Families
Fun for the Whole Family
Explore a variety of engaging programs for toddlers, teens, and everyone in between. Make cool art, see live performances, or take a family-friendly tour of the Museum. Our programs and in-gallery materials invite you to look, talk, and interpret works of art together.
PARTICIPATING SPONSORS
NCMA Camps
Children have never experienced the Museum’s galleries, expansive park trails, and vibrant studio spaces the way they will during Camp at the NCMA.
Learn More
Weekend Family Tours
Every Saturday and Sunday | 10:30 am
Join a Museum guide for a lively discussion and activities in the galleries. Each free tour lasts 30 minutes and is designed for kids age 5 to 11 and their adult companions. Themes change monthly. Meet at the West Building Information Desk. No reservations are necessary, but space is limited.
View Tours
What’s in the Box?
Preschoolers, ages 2–5, and their caregivers
45-minute workshop on select Thursdays
Sign up that day; first come, first served.
Discover fun and engaging ways of looking at art together in the Museum and at home. Each session introduces a work of art through one of six themes: animals, people, places, seasons/nature, movement, and parts of art. Collect “What’s in the Box?” cards (provided at each session or downloadable; cards also in Spanish).
What's in the Box? Cards: Animals
What's in the Box? Cards: Places
What's in the Box? Cards: People
What's in the Box? Cards: Parts of Art
What's in the Box? Cards: Movement
What's in the Box? Cards: Seasons/Nature
Go to calendar
Family Fun Saturday Workshops
Families with children ages 5–11
Two-hour workshop on select Saturdays
Registration required
Gallery tour plus studio workshops for families. Kids and adults explore the Museum’s collection and create projects together in the studio. A different theme each time means there’s always something new to discover.
Go to calendar
Pop-Up Art
Free drop-in activities for all ages; children must be accompanied by an adult
Family-friendly art-making activities inspired by works of art in the galleries and Museum Park. Pop-Up Art is supported by the Duke Energy Education Endowment Fund.
Go to calendar
Family Festivals
Spend time connecting with your family at the NCMA. Make art, explore the galleries or Museum Park, and watch demonstrations or performances. Family days are free and are held seasonally.
Family days are sponsored by the Mebane Charitable Foundation, Edith S. Shepherd and Paul E. Castelloe, and the List Family Endowment.
Go to calendar
Explore on Your Own: African Art Activity Guide
A free activity booklet for self-guided exploration. Take a closer look to discover patterns, animals, and materials in the African art gallery. Pick up the guide and a pencil in the African gallery (East Building). Recommended for children ages 5 to 11. Available in English and Spanish.
Explore on Your Own: Tour-in-a-Tote
A free lending resource to encounter works of art in West Building in a kid-friendly, hands-on way. Borrow a tote at the West Building Information Desk. Best for ages 5 to 11. Available in English and Spanish.
Explore on Your Own: Park Packs
A free lending resource for families exploring the Park together. Park Packs are filled with activity guides and materials to use on your Park adventure. Recommended for pre-K through elementary school age. Park Packs can be reserved at the Museum Box Office in East Building. (Park Pack Activity guides are available in English and Spanish.)
Related Events
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Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Changing Seasons-2
Sunday, December 8 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Winter is here! Explore scenes of the changing seasons in art.
... READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Changing Seasons
Sunday, December 8 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Winter is here! Explore scenes of the changing seasons in art.
... READ MORE -
Pop-Up Art: Festival of Lights
Sunday, December 8 | Noon
Celebrate the start of Hanukkah! View the Museum’s Hanukkah lamps and create your own sculptural lantern to take home.
READ MORE -
School’s Out Camp: Once upon a Time, Ages 6-10
Monday, December 9 | 9 am
Discover how artists capture stories with their art while creating art that tells its own story.
