Often, when I see something that claims to be made “for kids, by kids,” my suspicious brow goes up and I prepare myself to be underwhelmed. Not the case with #MetsKids, a new website that is — ahem — made for, with, and by real life kids from all five boroughs in NYC in collaboration with curators, experts, researchers, and educators from The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The fun digital feature (aka website) was created for kids ages 7 to 12 and allows young, inquiring minds explore the museum with a great interactive map; watch behind-the-scenes videos; travel through more than 5,000 years of art in the customizable time machine; find smart projects to work on at home; and play roving reporter with the kid-tested, expert-approved Q&As to find out things like, Are doodles art? Or, How’d you get all this stuff to fit in the museum? If that sounds cool, then you’re right. It is.
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There are also tons of fun facts about the artwork to gather on the site, and a blog that kids (and parents) can follow to stay clued into all the cool, kid-friendly things bubbling up on #MetKids. Plus, parents can find all the programs for kids and families happening at the Met if you happen to live in NYC or hey, are planning a visit soon.
And yes, while this site may have been made for and by kids, it’s getting a big thumbs-up by this grown-up, and definitely something you’ll want to add to your bookmarks right now.
#MetsKids will have a public launch event September 20, 2015, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Families with children of all ages are invited to join the fun, which includes special screenings of the #MetKids videos, a Q&A session between kids and Museum specialists, and a pop-up animation lab. The event is free with Museum admission. More details on the Museum’s website.
(Photo via #MetKids blog)
