by Maria Spiliopoulou

ATHENS, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Long gone are the days when children were asked to tiptoe through silent museum galleries. Embracing the idea that learning can be fun, an increasing number of Greek museums are inviting younger visitors to join in special education activities held there in an interactive and entertaining manner.

The summer camp running June and July at the Athens Cycladic Museum in the center of Athens is a typical example.

The weeklong three-hour course which has been specially designed for kids aged 5-9 offers participants an opportunity to explore the past, while engaging their imagination and creativity in workshops, before hitting the beach.

Through painting and educational games children delve into the wonders of ancient Greek art and create their own works of art, inspired by the museum's exhibits.

Entitled "The summer we created the world", this year's summer program introduces kids to ancient Greek myths about the creation of the world and examined replicas of masterpieces dating back to the 3rd millennium BC.

Founded in 1986, the Museum of Cycladic Art is dedicated to the study and promotion of ancient cultures of the Aegean Sea and Cyprus, with special emphasis on Cycladic Art of the 3rd millennium BC. It houses 3,000 artifacts and one of the most complete private collections of Cycladic art worldwide.

The educational programs which were launched as early as 1986 aim to bring children into creative contact with the Cycladic, ancient Greek, and Cypriot culture and turn the museum into a place of learning and entertainment, Marina Plati, Director of the Educational Programs Department said.

More than 10,000 kids visit the museum each year and take part in various activities throughout the year. Some 100 kids participate in the summer camp program which started in 2010.

Each summer there is a different main theme always in reference to the ongoing exhibitions and the permanent collection, Plati explained.