Can children really appreciate art museums?

Are children human, and should we take them to galleries, asked the artist Jake Chapman earlier this month.

For Chapman, the answer was no. I wasn’t convinced. So last week, I took my two children, with some friends, to Tate Modern to see the Matisse Cut-Outs exhibition.

The potential insanity of taking two three-year-olds and two five-year-olds to see a postmodernist art exhibition was not lost on me.

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But the eldest two had just studied Matisse’s The Snail at school, and had loved it.

Eventually, the big day arrives. I am a little self-conscious as we enter the gallery. My children are not the youngest, but the rest are strapped in to pushchairs, not wanting to explore the Turbine Hall, peer over the side of the landing or run up the escalators. We arrive early and I decide to show the children some of the other paintings first. They are harsh critics, running past insipid Turner and Monet, while lesser-known artists with a brighter palette are studied for whole seconds at a time.

^{Educational trip: Matisse's The Snail (Pic: Alex Georgescu/ Succession Henri Matisse/DACS )}

Mark Rothko has a particularly hard time of it: a room of his works brings my youngest to tears.

But this is really just a warm-up act. We all know what we’ve really come for, and the refrain of “When can we see Matisse?” is on constant repeat. I resort to a rather unusual threat, whispering: “Keep the noise down, or I won’t take you to see The Snail!”

Next we see the Drawing Bar, a computer suite set up to allow budding artists to create their own artwork, electronically. All four children find this incredible fun, and love seeing their pictures flash up on the giant screen above them. My friend and I are both worried that the highlight of the day will be a computer game.

As we enter the Matisse exhibition, the crowds take us by surprise. “Hold my hand,” I growl. Trying to have hands, or at least eyes, on small children in a crowded space is not the most relaxing experience, and I become a little more shrill at this point. “Get out from under the desk,” I screech as my three-year-old grins at me, then lolls on the floor until I drag him to his feet. But once I give in to cries of “carry me” and sling him on my hip, he begins to engage with the images. He is so eager to get close to one that he trips the alarmed rope protecting it, sending a rather stern security woman over to halt our advance.

The hunt, however, is on for The Snail. It is what brought us here in the first place, but it seems to be hiding. Eventually, in the penultimate room, we find it, like the gold at the end of its rainbow shell.

The older boys are overjoyed. “It’s like the one at school,” they cry. My five-year-old goes up to kiss the picture, tells me (and it) that he loves it, and sits down on the floor to draw the most accurate representation of anything he’s ever drawn in his life.

And so out, through the inevitable gift shop, pausing only to buy a Snail print and fridge magnet.

Do children belong at galleries? If you’re brave enough to take on the other punters, the queues, the potential dislike of certain artists (Rothko, you’ve been warned) and the gift shop, then perhaps.

There were no tantrums, no boredom or sulks, and only three trips to the loo in more than two hours in the gallery. It was nerve-racking, but worth it in the end, as all the best things are.

DO'S AND DON'TS OF TAKING CHILDREN TO A GALLERY

Do

Do choose your gallery – and even exhibition – wisely. Some institutions are more child-friendly than others, and some exhibits are more likely to engage little minds (see best galleries for children, below).

Do try to visit early or late in the day, to avoid the worst of the crowds for popular exhibitions.

Do ask your children to find their favourite picture in every room and stand by it – this is a good way to keep them focused.

Do take some drinks and snacks, so you can fend off any whining instantly without the need to find a café and queue.

Don’t

Don’t try to stay too long. Children get tired easily, and it’s better to leave on a high than once they’ve got bored.

Don’t expect your children to behave like tiny adults, and try to ignore the inevitable tutting as long as they are behaving reasonably. They have a right to be there too, and it could be the start of a love of art.

Don’t forget your crayons. Children of all ages will love to sit and have a go at their own artwork, so make sure you bring supplies; who knows what masterpieces they will create.

CHILDREN'S HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MATISSE EXHIBITION

Here are more images from Matisse Cut-Outs, (on at the Tate Modern until Sept 7) you should be sure to look out for if you visit with young children.

Icarus It’s one of the most striking images in the exhibition, and gives you a chance to tell the children the story of the man who flew too close to the sun, bringing the image to life and sneaking in a bit of Greek mythology.

^{Succession Henri Matisse/DACS / CNAC / Runion des Muses N}

The Wolf A surprisingly scary image that taps in to children’s love of fairy tales. Whether they think it’s the Big Bad Wolf from the Three Little Pigs or the werewolf from Twilight, it will both frighten and entrance.

Large Composition with Masks While the whole exhibition can inspire you to create art, making face masks is a great place to start for those less artistically inclined, particularly boys.

The Mermaid and the Parakeet This huge, breathtaking work appears at first to be a simple garden, but look closer to find the blue mermaid and parakeet from the title, imagining exactly what they might be saying to each other.

GALLERIES FOR CHILDREN

The National Gallery

With “magic carpet storytelling”, noisy pictures, a children’s gallery and sessions for under fives, this is a wonderful place to explore.

Falmouth Art Gallery

Its manifesto is to showcase “inspiring art for everyone”, and with fun exhibitions including The Boy Who Bit Picasso, this is ideal if you fancy a break from the beach.

The Herbert Art Gallery, Coventry

Hands on experiences, early years activity space, dressing up, touch-screen interactives, story baskets and trails will make sure that all the family have a memorable day.

Manchester Art Gallery

Who doesn’t love a tool belt? Children adore them, so will be right at home here, where they are handed an explorer tool belt, which includes binoculars, magnifying glasses, spot cards and more.

Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool

Big Art for Little Artists is a gallery especially for children up to and including the age of eight, which has been designed to introduce children to art in a fun way.

FAMILY FRIENDLY MUSEUM AWARD

The Telegraph is supporting the Family Friendly Museum Award to search out the best family museum in Britain. Six museums have now been shortlisted. If you’d like your family to be mystery museum judges, email award@kidsinmuseums.org.uk. The winner will be announced on Sept 28.

 'Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs’ is on at Tate Modern until Sept 7. Adults £18, under-12s free