Museums launch child-friendly hours over summer

Participating museums and galleries will have designated hours for children

A scheme has been launched to make parents feel more comfortable bringing young children to some of London's museums and art galleries.

New research from the Art Fund, which surveyed 1,000 parents, found over half (52%) were worried their child would run around or break something.

The new "Kids Aloud" initiative allows children to feel free to express themselves as loudly as they like, the charity said.

Kids Aloud hours will be introduced at more than 20 participating museums and galleries across London and the rest of the UK during the summer holidays.

Rachel Bull, mum to three-year-old Jonas and a newborn girl, told BBC London she has felt unwelcome in some public spaces before.

“There are certain spaces where you might feel a bit apprehensive about taking small ones so it’s really nice to feel welcome, whether that’s events that are on or the tone that a space gives you about what children are allowed to do so or what’s appropriate," she said.

Rachel Bull says she has felt "apprehensive" about taking children to museums

Carolyn Young, director of audiences and engagement at Art Fund, said they wanted to show that museums and galleries could be a "really great place in a to take your children".

She said added: "There’s lots of activities lots of free spaces some are outdoors, some are indoors and they can have a really joyful time."

In London the participating venues includes the Barbican Art Gallery, the Horniman Museum and Gardens and the National Portrait Gallery.

Jennifer Scott, the director of the Dulwich Picture Gallery in south east London said she wants children to feel inspired by the artwork.

"Just seeing kids actually feeling relaxed in a creative space in a museum is great. It’s not about being hushed and quiet and reverend," she said.

Jennifer Scott said galleries can help children be creative

"It’s actually about letting your personality shine and be inspired by creativity from the past which helps us to be creative still today.”

Otti was among the children enjoying the Kids Aloud hours at the gallery, describing the experience as "relaxing and nice"

Art Fund's director Carolyn Young said they wanted to show that museums and galleries could be a "really great place to take your children".

She added: "There’s lots of activities lots of free spaces; some are outdoors, some are indoors and they can have a really joyful time."

In London, the participating venues includes the Barbican Art Gallery, the Horniman Museum and Gardens and the National Portrait Gallery.

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