Family & Children's Programs

Let your creativity soar at the Philadelphia Museum of Art! Explore a wide range of interactive programs designed for families with children ages 3–12. From large scale Special Family Events to intimate gallery tours, families can discover the world of art together.

Family Programs

Spend quality, creative time with your family. Children under 12 are always free. All family programs are included with Museum admission.

View Family Programs >>

Baby Bird Playdate

Fridays at 10:15 a.m.

Tours meet in Education Studio 2
Best for toddlers and their grown-ups

Free after admission

Play at the Museum with your little ones and enjoy music, art making, and gallery walks.

Art Explorers

Meet on Great Stair Hall Balcony
For ages 3–5 and 6–10

Free after admission

Look, learn, and tell us what you think on these playful tours.

Sweet Dreams
- Sunday, February 24, 2019, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  Chance upon Surrealist dreamscapes, artworks of the night sky, and beds and pillows in the galleries.
Cool Tools
- Sunday, March 10, 2019, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  - Sunday, March 17, 2019, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
    - Sunday, March 24, 2019, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
      - Sunday, March 31, 2019, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
        Artists use all sorts of different tools to create their masterpieces. On these fun-filled Sundays, we explore process and ask the question, “How did they make that?”
    - Wordplay
      - Sunday, April 14, 2019, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
        Sunday, April 21, 2019, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (CANCELED)
        Sunday, April 28, 2019, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
        Playful puns and fantastic phrases are on our a(rt)genda. Younger kids embark on an alphabet hunt, while bigger kids discover text in art inspired by the wonder of words.
        Things with Wings
        Sunday, May 12, 2019, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
        Sunday, May 19, 2019, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
        Sunday, May 26, 2019, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
        Join us on flights of fancy in the galleries and discover things with wings, including dragons and bugs.

Family Balcony Studio

Great Stair Hall Balcony
Perfect for all ages

Free after admission

You’ve discovered art in our galleries, now create a masterpiece of your own.

Sweet Dreams
- Sunday, February 24, 2019, 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  Chance upon Surrealist dreamscapes, artworks of the night sky, and beds and pillows in the galleries.
Cool Tools
- Sunday, March 10, 2019, 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  - Sunday, March 17, 2019, 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
    - Sunday, March 24, 2019, 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
      - Sunday, March 31, 2019, 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
        Artists use all sorts of different tools to create their masterpieces. On these fun-filled Sundays, we explore process and ask the question, “How did they make that?”
    - Wordplay
      - Sunday, April 14, 2019, 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
        Sunday, April 21, 2019, 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (CANCELED)
        Sunday, April 28, 2019, 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
        Playful puns and fantastic phrases are on our a(rt)genda. Younger kids embark on an alphabet hunt, while bigger kids discover text in art inspired by the wonder of words.
        Things with Wings
        Sunday, May 12, 2019, 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
        Sunday, May 19, 2019, 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
        Sunday, May 26, 2019, 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
        The sky’s the limit for your imagination to soar in our Balcony Studio.

Stroller Tour

Tours meet in Lenfest Hall (West Entrance)
Best for grown-ups with babies

Free after admission

Parents and caregivers with babes in tow are always welcome in our galleries, and we're making it a bit easier for you with our stroller tours. If the baby fusses don't fret—you'll be in good company.

Wednesday, March 13, 2019, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 10, 2019, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Sensory-Friendly Mornings

Sunday, April 14, 2019
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Great Stair Hall Balcony

Reservations required
Space is limited. To reserve your spot, email .

These mornings are specially designed for children on the autism spectrum or who have other sensory sensitivities. The lights, volume, and crowds are turned down but not the fun or creativity.

Spring Break Programs

Tuesday, April 16–Sunday, April 21

Great Stair Hall Balcony

Free after admission

No school over spring break? We’ve got you covered. Get inspired by giant sculptures installed on our Rocky steps, and sculpt your own colossal clay creations.

Balcony Studio
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Art Explorers Tours
11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.

Family Art Workshop: Prints and Comics (ages 4–7 with an adult)

Sunday, April 28, 2019
10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

Studio 1

Paid tickets required
$20 ($16 members) per child

Explore Japanese woodblock prints by Yoshitoshi, whose work inspired modern-day manga. Then create your own printed comics with a teaching artist.

Space is limited. Adults must register as well and are free with admission.

Inspired by Yoshitoshi: Spirit and Spectacle

Family Art Workshop: Prints and Comics (ages 8–12 with an adult)

Monday, April 29, 2019
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Studio 1

Paid tickets required
$20 ($16 members) per child

Explore Japanese woodblock prints by Yoshitoshi, whose work inspired modern-day manga. Then create your own printed comics with a teaching artist.

Space is limited. Adults must register as well and are free with admission.

