The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

In February we went to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.  Wow.  If you're ever in Kansas City, this place should definitely be on your list.  There's a few crazy modernistic sculptures outside, I won't go so far as to call them art, but don't let them dissuade you from going inside.  Once you get in there's not many of the "contemporary" or "modern" substitutes that people try to pass off as art.  Instead, you've got a couple of floors of the good stuff. 

One of the favorite exhibits was the Medieval armor.  Who said functionality can't be beautiful!  The armor was definitely more popular with the young boys than many of the paintings done by famous and influential artists like Caravaggio, Titian, Rembrandt, Degas, Van Gogh, Manet, and many others.  I liked several of the paintings myself.  Seriously, the Nelson-Atkins Museum as something in it for everybody.  Even people that don't like art. 

The courtyard from a monastery and the tomb covers were pretty cool.  The kids wanted to climb up on top of them.  I told them that it wasn't very respectful of the person they were made for, or respectful of the museum.  (I'm glad I was right there watching before they actually climbed up!)

The section on Egyptian art was a favorite of the younger kids.  There's a mummy, along with the wrappings and boxes, and many things from the mummy's tomb.  This area of the museum was packed.  My kids were not alone in their fascination with mummies.  We saw more families in this area then we did throughout the rest of the museum combined. 

The Chinese Art was also fun to visit.  There's some amazingly awesome Chinese pottery to see, great stone lions, Buddist sculptures, huge ceremonial daggers, and many other things. 

There's way too much there to thoroughly cover in one blogpost.  We really had a good time at the museum, and even though we didn't see it all before the kids got tired, we're planning to go back.  In fact, the kids have insisted that we go back.  Now that should tell you all you need to know- the kids got tired at the museum, but still want to go back and see more.  We'll definitely make it happen!

Nearest City: Kansas City, MO
Location: 4525 Oak Street, Kansas City, Missouri
Time Needed: varies, 3 hours minimum
Difficulty: easy
Kid Friendly: with supervision
Additional Info: Nelson Atkins Website