Archaeology for Children

Ancient Civilizations: A Treasure Hunt

Come with us to dig up the past! This interactive visit to the National Archaeological Museum is designed to encourage children to ask questions about daily life in different cultures, and to relate their everyday life to the experience of other people in the past. Children will learn about artifacts used by ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians or the Iberians, and together we will discuss childhood experiences across the millennia.

We will walk by some stunning mosaics and dug-up treasures as we watch out for mythical creatures such as griffins, sirens, and sphinxes. Children will learn about different religious practices and fantastic stories that have been passed on for hundreds of years.

A truly engaging learning experience for young children, this tour of the National Archaeological Museum is an overview of the collection, designed by Dr. Almudena Cros together with our consultant, the archaeologist Saúl Martín González. We have selected the most telling, original, and important pieces in the collection that children can relate to. This treasure hunt will be led by Almudena Cros, an Art History professor specialised in the Middle Ages (BA, MA, PhD Warwick University, UK) with over 10 years' experience working with children, creating and leading family tours in Italy and Spain. Almudena lived in Italy for 4 years (Venice, Rome, Vicenza, Bologna) and has led educational trips for university students across the city of Rome and the archaeological sites of Ostia Antica and Pompeii. Her classroom experience includes being an Art History professor at the Madrid campus for two American universities: Saint Louis University and Suffolk University (where she taught for 13 years). 

Almudena has ample experience teaching children and introducing them to Art and History.  Dr. Cros has worked as a primary school teacher assistant at the American Elementary School in Benjamin Franklin Village (Mannheim), where she taught Spanish and History of Art through visual media, and also as a family art workshop docent at CaixaForum Madrid, where her position involved introducing Art History concepts to young children and stimulating their artistic creativity.  As a parent herself, she knows how to keep children engaged and focused throughout this treasure hunt.

Although this Museum visit is child-focused and is particularly appropriate for children up to 10 years of age, adults will find it equally fascinating. We use our exclusive didactic materials, designed by ourselves, which feature clues to help us explore this fantastic collection.

This is a family activity designed as an opportunity for everyone to contribute.  Exploring our ancient past will be engaging fun, paired with a guaranteed, serious academic content adapted to children.

TOUR LENGTH: 2.5 hours.

Maximum group size: 6 people.

There is no minimum number of participants, so single parents with a child are as welcome as larger family units. We do not work with large groups, and all our tours are private for each family unit, i.e., we do not mix different families that do not know each other. This is to provide the best learning experience and the most comfortable environment for children to feel confident in expressing their thoughts and emotions. Please note that at least one adult must take part in the activity. This is a private family workshop.

PRICES:

Family unit of 1 or 2 adults and up to 4 children: €200

Extra adult in that family unit (another relative, friend of the family): €20 pp

For a group of 2 different family units with a maximum of 7 people, including 2 or more children: €300 flat fee. (€150 per family)

If you have more than five children, please contact us, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

National Archaeological Museum admission ticket: €3 per adult, NOT included in the price. Teachers, professors, or journalists with accreditation, as well as children under 18 and students under 26, qualify for free entrance.

Bring a photograph of your passport to qualify for a free or reduced entrance fee to the museum (over 65 years old, children under 18, or students under 26 with a valid College or University ID).

**PLEASE NOTE: All our family tours are guaranteed private sessions, customized for your family and led by Dr. Cros, a qualified Art Historian with 13 years' experience as a university professor. This is a quality learning workshop delivered in a professional manner that engages everyone in your family.** 

AVAILABLE DAYS AND STARTING TIMES:

Tuesday through Saturday: 10:00 or 14:30.

Due to the Museo Arqueológico Nacional’s opening times, this visit does not run on Mondays, Sundays, or holidays in the afternoons.

To ensure availability advance booking is required. As a very small company, we can rarely accommodate last-minute bookings, particularly during the high season.