VISITING MUSEUMS AS A FAMILY!
There’s something wonderful about families that are curious and have a thirst for knowledge. With access to the country’s largest museum offering, they have plenty of ways to satisfy their love of learning. Here’s what they have planned this winter.
Did you know that Canada’s National Museums offer a Museum Passport that gives access to three national museums for three days for only $35? The Passport can be purchased at all participating museums.
But first, you have to choose your home base, where you will be dropping your luggage.
From your room, you have an excellent view of the Canadian Museum of History. You can almost touch it! Ideally located, as you can see, the Four Points is perfect for families since children stay for free. Simply cross the road and you’re at the museum! In addition, the National Gallery of Canada and the Canadian War Museum are only 1.5 km away (a 20-minute walk). You are also within walking distance of a variety of restaurants. In short, you’re in the right place! Enjoy your stay and have fun at the museums!
CANADIAN MUSEUM OF HISTORY - DREAMWORKS – Until April 8, 2018
Do your children love to scribble, draw and make up stories? Do you enjoy watching movies as a family? Then you won’t want to miss the DreamWorks Animation exhibition at the Canadian Museum of History! The creators of Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, Shrek and How to Train Your Dragon are opening their treasure box to the public. Discover the many different steps it takes to bring drawings to life in this wonderfully instructive exhibit. Parents will want to linger over the remarkable sketches and mock-ups while the children will be eager to recreate their favourite character on the tablets at their disposal. An enchanting time for the whole family.
Even if conflicts are not your favourite subject, I strongly recommend visiting the Canadian War Museum. Why? Because it speaks to everyone. Whether you’re young or old, inside these striking walls, you will discover an aspect of history that will move you. Also, until March 4, 2018, see the She Who Tells a Story exhibition. Created for Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts and presented for the first time in Canada, it shows the work of 12 female photographers from Iran and the Arab world. The images they captured show the Middle East in a new light, making you think.
The Canadian Museum of Nature is a classic beauty, like the museum in A Night at the Museum movie. In this castle, you will see dinosaurs, minerals, large mammals and birds. Your children will be wide-eyed and too enthralled to whine about how long it’s taking to visit all the floors. This winter, until April 2, 2018, come see butterflies emerging from their chrysalis! The museum has set up a veritable nursery for visitors’ immense pleasure. Seize the opportunity to warm up at the same time! The nursery is set up in the toasty warmth of the Museum’s solarium.
CANADA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM
Newly reopened, the Canada Science and Technology Museum is now more fascinating than ever. Don’t worry, Crazy Kitchen and the locomotives are still there, but there’s also more artefacts, more interactive games and more digital tools for you to discover.
There’s always something new to see at the National Gallery of Canada. And the best thing is that every visit will be different, depending on your mood. What I like to do when I go with my kids is to have zero expectations. If we go for just 30 minutes, that’s fine. Often, we end up staying for two hours! On weekends, the Artissimo workshops help families create their own works of art. The National Gallery’s winter exhibitions include the Canadian Biennial (a collection of works by contemporary artists), an exhibition on the gold rush and James Wilson Morrice’s warm and inviting work.
