Louise Irvine
There is nothing quite like seeing the world through a child’s eyes, and WMODA offers the perfect place for grandparents and grandchildren to discover the joy of art together. Every gallery is filled with treasures waiting to be explored, inspiring curiosity, conversation, and creativity across generations. Whether you’re sharing family stories, introducing a young visitor to traditional crafts, or simply enjoying time together, a visit to WMODA promises an unforgettable family experience. Join us at WMODA for National Grandparents Day on Sunday, September 13. FREE Admission with pre-registration.
I still have fond memories of showing my own twin grandchildren around WMODA when they were two years old. They loved spotting all the different African animals in the Safari for the Soul gallery, and they were enchanted with the fairies in the Fantastique exhibition. In the WMODA Museum Shop, they were captivated by the miniature dollhouse ceramics by master potter Alex Meiklejohn. These exquisitely crafted tiny teapots, jugs, plates, and bowls capture all the beauty and detail of full-sized pottery on a miniature scale. Children are fascinated by their size, while grandparents marvel at the skill and precision required to create such intricate works of art.
Now aged seven, our twins continue to play dollhouse with Alex’s minis, which encourages creativity, storytelling, and social skills as they act out real-life scenarios and make up their own adventures. The twins regularly receive Alex’s tiny treasures as Holiday gifts, including his Halloween ghosts and Jack-o’-lanterns. They are now creating their own shadowbox “museum” of their souvenirs and, this year, have added two of Alex’s comical fish from the Splash exhibition. For grandparents, these miniature masterpieces often inspire conversations about family traditions, treasured heirlooms, and the importance of craftsmanship passed from one generation to the next.
A visit to WMODA is far more than a day out; it becomes an opportunity to share stories, spark curiosity, and create lasting memories together. Every gallery offers new treasures to explore, inviting young minds to slow down, look closely, and imagine the people and places behind each beautiful object. These shared moments often endure long after the visit has ended.
Unfortunately, my grandchildren live 4,000 miles away from WMODA, so I cannot invite them to participate in this year’s Grandparents’ Day to experience the timeless craft of wheel-thrown pottery. Local artist Mirela Popovici will be demonstrating her skill on the potter’s wheel and offering pre-booked 30-minute coaching sessions for children and adults to have a go. Watching a lump of clay transform on a spinning wheel is captivating, but learning to throw pottery yourself is even more rewarding. Children can enjoy the challenge of centering clay, shaping a bowl, and discovering that every successful pot begins with patience, practice, and perseverance. Grandparents often find just as much pleasure in encouraging each attempt and celebrating every wobbly pot as a unique achievement rather than striving for perfection. Sharing the experience of making something by hand creates memories that last long after the clay has dried.
Beading is a popular hobby for all ages, and WMODA has been fortunate to receive two separate donations of glass beads to encourage hands-on creativity in the museum. On the afternoon of Grandparents Day, Lori Brown, our resident designer, will invite guests to participate in various beadwork projects, including stringing bracelets and bookmarks. Beading is excellent for developing children’s fine motor skills, refining dexterity, and encouraging creativity with color and pattern choices. Bead craft offers multi-sensory development opportunities and multiple layers of enrichment, including extending attention spans. Beading also helps children gain confidence in their design skills as they make gifts for themselves and others.
One of the most popular arts-and-crafts activities at WMODA is the River of Glass and Light, inspired by Dale Chihuly’s iconic macchia forms. Families of all ages enjoy coloring coffee filters with marker pens and watching the colors magically mingle after spraying them with starch. When the paper dries, the flower forms are added to our “river,” which meanders across the wall in our arts and crafts corner. Interactive experiences such as these encourage imagination and inspire a lifelong appreciation for the arts while sharing laughter, encouragement, and the satisfaction of creating together.
For families who love a communal challenge, the WMODA scavenger hunts add an extra layer of intrigue to every visit. Every clue encourages closer observation and rewards curiosity, turning the museum into an exciting treasure hunt rather than simply a place to look at exhibits. Grandparents become enthusiastic teammates, offering gentle hints and celebrating each successful discovery. Young explorers can search the galleries for ceramic dragons lurking in their lairs, porcelain butterflies, and fabulous mermaids, transforming each exhibition into an interactive adventure and making learning both entertaining and memorable.
Family photos also make great souvenirs of your WMODA visit, and there are some great photo opportunities with the Mermaid Tail from Ocean Rescue Alliance International and the museum’s popular carousel horse. All in all, through beautiful ceramics, spectacular glass art, hands-on pottery, engaging craft activities, and exciting scavenger hunts, families can create treasured memories while discovering the joy of decorative arts together on Grandparents Day. FREE admission with pre-registration.
Register now for this FREE event.
Grandparents Day Event
