American Museum of Natural History

I think it is easier to give advice about something after you have experienced it for yourself and after my kids and I visited the American Museum of Natural History I learned I should always plan my visits no matter the location. I thought since I was familiar with AMNH and how it is always open and accessible that I had our trip under control but quickly disappointed to learn I was too late to see the show I wanted to see. The show I wanted to see was at an extra cost (for my two kids and I, $70!) and AMNH is tremendous. With no focus or point of destination within its large space we wandered aimlessly like a nomad with no compass. My children were soon bored and found the exhibits a waste of time. I felt like a failure.
As time went on, I did my best to engage them with topics, ideas and displays that may be of interest to them and desperately attempted to make connection to exhibits and the world that they knew. It was tricky but we still had an okay time but it would have been better if I had planned before I we visited. This is why I have place this link below:

http://www.amnh.org/plan-your-visit

The American Museum of Natural History has kindly thought of this and has a whole page on their website dedicated to planning a visit, understanding what is on display and even how you can have discussions about the different topics. 

Museums have really improved their accessibility to families with informative websites and links to assist visits so I am recommending to you and myself, research a museum and its offerings before you go on an adventure because the best surprises are the ones you can predict. LOL 

                 Moziah had begun a marionette project inspired by these Thai shadow puppets.

I love ancient statues, clothing and art so that was my focus. The fact that early human beings did all of their work by hand always fascinates me. If I had planned the visit better we could have had a scavenger hunt, sketching time, watched a imax movie about life on Earth and ended our day in Central Park. Next time...