Maracas in hand, my toddler wanders freely through a gallery of priceless ceramics

Visiting galleries was fine when my son was asleep in the sling – now he’s a boisterous explorer. It’s made me wonder: should we be sticking to exhibitions aimed at children?

Oh, for the days of the sleeping babe in the sling. It must have driven more seasoned parents mad when I waxed lyrical about how easy, how special, it was to bring my son with me to a gallery or museum. Now he’s a toddler who can change direction like a squirrel and is rather taken with the word “no”. And I’m beginning to wonder: should we be sticking to exhibitions and events targeted at children?

I’m not a joiner, and the thought of stay-and-plays and singalongs is enough to send me running. And yet, here I am, parking the buggy, unbuckling my son and walking with him, with some trepidation, towards a “family-friendly drop-in” at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.