Newseum or Spy Museum for Kids?

[Anonymous]

I'm planning a visit with my sister and her kids. We were thinking of the Newseum or the SPY Museum, but we don't know whether they are actually appealing to kids. The kids are 9, 7, 5 and 4 years old. Any thoughts or suggestions? Much thanks.

[Anonymous]

The 4 and 5 yo are too young for the Spy Museum. You really need to be able to read to understand the exhibits, and a lot of the windows are too high for smaller children to see.

I haven't been to the Newseum in years, and there wasn't much there then, so I can't help you there.

[Anonymous]

I would go to the Smithsonian Museum of American History, and downstairs (first level West) they have a great hands-on science area (including the Spark Lab). It would be great for that range of ages.

http://si.edu/Exhibitions/Details/Invention-at-Play-633

Then I would head to first floor East to see America on the Move, which is a great exhibit for both young kids (a real Train Engine in a museum?!?) and older kids (electricity).

Then there are other great exhibits upstairs including the fabulous Star Spangled Banner exhibit, plus the cultural exhibits like Dorothy's ruby slippers, the C3P0 costume, etc.

After that, I would probably head to the the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History for the mammal exhibit and the Ocean Hall.

Both the Newseum and the Spy Museum would not be my choice for 4 and 5 year olds.

[Anonymous]

I second the American History Museum. Lots of stuff for kids to do and see and there's two hands on exhibits (Spark Lab and Invention at Play) plus other exhibits through out the museum. We usually go to the Spark Lab/Invention at Play and the American on the Move because of the trains.

They may like the air and space museum as well - there's a hands on kids room plus the other exhibits.

[Anonymous]

DH and I have been to Spy and Newseum in last 2 weeks. Neither is appropriate for the ages you mention. I like the History Museum idea, or Air and Space, or Natural History for those ages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH and I have been to Spy and Newseum in last 2 weeks. Neither is appropriate for the ages you mention. I like the History Museum idea, or Air and Space, or Natural History for those ages.

agreeed. plus thery are free and those two you mention are not!

[Anonymous]

Newseum is completely inappropriate, and they won't even like it. Here's an example of how inappropriate: last time I was there, we spent much of our time looking at the pulitzer winning pictures -- remember that one about the naked girl who has been napalmed?

Spy museum involves a lot of reading. It is a great museum, but not until the kids are at least 10.