HOW TO EXPLORE ARCHITECTURE WITH KIDS

Take them on an architecture walk.Take kids to places where they can engage with the built environment,

such as public parks, monuments, plazas, and buildings. Bring along

art supplies, like paper and crayons, so they have a creative outlet

during your exploration, and see if they want to draw a building or

make a rubbing of an architectural detail, pattern, or texture.

To further enhance the kids’

experience, do some quick

background research about the

architectural site or neighborhood

beforehand so you can talk to

them about their surroundings

and see what grabs their

attention.

Example: Washington Architectural Foundation (WAF)WAF’s Exploring Architecture with Kids walking tour series combines

neighborhood exploration with hands-on learning. Professional

architects lead tours of architecturally-rich neighborhoods in D.C.;

review basic architectural vocabulary with the kids; and oversee a

hands-on design project, such as designing a model row house.

Take advantage of youth and family programs.Many architecture-related museums and historically significant places

offer at least some programming aimed at kids. Take an inventory of

any museums and sites in your area that are related to architecture,

and check their website or call them to see if they offer kids programs.

Example: National Building MuseumThe National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., has a special Kids

Zone where visitors ages 2-6 are encouraged to get hands-on with the

material. In this exploratory gallery, kids can build a tower or brick wall,

browse an architecture picture book, dress up in construction gear and drive

play trucks, and explore a custom-built “green” house.

Build a fort. Encouraging kids to build play forts gives them a chance to design

and plan a space, learn through trial-and-error about constructing it,

and allow them to occupy and enjoy what they have created.

Purchasing special kits designed for fort-building allows for easy

assembly and clean-up.

Throw an architecture-themed birthday.Sample activities: creating a

building facade using collage

materials, designing a model

dream house, or building a

skyscraper out of Legos. A

“building” cake can also be an

unexpected treat after a day of

design.

Sign them up for architecture camp.Some museums and architecture institutions that already have

established student programming might have programs available for

younger children over the summer. These camps are a good way to

give kids a more in-depth understanding of architecture and hone their

creative skills.

Example: Summer@theCenterThe Summer@theCenter program at the Center for Architecture in

New York offers weeklong summer camps for students entering

grades 3-12. Topics range from designing tree houses and dream

apartments, to studying castles and creating architectural models. The

camp experience includes special site visits and walking tours.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation works to save America’s

historic places. Preservation Tips & Tools helps others do the same

in their own communities.

For more information, visit blog.preservationnation.org.

Special thanks to Tim Hayduk, Lead Design Educator at the Center for Architecture Foundation in New York City, for consultation.

Photo courtesy: [pg. 1, left to right] Vincent Desjardins, Flickr; Dave King, Flickr; Center for Architecture Foundation; [pg. 4] locket479, Flickr; [pgs. 7-10] Center for Architecture Foundation.