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.
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
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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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NCMA Camps
Time Travelers (ages 7–8)
Monday, June 24 | 9 am
Travel through space and time to learn about art from other periods and places as you design your own timeless masterpieces.
See Camp FAQs and details here.
... READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
Time Travelers (ages 9–11)
Monday, June 24 | 9 am
Travel through space and time to learn about art from other periods and places as you design your own timeless masterpieces.
See Camp FAQs and details here.
... READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
Time Travelers (ages 6–7)
Monday, June 24 | 9 am
Travel through space and time to learn about art from other periods and places as you design your own timeless masterpieces.
See Camp FAQs and details here.
... READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
Middle School Workshop: Fields of View
Monday, June 24 | 9 am
Power down and take time to connect with nature. Get up close and personal with the natural world while capturing your own views of nature, from landscapes in the galleries...
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Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: African Rhythms
Saturday, June 29 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5–11 and their adult companions. Explore arts of the African continent through movement, masquerade, and more.
... READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: African Rhythms
Sunday, June 30 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5–11 and their adult companions. Explore arts of the African continent through movement, masquerade, and more.
... READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
Middle School Workshop: Ready. Set. Draw.
Monday, July 8 | 9 am
Do you keep a sketchbook or always find yourself doodling? Come find endless inspiration for your drawing as you explore the Museum galleries and Park.
... READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
aMUSE Me! (ages 6–7)
Monday, July 8 | 9 am
Where will you find your muse? See inspiration everywhere as you discover what inspired artists in our galleries and what inspires you.
See Camp FAQs and details here.
... READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
aMUSE Me! (ages 7–8)
Monday, July 8 | 9 am
Where will you find your muse? See inspiration everywhere as you discover what inspired artists in our galleries and what inspires you.
See Camp FAQs and details here.
... READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
aMUSE Me! (ages 9–11)
Monday, July 8 | 9 am
Where will you find your muse? See inspiration everywhere as you discover what inspired artists in our galleries and what inspires you.
See Camp FAQs and details here.
... READ MORE -
Summer Story Time
Wednesday, July 10 | 10:15 am
Beat the heat with art-inspired story time in the Museum galleries with librarians from Wake County Public Libraries! Drop in to listen, learn, and look from some of our...
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Summer Story Time
Wednesday, July 10 | 11 am
Beat the heat with art-inspired story time in the Museum galleries with librarians from Wake County Public Libraries! Drop in to listen, learn, and look from some of our...
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NCMA Camps
Pre-K Camp: Trains, Planes, and Automobiles
Monday, July 15 | 9 am
Beep! Beep! Hop aboard for an exciting week all about transportation. We’ll make art inspired by all the ways people get from here to there.
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NCMA Camps
Movin' and Groovin' (ages 7–8)
Monday, July 15 | 9 am
Discover how artists capture movement in painting and sculpture, and make your own “moving” works of art.
See Camp FAQs and details here.
READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
Movin' and Groovin' (ages 6–7)
Monday, July 15 | 9 am
Discover how artists capture movement in painting and sculpture, and make your own “moving” works of art.
See Camp FAQs and details here.
READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
Movin' and Groovin' (ages 9–11) (Waiting List)
WAITING LIST - Monday, July 15 | 9 am
Discover how artists capture movement in painting and sculpture, and make your own “moving” works of art.
See Camp FAQs and details here.
READ MORE -
Summer Story Time
Wednesday, July 17 | 10:15 am
Beat the heat with art-inspired story time in the Museum galleries with librarians from Wake County Public Libraries! Drop in to listen, learn, and look from some of our...
READ MORE -
Summer Story Time
Wednesday, July 17 | 11 am
Beat the heat with art-inspired story time in the Museum galleries with librarians from Wake County Public Libraries! Drop in to listen, learn, and look from some of our...
READ MORE -
Family Fun Saturdays: Books, Transformed
Saturday, July 20 | 10:15 am
Gallery tour plus studio workshops for families. A different theme each time means there’s always something new to discover. Please note: All participants (children and...
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Family Fun Saturdays: Books, Transformed
Saturday, July 20 | 1 pm
Gallery tour plus studio workshops for families. A different theme each time means there’s always something new to discover. Please note: All participants (children and...
READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
Middle School Workshop: Fiber Fun
Monday, July 22 | 9 am
Sew your own textile masterpiece. Experiment with thread, fabric, and fiber materials to explore sewing, fabric dyeing, and beading.
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NCMA Camps
Myths, Monsters, and Magic (ages 7–8) (Sold Out)
SOLD OUT - Monday, July 22 | 9 am
Unearth the myths and legends of works of art in the galleries, and discover worlds beyond your imagination as you create your own fantasy creatures and worlds.
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NCMA Camps
Myths, Monsters, and Magic (ages 6–7)
Monday, July 22 | 9 am
Unearth the myths and legends of works of art in the galleries, and discover worlds beyond your imagination as you create your own fantasy creatures and worlds.
READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
Myths, Monsters, and Magic (ages 9–11) (Sold Out)
SOLD OUT - Monday, July 22 | 9 am
Unearth the myths and legends of works of art in the galleries, and discover worlds beyond your imagination as you create your own fantasy creatures and worlds.
READ MORE -
Summer Story Time
Wednesday, July 24 | 10:15 am
Beat the heat with art-inspired story time in the Museum galleries with librarians from Wake County Public Libraries! Drop in to listen, learn, and look from some of our...
READ MORE -
Summer Story Time
Wednesday, July 24 | 11 am
Beat the heat with art-inspired story time in the Museum galleries with librarians from Wake County Public Libraries! Drop in to listen, learn, and look from some of our...
READ MORE -
Wish You Were Here!
Sunday, July 28 | Noon
Discover scenes of Africa from historic postcards on view in our galleries. Then make a travel postcard to send or take home with you!
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NCMA Camps
Water Works (ages 9–11)
Monday, July 29 | 9 am
Dive into aquatic-inspired art! From the pools and ponds of the Museum Park to undersea creatures of your imagination, this week is about all things water.
READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
Water Works (ages 7–8)
Monday, July 29 | 9 am
Dive into aquatic-inspired art! From the pools and ponds of the Museum Park to undersea creatures of your imagination, this week is about all things water.
READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
Water Works (ages 6–7)
Monday, July 29 | 9 am
Dive into aquatic-inspired art! From the pools and ponds of the Museum Park to undersea creatures of your imagination, this week is about all things water.
READ MORE -
Middle School Workshop: Art for Change
Monday, July 29 | 9 am
Art has long been used to send messages and take a stand for change. Discover what artists in the NCMA galleries are saying with their work before communicating your own...
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Summer Story Time
Wednesday, July 31 | 10:15 am
Beat the heat with art-inspired story time in the Museum galleries with librarians from Wake County Public Libraries! Drop in to listen, learn, and look from some of our...
READ MORE -
Summer Story Time
Wednesday, July 31 | 11 am
Beat the heat with art-inspired story time in the Museum galleries with librarians from Wake County Public Libraries! Drop in to listen, learn, and look from some of our...
READ MORE -
Family Sunflower Adventure
Saturday, August 3 | 9 am
Take an adventure into the world of sunflowers during this family program at our sunflower field. Discover the life that creates this buzzing floral ecosystem—and maybe...
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Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Heroes and Monsters
Saturday, August 3 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5–11 and their adult companions. Uncover good, evil, and even unreal characters in art from our world and mythological realms.
... READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Heroes and Monsters
Sunday, August 4 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5–11 and their adult companions. Uncover good, evil, and even unreal characters in art from our world and mythological realms.
... READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
Middle School Workshop: Facetime
Monday, August 5 | 9 am
Discover some original selfies as you explore the many faces of the Museum’s galleries. Focus on self-portraiture in many forms and celebrate what makes you unique.
... READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
Up, Up, and Away (ages 9–11)
Monday, August 5 | 9 am
Keep your head in the clouds and let your imagination soar! Explore the sky and beyond to create your own out-of-this-world art, from cloudscapes and birds to rockets and...
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NCMA Camps
Up, Up, and Away (ages 6–7)
Monday, August 5 | 9 am
Keep your head in the clouds and let your imagination soar! Explore the sky and beyond to create your own out-of-this-world art, from cloudscapes and birds to rockets and...
READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
Up, Up, and Away (ages 7–8) (Waiting List)
WAITING LIST - Monday, August 5 | 9 am
Keep your head in the clouds and let your imagination soar! Explore the sky and beyond to create your own out-of-this-world art, from cloudscapes and birds to rockets and...
READ MORE -
What's in the Box?: Seasons/Nature
Thursday, August 8 | 9:15 am
Have fun while exploring art together. Each session introduces a work of art from the Museum and includes activities that stretch the imagination. Everyone can collect...
READ MORE -
What's in the Box?: Seasons/Nature
Thursday, August 8 | 10:15 am
Have fun while exploring art together. Each session introduces a work of art from the Museum and includes activities that stretch the imagination. Everyone can collect...
READ MORE -
What's in the Box?: Seasons/Nature
Thursday, August 8 | 11:15 am
Have fun while exploring art together. Each session introduces a work of art from the Museum and includes activities that stretch the imagination. Everyone can collect...
READ MORE -
Family Fun Saturdays: Printmaking Explorations
Saturday, August 10 | 10:15 am
Gallery tour plus studio workshops for families. A different theme each time means there’s always something new to discover. Please note: All participants (children and...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Heroes and Monsters
Saturday, August 10 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5–11 and their adult companions. Uncover good, evil, and even unreal characters in art from our world and mythological realms.
... READ MORE -
Family Fun Saturdays: Printmaking Explorations
Saturday, August 10 | 1 pm
Gallery tour plus studio workshops for families. A different theme each time means there’s always something new to discover. Please note: All participants (children and...
