Mom Lessons, Quick Tips

Kids Scavenger Hunt & Guide to the National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC)

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History, black history, black culture, smithsonian

On September 24, 2016, the Smithsonian officially opened th National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC).  We had the pleasure of visiting the following Wednesday, Sept 28.  I just wanted to share a “How to” guide and scavenger hunt for the kids!!!!

First step!

 

Well, step one is optional but highly recommended.  I would buy the above book.  It has a wealth of information and is a great keepsake.  I used it as a tool to show some pictures to my littles and just explain what museum we would be visiting.

 

Step Two

Prepare yourself for large crowds, long lines, and lots of walking! Make sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes! THE MUSEUM IS HUGE!!! Also, if you have little ones, do not be disappointed if you did not get through the whole museum in ONE visit!  Again, the museum is HUGE!  Make sure to have your tickets in advance, however if you arrive at 9:15, they will had out 4 same day tickets.

 

Step Three

Getting to the museum, if you do not find step parking near the Smithsonian’s, which is typically impossible, a great parking garage very close is the Ronald Reagan Building and International Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004.  This building is 0.2 miles from the museum and has a huge food court on the bottom floor to catch a bite to eat! You will need to be nourished! Trust me lol

 

Step Four

Entering the museum! The museum is divided into two overall themes… HISTORY and CULTURE.  The historical elements are in the “basement”section of the museum and the cultural attributes are on the upper levels.  When you enter the museum, you will be guided to elevators to either go up or down! We started on the Historical tour.  This has about 4-5 levels of historical facts of African American History beginning in 1400! We did not make it through all of the cultural sections because my duo got a little tired but they had a great time!

 

Step Five:

 

Enjoying the museum! This museum is wonderful! There is a wealth of information and beauty! There are so many exhibits and really a wonderful historical and cultural journey of African Americans.  However, some exhibits are devastating! I recently posted a picture of such an exhibit.  The picture below shows the stained glass window of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.

 

 

 

 

On Sunday, September 15, 1963, Thomas Blanton, Bobby Frank Cherry and Robert Edward Chambliss, members of the Ku Klux Klan, planted 19 sticks of dynamite outside the basement of the church.  At 10:22 a.m., they exploded, killing four young girls – Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Denise McNair – and injuring 22 others. They were there preparing for the church’s “Youth Day”.

News stories circulated about symbolic incidents that occurred at the time of the bombing. For example, the image of Jesus’ face was knocked cleanly out of the only surviving stained-glass window in the church’s east wall, and the church clock stopped at exactly 10:22 a.m.

 

 

 

 

STEP SIX:

Going back! I am super excited to go back and cant wait to get the opportunity to do this scavenger hunt with my little ones! There are various exhibits that are interactive and this hunt will make them extra special! Make sure to check out my YouTube video at the bottom to see some more elements of the museum!

 

Scavenger Hunt!

 

Download this scavenger hunt for your visit! Make sure to tell me how it  goes! Have your child find all of the pictures in the exhibits and write down what is in the picture! It will be fun and keep them engaged!

 

Overall, I do not want to give too much detail but if you want to learn more AMERICAN HISTORY, this is the museum to visit!

 

 

Here is recap of our visit! Enjoy!

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

Maya

 

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History, black history, smithsonian

 

Sources: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_Street_Baptist_Church

https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/civilrights/al11.htm

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32 Comments

  1. Love this. I can’t wait to visit DC to experience this amazing museum. I shared it too. PS your website looks fabulous and I love the new logo and theme.

    1. Thank you so much for reading! I have been working really hard on my blog, so your comment is greatly appreciated!

      The museum is amazing! I can’t wait to go back.

    1. It is a great museum! How old are you littles? Mine are 1 & 3, so I am thinking of waiting a few years and going back for the hunt!

    1. Honestly, I would recommend kids probably 7 and up if you plan on doing the History section as well. Some of the images can be difficult for smaller children to comprehend. However, the cultural floors are for all age groups. Hope that helps!

    1. Thanks. DC can be a little confusing and we venture there so often that I thought I should share what I have learned.

    1. We had a great time. I bet you all will have a wonderful time too when you visit.

  17. I will return to the museum this weekend with a group of kids. This is absolutely NOT a one day museum visit. I searched for a scavenger hunt and am so excited to have found yours! I will absolutely let you know how it goes. Thanks!

    1. Yes, this museum is HUGE and has so many exciting exhibits and lots of information that cannot be completed in one day! I am so happy that my scavenger hunt could be of service to your group! 🙂