What does research say about play at museums?

Research reviews

We have conducted a series of research reviews that summarize where, how, and why play is practiced in museums.

Our reviews show, among other things, that:

• There is a growing interest in play at museums.
• Play is typically targeted at children.
• Play contributes in particular to increasing engagement, learning, and enjoyment.
• Museums typically practice four types of play:
  • Puzzles and Games
  • Pretend and Role Play
  • Creative and Constructive Play
  • Physical and Sensory Play

Read the studies here:

• Play in museums: A scoping review (download preprint)
• Why Play in Museums? A Review of the Outcomes of Playful Museum Initiatives (download preprint)
• How audiences play: an overview of typical play activities in museums (download preprint)

The National Museum collaborates with leading play researchers and experts from the Lab for Play and Design (Design School Kolding) to ensure the success of the program.

The program is funded by the LEGO Foundation.

Katrine Berg Pedersen
Program leader
katrine.berg.pedersen@natmus.dk

Official address:

Moving Museums Through Play
Nationalmuseet
Frederiksholms Kanal 12
1220 København K Danmark