READ MORE -
Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection
Duke Energy Family Night: Winter around the World
Friday, December 13 | 5 pm
Experience the “winternational” celebration of the season! Discover family traditions from North Carolina and around the globe. Create art, enjoy free access to Frida...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Changing Seasons-2
Saturday, December 14 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Winter is here! Explore scenes of the changing seasons in art.
... READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Changing Seasons
Saturday, December 14 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Winter is here! Explore scenes of the changing seasons in art.
... READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Changing Seasons-2
Sunday, December 15 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Winter is here! Explore scenes of the changing seasons in art.
... READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Changing Seasons
Sunday, December 15 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Winter is here! Explore scenes of the changing seasons in art.
... READ MORE -
Story Time: Movement
Thursday, December 19 | 10:15 am
Join us for story time in the galleries! Come look and listen as we make connections with original works of art and children’s books. Half-hour sessions; best for families...
READ MORE -
Story Time: Movement
Thursday, December 19 | 11 am
Join us for story time in the galleries! Come look and listen as we make connections with original works of art and children’s books. Half-hour sessions; best for families...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Changing Seasons-2
Saturday, December 21 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Winter is here! Explore scenes of the changing seasons in art.
... READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Changing Seasons
Saturday, December 21 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Winter is here! Explore scenes of the changing seasons in art.
... READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Changing Seasons-2
Sunday, December 22 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Winter is here! Explore scenes of the changing seasons in art.
... READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Changing Seasons
Sunday, December 22 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Winter is here! Explore scenes of the changing seasons in art.
... READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Changing Seasons-2
Saturday, December 28 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Winter is here! Explore scenes of the changing seasons in art.
... READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Changing Seasons
Saturday, December 28 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Winter is here! Explore scenes of the changing seasons in art.
... READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Changing Seasons-2
Sunday, December 29 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Winter is here! Explore scenes of the changing seasons in art.
... READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Changing Seasons
Sunday, December 29 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Winter is here! Explore scenes of the changing seasons in art.
... READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: New Beginnings
Saturday, January 4 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Resolve to visit the Museum with your family to celebrate the new year!...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: New Beginnings
Sunday, January 5 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Resolve to visit the Museum with your family to celebrate the new year!...
READ MORE -
What's in the Box?: Seasons/Nature
Thursday, January 9 | 9:15 am
Brrr! Discover changes in the world around us during the winter. Our sessions include guided looking at works of art, process-art investigations, and full sensory...
READ MORE -
What's in the Box?: Seasons/Nature
Thursday, January 9 | 10:15 am
Brrr! Discover changes in the world around us during the winter. Our sessions include guided looking at works of art, process-art investigations, and full sensory...
READ MORE -
What's in the Box?: Seasons/Nature
Thursday, January 9 | 11:15 am
Brrr! Discover changes in the world around us during the winter. Our sessions include guided looking at works of art, process-art investigations, and full sensory...
READ MORE -
Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection
Family Studio: A Modern Mural
Saturday, January 11 | 10:15 am
Gallery tour plus studio workshops for families. A different theme each time means there’s always something new to discover. Each participant (children and adults) must...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: New Beginnings
Saturday, January 11 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Resolve to visit the Museum with your family to celebrate the new year!...
READ MORE -
Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection
Family Studio: A Modern Mural
Saturday, January 11 | 1 pm
Gallery tour plus studio workshops for families. A different theme each time means there’s always something new to discover. Each participant (children and adults) must...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: New Beginnings
Sunday, January 12 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Resolve to visit the Museum with your family to celebrate the new year!...
READ MORE -
Mix It Up, Ages 6–10
Monday, January 13 | 9 am
Sculpture, collage, painting, and drawing! Discover the variety of media in our galleries and Park, and try them out in your own creations.
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: New Beginnings
Saturday, January 18 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Resolve to visit the Museum with your family to celebrate the new year!...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: New Beginnings
Sunday, January 19 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Resolve to visit the Museum with your family to celebrate the new year!...
READ MORE -
Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection
Pop-Up Art: Adios to Frida and Diego!
