Let my small kid touch something

Daniele Catalanotto
Apr 1, 2022
A Service Design Principle for exhibitions 

We are with my little one at a Natural History. There, kids can see wild animals frozen in time by some very skilled taxidermists. Kids have a blast when they can nearly touch an elephant or lion!

But here comes a problem for a parent. Excited kids want to touch everything. And those stuffed animals are fragile art pieces!

That’s where the Natural History Museum of Geneva is pretty smart. They put a small window at the height for small kids. So they can play freely with their hands. They can touch the window. And I’m not stressed that my kid breaks something.

As the glass is just at a good height for small kids, it tells older kids: “Look, you are smart enough to not touch the animals, not like your little brother”.

It can make the older kids feel special and recognized.

Little side notes

  • This is the second draft of this Service Design Principle.
  • I was able to reduce the lengths by 34.24% compared to the first version.
  • Once adapted, even more, this principle will be part of the book "Service Design Principles 201-300"
  • As always feel free to share comments, feedback or personal stories to improve this principle.
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Patrick Marcelissen
May 5, 2022
I am not sure about the conclusion about older kids is true. My question is what is the message of the principle here? I still not sure. 
Daniele Catalanotto
May 5, 2022
Thanks Patrick for the feedback. Indeed the last part might not be necessary ;) 
Will look at this principle in more details in its next revision to see how I can clarifiy it.
Deirdre Malone
Oct 17, 2022
HI Daniel,

I notice sometimes the title in the link isn't the title when you click and begin to read. In this case I prefer the title in the link as the one here "Let my small kid touch something" is confusing. I agree with Patrick about older kids and even adults as temptation has no age limit. The adult may look around for a camera before touching something they think they probably shouldn't...maybe the glass should sometimes be for everyone....still I get the point and like the title in the link as well as the reference to younger kids and glass. 
Daniele Catalanotto
Oct 21, 2022
Thanks Deirdre for the feedback ;) That really helps. I didn't realize that the title could create some weird images in the mind of people. Thanks for spotting that too ;) 
Daniele Catalanotto
Oct 21, 2022

The third draft of this Service Design Principle:

Understand my kid wants to play with everything

With my one-year-old, we are at the Natural History of Geneva. Kids can see wild animals frozen in time by some very skilled taxidermists. Kids have a blast when they can nearly touch an elephant or lion!

But here comes a problem for a parent. Excited kids want to touch everything. And those stuffed animals are fragile art pieces!

That’s where this museum is pretty smart. They put a small window at the height for small kids. So they can play freely with their hands. They can touch the window. And I’m not stressed that my kid breaks something.

So let me ask you:

How can you make your service work for kids that want to touch and play with everything?

Daniele’s notes

  • This is the third draft of this principle.
  • I’ve reduced the length of this principle by 17% compared to the previous draft.
  • I took out a paragraph that wasn’t helpful based on feedback from Patrick Marcelissen and Deirdre Malone
  • I reworked the title to avoid people having weird images in their heads because of my funny English.
  • The new title and conclusion question give a new clarity to the principle.