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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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What's in the Box?: Places
Thursday, October 18 | 9:15 am
Now at a new, earlier time! Preschoolers, ages 2–5, and their caregivers have fun while exploring art together. Each session introduces a work of art from the Museum and...
READ MORE -
What's in the Box?: Places
Thursday, October 18 | 10:15 am
Now at a new, earlier time! Preschoolers, ages 2–5, and their caregivers have fun while exploring art together. Each session introduces a work of art from the Museum and...
READ MORE -
What's in the Box?: Places
Thursday, October 18 | 11:15 am
Now at a new, earlier time! Preschoolers, ages 2–5, and their caregivers have fun while exploring art together. Each session introduces a work of art from the Museum and...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: What’s the Story?
Saturday, October 20 | 10:30 am
Every work of art tells a story! Look for secret details and hidden tales in works of art.
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: What’s the Story?
Sunday, October 21 | 10:30 am
Every work of art tells a story! Look for secret details and hidden tales in works of art.
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: What’s the Story?
Saturday, October 27 | 10:30 am
Every work of art tells a story! Look for secret details and hidden tales in works of art.
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: What’s the Story?
Sunday, October 28 | 10:30 am
Every work of art tells a story! Look for secret details and hidden tales in works of art.
READ MORE -
Exhibition Related Events
Pop-Up Art: Altered Architecture Photographs
Sunday, October 28 | Noon
Be inspired by photographs in the exhibition Candida Höfer in Mexico, and take your own photos of the Museum campus. Print and alter pictures on site to create a...
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Exhibition Related Events
School’s Out Camp: A Week with Georgia O’Keeffe, Ages 6–10
Monday, October 29 | 9 am
Explore our special exhibition The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe and Contemporary Art, and see why O’Keeffe’s view of the world inspires so many contemporary artists.
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What's in the Box?: Parts of Art
Thursday, November 1 | 9:15 am
Now at a new, earlier time! Preschoolers, ages 2–5, and their caregivers have fun while exploring art together. Each session introduces a work of art from the Museum and...
READ MORE -
What's in the Box?: Parts of Art
Thursday, November 1 | 10:15 am
Now at a new, earlier time! Preschoolers, ages 2–5, and their caregivers have fun while exploring art together. Each session introduces a work of art from the Museum and...
READ MORE -
What's in the Box?: Parts of Art
Thursday, November 1 | 12:15 pm
Now at a new, earlier time! Preschoolers, ages 2–5, and their caregivers have fun while exploring art together. Each session introduces a work of art from the Museum and...
READ MORE -
2018 Fall Films
Halloween Hangover Live Cinema Party
Friday, November 2 | 7 pm
Keep the danse macabre going! The party includes bloody cocktails and costume contests before a special live performance of the cult film Carnival of Souls. Live cinema is...
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Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Colorful Feelings
Saturday, November 3 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5–11 and their adult companions. Free; no reservations necessary. Meet at West Building Information Desk.
How does art make you feel?...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Colorful Feelings
Sunday, November 4 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5–11 and their adult companions. Free; no reservations necessary. Meet at West Building Information Desk.
How does art make you feel?...
READ MORE -
Exhibition Related Events
Family Fun Saturdays: Pop Art Poppies
Saturday, November 10 | 10:15 am
Gallery tour and studio workshop best for families with children ages 5–11. A different theme each time means there’s always something new to discover! All participants...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Colorful Feelings
Saturday, November 10 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5–11 and their adult companions. Free; no reservations necessary. Meet at West Building Information Desk.
How does art make you feel?...
READ MORE -
Exhibition Related Events
Family Fun Saturdays: Pop Art Poppies
Saturday, November 10 | 1 pm
Gallery tour and studio workshop best for families with children ages 5–11. A different theme each time means there’s always something new to discover! All participants...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Colorful Feelings
Sunday, November 11 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5–11 and their adult companions. Free; no reservations necessary. Meet at West Building Information Desk.
How does art make you feel?...
READ MORE -
What's in the Box?: People
Thursday, November 15 | 9:15 am
Now at a new, earlier time! Preschoolers, ages 2–5, and their caregivers have fun while exploring art together. Each session introduces a work of art from the Museum and...
READ MORE -
What's in the Box?: People
Thursday, November 15 | 10:15 am
Now at a new, earlier time! Preschoolers, ages 2–5, and their caregivers have fun while exploring art together. Each session introduces a work of art from the Museum and...
READ MORE -
What's in the Box?: People
Thursday, November 15 | 11:15 am
Now at a new, earlier time! Preschoolers, ages 2–5, and their caregivers have fun while exploring art together. Each session introduces a work of art from the Museum and...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Colorful Feelings
Saturday, November 17 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5–11 and their adult companions. Free; no reservations necessary. Meet at West Building Information Desk.
How does art make you feel?...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Colorful Feelings
Sunday, November 18 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5–11 and their adult companions. Free; no reservations necessary. Meet at West Building Information Desk.
How does art make you feel?...
READ MORE -
Pop-Up Art: Black Friday
Friday, November 23 | Noon
All black everything! Create a monochromatic work of art to take home. Free art-making activities for all ages. No reservations needed.
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Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Colorful Feelings
Saturday, November 24 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5–11 and their adult companions. Free; no reservations necessary. Meet at West Building Information Desk.
How does art make you feel?...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Colorful Feelings
Sunday, November 25 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5–11 and their adult companions. Free; no reservations necessary. Meet at West Building Information Desk.
How does art make you feel?...
READ MORE -
Exhibition Related Events
Family Fun Saturdays: Painting Places
Saturday, January 12 | 10:15 am
Gallery tour and studio workshop best for families with children ages 5–11. A different theme each time means there’s always something new to discover! All participants...
READ MORE -
Exhibition Related Events
Family Fun Saturdays: Painting Places
Saturday, January 12 | 1 pm
Gallery tour and studio workshop best for families with children ages 5–11. A different theme each time means there’s always something new to discover! All participants...
READ MORE
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