Visiting with Children

The Hood Museum invites kids and families to explore art in new and fun ways. Look, talk, and create together. Relax and enjoy the museum on your own or discover all the exciting programs and events we have planned to inspire you!
 

Before You Visit

Plan a shorter visit. Don't feel like you need to see the entire museum in one day. Admission to the Hood Museum is always free, which makes it easier to come back another day.

• Build excitement and familiarity by pointing out art that you see around you in your everyday lives.
• Discuss why the way we interact with art in a museum differs from the way we interact with art in our homes.
• Read the museum's rules prior to your visit.
   

Resources for Your Visit

Activity Guide
Visit the Welcome Desk to pick up an Activity Guide. This coloring book–style activity guide invites you to look, sketch, and play while you are at the museum. 

Gallery Go Pack
Check out sketching materials, art activities, and more to keep hands and minds busy in the galleries. Filled with free, fun family activities, the Gallery Go-Packs are available during weekend hours.

Social Narrative
Review the Social Narrative, which provides an illustrated, step-by-step guide on what to expect during a visit to the Hood Museum. Use this Social Narrative to prepare for your visit and a change in routine. Click here to download a PDF or click here to watch a video of its contents.  

Sensory Bags
Check out Sensory Bags from the Welcome Desk at no cost. These include noise-reduction headphones, sunglasses, fidgets, and visual vocabularies to help ease sensory stimulation.  

Ask the Visitor Services Guides
Learn about activities and programs for children and families at the Welcome Desk.

Take breaks and talk to the visitor services guides in the galleries as you move through the museum. When a child sees you asking questions, they will want to ask questions too.
 

Tips for Visiting the Museum with Children

Take Pictures
Take pictures of your kids with artwork! Photography (without flash) is permitted.

Look Closely
Take your time and look closely at just a few things during your visit. As you look at a painting, imagine the sights, sounds, and smells you would experience if you stepped into its world. Try striking a pose inspired by the sculptures you see.

Ask Questions
When you're looking at art with children, consider asking them: What's going on in this picture?

Prompt them to support their opinions. Ask them: What do you see that makes you say that?

Click here for more discussion questions.

Play a Gallery Game
Play the "Memory Game" together. Look at a work of art for a few minutes. Then, turn around and describe what you saw. Take turns. Does each person remember the same details or different ones? Click here for more gallery game suggestions.

Tell Stories
Make up a story with your child about an artwork they find interesting.
•    What happened right before the moment we see pictured in this work?
•    What do you think is going to happen next?

Click here for more story prompts.

You can also read books together in the galleries. Bring your own favorite book from home, find a comfy seat, and enjoy!

Make Art
Sit near your favorite artwork and draw what you see and feel. Ask the visitor services guides for pencils and paper.

Take a Break
Even with short visits, you'll want to take a break. Find a spot to sit and talk about what you've seen so far. Or bring a snack (which can be eaten in Russo Atrium) to recharge before heading back for more museum-going.

Help It Stick
At the end of your visit, talk about what you saw together and ask everyone what they liked best. Look at pictures from your trip or view the collection online to find images of the art you saw—and begin to plan what you'll see next time!
 

Family-Friendly Programming

Families are invited to attend the wide variety of free programs listed below. Check our events calendars for details and timing.

Maker Drop-In
A self-guided artmaking activity for all ages. Relaxed and friendly in feeling, each Maker Drop-In introduces visitors to new art-making tools and ideas. No experience necessary and all materials provided. Drop-in format: no registration required.

Storytime in the Galleries
A play-based, facilitated program for children ages 2–5 and their adult companions. Families listen to stories, look at art together, and engage in hands-on activities inspired by art. Registration required.

Family Workshop
Small-group, activity-based engagement with works in the galleries, followed by a studio experience. Facilitated by an educator. Children and their adult caregivers are encouraged to talk about and make art side by side. For children ages 6–12 and their adult companions; typical registration cap is 20.

Community Day
For visitors of all ages interested in exploring art in a variety of ways. Lively and celebratory in feeling, each Community Day combines gallery-based, self-guided activities such as games and family guides with several art activity options. Drop-in format: no registration required.
 

Family Friendly Activities at Home or the Museum

• Click here to download a pdf of our Family Activity Guide.
• Click here to download coloring book pages based on objects in the museum's collection.
• Enjoy taking "A Closer Look" by clicking here to download pdfs of our brochures. You can also explore works through our "Digital A Closer Looks."
• Use our digital outdoor sculpture audio tour and map by clicking here.