruff, The Art of the Negro: Artists (Study), 1950–1951, oil on canvas. Museum Purchase, W. Hawkins Ferry Fund, Richard and Jane Manoogian Foundation, and Friends of African and African American Art Renee Sintenis, Donkey, 1927, bronze. City of Detroit Purchase
