Will the last time you took your child to an art museum? Research has shown that children who are exposed to the arts at an early age have a tendency to excel throughout their educational careers. Making a few trips your local art museum this summer can make a big difference in your child’s life, so why not take the time now to plan an art adventure? Many are present throughout the country have special programs that are designed especially for children. These programs are excellent way to help children get interested in the arts.

An art museum is excellent place to let your imagination run wild. Asking your child what they see in a particular painting can open the door for day full of interesting conversation. If your child shows artistic potential you may want to consider enrolling them in a summer art camp. There many summer camps, some of which are free, to provide an excellent opportunity for children to explore their creative talents.

In the camp that last all summer long seems like a bit of a push you could always just take one day to take in the full extent of everything that your local art museum has to offer. Many art museums have art scavenger hunts to appeal to children. If you contact your local art museum you can likely get a full list of all the activities that they have planned for children over the summer. A trip to an art museum for a day is a great way to spend time with your family. Not only is an excellent educational experience you might just find out that your child is a lot more creative than you ever thought possible.

We all know about the more famous museums in the United States, like the Smithsonian, or the Metropolitan Museum of Art. But did you know that there are hundreds of lesser known museums with amazing collections just waiting to be explored? Here are few of those great museums that we think you need to know about.

1. City Museum, St. Louis – this one has something for everyone. Several of our friends who have vacationed in St. Louis have recommended this one as a must see. This museum features a 10-story spiral that you can climb through – it was once used to move inventory through a shoe factory. Slides are another popular attraction at this museum, too.

2. National Museum of Health and Medicine, Washington, DC – this museum boasts an impressive collection of many artifacts, some dating back to the Civil War. One of the more popular exhibits is an extensive archive of items related to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, including the bullet that ended his life.

3. The Tenement Museum, New York City – New York City has as rich history that is woven with the stories of those who immigrated to this country from other nations. This museum, located the Lower East Side in an apartment building over 150 years old, features guided tours that tell just a few of the stories of those who came here looking to live the American Dream.

These are just a few of the many museums across the nation that are well worth the trip, and would enhance any vacation with the treasure trove of exhibits that they showcase.