What Story Do You Want to Tell?
Design a museum exhibit using objects and ideas
This activity invites children to step into the role of a museum curator. Using objects, replicas, or personal items, children design an exhibit that tells a story they believe is important.
The emphasis is on meaning-making rather than correctness. Children decide what belongs together, what deserves attention, and how visitors should experience the exhibit. This mirrors authentic museum practice while remaining fully child-led.
Steps for Adults
- Introduce the idea of an exhibit. Explain that museums choose objects to help tell stories. Avoid explaining how exhibits “should” look.
- Invite object selection. Children may choose objects based on personal meaning, visual interest, or curiosity. Avoid limiting choices.
- Ask story-based questions. Prompt thinking with questions like “Why does this belong here?” or “What should visitors notice?”
- Support labeling as expression. Labels can be drawings, words, symbols, or spoken explanations. Writing is optional.
- Allow reorganization. Children may rearrange objects multiple times as their story evolves. This is part of curatorial thinking.
- Invite sharing. Children may give a tour, explain their exhibit, or allow others to explore quietly.
- Reflect together (optional). Ask what story they most wanted visitors to understand.
This activity centers children as meaning-makers. When exhibits feel personal, abstract, or incomplete, children are revealing what they value and notice. Your role is not to refine the exhibit, but to protect the child’s narrative, honor their perspective, and recognize that museums are shaped by human choices.