Inspired by Yoshitoshi: Spirit and Spectacle

Family Art Workshop: Let’s Paint (ages 4–7 with an adult)

Sunday, May 26, 2019
10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

Studio 1

Paid tickets required
$20 ($16 members) per child

Channel your inner Monet in this painting workshop. Explore colorful canvases in The Impressionist’s Eye, then roll up your sleeves and get ready to paint.

Space is limited. Adults must register as well and are free with admission.

Family Art Workshop: Let’s Paint (ages 8–12 with an adult)

Sunday, May 26, 2019
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Studio 1

Paid tickets required
$20 ($16 members) per child

Channel your inner Monet in this painting workshop. Explore colorful canvases in The Impressionist’s Eye, then roll up your sleeves and get ready to paint.

Space is limited. Adults must register as well and are free with admission.

Family Festivals

Family Festivals showcase local and nationally recognized performance groups for an experience that combines the magic of the visual and performing arts. The Balcony Studio features art projects inspired by artwork in the Museum's collections.

View Family Festivals >>

Once Upon a Time

Sunday, March 3, 2019
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Great Stair Hall Balcony

Free after Pay What You Wish admission

Explore storytelling through art in our galleries.

Balcony Studio
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Embark on a bookmaking project, and fill your handmade book with your own stories and illustrations.

Mini-Tours
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. (Tours depart at the top of the hour)
Imagine our galleries as an enchanted forest, and discover spellbinding tales through art.

Dance Performances
11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
Don’t miss the Pennsylvania Ballet II premiere of Fairy Rhymes, in which the Three Little Kittens travel through nursery rhymes and fairy tales to find their lost mittens.

Poetry Party

Sunday, April 7, 2019
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Great Stair Hall Balcony

Free after Pay What You Wish admission

Words are our art medium during International Poetry Month. Read a painting, write a sculpture, draw a poem. Join local artist Martha Rich and fill the Great Stair Hall with your wonderful words.

Balcony Studio
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Mini-Tours
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. (Tours depart at the top of the hour)

Science Carnival on the Parkway

Saturday, May 4, 2019
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 222 North 20th Street

Free

Art and science come together in the culminating event of the Philadelphia Science Festival. Meet members of our Conservation team, who use science to study and protect our collection.

Playful Prints

Sunday, May 5, 2019
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Great Stair Hall Balcony

Free after Pay What You Wish admission

Discover Yoshitoshi and the world of printmaking.

Balcony Studio
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Experiment with the Japanese printmaking technique mokuhanga with special guest artist Jennifer Mack-Watkins.

Mini-Tours
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. (Tours depart at the top of the hour)
Explore images of childhood in honor of Japanese Children’s Day.

Children’s Art Classes

Young artists get to know the Museum inside and out during these award-winning classes. No experience is necessary, and all materials are supplied. $160 ($130 members)

Winter classes begin Tuesday, January 22. General online registration begins November 27.
For returning families, pre-registration opens November 13. Call 215-235-7469 or visit the Museum for more information. Tuition assistance available upon request. A nonrefundable service charge for each space reserved is added to phone orders ($3.50; $2.50 member).

Support for Children‘s Art Classes has been provided by Ellen and Mickey Simon.

Weekday Classes for Ages 3–5
Tuesdays, January 22–March 26, 1:00–2:30 p.m.
Wednesdays, January 23–March 27, 1:00–2:30 p.m. CANCELED
Thursdays, January 24–March 28, 1:00–2:30 p.m. SOLD OUT

Saturday Classes for Ages 3–12
January 26–March 30
Ages 3–4: SOLD OUT
Ages 5–6: SOLD OUT
Ages 7–8: SOLD OUT
Ages 9–12: SOLD OUT

Spring classes begin Tuesday, April 23; online registration for new students begins April 2.
For returning families, pre-registration opens March 19. Call 215-235-7469 or visit the museum for more information. Tuition assistance available upon request. A nonrefundable service charge for each space reserved is added to phone orders ($3.50; $2.50 member).

Support for Children‘s Art Classes has been provided by Ellen and Mickey Simon.

Weekday Classes for Ages 3–5
Tuesdays, April 23–May 14, 1:00–2:30 p.m.
Wednesdays, April 24–May 15, 1:00–2:30 p.m.
Thursdays, April 25–May 16, 1:00–2:30 p.m.

Saturday Classes for Ages 3–12
April 27–May 18
Ages 3–4, 10:30 a.m.–noon; or 1:00–2:30 p.m.
Ages 5–6, 10:30 a.m.–noon; or 1:00–2:30 p.m.
Ages 7–8, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.; or 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Ages 9–12, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.; or 1:00–3:00 p.m.

For more information, please contact The Division of Education by phone at 215-684-7580, by fax at 215-236-4063, or by e-mail at .