We have children 10 to 15 years. Should we take them while visiting DC?

In Poland, it is mandatory that all school children be taken on a tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau before their graduation. Lest they forget. We suggest that you prepare your children with some materials beforehand -- what happened, why it happened, who was involved. That way, their experience would be in context, especially if you have an opportunity to answer their questions. It should be a serious experience for them, not an entertainment. We shield our children from so much of life's realities. No wonder that so many are indifferent to the plights of others, living and dead. You have an opportunity, therefore, to introduce your children (and at 10 and 15 they already know more than you think) to the survival of the human spirit under the worst conditions. Remember: more persons perished under Stalin than under the Nazis -- and the West stood by in silence. Pol Pot is dead -- but never was brought to justice. In the former Yugoslavia, this was repeated. Saddam Hussein lives while thousands of his own countrymen were killed with poison gas. The Holocaust Museum, therefore, is not an abstraction.

In a word, yes. Al's sage counsel above regarding preparing them beforehand is well given. The organization of the memorial is excellent -- it takes you from the rise of National Socialism through Kristallnacht, patiently explaining and interpreting. By the time you reach the memory room, the box cars, and the camps, there's no doubt in a visitor's mind as to how and why it happened. A ten year old may be overwhelmed; a fifteen year old should be old enough to not only understand, but remember.

Sorry, I cannot agree. The museum is a solemn and deeply moving intellectual experience. Your 15yo may be mature enough to understand the gravity of the situation and appreciate the value of the exhibit. But I would not and did not take my 10yo. Even the operators recognize that this exhibit is not designed for youngsters. They provide a children's exhibit on the main floor that cronicles the life of a child from home to internment. I understand and concur with the message above about the importance of remembering, but before remembering must come understanding.

I agree that 10 is a little young, however several of the most disturbing exhibits are set up so that small children can't see them. It can be very crowded and even if you go through fast [given the size of the exhibit 'fast' is a relative term and NOT recommended] the closedin feeling from the crowds and the way the exhibit is set up could be very disorienting for a small child.

I think that all of the above answers offer valid points - the bottom line is that you know your children best. If they are mature and thoughtful kids who are interested in historical and factual events, then in my opinion it would be a worthwhile excursion. If your children scares easily, are prone to nightmares or have difficulty verbalizing their feelings, it may be too haunting. A visit to this museum is a powerful thought provoking experience, and will definately bring up a lot of questions and fears.
If you do decide to take your kids, definately start with the children's exhibit - it's teriffic. And be prepard to deal with some tough questions.

I agree with much already said above. I took my 2 children at ages 6 and 9. We DID NOT GO INTO THE MAIN EXHIBIT, but only toured the children's exhibit and other gentler exhibits on the main floor. It was very important because without this catalyst, we might never have known how or when to start talking about the holocaust. I think a 10 year old is too young to see most of the museum, but a 15 year old is not...although, you know your kids best. And, I agree, lots of discussion and follow-up should take place. But, by all means, visit at least the children's exhibit. My 9 year old just read some holocaust literature as part of his 4th grade curriculum. The visit to the museum certainly deepened his understanding.

I agree with much already said above. I took my 2 children at ages 6 and 9. We DID NOT GO INTO THE MAIN EXHIBIT, but only toured the children's exhibit and other gentler exhibits on the main floor. It was very important because without this catalyst, we might never have known how or when to start talking about the holocaust. I think a 10 year old is too young to see most of the museum, but a 15 year old is not...although, you know your kids best. And, I agree, lots of discussion and follow-up should take place. But, by all means, visit at least the children's exhibit. My 9 year old just read some holocaust literature as part of his 4th grade curriculum. The visit to the museum certainly deepened his understanding.