Visiting with Kids
Monticello appeals to kids of just about every age. To make a visit with kids especially enjoyable, consider the following suggestions:
- Before your visit, download and read Exploring Monticello: A Guide for Young Learners
- Take one of the Tours for Children and Their Families, which are offered seasonally at no extra cost.
- While in the house, encourage your child to ask questions when prompted by your guide.
- Look for themes in the house, such as "gadgets," clocks, or portraits (notice the different types of portraits). Look for the natural history specimens, the Native American artifacts, the art, or other objects.
- See if you can find the portraits, paintings, views of the house that appear on the U.S. Nickel and the $2 bill.
- In the gardens look for plants with unusual shapes, lovely scents, and even surprising behavior (hint)!
- Attend the free Mountaintop Hands-on Activity Center.
- Visit the Monticello Museum Shop, where we offer many fun and educational toys and gifts.
- Tour before you visit using the Monticello Explorer, where you can 'walk through' 3-D models of Monticello's interior, read about the house's furnishings, view special animated features, see an interactive map of the plantation, and much more.