Most permanent and touring exhibitions featuring ancient Egypt have features that are kid-friendly, but some really go above and beyond the call of duty. In this article we will feature eight exhibitions and/or museum programs that go out of their way to cater to young people with an interest in ancient Egypt. Video clips are included where available.
The Bowes Museum
Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL 12 8NP, UK
July 12, 2011 through August 31, 2011
“An exhibition aimed at families, exploring the customs and traditions surrounding life and death in Ancient Egypt. Follow the journey to the afterlife from the magical spells and the strange superstitions to the bandaging of bodies and the fascinating burials. With treasures abounding and organs galore, this exhibition promises to give visitors a real taste of how the Ancient Egyptians saw the afterlife.”
the Last Queen of Egypt
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45203
February 18, 2011 through September 5, 2011
“The world of Cleopatra VII, which has been lost to the sea and sand for nearly 2,000 years, has surfaced at Cincinnati Museum Center with Cleopatra: The Exhibition…the exhibition features nearly 150 artifacts from Cleopatra’s time and will take you inside the present-day search for the elusive queen, which extends from the sands of Egypt to the depths of the Bay of Aboukir near Alexandria. See statuary, jewelry, daily items, coins and religious tokens that archaeologists have uncovered from the time surrounding Cleopatra’s rule, all of which are visiting the U.S. for the first time.”
Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
1342 Naglee Ave., San Jose, CA 95126
The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum has an Expedition to Ancient Egypt program for visiting schools that includes a curriculum leading up to the actual visit. A Journey Though Ancient Egypt consists of an expeditionary field trip to the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and suggested classroom studies prior to and following the museum visit. The ten days of classroom studies help you prepare for your Expedition, so that your students and chaperones will be able to derive the maximum benefit from the visit, and they will greatly enhance the museum experience. Download the curriculum here.
The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum also has a Junior Archaeologist Program. The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum presents its Junior Archaeologist training program for young adventurers ages 5 to 17. This program includes behind the scenes training, hands-on learning opportunities, and the most fun graduation ceremony this side of the Nile! The Junior Archaeologist program is free with any Friend of the Museum Family Membership.
Montréal Science Centre
King Edward Pier, Old Port, Montréal
April 28, 2011 through September 18, 2011
Showbiz meets science.. “Indiana Jones and the Adventure of Archaeology, presented by the National Geographic Society, immerses you in the science and history of field archaeology. Walk in the footsteps of beloved film hero Indiana Jones as you embark on this interactive museum adventure.”
Archäologisches Museum Colombischlössle
Rotteckring 5, 79098 Freiburg, DE
March 17, 2011 through October 16, 2011
An exhibition that takes children and young people on an exciting excursion into the world of the pharaohs. On a real Egyptian sarcophagus colorfully painted pictures tell the stories of gods and the afterlife. Workshops on hieroglyphic writing, ancient Egyptian cosmetics and clothing, musical instruments, the exotic scents that drifted through the marketplace. Much more!
Mayborn Museum, Baylor University
1300 S. University Parks, Waco, TX 76706
May 28, 2011 through September 5, 2011
“Unearth the secrets of an ancient Egyptian world in an interactive exhibition featuring the hidden stories and artifacts of a lost civilization…See a real human mummy, several animal mummies, plus scans, forensic facial reconstructions, and for the first time ever, a life-size rapid prototype of a human mummy. Witness art and artifacts from the daily life and funerary culture of ancient Egypt. Connect to real scientists working on projects in Egypt through video interviews and photographs from the field. Interpret ancient Egyptian art, decipher hieroglyphics and examine material remains using the tools and technology of archaeologists to unearth the mysteries of Egypt, its history, culture, and people.”
Video from the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History run of Lost Egypt
The Indianapolis Children’s Museum
3000 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208
June 11, 2011 through permanent
Part of the National Geographic Treasures of the Earth exhibit, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis has recreated part of the tomb of Seti I for kids to explore.
“Descend into a recreation of the longest, deepest, and most complete of any tomb in the Egyptian Valley of the Kings. Analyze the intricate details of the tomb walls, explore the burial chamber, and work together as a family to solve key challenges. Whose tomb is this? Where might the mysterious tunnel lead? All of the investigations are based on the real site.”
While at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum kids might want to explore modern Egypt by visiting the Take Me There: Egypt interactive exhibit.
Science Museum of Minnesota
120 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102
February 18, 2011 through September 5, 2011
Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs takes you back 5,000 years in time and explores what it was like to live like a pharaoh through the “Golden Age,” when Egypt was at the height of power and artistry. The exhibition spans 2,000 years and some of the most notable leaders of ancient Egypt. More than 100 artifacts from the tombs and temples of King Tut, his ancestors and contemporaries bring this rich history to life.
The Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs exhibition will travel to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (1001 Bissonnet at Main, Houston, TX 77005), opening October 16, 2011 and running through April 15, 2012.
Copyright by Keith Payne, 2011. All rights reserved.