A decision not to make museums free for children as suggested in 2008 was a wise one, according to research by the Dutch museums’ association quoted in Monday’s NRC.

The research shows introducing free museums for children would have cost €9m but the effect on visitor numbers would have been minor. The plan was abandoned on cost grounds.
Some 61% of primary school children visit a museum through school at least once a year but neither the cost of museum entrance nor transport influence the choice of museum, the research also showed. Instead teachers look at what children can learn from their visit.
The association wants to boost this to 80% by 2015.