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Heroes and Monsters
Sunday, August 11 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5–11 and their adult companions. Uncover good, evil, and even unreal characters in art from our world and mythological realms.
... READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
Art Detectives (ages 6–7)
Monday, August 12 | 9 am
Uncover clues and secret histories of art and artists in the galleries before embarking on a journey to reveal your own mysterious works.
See Camp FAQs and details here.
... READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
Art Detectives (ages 7–8)
Monday, August 12 | 9 am
Uncover clues and secret histories of art and artists in the galleries before embarking on a journey to reveal your own mysterious works.
See Camp FAQs and details here.
... READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
Art Detectives (ages 9–11)
Monday, August 12 | 9 am
Uncover clues and secret histories of art and artists in the galleries before embarking on a journey to reveal your own mysterious works.
See Camp FAQs and details here.
... READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
Pre-K Camp: Animal Adventures
Monday, August 12 | 9 am
Can you slither like a snake or stand like a flamingo? Then you’ll love this week of wild and wonderful animals from around the globe.
READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Heroes and Monsters
Saturday, August 17 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5–11 and their adult companions. Uncover good, evil, and even unreal characters in art from our world and mythological realms.
... READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Heroes and Monsters
Sunday, August 18 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5–11 and their adult companions. Uncover good, evil, and even unreal characters in art from our world and mythological realms.
... READ MORE -
Art of the Afterlife
Sunday, August 18 | Noon
Inspired by the new exhibition What in the World Is a Grain Mummy?, make a decorative container inspired by the Museum’s grain mummy, sarcophagi, and coffins.
... READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
Middle School Workshop: Materials Remix
Monday, August 19 | 9 am
Make room for media beyond paint on canvas. Find inspiration in unexpected and unusual materials as you paint, sculpt, and draw your way through this unpredictable week.
... READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
Goin' Green (ages 7–8)
Monday, August 19 | 9 am
Bring found objects and recycled materials to life by transforming them into beautiful works of art. Along the way you’ll develop an inspired, resourceful way of looking at...
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NCMA Camps
Goin' Green (ages 6–7)
Monday, August 19 | 9 am
Bring found objects and recycled materials to life by transforming them into beautiful works of art. Along the way you’ll develop an inspired, resourceful way of looking at...
READ MORE -
NCMA Camps
Goin' Green (ages 9–11)
Monday, August 19 | 9 am
Bring found objects and recycled materials to life by transforming them into beautiful works of art. Along the way you’ll develop an inspired, resourceful way of looking at...
READ MORE -
What's in the Box?: Places
Thursday, August 22 | 9:15 am
Let art transport you to another world! Take an imaginary trip to a new place with art in the Museum.
Each session introduces a work of art from the Museum and includes...
READ MORE -
What's in the Box?: Places
Thursday, August 22 | 10:15 am
Let art transport you to another world! Take an imaginary trip to a new place with art in the Museum.
Each session introduces a work of art from the Museum and includes...
READ MORE -
What's in the Box?: Places
Thursday, August 22 | 11:15 am
Let art transport you to another world! Take an imaginary trip to a new place with art in the Museum.
Each session introduces a work of art from the Museum and includes...
READ MORE -
Monster Drawing Rally
Monster Drawing Rally 2019
Friday, August 23 | 5:30 pm
Join us for the fourth year of our live drawing event, featuring 75 artists at all stages of their careers drawing in front of a live audience. As spectators spy on the...
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Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Heroes and Monsters
Saturday, August 24 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5–11 and their adult companions. Uncover good, evil, and even unreal characters in art from our world and mythological realms.
... READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Heroes and Monsters
Sunday, August 25 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5–11 and their adult companions. Uncover good, evil, and even unreal characters in art from our world and mythological realms.
... READ MORE -
Weekend Family-Friendly Tours: Heroes and Monsters
Saturday, August 31 | 10:30 am
Half-hour tours for kids ages 5–11 and their adult companions. Uncover good, evil, and even unreal characters in art from our world and mythological realms.
... READ MORE -
2019 Summer Concerts
Paperhand Puppet Intervention presents We Are Here
Friday, September 6 | 7 pm
Paperhand Puppet Intervention marks its 20th annual puppet pageant with a new spectacle called We Are Here. As always, the special anniversary production features giant...
READ MORE -
2019 Summer Concerts
Paperhand Puppet Intervention presents We Are Here
Saturday, September 7 | 7 pm
Paperhand Puppet Intervention marks its 20th annual puppet pageant with a new spectacle called We Are Here. As always, the special anniversary production features giant...
READ MORE -
2019 Summer Concerts
Paperhand Puppet Intervention presents We Are Here
Sunday, September 8 | 7 pm
Paperhand Puppet Intervention marks its 20th annual puppet pageant with a new spectacle called We Are Here. As always, the special anniversary production features giant...
READ MORE
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