Sunday, January 19 | Noon
Say adios to the exhibition Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism. Create a sketchbook inspired by Frida’s journals or add an artistic page to our farewell book....
READ MORE -
Story Time: Seasons/Nature
Thursday, January 23 | 10:15 am
Join us for story time in the galleries! Come look and listen as we make connections with original works of art and children’s books. Half-hour sessions; best for families...
READ MORE -
Story Time: Seasons/Nature
Thursday, January 23 | 11 am
Join us for story time in the galleries! Come look and listen as we make connections with original works of art and children’s books. Half-hour sessions; best for families...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: New Beginnings
Saturday, January 25 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Resolve to visit the Museum with your family to celebrate the new year!...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: New Beginnings
Sunday, January 26 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Resolve to visit the Museum with your family to celebrate the new year!...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Love in the Air
Saturday, February 1 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Celebrate love of all kinds on view in the Museum galleries and tell us which...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Love in the Air
Sunday, February 2 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Celebrate love of all kinds on view in the Museum galleries and tell us which...
READ MORE -
School’s Out Camp: Fins, Feathers, and Fur, Ages 6-10
Monday, February 3 | 9 am
Explore the marvels of the animal kingdom as we take inspiration from our favorite animals, from the cute and cuddly to the fanged and ferocious. Join us as we make art...
READ MORE -
What's in the Box?: Places
Thursday, February 6 | 9:15 am
Let art transport you to another world! Take an imaginary trip to a new place with art in the Museum. Our sessions include guided looking at works of art, process-art...
READ MORE -
What's in the Box?: Places
Thursday, February 6 | 10:15 am
Let art transport you to another world! Take an imaginary trip to a new place with art in the Museum. Our sessions include guided looking at works of art, process-art...
READ MORE -
What's in the Box?: Places
Thursday, February 6 | 11:15 am
Let art transport you to another world! Take an imaginary trip to a new place with art in the Museum. Our sessions include guided looking at works of art, process-art...
READ MORE -
Family Studio: Inspired by Architecture
Saturday, February 8 | 10:15 am
Build your own architectural scene, inspired by paintings of cities around the globe! Participants take a guided tour through the European galleries to see famous places...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Love in the Air
Saturday, February 8 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Celebrate love of all kinds on view in the Museum galleries and tell us which...
READ MORE -
Family Studio: Inspired by Architecture
Saturday, February 8 | 1 pm
Build your own architectural scene, inspired by paintings of cities around the globe! Participants take a guided tour through the European galleries to see famous places...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Love in the Air
Sunday, February 9 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Celebrate love of all kinds on view in the Museum galleries and tell us which...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Love in the Air
Saturday, February 15 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Celebrate love of all kinds on view in the Museum galleries and tell us which...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Love in the Air
Sunday, February 16 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Celebrate love of all kinds on view in the Museum galleries and tell us which...
READ MORE -
Story Time: Places
Thursday, February 20 | 10:15 am
Join us for story time in the galleries! Come look and listen as we make connections with original works of art and children’s books. Half-hour sessions; best for families...
READ MORE -
Story Time: Places
Thursday, February 20 | 11 am
Join us for story time in the galleries! Come look and listen as we make connections with original works of art and children’s books. Half-hour sessions; best for families...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Love in the Air
Saturday, February 22 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Celebrate love of all kinds on view in the Museum galleries and tell us which...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Love in the Air
Sunday, February 23 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Celebrate love of all kinds on view in the Museum galleries and tell us which...
READ MORE -
Pop-Up Art: Feathered Faces
Sunday, February 23 | Noon
Get in touch with your wild side! Take inspiration from the feathers, beaks, and claws on view in John James Audubon’s Birds of America folios and create a unique bird mask...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Love in the Air
Saturday, February 29 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5 to 11 and their adult companions. No reservations necessary.
Celebrate love of all kinds on view in the Museum galleries and tell us which...
READ MORE
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