<p>
<span class="sub-title">
Visiting various neighborhood museums
and galleries encourages vibrant imaginations</span><br />
by Victoria Pericon
</p>
<p>
All throughout Manhattan, museums
abound.  While the Guggenheim has a strict no stroller policy;
parents need not wait until their child starts school in order to
expose their little minds to the historical wonders inside the grand
halls of other museums and galleries.
</p>
<p>
&ldquo;I&#39;ve taken both of my boys to the
Museum of Natural History three times and just Nicholas (the artist)
to the Metropolitan Museum of Art&rdquo;, says Jen Singer, creator of
MommaSaid.net, which was recently chosen by Forbes to be one of the
best parenting websites. During visits to any of the museums in
Manhattan, Singer suggests parents let the kids decide what they want
to see. &ldquo;If you drag them to an exhibit that bores them, they&#39;ll
lose interest in the entire museum quickly, and you&#39;ll be wishing you
hadn&#39;t paid for admission.
</p>
<p>
Downtown mom Molly Snyder explored
galleries and museums with her two and a half year old daughter Sara.
Appreciating the works each museum had to offer, Snyder decided to
start Metropolitan Moms (<a href="http://www.metropolitanmoms.com/">www.MetropolitanMoms.com</a>)
as a way to introduce art education to mothers while accompanied by
their children. For between $250 and $450 for a several week session
of classes, mother and child explore different museums throughout the
city.
</p>
<p>
Snyder recommends taking children to
The Met because it is &ldquo;very stroller friendly and has a variety of
things for kids of all ages.&rdquo;  Looking for a quiet tranquil place
to read a book with your toddler? Visit The Met&rsquo;s Japanese reading
room located on the second floor (above the Egyptian Galleries). 
There are plenty of seats, a table, and even a window overlooking the
Temple of Dendur.
</p>
<p>
For a more enjoyable museum experience,
Singer also suggests parents grab lunch with their children earlier
than usual.  &ldquo;We always head to the cafeteria or restaurant by
11:30. That way, you&#39;ll avoid the crowds while also thwarting the
&quot;hungries&quot; that can make kids cranky.&rdquo;  And she advises
parents to not try to make their child sit through the hour long
special shows. Singer&rsquo;s sons wouldn&#39;t sit for an IMAX show, so they
saved their money and now skip those shows.
</p>
<p>
According to Snyder, another great
place to visit is one of the 300 galleries in Chelsea.  Weather
permitting, you can even stroll through Chelsea&rsquo;s tree lined
streets and while exploring contemporary art with your child. The
galleries are full of fun and colorful works of art shown through
various mediums like video, sculpture, and collage that are sure to
stimulate your child.  Most of the galleries have ground floor
entrances, so no need to worry about lifting the strollers up stairs,
and best of all, admission is free!
</p>
<p>
Battery Park City houses a spectacular
public art collection in a breathtaking setting along the Hudson
River.  Children can climb on the character sculptures and play in
the water-filled moat in Tom Otterness&rsquo;s Real World piece.  They
can slide down the sand slide, climb on the rocks, and jump into the
fountains in Tear Drop Park.  On a beautiful day, a picnic lunch in
the lush green areas can be planned or just have playtime in the
City&rsquo;s largest and most well equipped playground.
</p>
<p>
Another fun spot to check out even
after the holiday season is The Museum of the City of New York&rsquo;s
Toy Collection contains over 10,000 toys and amusements used by New
Yorkers from the Colonial Period to the present day.  Children can
imagine what childhood was like nearly a century ago looking at
antique dollhouses, games, puzzles, soldiers, trains and boats.
</p>
<p>
Singer also shares some wise advice
about handling about your first museum experience with your children.
&ldquo;Don&#39;t try to see it all at once. The first time we went to the
AMNH, we concentrated on the dinosaurs. That was enough for the boys,
who were then 4 and 3. Since then, we&#39;ve expanded to other parts of
the museum.&rdquo;
</p>
<p>
<strong>
This article was written by Victoria Pericon.<br />
If you wish to use this article in any manner, you must <a href="index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id=51&amp;Itemid=165">request permission</a>.</strong> <br />
</p>
