Evaluation of Applications for Children in the Museums within the Scope of Visitor Experience

Abstract

Today, it is seen that museums fulfill functions of exhibiting, preserving and researching as well as communing with visitors. Especially, in some museums, applications and activities providing various learning and entertainment opportunities for children are encountered. Therefore, it is not only physical factors that the museums have on the visitor experience but also the factors such as communication with visitors and professionalism of museums’ staff are also effective on visitor experience. In the research which children are 18 years old or under visiting Sivas Archeology Museum constitutes the universe, it is aimed to reveal how the museum and its applications for children are evaluated within the scope of visitor experience. In line with the research findings, the physical conditions of the museum are generally favorable; however, it was concluded that the explanations about the exhibited works were not sufficient. On the other hand, the absence of museum officials who can guide visitors to the museum and provide comprehensive information about the museum and its artifacts has also been criticized. It has been determined that the most attractive activity among the activities organized in the museum is coin printing and that the museum visit contributes to socialization, adaptation to the society and education.